Discuss Leeds United

Stockport White

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/...l-rovers-0-v-4-leeds-271009_sport

Don't say I don't do anything for you lot.

Daddy Pig · Trialist Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 42

Oh my boys, this was good. Very, very, very good.

I was so down after Millwall. Ridiculously so in some ways, first defeat of the season, last team to be beaten in all leagues etc. but it was the manner of the performance more than anything. I've been to maybe 6 or 7 games this year, mainly away. Some impressive - 2nd half at Wycombe most notable, some scrappy, MK Dons and Southend, and some poor, Millwall... and I felt as if I was watching a team in decline. If felt we'd been "found out". Millwall simply seemed to have greater desire. So believe me, it was with a heavy heart that I set off to sit with the Rovers fans last night.

One thing that really stood out for me, being among the Rovers fans, was how respected some of our players are. I'm no great afficianado of lower league football. I knew one of their players to be "dangerous" (Kuffour, and he was alright) but no others beyond their names sounding familiar. They knew most of our front 6 players by name. And Beckford scared them senseless - "he's far too good for this league"; ""he's making us look daft" and, most charmingly, "we should just stand on that coon's foot". (Coon!

I mean, I ask you... not heard anyone use the word coon for years.) Snodgrass is considered a major danger: "fucking Scottish wanker"; Howson is liked: "good little player that Howson isn't he?"; and before even I could see who'd scored our second the bloke next to me muttered, "that's Vokes isn't it, their number 15". They even knew Ankegren: "he's ex-Cardiff isn't he? he's decent..." wrong on both counts I thought, but he was the bloke who called Beckford a coon, so I wasn't bothered about correcting him.

From 1 to 11 this was good though. Our matching headband twins at the back were superb - they missed nothing between them. ("Is that some fucking new religion in Leeds? Like some fucking muslim thing?" response "Being Leeds it probably is..."

)

Howson was a joy to watch - much more like the player he should be. Winning tackles and playing some lovely balls. His pass for Beckford's second was a joy. Doyle was tidy as you like and laid on a lovely ball for Beckford's first. Johnson was strong and dangerous, Snoddy back at his prodding and probing best, causing them all sorts of problems.

Vokes puts in a great shift, and Beckford on that performance should be in the Premiership, never mind the Championship. That said, he was barely non-League level on Saturday so I still don't see Liverpool scouts sniffing round for a Torres replacement. To be fair on Beckford, he was roundly applauded when substituted by both home and away fans - a rarity, as we all know. Coon or not, he's a decent player.

I can't be sure how good Rovers were. 6th suggests they're decent. 4 consecutive defeats suggests that position is flattering them. They created next to nothing, which is a combination of how well we played and how poorly they played I suspect. The thing was, when we brought on our subs, Gradel, Kilkenney, and then, yes, even Kandol, I felt that any of those players would have walked into their team. Quick note on Kandol - not sure whether this is the same player we had 2 years back but he looks a totally different proposition to me. So far ahead of Grella and Showumni in terms of impact it's incredible.

Be happy. Not just about a great result, but a top performance. If we don't go up this year I'll eat my own cock. As the bloke stood next to me said at the end "it's like they've come from a higher division in a cup game and are playing us for fun". He wasn't wrong...

superdooperleeds · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject:

Stockport White · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that Daddy, great read and an interesting insight into what other fans make of our players - good detective work!

Daddy Pig · Trialist Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 42

It was a pleasure - honest. Super performance.

I love hearing what opposition fans make of the game and our players. Yes, I miss the ability to jump around and stick it to them when we score, but it gives you a totally different perspective.

I do feel slightly conspicuous though. I was standing yesterday and people were looking at me. I always feel as if I'm stood somewhere inappropriate - "old Brian Smith used to stand there, 70 years man and boy, died there in the '78 promotion season... no true Rovers fan would ever stand there..." [turns into some sort of Wicker Man nightmare...]

BobArsecake · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject:

Hahaha, ace review. Sounds like some right Cletus' were in their end with you, deary me. I had a similar feeling after Millwall, as if we'd been "found out" etc, and to be honest, felt it a little going into the Norwich game. I think it's just 'cause we've had/are having such a high flying start that I've become so nervous and frightened about us dropping off that I'm finding it hard to enjoy any of it. I've not felt like this for quite a while with us either and I'm finding it hard to take!

Daddy Pig · Trialist Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 42

You're right Bob... it's the hope that kills you. Disappointment is our natural state of mind - the thought that we should really do it this year gives me palpitations.

SazzyBM · Trialist Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 166 Location: Ireland

great match report! Thanks. Glad to hear we did well! Are you planning to infitrate any more opposition teritory any time soon???
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Marching on Together!

Daddy Pig · Trialist Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 42

Swindon Town is next on my horizon...

I'll be in full west country costume. Strangely big ears, webbed hands etc... I'm a master of disguise.

Stockport White · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

Extended higlights from Tueday:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8330336.stm

SazzyBM · Trialist Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 166 Location: Ireland

Stupid BBC! I cant watch they're hightlights coz Im in the Republic!

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Marching on Together!