The Blazing Squad kicked off their U23 League campaign at Elland Road against a lively Coventry City. With Monk and Pep watching from the stands, Leeds United started slowly, with far too many passes going astray in a first half that saw Coventry take a 2-0 lead with some bright play. The visitors worked hard to close Leeds down, and at times the youngsters in White looked rushed, almost "apprehensive" on the ball. Something needed to change. U23s Coach Jason Blunt made two substitutions at the break, changing to a 4-3-3 from the starting 4-4-2, adding Mulhern to the other two strikers, Stokes and Wilkes. Leeds got out of the blocks much quicker, and they started to play at a much higher tempo, forcing Coventry to play in their own half a lot more. It came as no surprise when Leeds made the breakthrough, with Mulhern finishing off a slick passing movement that cut the Coventry defence to ribbons (1-2). Another good attack saw 16-year old Jamie Shackleton play Stokes in to the right of goal, and he finished with a gem of a shot across the 'keeper into the far corner (2-2). Leeds were now in complete control, and their quick play began to overwhelm a shell-shocked City, forcing a free kick wide right. The cross into the box flicked off a City head, and midfielder Clarke Odour brought it under control smartly at the back post before slipping the ball under the 'keeper to give Leeds the lead (3-2). Coventry were gone for all money, and Leeds kept their swift passing game going, with the tiny dynamo Shackleton running his socks off box-to-box, belying his tender age. Another good pass found Stokes in the inside-left channel, and the striker drove into the box, beating three defenders before opening his body up to slot a neat right-footed finish across the 'keeper and into the bottom right hand corner of the net (4-2). The hard running number 9, Malik Wilkes, was finally rewarded when he forced a mistake from a City defender, and he drove into the area before shooting for the bottom right corner. The 'keeper managed to get a toe to the ball, but Wilkes hadn't stopped going, and he slid in, firing a bullet high into the roof of the net, the onion bag bulging like Glory's eyes when Wood scored that world-class overhead kick (5-2). Leeds saw the game out with ease, and could easily have had a sixth goal but Mulhern was a bit too casual when given a gaping goal, but his tame finish to the middle of the goal allowed the 'keeper to get across and save. Three points on the board, and a superb second half performance to go with it. This was a real game of two halves, but once the boys found their feet they were almost unplayable in spells. Coventry never stopped running, but ultimately they were no match for a Leeds United team that has some real talent in it. The 16-year old kid, Shackleton, caught the eye with his tremendous work rate and passing game, and he also had a cracking snap-shot from inside the box well saved at the end of the first half. He looks a real prospect, and is smaller than Bridcutt, but hopefully he will grow some more, Stokes and Wilkes up front both worked hard, and they made some very good runs. Their goals were well taken too. Tyler Denton was steady as always, and when he reverted to left back for the second half, City posed no threat down that side, running into some solid tackles. That there is talent in the Leeds United Academy is not in doubt. It's all about their mentality as they grow up, and their ability to have the temperament to make that step up to the First Team when the time comes. After the first half nervousness, you felt that this would be a real challenge for them. However, the second half was a completely different game, with lots of positive play, and the ball being moved forward quickly and with purpose. This was a very good start to the campaign for Leeds, and with so many youngsters in the team, we have something to look forward to. Leeds United U23 (0) 5 Stokes (2), Mulhern, Oduor, Wilkes Coventry City U23 (2) 2
Mate tip top reporting that, were you there? Going to have to make myself scarce tomorrow, when Ristac sees a change of formation making a five goal swing he will be unstoppable!
Good point. The last time we saw a report so long on detail and so expertly constructed it turned out to be a product of copy and pasting.
Sadly it's true. Eventually it became apparent that the reports were just too good, when challenged the perp tried to blag it but it turned out they had been busted for the same thing on an inferior site. I was shocked by the deception.
Moses on a moped mate I am not sure whether to take you seriously. Are you actually saying someone does match reports that isn't there?
Don't mention Moses on a moped. He was banned before you arrived. I see the silly ****er nearly every day and struggle to resist running him off the road. As regards someone posting vicarious match reports I understand your scepticism it's so sad it's barely credible. It's true though!
I arrive in my own time. As I tell the Mrs, it's not my fault if she can't keep up! Your reputation precedes you, I will just look foolish if I believe your obvious cast - nobody is such a Toby that they would pretend to be at a match and post a write up if they weren't there silly
Just noticed your post, Billy. I had posted a brief summary elsewhere in reply to Boggers posting the score. I'll paste it in below. Largely agree with you, apart from Stokes position in the first half, although that half was so bad that I can't argue with you about where he played. Everyone was all over the place. I did however send encouraging texts to the front 3 & wee Shackleton. Long may their 2nd half performances continue. Hope to get up in time to see the U18s at TA on Sat, but don't have a good record for getting up early. Btw, where were you sitting? I was sitting with Leeds60, at the near end of the second available row, as you came out from the bar. Calvin Phillips was sitting a few rows in front of us, which impressed me, I might add. Also noticed the kids going further along the row to ask a dark haired guy with a pony tail for his autograph. Any idea who he is? Finally, what did you think of their #11, Devon Kelly-Evans? On the wing first half, & in the middle second. We were most impressed. Here's my (unusually brief) summary: Ironic parallels with the first team tonight. Absolutely awful in the first half. Worse than anything the 1st team has managed this season. 2-0 down in about 10 mins. Could have been a lot more. Denton playing left wing!? And badly too. Wilks on his own up front. Stokes holding. No idea of the formation. Nor did they, by the looks! 2 half time subs. Striker Mulhern replacing LB Pearce, up front with Wilks; Denton moving to LB. CB Kitching replacing RB Nicell, but going in at CB. CB Taylor moved over to RB. Final change was tactical - Stokes moving into the hole between the front 2. What a transformation! Fantastic football. If only the fist team could manage this. Scored 5 & it could have been more. Wilks, Mulhern & Stokes were a stunning trio up front. Don't think they're quite ready for the first team yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if any or all of them broke through this season. This was my first look at Wilks. He's the guy that was the sensation with the U18s last season. Think he's only 17 now. Built like a tank, skillful, agressive & determined. Only let down by his heading. On this showing, I think he could easily replace Doukara. Don't get me wrong - I'm one of the few that likes Doukara. Keep an eye out for him.
Not that many rate Redfearns opinion but he wrote an article a few days back with high praise for Mulhern, he believes Mulhern will be pretty special.
Hi Jocko ... I cut and paste my report from FourFourTwo magazine ... or maybe I have a ponytail ... Wilkes has the power to graduate .. Stokes better than Mulhern for me, he really gets involved and runs at defenders, but time will tell ... Kitching looks calm and assured, and with McKay we have two decent centre back prospects ... their Kelly-Evans was easily their best player, quick and direct, but he disappeared in the second half when Leeds took control, so maybe still learning about how to influence a game and get on the ball in the pressure situations Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
watched it live on LUTV bud, pretty good coverage actually and thankfully they showed replays from different angles as well ... their streaming quality is still rubbish ... if I lived in Yorkshire I would always be at Elland Road, and I'd go to all the Reserves and Junior games ... I'm the sort that whenever I'm near Leeds I always drive to Elland Road just to stand outside the ground for five minutes we have some talent, that's for sure, hopefully we get at least another four coming through ... our centre backs can do with progressing now Jocko, do you think these lads can make the grade at Leeds? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Very early to say. It's only 1 match, and at the beginning of the season, when they're still getting to know each other (a bit like the senior team). Added to the fact that during the season, there are usually 1 or 2 first team playing too, either recovering from injury or getting game time as they're on the periphery, and this usually helps them calm it down a bit. Sorta explains the extremes we had last night. Let me start at last season. Coyle was my pick, with Denton a bit behind. I was also a great fan of Mulhern & Stokes. Both looked like they were due some game time at the end of the season, but Evans went for points to try to keep his job, sadly. Had he been assured of another season, I'm sure they would have got a try-out in the first team. Became academic to a certain extent anyway, as Stokes more or less ended his season anyway with an injury. I like Stokes as he has a marvellous way of ghosting into the box, as well as the direct route, plus he scores plenty of goals. I think it's something we're still missing in the first team, tbh. Hope to be proved wrong. Mulhern looks like a fat Viduka from a distance, but when you see him up close, he appears to be lean, apart from his arse He's a bit of an all round (pardon the pun) attacker. Can head, shoot, dribble, pass. Moving on to this season, I still don't think Denton's quite there yet. May be a do or die season for him. He seems solid enough, but there's a fair old leap to the first team & I'm not sure he's ready. Someone clearly disagrees with me as he's already been issued with a squad number, as I recall. I think I'd be fairly comfortable with him playing as cover, but only for a short while, and only with a lot of understanding, experienced players around him. I still have high hopes for Stokes (why do they keep playing him DM?) & Mulhern (who was absent in the first half for some reason). No let-up in their performances. Looking good. If we hadn't signed so many new faces this season, they might have got a run-out in the League Cup - but as you know, we had face to save, & new faces to assess, so perhaps next round? Probably not for the same reasons. The guy who made the biggest impression on me is Wilks. He's only 16 or 17, but what a powerhouse. Played u18 last season & got a name for himself. This was the first time I saw him. He's my top pick for this year. Bailey Double-Barrel looked ok in goal. Would like him to get some game time in the LC, rather than Turnbull. If so many teams were scrambling to sign him, we should be giving him his chance to reward the loyalty he's shown us. Finally, I was impressed by the wee lad Shacklton. Box-to-box, boundless energy, great at tackling/closing down. Impressive display. Interestingly, I tweeted the 4 outfield players I mentioned, congratulating them. Got a 'like' from the 2 new boys. Nowt from the other 2. Not sure, but might say something about attitude. Who knows? So far. It's only been 1 game, so I guess things might change for them all.
