I thought we were much better today, in the main. Players were fired up and tempo was mich higher, still lacking that spark and another mistake in the defence cost us. We need a central player who runs the show, an out and out striker/goalscorer, and another dangerous winger. (Howson, Snodgrass, Somma). We dominated the match but the final delivery was rather poor. So the ratings; Longergan: 7 - Didn't have much to do in all honesty, their goal was a sweet strike, he caught a few corners and made a good save in first half. Bruce: 8 - Solid performance. Boss at the back today. Not alot to do but did what he had too very well. Showed great desire and passion for the team, made a few surging runs into the box and sprint all the way back! Best I've seen him play. Kisnorbo. 5 - Usual Kissa performance. In the air decent, running or on the floor, rubbish. Almost cost us a goal early on. O'Dea: 6 - Was at fault for the goal, did absolutely nothing! Seemed to be trying to play a Hollywood pass all the time which didn't always come off. Good effort, not the ability, like the lad though! White: 9 - Fantastic performance! Bombed on, linked brilliantly with Townsend, not alot of trouble down his flank from their perspective, final delivery was still lacking, otherwise brilliant! Thompson: 8 - This lad really really impressed. Home debut isn't easy at all particularly infront of a decent crowd. 100% for effort, had a peach of a shot go just wide, played for the shirt and didn't go hiding at all! Played out of position but looked comfortable, quiet late on but only made a few mistakes, good prospect! Clayton: 7.5 - Best performance for a while. Really got stuck in and looked to make things happen. Didn't like the elbow he got away with at all, don't want to see that. But much better from him! Pugh: 6.5 - Waste of £500K. Average wherever he plays, not got much ability, but he gave his all and kept the midfield ticking over, did nothing wrong, but little influence. Sam: 7 - Was doubled up on all game in fairness. Seemed low on confidence and scared to loose posession, still a danger and again gave 100%! Good effort from the lad! Nunez: 8 - Always looking for the ball in first half. Desperate to make things happen but lack of movement around his restricted him. Run himself into the ground in first half, quiet second half, good effort. Townsend: 9.5 - Superb. Run the show as soon as switched to LM. Fantastic player. Ran at players, glides past them but final ball lacking a little. Great understanding with White and did his fair share of defending! My MOTM. Becchio: 4 - He really was that bad, again! Absolute garbage. No movement, no work-rate, didn't win many headers. Constantly out of position first half when he was playing the lone striker, very poor I'm sad to say. Forsell: 2 - If he ever wears a Leeds shirt again something is wrong. Did **** all but miss an open goal. Leave now. Grayson: 8 - Our attacking midfield was running the show. Midfield bossed the game and he changed the team after the injury very well. Forsell was a bad decision but McCormacks entry worked Crowd: 8 - First half a little flat. Constant low level chanting though. Second half we came alive. Really driving the team forward and the celebrations after McCormacks goal are moments we go for. Fantastic! Entire stadium bouncing! Also think Burnleys fans were good in fairness. Was in the Kop by the way. Ref: 7 - Think the red was harsh but can understand it. Missed a handball in the area when Bruce went for a header, and the 3 handball appeals in a row was hilarious banter! Agree or disagree and why? Great to back to winning ways with a decent crowd! On on on...
Did a run-down of the players and manager on the match thread, but I agree the celebration for the winner was brilliant. I ended up lying on the row of seats in front of me just gasping and trying to shout 'yeeeees' but being too out of breath to even emit a sound Can't beat a late winner at Elland Road; even better than an away game for that. The main points I'd disagree with you were Becchio (thought he put himself about a lot more than he has recently and won the majority of stuff in the air - maybe 5/6 rather than 4), Pugh (best I've seen him since Donny away and broke up the play as well as anyone else could have), and White (I think 9/10 is probably a bit excessive; he was good, but not close to perfect and lacked end product like the rest of the team). Forssell was dire, agreed, and it's time to pay up his contract and ship him out along with his Finnish friend. I thought the atmosphere was poor myself, were about 7 or 8 loud chants all game which was disappointing. No-one even arsed to join in with 'glory glory' at the top of the Kop. And yeah, the three handballs Shame the stewards are so belligerent in the South Stand, there was a decent atmosphere developing there last season and it looks like they've killed it off. Very surprised to see a 27k+ crowd, and I know it puts more money in Bates' pocket, but this was only the fourth game this season (after Bradford, scum and Hull) where my area's been reasonably full and there haven't been two or three spaces next to me. So I welcome it from that perspective. Referee was biased in our favour, and there are Burnley conspiracists pointing out that he's from York and his family are Leeds fans. Who cares. We're Leeds United, we don't give a ****.
Atmosphere was quiet until the last 10 minutes, where it was brilliant and the goal! Don't think Nunez deserves an 8. Was involved, but didn't do anything with the ball. I know Leeds -18 won't agree, but O'Dea deserves a 1! I think I'm letting my hatred for him judge that performance, but after watching mistake prone defenders for years, I want to see someone deal with it and just get the ball out. I miss Naylor/Sodje and then Naylor/Kisnorbo from League One!
O'Dea's header was poor, but it was hardly a clanger, simply a small mistake that was punished by a great finish.