Sunday 6 November 2011

Conclusions from Leeds United


Leicester City0-1Leeds United
(HT 0-0)

Clayton 69

King Power Stadium, attendance: 26,720 (3,319)
BBC Match Report


Home Team: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky , Mills, Bamba , Gallagher (Schlupp 85), Howard (Beckford 74), King, Wellens , Danns  (Johnson 74), Nugent

Away Team: McCarthy, Connolly , Kisnorbo , O'Brien (Bromby 75), White, Howson, Clayton, Pugh, Snodgrass , Keogh (Becchio 76), McCormack (Brown 85)


  • Sorry, what? Oh, the first half's over. Was that possibly the most boring and uneventful opening forty-five minutes in Foxes history? Aside from Paul Konchesky's booking late-on and a last gasp break that saw David Nugent's shot blocked, there was very little to report.
  • It improved in the second half. Well, not for the Foxes who were undone by a very good effort from Adam Clayton, but the game itself offered a little more excitement after the break. Jermaine Beckford had the best chance for the home side, but his scissor kick failed to connect properly.
  • Why would Nigel Pearson come back? With the news that Hull City have rejected an approach from Leicester to speak to the former Foxes' boss circulating, it must be asked what would motivate him to return at this stage. His Tigers lie 8th and a point off the playoffs - whilst the Foxes sit in a lowly 12th position and now need a great run of results to catch up with the chasing pack.



Winners
Matt Mills and Sol Bamba
The Foxes' central midfield partnership is almost visibly growing with each match they play together. Whilst Bamba became a cult hero with his first touch of the ball in a Leicester shirt, Mills has had to work hard to earn the respect of Leicester' ruthless and unforgiving fans. Indeed, the £5 million man has been criticised on these pages more than once but he is slowly beginning to show promise. This duo could be crucial to a successful campaign under new management and, on this form, are proving impressive.

The Fans of Leeds United
Credit where credit is due: in a near-full ground, it was the minority that sang loudest. The Peacocks' fans made themselves heard throughout the entirety of the game and, for the most part, respected the pre-match and half time Remembrance Fixture events too.



Losers
Neil Danns and Andy King
Where Frank Lampard could never play alongside Steven Gerrard for England, it seems Neil Danns cannot play with Andy King in the same team. Both were ineffective in the Foxes' midfield this afternoon, with Danns notable for his poor performance today.

Jermaine Beckford
The former Leeds man had a tremendous opportunity to come onto the pitch and show the Peacocks exactly what they're missing. As it transpired, all Beckford showed Leeds is that they got rid of a player lacking in passion and dedication to the cause.

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