Back From The Game - Leeds

[West_Reading]

A pretty awful first half where we rarely strung together more than three passes in the Leeds half. Leeds had a fair bit of possession but were one of the most toothless sides i've seen in a long time. Second half was MUCH better. We should have scored at least three. Kebe totally changed the atmosphere in the crowd and the feel of the game itself. Antonio was dangerous too and Tabb looked much more mobile than Leigertwood. How we did not score from some of Kebe and Griffin's crosses/cutbacks I have no idea.

Fed - 7 - Can't remember him having to do much at all but a crucial save at the end.
Griff - 8 - Solid as ever and really looked threatening with Kebe on.
Zurab - 9 - MOTM. A class apart. Never looked troubled and excellent on the ball.
Pearce - 7 - Won his headers but still feel he hoofs it too much. Was good though.
Harte - 7 - Defensively better but gave the ball away cheaply a few times.
McAnuff - 7 - Probably our best attacking player in the first half. Outmuscled and dwelt on the ball too much a few times though. Looked good in the centre.
Leigertwood - 6 - Looked OK, I think he just needs match fitness. Looks a bit off the pace.
Karacan - 6 - Not at his best. Still gave it his all but didn't get close enough to the Leeds midfielders in the first half.
Church - 6 - Looked wasted on the left. Always drifted in and we lacked width until Kebe came on.
NHunt - 7 - Ran the channels well but should have scored at least one.
Long - 7 - Like NHunt, done the hard work well. Just never there in the six yard box when we needed someone.

Subs -

Kebe - 8 - Totally changed the game. Rinsed their left back inside out about eleven times.
Antonio - 7 - Causes panic with his extremely direct running. Almost scored a cracker. Funny thing was he was telling Kebe to put the ball down so he could take a long throw. Instead Kebe threw it down at his feet.
Tabb - 7 - Gave us some bite in midfield.

[Basingstoke Royal]

Good game and we played well without scoring again.

Good performances: zurab, kebe, mcanuff,griff, Pearce, hunt, karacan

Poor performances: long again. Poor first touch and when had a chance not clinical.

I think playoffs is realistic if the strikers remember how to score.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Cannot disagree with much of that. Just cannot help wondering how many points we would have had from the last 4 games if we had Siggy in the side. Probably 9/12 and we would at the top of the league. It will take me a long time to forgive the powers that be for that sale.

But if Siggy hadn't been sold your definitley not have Zurab or Harte in the side. You can't have it both ways .....

[Winnershroyal]

Enjoyed it really had the feel of a cup game.

Leitgerwood was more rusty than the anchor on the Mary Rose, I was glad when he got subbed, Jimmy was unplayable when he came on, if only Long could have got on the end of one. Drawn way too many now but got a good feeling about next week in Sheffield.

Good way support, loud at times, best at our place for a long long time.

Wonder how many of our extra fans today will be at the Cov game? Only here to see The Leeds, afraid so!

[strap]

Who was our captain in the absence of Mills? Griffin?

[winchester_royal]

McAnuff.......

[Gunny Fishcake]

Two very average sides who'll be playing each other next season ....only Schmeichel saved them with two saves he did not have a clue about....Griffin and Khizi were awesome the rest so so with McAnuff as captain a joke ......as for Long , couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo

[strap]

McAnuff.......

Blimey - where did that come from?? Could think of at least 4 others better qualified!!

[soggy biscuit]

couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo

[West_Reading]

McAnuff.......

Blimey - where did that come from?? Could think of at least 4 others better qualified!!

It's not the first time McAnuff's been captain this season so hardly a surprise. Plus it's not cricket where the captain can actually have an effect.

[Basingstoke Royal]

I think mcanuff has stood in a few times previously.

[paultheroyal]

Big thumbs up to the back five who I thought were solid. Griffin read the game perfectly and although kishi getting plaudits I have to say Pearce is such a different player since start of season.
Liegerwood did ok. His first few touches were woeful but settled into the game. He broke up the play very well and has a good engine on him.

Church is not a winger and intact at times I think hunt and church get confused with their roles. Long again worked hard and showed pace for once but lacks end product.

Kebe changed the game when he came on and looked back to his very best.

Antonio excites me but needs more composure.

Kebe in for church next week please.

Onwards and upwards.

[Winnershroyal]

I think mcanuff has stood in a few times previously.

If mills comes straight back in after that back 4 performance then somethings wrong.

Faultless today, griffin different gravy and pearcy, kish assured.

[roadrunner]

Thought Leeds support was fantastic today. They showed our pathetic support up and left me envious. I stood there in Y26 while Leeds sang "we are the champions, champions of europe" and we had the usual couple of hundred trying to drown them out and the rest al sat staring at the Leeds fans. For Christ's sake join in!!!

We were pretty poor today I thought. I don't like seeing all three strikers out there in that formation. Church was wasted on the left and we lost that winger today for playing him there. Why not Antonio or Robson-Kanu who are more suited and need the games to continue to improve.

The game changed when Kebe, who incidently was breathtaking when he came on, and Jay Tabb. Tabb's persistance and energy is missing from the start IMO. Kebe's pace and gangly legs are a nightmare for any defender and we've missed him.

[Hoop Blah]

McAnuff.......

Blimey - where did that come from?? Could think of at least 4 others better qualified!!

Who and why?

From the comments on McAnuff that come out of those around the team he's quite the solid pro and leader within the squad. Pearce and Karacan have done the job for the reserves a lot but I don't think either need that weight on their shoulders at the moment.

The second half was like a different game today, much much better than the first and we looked dangerous at times, whereas in the first half we were second best.

Great to see Kebe terrorise their back four but yet again Long fluffed his chances to get us a win. How many times are we going to say that this season?

[Victor Meldrew]

Hoofball in the first half.
Kebe shows again how important he is to our team.
Why play the right-footed Church as left midfield?
Where is the striker that we desperately need but now have to play at least the next 6 games without and probably more?
Brian after a year in the job is starting to become a whinger just like most of the managers.
Kish and Griff the two calmest players in our side-too many others treat the ball like a hot potato.
Leeds missed a trick by not bringing on Lloyd Sam until the last minute to run against our non-tackling geriatric left back.

[Northern Git]

First half pretty crap.

Second half much better. Some great crosses after JK came on.

Shame no one there to put them into the net (but its OK because we have super striker Shane Long who the stats say is one of the best in the league)

Another two points chucked away.

Still JM happy (and a tosser in Newbury)

[winchester_royal]

(and a tosser in Newbury)

[Gunny Fishcake]

(and a tosser in Newbury)

Opinions

[Billy The Fish]

Feds 8 - Made two good saves to keep it scoreless.
Griffin 8 - Had Gradel under control most of the time, and linked up well going forwards.
Harte 7 - Good effort from the free kick, but not as solid defensively as Griff.
Zurab 9 and MOTM - Back to his calm assured best after a shocker against Norwich
Pearce 7 Solid today, but just doesn't look assured when in posession.
Leigertwood 6 - Obvious lack of match fitness (at least I hope that's what it was).
Karacan 7 - Had to work extra hard today to cover for Leigertwood, another rash late challenge got him booked and subbed.
MacAnuff 7 - Good in patches but seemed to go missing for periods as well.
Long 7 - Tireless working as usual. Lack of finishing prowess as usual.
Hunt 6 - Ineffective out wide. Didn't really get hold of his good chance near the end.
Church 6 - Another mis-firing striker. Can't think of much that he did.

Tabb 6 - Ran around a lot without really achieving anything.
Antonio 7 - His first two touches were both handball, but after that he looked dangerous. Don't think he should start though.
Kebe 9 - The panic in the Leeds defence every time he got the ball was priceless. But if only we had some strikers to convert the chances he made.

Ref 7 - Don't quite see why he's getting a slating from some. I thought he was even-handed and let a lot of strong challenges go, from both sides. Much prefer that to refs who blow up for the slightest thing. Should have given Gradel a second yellow though for a blatant off the ball dive to try to win a free kick on the edge of the area just before the half.

Leeds fans 9

Leeds 6 - Good to see yet another fancied team come to the Madejski and not be as good as us. If only we could take some of those chances...