Gary Edwards ser forbedringer

Gary EdWardS

GARY EDWARDS er fra Leeds og er på hver eneste kamp med laget i aksjon. Gitt ut flere Leeds-bøker, jobber som maler og gir rabatt om det skal males over noe som er rødt.

iMproviNG afTEr UNiMprESSivE STarT

Leeds United were rather unimpressive in their pre-season schedule. Despite remaining unbeaten throughout all six matches, the clubs lack of activity in the transfer market over the summer was clearly evident in many below par performances.

Wins at Rochdale, Falkirk and Motherwell and disappointing draws at Sheffield Wednesday and the Norwegian outfit Sandefjord, failed to inspire the huge travelling army of Leeds fans. However an impressive 3-2 win over Premiership club Newcastle brought the curtain down on the pre-season games and did raise the spirits somewhat, just a week before the opening league game at Southampton. Many fans anxieties for the forthcoming season were not helped in anyway after a lacklustre performance by Leeds saw the Saints run out comfortable 3-1 winners. United’s consolation goal coming from the penalty spot through Max Gradel. A brief respite from league action came in the form of a League Cup tie at home to close neighbours Bradford City. An encouraging performance from United resulted in a 3-2 victory and a much improved performance. Unfortunately though, tragedy struck yet again in the second league game, this time at

Elland Road against Middlesborough. Leeds cause was not helped any by the total inept display of referee Anthony Taylor. He bizarrely sent off Max Gradel and Leeds captain Johnny Howson and then in a pitiful attempt at recompense sent of Middlesborough’s Tony McMahon. Both managers agreed that none of the dismissals were justified and only existed in ruining a potentially exiting encounter. A late goal from Middlesborough plunged Leeds to the depths of the division.

On August 29th, 1936, Leeds lost to Chelsea 3-2 at Elland Road on the first game of the season. This was quickly followed by two away defeats at Manchester City and then Stoke City. 75 years on Leeds prepared to meet Hull City at Elland Road for their third league game knowing that defeat would equal that unwanted record of all those years back.

One-match suspensions to Gradel and Howson along with untimely injuries saw Simon Grayson bring in former Leeds man Andy Keogh on loan from Wolves. In a strange twist of events it also forced Grayson to play a 4-4-2 system. A system that is widely favoured by most Leeds fans as opposed to the lone striker role that Grayson employed for most of last season. Leeds despite being severely depleted had a better shape about them and with Keogh and Ross McCormack operating upfield Leeds took a 17th minute lead through McCormack, settling the nerves of Leeds fans all around the stadium. Goals from the impressive young Tom Lees, a belter of a free-kick from Robert Snodgrass and a solo effort from the equally impressive Ramon Nunez saw Leeds romp to a 4-1 victory. Worthy of note was another impressive performance of Leeds new keeper’ Andy Lonergan.

The return of Howson and Gradel should only improve the side ahead of the late return of strikers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma. Leeds have definitely improved from the early games and the passing has been exceptional. I definitely think that the potential is there for Leeds United to kick on now and to start to climb the league, but two difficult fixtures lay in wait with the visits to West Ham and then Ipswich Town looming on the horizon.

Marching on Together.