Slashed? The words that sprang to my mind were sliced and diced!
We got what we deserved from this game – Sweet FA. Only one team that played a clever, attacking passing game. There was a deal of trickery too. That team was not Leeds United. We played a hoof and hope style on the rare occasions we had the ball. Fair pay to Sáiz running at them on the very rare occasion trying to make a difference. He has precious little support.
We chased shadows all night and it seemed that the only method we wanted to employ was for the back line to fiddle about with it passing ineffective passes amongst themselves, to then pass it back to the keeper who punted it forward into touch, to their defenders or into no man’s land and handed possession back to the opposition. Sheffield were extremely unlucky not to go into the break 0 – 4 up. That would have been a fair reflection of the proceedings. We scored, a good goal I grant you, with perhaps the only shot of the half. Sheffield defenders got away with persistent fouling but this is what team are doing to Leeds and getting the upper hand as we have no scrappers in the side.
So, what of our team? Lonegran made at least two excellent saves to keep us in the game but his kicking was woeful and, as it is with Leeds keepers these days, looked incapable or commanding his 6-yard box. Pennington, played like he had two left feet at times and his inexperience made him nervy. The whole back line collectively seem to have forgotten how to tackle or win the ball or pass it effectively. Up front, Lasogga looked like a big slow-moving lump who does not have a single aggressive or assertive bone in his body. He was second best in every clash with their defence; I think they were lounging around in their smoking jackets and cravats all night! O’Kane and Vieira battled on manfully. Philips too did OK and scored a cracking goal but he should have been red-carded for a horrendous tackle. Sáiz played well but there was not much around him in support. Jansson also looked OK when he came on.
We have now lost 4 of the last 5 Championship games. That is relegation form!
Nothing more to be said really
Keep the faith. WAL