Ipswich 2-1 Leeds United - 27th August 2011
A result that I and a few friends didn't see coming. We knew that Ipswich would pick up their game from the twelve goals conceded in the last two games but I didn't expect a loss. In my last blog I predicted that we would win 3-0 I think. There were three goals in it, so I still like to think I'm psychic. Reading many match reports and watching The Football League Show on BBC 1 on Saturday night I can tell that Leeds dominated the first half. We half plenty of chances and maybe we should have been 3-0 up at the break. It wasn't meant to be, only one Ross McCormack flew past the Ipswich Town goalkeeper David Stockdale, on loan from Fulham. It was a well worked goal, Snodgrass again the craftsman. Ross has also been quite prolific in front of goal. He is not the tallest striker and I would have expected the goals he gets to be with his feet however we have seen that he can also use his head. He has scored three headers in all competitions this season and one with his foot. Maybe he gets the headed goals he does because he is so good at losing his marker in the box. A lot of times this season he has been able to pull away from his marker and plant himself near the back post waiting to deliver a powerful header beyond the oppositions keeper.
Despite the promising signs, the fact that we are currently lying 19th in the Championship table cannot be ignored. A measly four points from five games is not good enough for the benchmark we set last season and the standard we able to perform to. We have not lost any key players in the summer apart from Schmeichel who has been replaced by Lonergan who has around the same capabilities and with less girlish temper.
Aidy White is tracking back just after the halftime interval at a terrific speed, chasing down Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. The pace got the better of White and he cascaded towards the ground face first, taking the Town striker with him.A red card looked so harsh. He was one of the last men and might have denied a goal scoring opportunity. White knew what was coming, but even now looking back the trip looks so innocent. The red card was the turning point and for the third time this season Leeds were subjected to playing with just ten men.
The first goal that Ipswich scored on 77' minutes was a cheap and silly goal to concede. There was no closing down the ball, from midfield or defence. Anyone could have knocked the ball from Jason Scotland's feet and prevented him getting his shot away. The shot nestled in the back of the goal with tremendous pace, although it was hit hard I felt that Lonergan was also to blame. Andy didn't get his arms out quick enough and didn't stretch enough to parry the ball away.
The second goal was unfortunate. Very unfortunate. I heard about the goal, and I noted that it was a deflection but nothing could have prepared me for the agony I felt watching the ball softly but viciously twist and turn over Lonergan's head. It was no way to win a match, certainly when you had an extra man and been completely dominated in the first half. Maybe 1-1 would have been a fairer reflection on the game but players, staff and fans alike deserved to feel extremely hard done by, by such a goal. So close to the end of the game too. I would have probably taken a point at Ipswich as I knew there horrific form could not go on.
In the post-match interviews I was glad to hear that Paul Jewell knew his side were lucky to wrap up all of the points. It takes a good, honest manager to know that even though his team came out with the unshared points, he knew his team was still beaten.
Crystal Palace and the International break
The International break comes before the Crystal Palace game on the 10th of September. Maybe the break has come at a good time. The break means we can regroup and sort everything out before meeting with the on-form London club at Elland Road. There are still things to be settled. As I write this the transfer deadline is getting ever closer and it looks as-though some players could leave. The most notable player to look like he is on the move being Ivorian Max Gradel which would be a huge loss. Offers from Leicester and Ligue 1 sides in France look evermore likely.
A handful of players will be off on international duty playing internationals at senior level or younger squads. Players like Gradel and Snodgrass will be leaving for important international duties. Aidy White will also be leaving to play more football in the break.
Two weeks off is a long time so it is important that Grayson keeps the players grounded and reflects on the sector of the season that has gone and also on what is to come in the near future.
Crystal Palace will be a tough game. They have brought some good signings to the club and ex-Leeds player Dougie Freedman managing the Eagles this season has proved to be an improvement on last seasons calamities. The Eagles are flying high with impressive wins. They have also shown great character on a number of occasions to fight their way back into games and snatch points from their stunned opponents.
My prediction for the Crystal Palace game will be:
Leeds United 2-1 Crystal Palace.
They will give us a tough game, but we can grab another deserved win!
The Carling Cup vs Manchester United... AT ELLAND ROAD!
What a draw, this is not the first time in recent years we have played one of the big teams from the Premier League. In recent years we have played Liverpool in the Carling Cup, along with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United themselves in the F.A Cup.
It will be a marvellous event and I don't expect anything from the game really. I can be sure that with the congestion of games around that time, with the Premier League and Champions League starting next month, that Fergie will play a slightly weakened side that are still capable of beating our Leeds side. I am extremely happy with the tie and can't wait for it to unfold. I'll definitely be going to that one. I do not expect us to do another 'January 3rd' but I don't expect us to get embarrassed, certainly not as bad as Arsenal. I believe we will score one and the players will give a solid performance. The rivalry will spark plenty of anger and tempers between fans and players but it should be a brilliant spectacle.
My prediction for that one will be Leeds United 1-4 Manchester United.
I expect to get beaten. Scum are on their best form in years at the moment. 1-4 is not an embarrassing score, its probably expected. I do expect us to score one. Hopefully something special like Bradley Johnson's wonder strike last season against Arsenal.
Gonna wrap up the blog here and hope you had a good read of my thoughts, Ciao!
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