An occasion to take the silver lining (5 replies)
We're a team that's clealrly still getting to know each other and for the first 20 minutes looked just that - in need of 'gelling'. Couple that with a naturally lower confidence from several lacklustre defeats and it's hardly surprisingly Leeds grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and took the lead.
But what happened from there was both surprising and refreshing. Conceding seemed to relax the lads and our passes started connecting, our movement was better, we began to control the tempo of the game.
Jota and Boga are classy players, the latter in particular terrified their backline on several occasions - him and Vassell could be a nightmare together! N'Doye grew into it, was industrious and a presence. Gallagher - who perhaps should have scored twice - ran his socks off, held the ball up well and like with any striker the goals will come when his confidence grows.
The main concern for us is keeping the ball in midfield, having that water carrier to funnel it through from defence to attack. We just seemed a bit panicky in that area at times, it was a glaring hole in our approach - even when we were all over them I was nervous about the counter which inevitably materialised for their second. I hope Walsh can provide the answer to this in the coming weeks.
All in all though that was pleasing - for only 2 full matches together, to play the current league leaders off the park in their back yard on a Tuesday night isn't a bad effort. I for one am excited for Saturday when we should look even better, roared on by the home crowd.
Let's stay positive - as there's reason to be - and the results will come. Bitching and moaning is what those planks up the road are famous for and we can all see what's happening there! KRO