please log in to view this image Middlesbrough make the short trip to Elland Road on the back of successive victories against Wolves and Peterborough which have propelled them to within 3 points of the league leaders Cardiff. They welcome back Rhys Williams after damaging ankle ligament back in August. Friend, Bikey, Horoun and Halliday all face last fitness checks. Leeds look set to welcome back Tate and Kenny to the starting XI, meaning Pearce and Ashdown will be relegated to the bench. Warnock faces a quandary whether to start with Norris and McCormack who were both second half substitutes in the midweek loss against Chelsea. Peltier looks set to stay at left back in place of the experienced Drury. Somma was an unused substitute on Wednesday, but would expect him to play the last 15-20 minutes if we're winning comfortably. Suppose the selection dilema is a good problem to have. Now that the takeover has been concluded, I wonder if it will make a difference to the attendance?
Attendance should be better than last week as Boro will bring a decent following unlike Ipswich, the South Stand Upper sold out quick and the lower tier is filling up better than last week. Seem to be poor against the Boro at Elland Road, although they seem to have mixed success away from home this season (W5, D1, L1). Hoping for a consecutive home clean sheet.
Was thinking lost once away all season, we fooked!!! Thats better, wonder what kind of reception Woodgate will get, or is he injured again?
Think it's a bit early ya fater yesterday's announcement to make much difference to attendance. I'd say prob 22k which is poor. However, if people see money being reinvested in playing staff, as was suggested by Patel yesterday, it should increase attendances over coming weeks / months. Think Rosco might have a battle after the Derby fiasco, to force his way back into the team and hopefully soon, there will be more competition for places. This is a must win game for us if we're to push for play offs. On another note, some of our gang were whingeing on another tread, that gfh didn't give details yesterday of how big a transfer budget Warnock would have. Get real lads, when have any club in the past made such a daft statement including the mega rich owners. Better to play the poor mouth, dampen expectations and keep down ara safer costs. Now off to work for me, Xmas hols this evening
Somma back in contention is a superb fillip for the squad, but will he come back anywhere as good as a supersub as before? Will he return as a better starting player? Cos when he started matches, he was awful.
[h=3]Leeds United[/h] 01 Kenny 02 Peltier 04 Lees 15 Tate 07 Green 09 Thomas 18 Tonge 19 Norris 25 Byram 10 Becchio 21 Diouf [h=4]Substitutes[/h] 12 Ashdown 05 Pearce 11 Varney 14 White 17 Brown 28 Somma 44 McCormack [h=3]Middlesbrough[/h] 01 Steele 02 Hoyte 04 Friend 15 Hines 39 Woodgate 07 Leadbitter 16 McEachran 33 Smallwood 09 Emnes 17 Jutkiewicz 27 McDonald [h=4]Substitutes[/h] 32 Leutwiler 21 Parnaby 25 Reach 08 Thomson 18 Halliday 11 Ledesma 22 Williams Ref: Tierney
