Swindon

No real reason to change a team after a 5 goal win so it was just Rui back for the suspended Lubo. It was a fairly even start, although it immediately became obvious that Delph is fast becoming the heart of this team, as his team-mates were looking to give him the ball at every opportunity. Strangely Beckford also started in his odd hanging around on the left wing position.


Ten minutes in and with the ball on the far-side of the pitch Sheehan appears to dive into a tackle a bit and partly due to the reaction of the Swindon players gets a straight red. Cue a minor reorganisation with Hughes going to left-back and Beckford staying permanently left wing.


It could have proved the start of a long day but we actually kept our composure and avoided coming under any real pressure. Then a seemingly innocuous ball in from Becchio on the right, slides under the defenders foot and Beckford is alone in the middle to scoop it in past the keeper. Surely this would bring an onslaught but it still didn’t materialise and apart from a great one hand save from a free header, Lucas had little to do. So it was something of a surprise when he was beaten when a cross from our right was steered home just
before half time.


Still we were good value for a draw at this point and you just hoped we wouldn’t tire too much having to play with ten for so long. Then a huge slice of luck, we got a free-kick
about 30 yards out, Kilkenny lined it up and hit it at a nice height straight to the keeper, who let it squirm through his arms into the back of the net.


Then 2 key turning points, Swindon went straight down the other end and Lucas made a second brilliant one handed save from a close range header. Soon after Macca made a couple of key changes. Howson and Prutton came on for Kilkenny and Becchio which made us a bit more solid in the middle and allowed Beckford to go up top where his pace on the break was bound to cause more problems.

Soon after Howson and Delph combined to send Fabian storming through towards goal, he drew all the defenders across before cutting back to Beckford, who with only the keeper to beat, slid it wide. A couple of minutes later and Beckford broke free on the left but tried to chip the keeper when hard and low might have been better. Still we now looked largely in control and the icing on the cake wasn’t long in coming, Prutton finding himself with space in the middle and slipping it between the defenders for Beckford to finish.

The Swindon fans left in their droves, even those surreally dressed in Liverpool shirts (at least 4 of them) and the Leeds fans were left to sing to each other from the different stands at the final whistle.

Has Macca stumbled across the right combination, its looking promising
now.

Scores

• Lucas 8 – Still think Casper is a better keeper but two great saves when we needed them.

• Frazer 6 – Seems a bit of a weak link defensively and distribution still average. One storming run down touchline to relieve pressure at 2-1 though.

• Sheehan 4 – Red might be unlucky but needs to learn to control his tackles.

• Marques 8 – Looked back to the form of a year ago, looked assured and in control of the situation.

• Telfer 7 – Didn’t really notice him, which must be a good thing in a defender.

• Hughes 7 – Slotted in well at the back.

• Kilkenny 6 – Bit in and out

• Douglas 8 – It was a Douglas type game once we were down to 10. Shielding the back 4, stopping them from exerting sustained pressure, a job he did well.

• Fabian Delph 9 – Probably the most exciting young Leeds player since the
  early days of Harry Kewell. When he’s on the ball he looks on a different planet from the rest, gliding past tackles with ease. One control of a high ball and spin away from the tackle was sublime. Hope I get to see him for a couple more years.

• Becchio 7 – Worked hard on his own up front for a lot of the game.

• Beckford 8 – Can’t argue with 2 goals

• Howson 8 – Tidied up and kept ball nicely when needed.

• Prutton 7 – Solid stuff

• Ref – Poor – not just for the sending-off but just generally not really bring in control. Summed up when Delph slalomed and spun away from 3 defenders to go clear on the left – and he brought play back for a free-kick to us.
  
  
  
  Matt