The Leeds United rumour mill is gearing up as January gets ever closer, and the first name to be linked is Ipswich Town midfielder Sammy Moore. The 20 year old has been impressing whilst out on loan to League Two side Brentford, fueling speculation that Leeds will make a move for him in January.
Meanwhile, David Prutton has been rewarded for his fine form so far this season with a new contract that will keep him at Elland Road until 2009, whilst out of favour Shaun Derry has been loaned out to Crystal Palace where he'll team up with former manager Iain Dowie.
Monday 19 November 2007
Out of JPT, but up the league we go
Whilst still very disappointed at our JPT exit, Saturday did bring back the smiles as Beckford's brace saw off Wise's old team, Swindon.
The dream of Wembley may have been short lived, but the reality of Leeds United winning the title with a 15 point deduction grows more realistic by the week. Now into 4th, and just two points off the top spot, it's becoming increasingly harder for anyone to write-off the mighty Leeds United.
A cold, dull and largely uneventful afternoon at Elland Road, saw the dirty Swindon - who managed to accumulate 7 bookings during the game - cause little threat to Leeds United's undefeated home record. A slow start for Leeds saw Swindon waste a couple of chances before Beckford fired us into the lead from the spot, following a deliberate handball from a Swindon defender.
Swindon equalised shortly after the break, but Beckford fired Leeds back into the lead soon after, following a great move by man of the match Johnny Howson, Kandol chested the ball into the path of Becks, who sweetly volleyed home to send Elland Road into party mode, and Leeds into 4th.
Swindon did hit the back of the net once more, but via the hand of one of their players. The goal was rightly ruled out, but despite a deliberate handball, the player remained on the pitch. How Swindon finished the game with 11 men is anyone's guess. Another dreadful performance from the woeful referee's we keep seeing in this league, but luckily Leeds provailed.
The dream of Wembley may have been short lived, but the reality of Leeds United winning the title with a 15 point deduction grows more realistic by the week. Now into 4th, and just two points off the top spot, it's becoming increasingly harder for anyone to write-off the mighty Leeds United.
A cold, dull and largely uneventful afternoon at Elland Road, saw the dirty Swindon - who managed to accumulate 7 bookings during the game - cause little threat to Leeds United's undefeated home record. A slow start for Leeds saw Swindon waste a couple of chances before Beckford fired us into the lead from the spot, following a deliberate handball from a Swindon defender.
Swindon equalised shortly after the break, but Beckford fired Leeds back into the lead soon after, following a great move by man of the match Johnny Howson, Kandol chested the ball into the path of Becks, who sweetly volleyed home to send Elland Road into party mode, and Leeds into 4th.
Swindon did hit the back of the net once more, but via the hand of one of their players. The goal was rightly ruled out, but despite a deliberate handball, the player remained on the pitch. How Swindon finished the game with 11 men is anyone's guess. Another dreadful performance from the woeful referee's we keep seeing in this league, but luckily Leeds provailed.
Monday 12 November 2007
JPT quarter-final looms
Not quite the Champions League quarter final as it was only a few year ago. For a start it's taken just one game to get this far and two relegations to qualify, as opposed to a top four Premiership finish, qualifying rounds and a group stage. Tomorrows opponents won't be some elite European team such as AC Milan or Barcelona either; instead, it'll be Bury. I could go over old ground here, and continually moan about our bad fortunes, before ending on some depressing cliche, but I won't. Mainly because I'm quite excited about the JPT!
I know alot of Leeds fans see the JPT Cup as a small-timers trophy, which, should we win, would never rank alongside the past glories of managers such as Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson. I aren't going to argue against this, but I do think the JPT could provide a massive morale boost for the team, and the fans. Reaching the final would also mean our first trip to the new Wembley for a chance to win our first trophy in 15 years!
This is just the kind of thing Leeds United as a club needs. It may not be anything major, and to some old-timers, it may seem small and meaningless, but winning the JPT and then - sorry to tempt fate, but - going on to gain promotion would be an amazing season after everything we've been through. Leeds United are on the up. Watch this space!
I know alot of Leeds fans see the JPT Cup as a small-timers trophy, which, should we win, would never rank alongside the past glories of managers such as Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson. I aren't going to argue against this, but I do think the JPT could provide a massive morale boost for the team, and the fans. Reaching the final would also mean our first trip to the new Wembley for a chance to win our first trophy in 15 years!
This is just the kind of thing Leeds United as a club needs. It may not be anything major, and to some old-timers, it may seem small and meaningless, but winning the JPT and then - sorry to tempt fate, but - going on to gain promotion would be an amazing season after everything we've been through. Leeds United are on the up. Watch this space!
The Silly Season
Whilst reading NME (weekly music magazine) today, I rather bizarrely came across a football fans blog that really interested me. It has nothing to do with Leeds United really, but the concept of it really intrigued me.
Basically, a Norwich fan has become slightly disillusioned with life as a below-par Championship club and decided that for one season, he'll support a top four Premier League football club to see what life at the top is like.
Ok, so you're thinking "Judas turncoat ****!" And rightly so, because initially, I was too. However, after reading through his blog, I discovered it wasn't just about the glory, but it was more a protest against the monopolisation of the Premiership.
30 years ago, almost any team at all could win the league. A good manager could make a few strong signings, motivate his players well, create a unified "all for one, and one for all" spirit, and go on to win the top flight, becoming immortal heroes. That's pretty much what Don Revie did with Leeds in the 70's, but in todays game it's virtually impossible for anyone except Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea to win the title, and it's ruining the game we all love.
I doubt the blog will have much effect on the game, but it's a great read, and definitely worth bookmarking: http://www.thesillyseason.co.uk/
Anyway, back to Leeds United. A poor 0-0 draw against a lesser opponent was all we could manage on Friday. Our first game on Sky this season, saw the players looking exhausted following the recent excess fixtures and travel. A slight hiccup, and nothing to get too worried about in my opinion. Fair play to Hereford; They gave us a good game and fully deserve the Elland Road replay.
Basically, a Norwich fan has become slightly disillusioned with life as a below-par Championship club and decided that for one season, he'll support a top four Premier League football club to see what life at the top is like.
Ok, so you're thinking "Judas turncoat ****!" And rightly so, because initially, I was too. However, after reading through his blog, I discovered it wasn't just about the glory, but it was more a protest against the monopolisation of the Premiership.
30 years ago, almost any team at all could win the league. A good manager could make a few strong signings, motivate his players well, create a unified "all for one, and one for all" spirit, and go on to win the top flight, becoming immortal heroes. That's pretty much what Don Revie did with Leeds in the 70's, but in todays game it's virtually impossible for anyone except Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea to win the title, and it's ruining the game we all love.
I doubt the blog will have much effect on the game, but it's a great read, and definitely worth bookmarking: http://www.thesillyseason.co.uk/
Anyway, back to Leeds United. A poor 0-0 draw against a lesser opponent was all we could manage on Friday. Our first game on Sky this season, saw the players looking exhausted following the recent excess fixtures and travel. A slight hiccup, and nothing to get too worried about in my opinion. Fair play to Hereford; They gave us a good game and fully deserve the Elland Road replay.
Wednesday 7 November 2007
Huddersfield game moved
Due to the potentional for violence when Huddersfield Town visit Elland Road early next month the match has been moved to an earlier kickoff time of 12:15pm.
Leeds United and the West Yorkshire Police have also recommended that Huddersfields ticket allocation be slashed to 1,710, which will allow the Elland Road stewards and police to seperate the fans easier.
Huddersfield have however appealed against the cut in tickets and the decision on how many fans will be allowed to travel will now be decided by the FA, who are likely to back LUFC and the West Yorkshire Police. Afterall, if any trouble does break out and the FA have ruled against Leeds, the finger of blame is likely to point directly at them.
League rules do state that unless Leeds have good reason to cut allocation, they must provide 2,000 seats for travelling fans. This has so far been honored by Leeds, with Hartlepool and Swansea given 2,800 each.
Leeds United and the West Yorkshire Police have also recommended that Huddersfields ticket allocation be slashed to 1,710, which will allow the Elland Road stewards and police to seperate the fans easier.
Huddersfield have however appealed against the cut in tickets and the decision on how many fans will be allowed to travel will now be decided by the FA, who are likely to back LUFC and the West Yorkshire Police. Afterall, if any trouble does break out and the FA have ruled against Leeds, the finger of blame is likely to point directly at them.
League rules do state that unless Leeds have good reason to cut allocation, they must provide 2,000 seats for travelling fans. This has so far been honored by Leeds, with Hartlepool and Swansea given 2,800 each.
Whites bounce back
Bournemouth 1-3 Leeds United
After Saturdays dismal display which saw us throw away a 1-0 lead against Carlisle, to lose 3-1, Dennis Wise was demanding a strong response from his side, and within 3 minutes of kickoff, Tresor Kandol was on hand to open the scoring.
Tresor slipped by the Bournemouth defence, firing a shot straight at the opposition keeper which fortuitously deflected back into Tresors path to be slotted home.
Despite Bournemouth's poor start to the campaign, they weren't ready to roll over and die and equalised with a drilled shot from Jern Karacan 8 minutes before half time. It was no less than they deserved as Casper Ankergren saw a busy first half end on level terms.
10 minutes into the second half and Leeds were back infront, with Seb Carole restoring the Whites lead. Things went from bad to worse for Bournemouth as card-crazy referee Steve Bennett dismissed Bournemouth's lone striker, Lee Bradury for swinging an arm at Matt Heath. There certainly didn't seem to be anything malicious about it, but Bennett being the man he is had no problems pulling out his red card to all but seal Bournemouth's fate.
All that was left was for Tresor Kandol to add his second and wrap up the nights proceedings three minutes from time.
Overall, a good display from Leeds United, who took their chances well and deserved the points. However, there's still a few worrying areas that need addressing, most notably the increased amount of goals we're conceeding in recent weeks. Bournemouth will be left feeling a little bitter following the result and the red card, but Leeds took their chances well, whilst Bournemouth wasted all but one of theres. The result is a fair reflection of this, and see's Leeds back up into 7th.
An important result, and great to get back to winning ways before the FA Cup halts league proceedings this week. The next league match will be on the 17th of November when Dennis Wise's old team, Swindon visit Elland Road.
Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAs1dexHSYY
After Saturdays dismal display which saw us throw away a 1-0 lead against Carlisle, to lose 3-1, Dennis Wise was demanding a strong response from his side, and within 3 minutes of kickoff, Tresor Kandol was on hand to open the scoring.
Tresor slipped by the Bournemouth defence, firing a shot straight at the opposition keeper which fortuitously deflected back into Tresors path to be slotted home.
Despite Bournemouth's poor start to the campaign, they weren't ready to roll over and die and equalised with a drilled shot from Jern Karacan 8 minutes before half time. It was no less than they deserved as Casper Ankergren saw a busy first half end on level terms.
10 minutes into the second half and Leeds were back infront, with Seb Carole restoring the Whites lead. Things went from bad to worse for Bournemouth as card-crazy referee Steve Bennett dismissed Bournemouth's lone striker, Lee Bradury for swinging an arm at Matt Heath. There certainly didn't seem to be anything malicious about it, but Bennett being the man he is had no problems pulling out his red card to all but seal Bournemouth's fate.
All that was left was for Tresor Kandol to add his second and wrap up the nights proceedings three minutes from time.
Overall, a good display from Leeds United, who took their chances well and deserved the points. However, there's still a few worrying areas that need addressing, most notably the increased amount of goals we're conceeding in recent weeks. Bournemouth will be left feeling a little bitter following the result and the red card, but Leeds took their chances well, whilst Bournemouth wasted all but one of theres. The result is a fair reflection of this, and see's Leeds back up into 7th.
An important result, and great to get back to winning ways before the FA Cup halts league proceedings this week. The next league match will be on the 17th of November when Dennis Wise's old team, Swindon visit Elland Road.
Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAs1dexHSYY
Monday 5 November 2007
Defeated!
It took 13 games, but the inevitable first defeat has now come. 3-1 away to league leaders Carlisle probably doesn't sound too bad, but the result more than flattered Carlisle and Leeds will regret many missed chances.
In recent weeks Leeds have failed to capitalise on their superior possession and chances, but uptil now we've been somewhat lucky and managed to leave games with at least a point. Carlisle however, were a better team than anyone we've encountered so far, and after the break they came out stronger, knowing they could turn Leeds over.
Our record is still pretty amazing, and we're still in a very strong position considering where we were at the start of the season. This fact however doesn't make the result anymore acceptable. The Leeds team got a little lazy in recent weeks and need to now pull together and come back stronger. We still have a long way to go, and a lot to prove. Injuries is an all to convenient excuse that I don't want to hear, and Gus Poyets absence is something else we need to forget about. Losing a match we dominated the majority of and led is unacceptable.
In recent weeks Leeds have failed to capitalise on their superior possession and chances, but uptil now we've been somewhat lucky and managed to leave games with at least a point. Carlisle however, were a better team than anyone we've encountered so far, and after the break they came out stronger, knowing they could turn Leeds over.
Our record is still pretty amazing, and we're still in a very strong position considering where we were at the start of the season. This fact however doesn't make the result anymore acceptable. The Leeds team got a little lazy in recent weeks and need to now pull together and come back stronger. We still have a long way to go, and a lot to prove. Injuries is an all to convenient excuse that I don't want to hear, and Gus Poyets absence is something else we need to forget about. Losing a match we dominated the majority of and led is unacceptable.
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