Sinners CyberKop - shit in your saintly halo's

[the flying pig]

Yeah we were outplayed and deserved to lose but our saving grace is our number of points on t'board... I still fancy us to go up... Two 'results' from our next three games should go a long way to ensuring that we do...

[WHITETHROUGH]

Patrick-Hong Kong,

Twat....English isn’t my bag but I can count like a good un! ops

Surely you mean '...good one!'...Ah, hem

Don’t you start my 'speed English' is appalling...and I know it.

Rabbit stew for tea and a glass of red may improve my mood. I hate it when we lose.....it fucks my evening up no end.....sigh

WE ARE LEEDS...FEAR NO BUNNY BOILER

[burnleyinexile]

I don't like losing, but losing after making a fist of it and losing by hardly letting their keeper know we were on the pitch is another thing. That's the worrying thing about this 'blip'. We don't seem able to give anyone a hard time.

[ARDS]

I don't like losing, but losing after making a fist of it and losing by hardly letting their keeper know we were on the pitch is another thing. That's the worrying thing about this 'blip'. We don't seem able to give anyone a hard time.

Simple Mate we have been found out and Grayson has to come up with a game plan that brings a few surprises,up the tempo of our play and drop a couple of players who need a kick up the backside( Beckford,Howsen).
Beckford on the bench against Millwall on TV would piss him off and gee him up, I still think Kandol and Becchio up front with Snoddy and McSheffrey throwing crosses at them today would have given them more to think about than what transpired on the pitch today.

[killer whale]

Am I the first back from the game? Can't see a separate thread so maybe...

We were poor today. Very poor. Southampton played well in patches, but they aren't exceptional or anything. But they comfortably outplayed us everywhere on the pitch really. Especially midfield. We deserved to get beaten.

We were lucky to go in at half time only one down. It could have been two or three. There was a spell then when they were attacking at pace with real menace every time on of our spells of possession broke down. Thankfully that didn't last that long, but it wasn't great for the blood pressure.

Second half was more even. We just looked toothless though. There was endeavour and huff and puff. But no cutting edge whatsoever. Chances were few and far between for us. And you couldn't blame the strikers. They weren't getting any service.

I am still going to blame them though. Beckford was booed every time he touched the ball (he did make a couple of dramatic dives early on, one in the penalty area) and as a consequence looked hungry for a while. But then he tailed off and seemed to lose interest as the game wore on.

Snodgrass was one of our most active players. He was trying, no doubt about it. But pretty ineffective. He tried one shot which went out for a throw in, which sums things up. Poor.

Bechio tried hard. Lots of jumping around as ever. To no effect. He was deservedly subbed, although Gradel was equally lacklustre. Great moment when he wrestled (Lambert?) to the ground just after coming on though.

Central midfield was where we lost the game. Doyle didn't stamp any authority on the game and Howson was lightweight. Things improve immeasurably when Kilkenny came on for McS (who had also been poor). He was my man of the match even though he only played a part of it. It showed what was possible if you played ball to feet, rather than just hoofing it out of defence desperately.

Kisnorbo didn't have a great game, Naylor was better, he got the better of that little Papa guy with the green boots when he came on for example. Didn't really see the goal, it was at the other end from me so can't say who was to blame.

White was poor but Bromby played pretty well when he came on. he would be my other candidate for MOTM. He wasn't brilliant or anything. But was at least competent.

Casper flapped around a lot as usual. Didn't give much of a sense of security.

The Soton fans didn't like the ref. No idea why he was OK. And there was a good atmosphere. The Leeds fans didn't let themselves down.

But it was dispiriting. They were more up for it than us. Which was disappointing.

No idea whether we will go up automatically. The next few games will decide I suppose.

[the flying pig]

Am I the first back from the game? Can't see a separate thread so maybe...

We were poor today. Very poor. Southampton played well in patches, but they aren't exceptional or anything. But they comfortably outplayed us everywhere on the pitch really. Especially midfield. We deserved to get beaten.

We were lucky to go in at half time only one down. It could have been two or three. There was a spell then when they were attacking at pace with real menace every time on of our spells of possession broke down. Thankfully that didn't last that long, but it wasn't great for the blood pressure.

Second half was more even. We just looked toothless though. There was endeavour and huff and puff. But no cutting edge whatsoever. Chances were few and far between for us. And you couldn't blame the strikers. They weren't getting any service.

I am still going to blame them though. Beckford was booed every time he touched the ball (he did make a couple of dramatic dives early on, one in the penalty area) and as a consequence looked hungry for a while. But then he tailed off and seemed to lose interest as the game wore on.

Snodgrass was one of our most active players. He was trying, no doubt about it. But pretty ineffective. He tried one shot which went out for a throw in, which sums things up. Poor.

Bechio tried hard. Lots of jumping around as ever. To no effect. He was deservedly subbed, although Gradel was equally lacklustre. Great moment when he wrestled (Lambert?) to the ground just after coming on though.

Central midfield was where we lost the game. Doyle didn't stamp any authority on the game and Howson was lightweight. Things improve immeasurably when Kilkenny came on for McS (who had also been poor). He was my man of the match even though he only played a part of it. It showed what was possible if you played ball to feet, rather than just hoofing it out of defence desperately.

Kisnorbo didn't have a great game, Naylor was better, he got the better of that little Papa guy with the green boots when he came on for example. Didn't really see the goal, it was at the other end from me so can't say who was to blame.

White was poor but Bromby played pretty well when he came on. he would be my other candidate for MOTM. He wasn't brilliant or anything. But was at least competent.

Casper flapped around a lot as usual. Didn't give much of a sense of security.

The Soton fans didn't like the ref. No idea why he was OK. And there was a good atmosphere. The Leeds fans didn't let themselves down.

But it was dispiriting. They were more up for it than us. Which was disappointing.

No idea whether we will go up automatically. The next few games will decide I suppose.

yeah, pff, well, they shaded the second half but in the first they absolutely pissed all over us, it was as sound a beating as i can recall being handed to us since we dropped down to this division. on today's showing a combined leeds-southampton team would very definitely include more southampton players than leeds ones, and well it might, notably they've got two very expensive strikers up front, a >£1m centre back alongside jaidi, a quality league one winger in puncheon,... most of our players are big fish in this league but many of southampton's are bigger, no doubt about it... if they can keep everyone this summer i'd expect them to stroll their way into the playoffs at the very least in 10/11.

their right winger [who i later discovered to be puncheon] had aidy white on toast in the first half, i don't doubt that white had a slight edge in terms of pace but puncheon's subtleties had him more or less chasing his own tail for 45 minutes. mcsheffrey's support of his full back was an object lesson in shitness.

beckford got no service but was a bit of a let-down anyway.

doyle was pretty rubbish. little jonny-wonny scarcely any better. as KW says kilkenny looked a big step up when he belatedly came on.

things got pretty grim after becchio went off - we carried on pumping long balls forward for gradel & beckford to contest with their two very tall centre backs.

speaking of gradel he looked characteristically witless when he came on, could conceivably have been sent off rather than booked for a senseless shove on harding.

their keeper barely touched the ball. he certainly didn't have a save to make. and we didn't really have any near misses either. in contrast they hit the post once, had a second 'goal' dubiously disallowed, and had loads of posession in and around our area in teh first half.

we knew today was going to be tough, and we can certainly afford to lose two of this little run of four hard games given points on the board and fixtures to come, but it's always gutting to lose after a long journey .

the only bright spot was that they served pints at half time...

[portadown white]

I think Gradel is rubbish. Aside a few exciting runs when he first arrived, he has done nothing except lose the ball constantly ever since. Against Swindon he was dire - I reckon he lost the ball every single time he got it. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

[the flying pig]

I think Gradel is rubbish. Aside a few exciting runs when he first arrived, he has done nothing except lose the ball constantly ever since. Against Swindon he was dire - I reckon he lost the ball every single time he got it. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

i agree to be honest, i think he was a poor signing.

[Ponte]

I think Gradel is rubbish. Aside a few exciting runs when he first arrived, he has done nothing except lose the ball constantly ever since. Against Swindon he was dire - I reckon he lost the ball every single time he got it. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

i agree to be honest, i think he was a poor signing.

Has to be, to make people yearn for Kandol.

[burnleyinexile]

I think Gradel is rubbish. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

Lowry and McSheffrey haven't exactly galvanised the team either. For Premiership 'stars', they're no better than what we already have.

Perhaps larry isn't the Messiah after all?

[the flying pig]

...Lowry and McSheffrey haven't exactly galvanised the team either. For Premiership 'stars', they're no better than what we already have...

i tend to shy away from populist bandwagons but in this instance the boo-boys are right - mcsheffrey is gash. 'premiership, you're having a laugh' could have been written for him.

[Radebe_5]

I think Gradel is rubbish. Aside a few exciting runs when he first arrived, he has done nothing except lose the ball constantly ever since. Against Swindon he was dire - I reckon he lost the ball every single time he got it. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

I can see what you're saying but I have to say that I like Max. He has got the biggest heart in the team and works harder than anyone else by a mile imo. If the rest of the team showed as much passion as he does then we might not be finding ourselves in this situation. He obviously loves Leeds - you could see that after his pen at Carlisle. But he does definitely have a heck of a lot to learn (i.e. stop being a greedy bastard!)

[Top Cat Cooper]

I think Gradel is rubbish. Aside a few exciting runs when he first arrived, he has done nothing except lose the ball constantly ever since. Against Swindon he was dire - I reckon he lost the ball every single time he got it. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

I suppose you have to ask yourself, would a team like Leicester who won this league last year and are currently in the play off's for premiership football next season let a player like Gradel go if they thought he was any good, it's possible we may need to question SG's judgement on recent signings and also of those players he is giving the cold shoulder to like Kandol and Grella to name just two. All managers have their favourites, but as someone mentioned on another thread does Howson have a hold over SG as he always seems to get picked whilst not performing all that well, I think Kilkenny should at least be given a fair crack even if he doesent play every game, we need a midfield to compliment what I think is a decent attack.

Rant over

[Top Cat Cooper]

I think Gradel is rubbish. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

Lowry and McSheffrey haven't exactly galvanised the team either. For Premiership 'stars', they're no better than what we already have.

Perhaps larry isn't the Messiah after all?

Mebbes not but if a player is premiership quality then you have to assume that he will be more than good enough at League one level and an improvement on what you already have, but like you say it's not proving to be the case, but I wouldnt blame SG for that, you and me would come to the same conclusion.

[Top Cat Cooper]

All that said, I thought we would at least have secured an away point the day, but sounds like we got battered first half and only just held our own in the second without threatening, but it's no disgrace to lose there 1-0 specially considering the money they have spent, we are still at the very least 5 points clear of third place even if the other teams in the play off positions win their games in hand but its six really cos Charlton will disappear up their own arse with their fixture list, so with both Millwall and Swindon still to come to ER it's in our own hands. It's squeaky bum time for sure, but look at this time last year and our position then and now, we would have taken this back in August wouldnt we ?

[burnleyinexile]

I think Gradel is rubbish. I used to think that SG's judgement was excellent, but Gradel makes me think twice. I am sure Kandol would have been a better choice to come on today.

Lowry and McSheffrey haven't exactly galvanised the team either. For Premiership 'stars', they're no better than what we already have.

Perhaps larry isn't the Messiah after all?

Mebbes not but if a player is premiership quality then you have to assume that he will be more than good enough at League one level and an improvement on what you already have, but like you say it's not proving to be the case, but I wouldnt blame SG for that, you and me would come to the same conclusion.

True. What I meant was ,did we put too much expectation on SG, now he's shown he's only human after all by signing these two. As you say, if they can't drop out of the PL and make a decent impact in L1, there's something wrong with them, not SG.
That said, McS was injured and hadn't played any meaningful football for eons, so he was always a gamble. I had my doubts about him immediately. Lowry is the sort of player I was after when we signed Mcs, young with something to prove, boy did I get that wrong.

[moscowhite]

Theory: the permanent signing of Max Gradel was ordered by Ken Bates/The Owners to appease the fans who were demanding transfers and cheered his every touch while he was on loan.

Discuss.

[Mustafaster]

Theory: the permanent signing of Max Gradel was ordered by Ken Bates/The Owners to appease the fans who were demanding transfers and cheered his every touch while he was on loan.

Discuss.

Falls at the first hurdle, Moscow. Since when did the current owner/chariman give a flying fuck about, or even know what the fans want?

[moscowhite]

Theory: the permanent signing of Max Gradel was ordered by Ken Bates/The Owners to appease the fans who were demanding transfers and cheered his every touch while he was on loan.

Discuss.

Falls at the first hurdle, Moscow. Since when did the current owner/chariman give a flying fuck about, or even know what the fans want?

Aye, but he did make a big point, in his first post-Gradel address on Radio Bates and in his programme notes, of how much champagne actually buying a player had cost him.

[BARE-NAKED-LADY]

Well, all I can say is we were AWFUL. Absolutely awful. Especially in the first half.

I think TFP or Killer Whale (?) said it should have been 2 or 3 nil. Rubbish. They had a shot that hit the post, a goal disallowed (still don't know what for-pushing I think) and if it wasn't for some really desparate defending by Kisnorbo in the box and some lacklustre finishing by them, it could have been 4 or 5. I am not surprised they have scored 10 goals in their last 2 home matches. So I am grateful Naylor, Hughes and Kisnorbo are in our defence as it could have been much worse.

Yes White was horribly exposed on numerous occasions, by Puncheon (who was excellent) but he had no support from Mcsheffrey (poor again) on the left. There were 3 occasions I looked to see where he was and he was half way up the pitch jogging back and looking on. I lost count of the amount of times I saw Doyle coming from midfield to help out White, because Mcsheffrey was nowehere to be seen.

Regardless of this, I do not think White should have played against such an experienced and clever League 1 winger. He was really out of his depth. On another note with White playing (who has been excellent at times) it really does limit our substitutes attacking wise. He inevitably doesn't finish a match and subsequently subbed for a defender (or Johnson) leaving our attacking options down to two. This happend in the Brentford match also when Hughes was ill and subsituted for Lubo, then White was subbed later on in the match (for Johnson) that left only 1 attacking option and Dickov came on.

Anyway back on topic. Southampton are a very good side, (especially at home) and a very big side. Some of the tallest players in the league ! think. I didn't really expect a win from the match but expected at least a hard fought draw. We came into it in patches in the 2nd half and we looked more solid at the back with Hughes switched to the left and Bromby coming on at right back, but we just didn't have that quality that I have mentioned in previous threads. Snodgrass tried, but he looked like he was trying by himself. Oh and Howson came back ino his normal form. SHIT. Please drop him Grayson. Is he the golden boy or something?

The strikers didn't really have any service and Beckford obviously got the majority of the berating from our fans AGAIN. However, he was terrible. He didn't even try and hold up the ball or try to head it. It was one of his worst matches. Saying this, he was out muscled in the game (a bit like our midfield) and their defender Jaidi (sp) didn't give him a sniff. He was excellent. Beckford didn't seem interested and I just think he just thought it was pointless trying to jump for or head the ball back because their defenders won everything in the air.

Somebody mentioned that at Tranmere the other night there was some Everton scouts in the ground. Well, if true I wondered why it was his best performace this season....tosser...

Anyway, Becchio was subsituted (I'm not surprised he looked knackered at times) for Gradel and to be honest he just didn't have a chance to shine. I think we went 4-3-3 with Snodgrass up front, hence the longball because Snodgrass is that little bit taller....why do we do this why?

Killkenny did well when he came on, but it just wasn't our day. Southampton are on a run and looked confident and deserved the win. A bit like we looked when we beat them 1-0 at Elland Road.

Stil it was disappointing and the alarming thing is most fans were resigned to the loss. There didn't seem to be too much disappointment just acceptance that they are better and resignation that maybe it will be the same old Leeds back in the playoffs again...

I hope not, another two wins at home and hopefully a point at Norwich (yeah right) and we do still have that chance of 2nd place.

Oh I think someone mentioned why they had a go at the referee? He was poor in my opinion for both sides in the first half. Southampton fans booed him at half time I think because they thought Naylor had brought down one of their strikers (last man) and thought he should have been sent off.

Anyway heres to disappointment and inevitability....