Yesterday's away win against a confident, mean Charlton in very tough conditions was a huge step forwards. It showed our players can play, and left the club buoyant going into the International break. One thing is certain, McD seems to have found the formation that works best in terms of sharing the workload yet still allowing freedom to play and create. This was underlined by the fact that even though the best eleven have been disrupted through injuries, squad players short of match exposure were able to seamlessly step in and not just cope, but shine. Peltier, Brown and Pugh have all been genuine second stringers this season, yet they've come in and contributed when asked. It proves McD knows his job on the training pitch both tactically and fitness wise. The capture of Zaliukas and Blackstock have added experience and quality, but what a capture in giving McCormack a new contract. That lifted the dressing room, with players knowing that the club is willing to keep its best players in a bid to build a successful team. In the past the loss of players like Beckford, Gradel, Snodgrass, Schmeichel, Howson and Becchio without adequately replacing them said a lot about intent, and damaged the inner belief of players. Yesterday players like Pugh and Brown played as if they believed in McD, and believed they were going to win. His signings of young talent like Murphy, Wootton and Smith has also allowed the team to have a longer term future in terms of personnel growing together. Another masterstroke by McD was the appointment of Austin as skipper. A quiet, softly spoken bloke, not exactly screaming out as being captain material. Yet McD saw something invaluable in Rudy ... a player willing to up his game and lead by example, fighting for every blade of grass for the full 90 minutes. This steely determination, hustle and bustle complimented by some quality play has helped McD to drive his ideas home on the pitch. Rudy has become an inspirational leader. One point off the play-offs and looking good is a lot more than most of us would have believed was possible when the transfer window shut. However, McD remained patient and positive. He knew what was happening on the training ground, he assessed his players one by one, and then he put in place a system where EVERY player could contribute and feel comfortable. Added to this he was no doubt communicating with his squad, leaving no single player alone in a dark corner. Hunt has said as much, how the gaffer has made it clear why he is not starting, yet with the understanding that the door is still open and things can change quickly. What does Hunt do? Not a single moan, but rather go out and bang in a hat-trick for the Blazing Squad. This positive man management has been underlined by the way Pugh and Brown stepped into the breach when needed. It proves they have been working hard in training, keeping their fitness and understanding what is required of them in the new system. Regardless of what we think about dead wood, plonkers and wasters in our squad, one thing is certain. We now have a damn good manager who knows what he's doing and who has the respect of the players. As soon as he fixes our scouting system as well, we will be well placed to not just push on but once again become a genuine force in the top flight. Pushing Mowatt into the senior squad has been a great move, just look at what other managers are saying about the lad. I can't wait to see what diamonds our scouts will uncover in the future, never mind what's already in our Academy. McD is putting our club together brick by brick, he is doing it with honesty and integrity, giving the club back its dignity and respect. We have a lot to be thankful for this Sunday morning, and its a lot more than the three points delivered away to Charlton yesterday. After suffering clowns and crooks like Ridsdale, Krasner, Prof McKenzie, Bates and Harvey, the sun is definitely starting to break through, and the fantastic Leeds faithful can start to believe again, but this time its more than just faint hope. In McD we trust, a man of honour and intelligence. MOT!!
Good Post all round Billy. I'm a cup half full type of person. So this success is no surprise to me. But the overall mood music in the club is soo much better than it was. Long may it continue.
Some very good points. Just a couple of bits, I want to raise about McDermott. Wooton was obviously struggling with an injury, and according to radio reports wanted to come off, but he wasn't taken off til half time. McDermotts starting XI was a touch of class. Having the experience of Pugh and Brown gave the team a lift, and certainly contributed to the win.
Top 6 and promotion remains a reality. We've got cover & competition in most positions. We've also got a formation that works. Too early to start dreaming, but a trip to boots to collect the nightnurse & prepare to start dreaming is definitely in order.
True Eire, but no one thought we'd score 4 away to a side who haven't conceded a goal at home for a few matches, nevemind 4. So who knows what might happen
Great point Boggers, we're scoring goals again ... 4 v Brum, 2 v Dog Botherers, 2 v Yeovil, 4 v Charlton since this new system has been implemented ... if we keep winning three out of every four then we'll be very well placed for success ... we're not the finished article just yet, but its clear there is now a confidence, belief and desire oozing through the team ... it seems the players enjoy the system, and with its success comes the belief that they can in fact have a career at a club the size of Leeds ... long may it continue.
Great post I still think we are short of a couple and although we seem to be doing ok at the moment, as Eire rightly said, we can lose a couple and black clouds are back. I think we are playing like a top 10 outfit and that's progress. It almost feels like were going on a run ffs. Half full glass person again.
We've been on little winning runs before, mainly grinding out results and wins by the odd goal. For some reason though this feels different, more promising. Finally we seem to have adapted the formation to suit the personnel, instead of just carrying on wishing we had wingers. It was quite evident yesterday that the team has bought into McDermott's way of thinking, they had a steely determination to get all three points, and personally I couldn't care less if there was a certain amount of cynicism about it. Great performance which bodes well for the future.
Hmm, I'm one of those people that don't get too down when we lose or too up when we win (or at the very least try). Great to see Ross' confidence in front of goal back and from the sounds of things a great performance and definitely looking up, but lets wait and see what the rest of the season has in store for us. We have just come out of losing five games in a row on the road. Don't get me wrong, I am a great fan of BMD but the formation change was always the natural progression for this team. I'm sure I wasn't the only one on here saying that we should be looking at that system a couple games before he changed it anyway. Think we need to come back down to earth a little bit, we're leeds united and we know all too well about false hope and I for one am forever wary.
In the after match interview, I believe BeeMacDee said that at halftime Wooton did NOT want to come off and that BeeMacDee called it that he would not return at halftime.
One of the biggest changes this season is that we now have a Manager who sets the team up right for the 90 mins ahead, and then has the nouce to spot something that needs changing and change things at half time. On Saturday, we went from 352 which was doing okay to 433 in order to reduce the effect of Charlton's other wide player. Having Brown as the holding midfield player allowed Austin to run around everywhere, and what a set of lungs on him. Good performance all round. Now for a few days well earned break before setting the team up for Middlesborough at home. Wouldn't be too surprised to see Mowatt back. But whatever team BMD chooses, it'll be the best available to beat 'Boro, not the side chose to beat Charlton. In BMD I trust. MOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GFH must look at this carefully now, and fully support McD in January with a MINIMUM of two signings ... this good work will only be cemented by adding to the squad as has been stated above ... is Blackstock worth signing permanently if Forest let him go? ON ON ON .....
