Sounded like we were solid but uninspiring from the radio leeds coverage, a point is a point, but sounded like we didn't create enough chances. Cooper sounded a little bit shaky at LB to me as well?
We had a good first ten minutes, and we're dreadful apart from that. Silvestri made a world class safe down low to his left midway through second half and they should have had a penalty. Their second shout was a dive though.
Just back from the game and very difficult to be positive after a poor performance with only one shot on or even near to the target. Poor decision making seemed the main problem as we did get in 1 or 2 useful positions but failed to create anything from them. Ok 2 plus points. We have a really talented goalkeeper who should get even better if he can improve his kicking and general distribution. Secondly we would have lost that game last season so something must be improving even if it's only our luck !
Well most on here said they'd be happy with 4 points from Reading and Sheff Wed so I guess thats still on even if that was an uninspiring performance
Clearly we were poor again. One point worth remembering though, most teams we played this season have also been dire. It won't take much improvement to establish ourselves in the top half which was always our target
Well that was frustrating to watch. We were threatening for the first 35 minutes or so. After that Reading's cynical time wasting tactics and playing for the draw started to frustrate our players and our fans alike, resulting in a loss of concentration and our players not really thinking about what they are doing. The disappointing thing was that our players continued to try the through ball through the middle when it wasn't working, Reading were playing with 3 centre backs, none of whom were intent on being out of position and our tip of the diamond was never going to get any luck through that. What we should have done more of is flattening it to a 4-3-3 going forward, with Sloth and Doukara getting out wide and attacking from the sides. This seemed to be when we looked the most effective. It also spreads the defense out and gives us a better chance of getting a ball through to Antenucci from the middle should it be required. We were too narrow tonight. Other than that, our shape was generally quite good. We defended exceptionally well in parts and not so well in other parts, and were lucky to not be punished. That said, we didn't deserve to be punished for what was on the whole a pretty solid defensive performance. A frustrating, cynical Reading side really cancelled out our attacking play tonight
So another mixed performance, Clean sheet,good, Failing to score or trouble their keeper,bad, Last few years play crap and we would lose midweek. Not really happy but hey,the wallies seem very quiet.
We could easily have lost that game. The ball into the final third lacked all quality and the strikers made the wrong decision every time. Mowatt and Cook gave the ball away constantly and the obsession with playing from the back on the floor lost the ball in dangerous places. Thank god for Silvestri. Bellusci and Byram were also very good. Sloth, Doukara and Antenucci were very mediocre and didn't look good enough for the Championship. The first shot on target didn't come until the 84th minute and even then Sharp should have hit it first time. We are going to struggle against any team that presses the ball like Reading did. Mid way through the second half they were pushing us right back, we couldn't keep the ball, and it looked like we were in real trouble. Fortunately Austin came on and provided some energy and bite.
Jugster, if we continue passing the ball properly then it will improve. We just need to be more comfortable doing it and a little more composed in the middle which is what Cook has been adding (although maybe not this game). Also another point which I noted after the Brum game was that I think Antenucci makes the wrong decision a lot with the ball at his feet. Makes very good runs off the ball but sometimes just lacks decision making on it. Maybe thats just a case of adjusting to the champ though. Think its gotta be time to start adding in the likes of Adryan, Benedicic and Montenegro into the team. All of them have been impressing in the U21s and all of those players add creativity to the team, although none of us have seen them play they are all very very highly thought of from their respected clubs they joined from. We at Leeds United need to get out of this opinion that players need to be bulked up to play in the first team imo.
I agree with you Josh, I'd rather see them trying to pass the ball and there were times last night when it was quick and they moved it around well. They have to do it better though, especially in front of their own goal. We really do need to see Adryan and Montenegro in the team now.
We all love to see passing, but if there is no end product the team has to be able to adapt and use the long ball if they have to.
