The defence again was poor. Kisnorbo clearly isn't the same player he was 2 years ago and O'Dea seems like a capable defender but only alongside someone better. Tom Lees again impressed at rightback, and Charlie Taylor did okay, good cross for the first goal, got up and down the flank well. He seems a good prospect, although aged 17 might be a bit early for him to play an extended role in the team, and Aidy White should come back in to replace him next game. McCormack was quality, and he moved onto the left wing when Becchio - who it was great to see back and scoring - and Forsell came on, and was good there. I reckon SG might see him as the replacement to Gradel there, especially as Nunez didn't seem particuraly effective there first half. Not much to say about Forsell, didn't really get much of the ball. Keogh doesn't look like he can score really, doesn't find himself on the end of any chances, but his link up play was good again. Brown is crap. He's slow, can't tackle and tries ambitious passes that never come off. Howson did his usual average CM performance - he does better in this alongside Clayton - but it would be better to see him moved back into his attacking role. We really, really need a centreback.
Mate todays win papered over MASSIVE cracks. Howson needs putting down. He's supposed to be our AMC. Complete ****in joke.
There's no chance of us winning promotion with this defence. I'd like to see us return to the 4-3-3 when Becchio's back to full fitness. McCormack on the left, Howson back in the attacking role and it would also give Nunez the chance to play there as well. We concede just as many in a 4-4-2 as a 4-3-3 so we can get the best out Howson, Nunez and Snoddy by playing this.
Howson was awful, as usual in that position. Invites a run from the opposition midfielder and just does synchronized running alongside them until they find a pass or have a shot. Not a defensively-minded player at all and he needs to be played further up the pitch where he excels. The defence was abysmal and O'Dea's man marking was worse than Alex Bruce's. Like Best Fans says, a leader in the centre back position is desparately needed. I didn't think Brown was too bad myself (though it's true he squandered possession when you'd expect a player in that position just to play a simple pass) and I think him and Clayton might be alright together. Nunez isn't a winger judging by today (and his deliberate, slow, prima donna walk off the pitch was annoying as ****). Snodgrass has been found out by fullbacks too; his twisting and turning routine isn't convincing anyone this season, though he's still got a few assists this season, to his credit. McCormack is awesome. Becchio too. Forssell and Keogh both look like capable backup who will work their socks off. Get Paynter out on loan, as well as Somma when/if he ever returns. Overall I agree with the consensus. Our defence is gash, and it comes as little surprise.
Theres not a chance in hell of this team getting promotion. The realsts here will be more than happy with mid table this season. The sooner we get to 55 points and we can relax
well an truelly said eireleeds1---i could not agree more--u cant rely on 1or 2 players to bail us out
cant comment on the game ...still in Mallorca not for long though but we all can see we need a CB why cant the manager and the coaching staff.. Becchio though is top class....
i'm sure Grayson knows we need at least 1 CB but whats he meant to do? Bates won't allow him to spend any money and won't pay wages that would attract anybody better than what we already have
Michael Brown is a sqaud player, he still has the head but not the legs for the role. Jonny Howson was unwell today so can be excused the sub par performance. Defence is not 100%, but Lees and Taylor both got forward well. I would like to see Lees tried at CB with O'Dea or Kisnorbo (who still looks off the pace). This would let Bromby or Connelly come in at RB and add some experience to the back four. As for reinforcements: Matt Kilgallon or Craig Dawson are the only two I would consider on loan. I would concentrate on spending all spare cash on a Centre Midfield general from like Smith, Hargreaves or Ireland who are all on the fringe and need some games before Xmas.
We have far too many squad players, I don't think Grayson knows his best line-up. Not happy about Nunez sulking off, I still see him as center midfield alongside a fit Clayton. Looks like it might well be McCormack out wide with Becchio and Forrsell up front then. Grayson loves Howson I dunno why but he seems afraid to leave him out so I would say Nunez is going to have to be a bench warming impact player.
I must of been watching a different game because I thought Paddy was a rock in the back compared to our other defenders in the last 18 months, I think he's the best defender we have had since our relegation from the big time. I wouldn't replace him not until he has a couple of shocking performances and I don't think he had one yet, admitted he scored an own goal against West Ham but Naylor must of scored three OGs in the past 2 seasons (millwall, charlton and someone else I think). Agree with you on Brown and McCormack. Keogh has only scored 45 career goals since his professional debut in 2003, he just aint a goalscoring striker BUT he and McCormack or Becchio could emulate Keogh and Billy Sharp at Scunthorpe, they were great because Keogh worked exceptionally hard to make goals and Sharp finished them off. He's the kind of player we need on the pitch for our other strikers to be extra effective. Didn't McCormack play as a winger for Scotland late last season, I saw the match he was really dangerous, could see him replacing Gradel, Nunez is just so weak and he just couldn't keep possession against them. Maybe Nunez against physically weaker sides like Coventry, Doncaster ect and McCormack against the phyiscally stronger and grittier teams like Leicester, West Ham. I can't see Nunez been successful in English Football unless he learns to put a foot in sometimes and try to put up a harder fight to keep possession like Howson, McCormack, Becchio ect. O'Dea if he keeps op the good work and Keogh are on my Christmas list to Evil Santa/aka Bates, neither are wanted by their parent clubs and would be happy for money and not paying wages to either.
Lees, Kissa, Wilson, White - wonder how it would work, experience with Kissa and three young pair of legs around him. Would have said before the season started no way as nowhere near enough experience now I would be willing to see anything tried...
Kisnorbo is so slow. He was dragged out of positon at lot, and whilst he is still as committed as ever, he just isn't as good as he was. What annoys me about the way we play, is we have a midfield and attack full of good, passing players, but we constantly play the long ball. We have a really small team, so we don't win that many headers, especially the ones that rebound in the midfield. Why doesn't SG set the team out to pass a bit more and keep possession? They seem so desperate to get the ball from defence to attack and everyone flies forward.
I've been crying out for this for weeks, I really hope it happens but I have a feeling a move to Blackpool, Leicester or West Ham is more likely. From The People today: Leeds plot move for Liverpool defender Danny Wilson Sep 11 2011 by Alan Nixon, The People Leeds United boss Simon Grayson is keen on a loan deal for Liverpool’s Scotland international centre-half Danny Wilson. The 19-year-old is down the pecking order in Kenny Dalglish’s squad and has been linked with a return to Rangers or a move to Blackpool
Whilst Danny Wilson is talented, he's hardly the centreback we need. He's young, and is still improving. I wouldn't like to see a defence with Tom Lees, Aidy White and Wilson. Tbh, I'm not sure whether it matters what players we get in. I don't think Grayson knows how to fix the defence. I read comments like 'Who would you play instead of Kisnorbo? Bromby and Bruce are ****'. Well, they aren't. Before they came to Leeds they were decent Championship players, not tragic, relegation players - which is the level of defence they've contributed to last season.
I look at the defence pre Grayson and after and I have to say it is much much better. Huntington, Sheehan, Hughes. Grayson brought in Naylor (good league one defender), Kisnorbo, Bruce (if only he can play like he did against Arsenal), O'Brein (he was great on loan and I still think he can and will be a good championship defenders), Bromby. That's a massive improvement. I think some fans have very short memories of our old defence.
