Leeds v Forest - Leeds face huge challenge
By Andy Baggott
February 12 2008
Leeds boss Gary McAllister faces 2 huge games this week, which could make or break Leeds' quest for promotion. It begins tonight with the visit of Nottingham Forest, with a trip to Doncaster on Saturday. Mccallister needs at least 4 points from these 2 games or promotion, even via the play offs, could start to look a distant dream. .
Leeds are currently desperately out of form, and Gary Mac needs to put things right straight away.
So what is the problem? as I see it, the line up is the problem. Seems too easy? Well, what would your starting line up be? As Leeds fans, we have watched them for a full season. If I did a poll now on the first 11, I can guarantee that we would only agree on (or mostly agree on) 2 two outfield players. Beckford and Marquez. That is worrying that with only a 3rd of the season gone, we only have 2 players guaranteed a starting place. The same problem faces McAllister who has to figure it out after less than 2 weeks, when we the fans can't after 6 months!!! Who at right back? Probably a 50/50 split on Kenton and Richardson. Who to partner Rui? Huntingdon? Michalik? Heath? Does Sheehan get the nod over Parker at full back?
Think it's complicated? Wait until the midfield. Would you play 2 natural wingers like Carole, Sorsa, Weston, Sweeney or Da Costa, or central midfielders out wide such as Westlake or Prutton? Inside, there's the passing skills of Kilkenny, Thompson (once he returns shortly from loan), Johnson or Howson. The work rate of Hughes? Up top, Beckford is scoring, but would you go with Kandol in the hope that he discovers his early season form, the experience of Flo, the new boy Elding, or, once fit, proven in this division Constantine?
Leeds have a very strong squad - there is huge strength in depth, and the team isn't really weakened when a player misses - however, there is a shortage of stars - a lack of match winners. I believe Macca needs to decide on his strongest 11, and give them a run together - get some consistency in the team.
Tonight, Forest will be after revenge. We went there and mugged them earlier in the season - winning a game we didn't deserve to. That early season luck seems to have dried up at the moment - which means the players need to knuckle down and put the work in - anything less will surely see another season in League 1...
Leeds v Forest - Leeds face huge challenge
Posted by: Unofficial Leeds United (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 12:08
Leeds v Forest - Leeds face huge challenge
Re: Leeds v Forest - Leeds face huge challenge
Posted by: SA (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 12:29
Aye , its all about the line up !
If Frazer is fit , it's a huge boost , he will bring some knowledge and know-how feel and all that to the back 4.
But the key move is , if we are going for a 4 man midfield , Prutton and Hughes can simply not play together IMO as it's no longer working to play either of them wide right.
Have to sacrifice one of them or go for a 5 man midfield to accomodate both and also the WINGERS .
Bradley Johnson will be our left winger till the end of the season i presume , so Carole/Sorsa/Weston have to get their go. I would prefer Sorsa ...
IMO , if Howson and Johnson continue to play in this team together , things will get very good for us in the long run.
SA
If Frazer is fit , it's a huge boost , he will bring some knowledge and know-how feel and all that to the back 4.
But the key move is , if we are going for a 4 man midfield , Prutton and Hughes can simply not play together IMO as it's no longer working to play either of them wide right.
Have to sacrifice one of them or go for a 5 man midfield to accomodate both and also the WINGERS .
Bradley Johnson will be our left winger till the end of the season i presume , so Carole/Sorsa/Weston have to get their go. I would prefer Sorsa ...
IMO , if Howson and Johnson continue to play in this team together , things will get very good for us in the long run.
SA
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