Leeds v Brighton - Team/Reports/Ratings....

[Gino 1959]

Introductory comment before FLS highlights: "There's a fresh feel to Leeds United. Ken Bates has gone and the fans have returned."

There rests the case for the Prosecution, Mi'lud.

[YorkshireSquare]

My match report....
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=29168

[YorkshireSquare]

No link to goals yet?

Just posted...

[leeds&leeds&leeds]

First match I have actually enjoyed for years. Feeling positive about the future, just a couple of players short of a team competing for the play-offs. Thought the team to a man gave it their all but my motm was Paddy.

[LUFCRACE]

Just posted...

Ta

[paddy parrott]

Thanks for a great match report and makes sound reading, and if there,s one thing much better than grown men crying then it,s hugging together.

[Emsley]

nice post shields.

[Martyn]

Good report in The Independent

[abundegas]

Looking forward to watch highlights/whole match on LUTV in due course, because didn't have best view yesterday and excitement has blurred some of my memories, so with that in mind...

Kenny (8.5). Couldn't do anything about their goal and (as said in many places) some match-winning saves.
Peltier (6). Seemed to be dragged out of position too often, and impotent going forwards. Some good tackling, and hard work.
Lees (7). Can't remember much of his defensive work but seemed much better on the ball than...
Pearce (6).
Warnock (7). Solid and some energy going forwards.
Tonge (6). Good distribution, but lack of pace exposed others in defence, and meant attacks sometimes fizzled out.
Green (7). Great work rate and covering, but seem a bit hit and miss once the ball was won.
Murphy (7.5). Probably worth an 8 once he got into the game. Kept himself involved. Good long-range effort. Seems very comfortable with the ball. And, of course, the winner. (I think someone has already hinted at this, but that winner reminded me of Howson bursting into the box at crucial moments).
Varney (6.5). Hard working, a few good touches, but didn't see anything special, though maybe not great service to him.
Hunt (6.5). Similar to Varney (but that might be my brain being lazy).
McCormack (8.5). I'm a big fan of his work-rate and his (attempts at) creativity. Think we really need him to keep his confidence high and go on goal-scoring streak; others may have scored pre-season but I think he's our best chance for goals in the league.

[abundegas]

Couple of other thoughts about yesterday...

- Felt slightly uneasy/queasy about the highly orchestrated efforts to parade the owners pre-match, and being bombarded with slogans about "the past is the past" and being "united", etc. I appreciate the sentiment but the overall effect seemed like the work of a cheesy marketing department to me.

- Other results in the league look very different than last year, i.e. in nearly every match the "favourite" won, and not many draws, in contrast with the anyone can win/lose situation of last season. Of course, only one round of matches, but I also thought of the first day as when surprise results happen.

[YorkshireSquare]

Couple of other thoughts about yesterday...

- Felt slightly uneasy/queasy about the highly orchestrated efforts to parade the owners pre-match, and being bombarded with slogans about "the past is the past" and being "united", etc. I appreciate the sentiment but the overall effect seemed like the work of a cheesy marketing department to me.

- Other results in the league look very different than last year, i.e. in nearly every match the "favourite" won, and not many draws, in contrast with the anyone can win/lose situation of last season. Of course, only one round of matches, but I also thought of the first day as when surprise results happen.

It was all a bit cheesy, they are very keen to 're-engage', I'm sure it will subside and return to some measure of normaility.

Lots of vert close results in the league, all tight apart from the Wigan Barnsley game.

[YorkshireSquare]

Ok, here goes....

Kenny (8) Three great saves, kicking and distribution poor.
Peltier (5) Defended poorly, offered something going forward but crossing and passing was very poor.
Lees (6) At fault for the goal, average game.
Pearce (6) Again, average, the defence was the weak link.
Warnock (6) Defended well, provided little going forward.
Tonge (7) Went about his job well, nothing special.
Green (8) Pick of the midfield, worked hard all match.
Murphy (7) Did well, quiet in first half, came into the game.
Varney (7) Moments of brilliance, moments of wastefulness.
Hunt (6) Felt he was quiet.
McCormack (9) Worked hard all game. Creative, put some good balls in and tracked back well.

[eastyorkshirewhite]

Correct me if I'm wrong Leon, but the Don's dugout was Kop End???

Yes it was

[1964white]

Yes it was

It certainly was

[eastyorkshirewhite]

A good start to the season and a welcome 3pts,some of the old faults still there.But all you can ask for is 3pts

Kenny 7 made some good saves kicking was poor though
Peltier 6 Still not sure what his best position is
Lees 6 Lost his player for Brightons goal
Pearce 6 Fairly solid
Green 7 Made some good tackles
Tonge 7 Started well but tired
Murphy 7 A good debut lucky with goal
Warnock 7 Did all that was asked of him
Varney 6 Not his day
Hunt 6 Faded in and out
McCormack 8 Took his goal well looked up for it

Poleon 5 made some good runs
Smith 4 will reserve judgement
Drury 4 Not on long enough

[Genghers]

Kenny 8 - Not much he could have done about their goal, and stopped at least 3 certain goals throughout the game. Distribution is still pretty poor though...
Peltier 5 - We really could do with Sam back. Showed pace once towards the end, but generally stood still as soon as he got it in the opposition half. Crosses were generally ineffective and he got caught out of position far too many times. I think I'd rather see Pelts as a centre back.
Lees 6 - At fault for the goal (not being goal side is criminal at this level), but got his head to most balls into the box and cleared off the line towards the end.
Pearce 5 - Slow. Got caught out a few times after coming forward with the ball.
Warnock 6 - Showed good drive going forward, but didn't offer very much.
Green 7 - Worked hard and put in his fair share of tackles and decent passes.
Tonge 7 - I was surprised by Tongey! A few very nice balls including the cross for Ross' goal. I'd happily keep him as back up based on that performance.
Murphy 7 - Showed glimpses of what he's capable of, and took his goal well. I think he's going to be a big player for us over the next few seasons with added confidence/experience. Comparisons with Jonny aren't far off.
Varney 6 - Hard working performance. Got the flick on for Ross' goal? Didn't do much special though.
Hunt 6 - Much the same as Varney.
McCormack 8 (MOTM) - Tireless performance, covering pretty much the whole pitch, including right-back a couple of times Took his goal well and showed what he's about today.

Poleon 6 - Gave their defenders something different to think about. Direct running and trying to beat players. Unlucky not to have scored, with only a decent save stopping him. Think he'll keep sub status for a little while, but it's a different option.
Smith 6 - Massive impact. As soon as he came on he was double marked, allowing much more space our other strikers/midfielders (which ultimately lead to the goal). Lovely knock down. Another decent option.
Drury 5 - One incredible tackle on their RB which the crowd loved. Didn't do much else.

General observations:
-The defence needs to learn their new game a bit better - far too many gaps after the full-backs pushed up...
-We need one of the CMs to be dedicated in the holding role to protect/slot into the defence when the full-backs do push forward.
-The forward line-up of Hunt/Varney/McCormack is a bit samey. Not much pace or height, but lots of hard work. I think we could have done with Smith on instead of Varney or Hunt as a target man, as we were sticking a lot of balls into the box in the first half. I do like the position switching though, will make it hard for defenders to man mark.

[Armleywhite]

Kenny 8 - Not much he could have done about their goal, and stopped at least 3 certain goals throughout the game. Distribution is still pretty poor though...
Peltier 5 - We really could do with Sam back. Showed pace once towards the end, but generally stood still as soon as he got it in the opposition half. Crosses were generally ineffective and he got caught out of position far too many times. I think I'd rather see Pelts as a centre back.
Lees 6 - At fault for the goal (not being goal side is criminal at this level), but got his head to most balls into the box and cleared off the line towards the end.
Pearce 5 - Slow. Got caught out a few times after coming forward with the ball.
Warnock 6 - Showed good drive going forward, but didn't offer very much.
Green 7 - Worked hard and put in his fair share of tackles and decent passes.
Tonge 7 - I was surprised by Tongey! A few very nice balls including the cross for Ross' goal. I'd happily keep him as back up based on that performance.
Murphy 7 - Showed glimpses of what he's capable of, and took his goal well. I think he's going to be a big player for us over the next few seasons with added confidence/experience. Comparisons with Jonny aren't far off.
Varney 6 - Hard working performance. Got the flick on for Ross' goal? Didn't do much special though.
Hunt 6 - Much the same as Varney.
McCormack 8 (MOTM) - Tireless performance, covering pretty much the whole pitch, including right-back a couple of times Took his goal well and showed what he's about today.

Poleon 6 - Gave their defenders something different to think about. Direct running and trying to beat players. Unlucky not to have scored, with only a decent save stopping him. Think he'll keep sub status for a little while, but it's a different option.
Smith 6 - Massive impact. As soon as he came on he was double marked, allowing much more space our other strikers/midfielders (which ultimately lead to the goal). Lovely knock down. Another decent option.
Drury 5 - One incredible tackle on their RB which the crowd loved. Didn't do much else.

General observations:
-The defence needs to learn their new game a bit better - far too many gaps after the full-backs pushed up...
-We need one of the CMs to be dedicated in the holding role to protect/slot into the defence when the full-backs do push forward.
-The forward line-up of Hunt/Varney/McCormack is a bit samey. Not much pace or height, but lots of hard work. I think we could have done with Smith on instead of Varney or Hunt as a target man, as we were sticking a lot of balls into the box in the first half. I do like the position switching though, will make it hard for defenders to man mark.

This is the best assessment of yesterdays game for me.

[Durly]

Kenny 8 - Not much he could have done about their goal, and stopped at least 3 certain goals throughout the game. Distribution is still pretty poor though...
Peltier 5 - We really could do with Sam back. Showed pace once towards the end, but generally stood still as soon as he got it in the opposition half. Crosses were generally ineffective and he got caught out of position far too many times. I think I'd rather see Pelts as a centre back.
Lees 6 - At fault for the goal (not being goal side is criminal at this level), but got his head to most balls into the box and cleared off the line towards the end.
Pearce 5 - Slow. Got caught out a few times after coming forward with the ball.
Warnock 6 - Showed good drive going forward, but didn't offer very much.
Green 7 - Worked hard and put in his fair share of tackles and decent passes.
Tonge 7 - I was surprised by Tongey! A few very nice balls including the cross for Ross' goal. I'd happily keep him as back up based on that performance.
Murphy 7 - Showed glimpses of what he's capable of, and took his goal well. I think he's going to be a big player for us over the next few seasons with added confidence/experience. Comparisons with Jonny aren't far off.
Varney 6 - Hard working performance. Got the flick on for Ross' goal? Didn't do much special though.
Hunt 6 - Much the same as Varney.
McCormack 8 (MOTM) - Tireless performance, covering pretty much the whole pitch, including right-back a couple of times Took his goal well and showed what he's about today.

Poleon 6 - Gave their defenders something different to think about. Direct running and trying to beat players. Unlucky not to have scored, with only a decent save stopping him. Think he'll keep sub status for a little while, but it's a different option.
Smith 6 - Massive impact. As soon as he came on he was double marked, allowing much more space our other strikers/midfielders (which ultimately lead to the goal). Lovely knock down. Another decent option.
Drury 5 - One incredible tackle on their RB which the crowd loved. Didn't do much else.

General observations:
-The defence needs to learn their new game a bit better - far too many gaps after the full-backs pushed up...
-We need one of the CMs to be dedicated in the holding role to protect/slot into the defence when the full-backs do push forward.
-The forward line-up of Hunt/Varney/McCormack is a bit samey. Not much pace or height, but lots of hard work. I think we could have done with Smith on instead of Varney or Hunt as a target man, as we were sticking a lot of balls into the box in the first half. I do like the position switching though, will make it hard for defenders to man mark.

Just got back to London after a great weekend in Leeds with the family. Caught up with quite a few people I hadn't seen for a while in The Hop (although not for long enough) and had a good morning out with the wife and kids at the Tropical World in Roundhay Park.

Anyway, I'm digressing. As far as the match was concerned, I'd agree with most of that Genghers. Tonge surprised me a lot yesterday. For the first 45 I thought he was our best player and most of what was good was going through him. He was less effective second half but even so he put in a decent shift. I think you're being a little bit hard on Peltier though. I don't like him as a full back really but I thought he did little wrong yesterday. He's no Byram and he doesn't get forward quickly and effectively enough but I thought he defended well and played his part in a reasonably solid back four.

[1964white]

Just got back to London after a great weekend in Leeds with the family. Caught up with quite a few people I hadn't seen for a while in The Hop (although not for long enough) and had a good morning out with the wife and kids at the Tropical World in Roundhay Park.

Anyway, I'm digressing. As far as the match was concerned, I'd agree with most of that Genghers. Tonge surprised me a lot yesterday. For the first 45 I thought he was our best player and most of what was good was going through him. He was less effective second half but even so he put in a decent shift. I think you're being a little bit hard on Peltier though. I don't like him as a full back really but I thought he did little wrong yesterday. He's no Byram and he doesn't get forward quickly and effectively enough but I thought he defended well and played his part in a reasonably solid back four.

Agree Tonge did have a very good first half & Peltier wasn't as bad as a some are claiming, both rated 7/10 for me

And your Man of the Match Durly ???

[hibbi86]

Murphy 7 A good debut lucky with goal

Harsh assement of the goal to be honest,

I thought he did well, commited himself, timed his run perfectly for the knock down from smith took the ball on his Chest (possibly arm) between2 defenders and managed to get a shot away the was too strong for the keepers (SCUM) arm to stop it from ending up in the back of the net