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Sunday 11 August 2013

Leeds send out promotion message

Well it wasn't the most scintillating performance, to put it mildly, but a point at Leicester is not to be sneezed at, and if Leeds can win their home games and draw the majority of their away fixtures, they will be there or there abouts come the end of the season. So far so good will be the prevailing sentiment.

Without wishing to put any sort of dampener on things, however, the lack of creativity and firepower, so evident today, is likely to prove a limiter as the season unfolds. The club were right to let Morison go, but McDermott's search for another centre back seems a classic case of confused priorities. The return of Hell Hadji may help but he is not an out and out goal scorer and that's what the team is crying out for.

Hunt was signed in the summer but a record of just 80 league goals from 324 games isn't really what the doctor ordered. One goal in four starts is poor when the team is playing two up top, one goal in four starts from the lone striker is pathetic. But what are the alternatives?

McCormack's 68 goals have come at a very similar rate - one every 3.75 games - and Reg Varney has a ratio of one per 3.72 games, even when you include those netted for meat substitute team Quorn. Hell Hadji has only scored 59 career league goals over a long career and Smith only managed 9 in 62 appearances for Oldham, in a division down from the Championship.

So how does McDermott expect to score the necessary number of goals to secure a top two finish? Watford struck six yesterday and it is difficult to imagine Leeds getting half that number in any single game with the personnel presently at the club. Yes another centre back would be useful, but what Leeds need most is an out an out goal scorer - and I still reckon Becchio on loan would be the best bet.

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28 comments:

  1. Unknown11 August 2013 at 21:35

    I think you have a secret Leeds crush. For once I agree totally with you

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  2. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 21:43

    Well f**k me some constructive criticism. Well here goes, for once your correct. We do need a play maker, an out an out score and a centre back. But things are on the up. Nev lets go Mot.

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  3. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 21:45

    i doubt leeds are aiming for top 2 dickhead! playoffs are the target

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  4. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 21:45

    YOUR RIGHT FOR ONCE! NOT THE BECCHIO BIT! BUT STILL ITS A START!

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  5. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 22:01

    OH NEVILLE NEVILLE NEVILLE , this is the first peice of humble pie you've had to eat this season, come next may you'll be as big as Mrs Neville , stuffed to the gills old bean

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  6. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 22:03

    You are right. I can't see us scoring many goals with the forwards we have (and McCormack playing in the 'hole'), especially as neither full backs have the pace (in one case) or ablity (in the other) to stretch defences wide.

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  7. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 23:36

    Cardiffs top scorer got 9 last year .. Do I need to say any more?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 13:29

      I was going to say that myself. Cardiff had no one in the top scorers list.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 14:54

      Yes, you need to tell us how many different players scored goals; in addition, you need to compare defences. Finally, the Division this term seems to be much stronger than last. We all know we do not have enough to go up and it makes no sense to give a false impression of our strength. Yesterday Leicester were able to bring on two players as subs, one of whom would defimitley get a starting spot in our side, and the other, most probably. We will be harder to beat this year than last, but I don't think the new players have strengthened us significantly. Still BM is getting more out of last season's acquisitions - and we do have a bit of panache waiting in the wings (Byram, Poleon, White and Diouf). The big current question is - at what price would GFH sell McCormack ? My guess is anything upward of 1.5 million.

      Still it's a decent start and let's be thankful for that.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous11 August 2013 at 23:43

    Completely agree! I think a winger or 2 and an out and out goalscorer should take priority over a centre half. As soon as Byram is back he can take over from Peltier at right back. Why not use Peltier as a back up centre back and prioritise some flare in attack! Midfield is sorted but I think we need a Gradel or 2 and a Becchio to challenge at the top. The defense looked great today with Green and Austin sat in front of it.

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  9. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 00:12

    We do need a centre back, Pearce is awful and if we get an injury.... Poleon will get better, a winger will help as will Byram's return. I don't think any Leeds fan thought the three signings were going to transform us but we've improved and will do so soe more, on the rise MOT

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  10. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 00:14

    I'd be more worried about Leicester not being up to it, that's the following stats for Leeds

    played 8
    won 5
    drawn 1
    lost 2

    were going up automatic

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  11. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 00:31

    Andy Carroll 2m loan fee & 80G a week last season
    15m transfer fee this season for a 1 in 3.23 striker.. Great bit of business eh.....

    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Keep blowing the bubbles out of you hole......

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  12. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 03:55

    Good article and you are right. Seems you are almost becoming a Leeds fan.

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  13. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 05:29

    Totally agree. The defence looked strong but not much up front.Someone would have to hit top form or maybe we could scrape a lot of 1-0/2-1 scores.A new striker could be a good option but as you know we have to sell first.

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  14. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 10:13

    So 'First real test', as you wrote, and the outcome....'Leeds send out promotion message'..as you also wrote so isn't it about time you start praising the efforts of this Team rather than point out banal statistics like a Parrot. Admit that this Team , which you have an obsession for, are doing ok, playing well with what they have and are being led by a clever tactician in Mc dermott.
    I put it to you that Leeds will not have a scoring problem. Let's check on this stat after the first 10 games and see how things are going. Can you hold on 'til then? You have a tendency to be summarising the season rather early so show a little patience this season. It's going to be a long one for you anyway as a West Ham supporter.

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  15. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 10:52

    hes married to his right hand

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  16. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 11:06

    Leeds were very poor, shocked to see hoofball still employed...both sides looked very average mide table fodder. Awful match...great performance by the Leeds fans....as usual

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  17. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 11:12

    HF clearly doesn't get enough traffic from west ham fans, which is why he has to write up on teams with bigger fans bases, simples. Our hate mails is what he thrives on. c0c7 5u<73r

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  18. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 11:34

    4 points from 2 of last seasons play off semi finalists is a good start to the season. If we go 10 games and score twice in those, then your article might have some substance. Until then, stop writing bollocks for bollocks sake just to get hits for your blog on the back of us Leeds fans.

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  19. white army12 August 2013 at 11:37

    you are right cockney boy.we are never going to score more than 3 in a game,so big mac will have to recruit a striker from somewhere,whos not afraid to play at elland rd.we could sign messi,and his goals would dry up.bring back chapman

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  20. Unknown12 August 2013 at 11:57

    As annoying as the wank stain is, and apart from supporting a dog shit team who are on the road to absolutely nowhere I have to admit that his analysis of our fire power is a bit poor. The stats speak for themselves and although we can score goals from other areas of the field we do need a 20+ goal scorer. Having said that I see no reason why we can't make the top six or go on to win the once, aptly named, 'fizzy pop' league. Anyone from 12 could do it, so why not us? HF you generally talk shite, but this time, one must agree!!!

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  21. Unknown12 August 2013 at 11:58

    Granted, he is an extremely annoying wank stain who supports a dog shit team who are on the road to absolutely nowhere but you have to admit we look a bit shy infront of goal!

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  22. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 12:43

    why do you have to approve everything you read. you are a very sad little man. No guts. You pick out the ones that don't upset you and feel you can reply to.

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  23. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 12:47

    Both our opening two teams were top teams last season and the same teams will both be up there challenging again this season , 4 pts from those two games is a good start and you know it, so concentrate on you're own team , we'll see what kind of start they make

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  24. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 12:48

    Poleon!!!!!!!!!
    ;-)

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  25. Anonymous12 August 2013 at 16:01

    Pleased with the result Sunday. Have you got any spare defender to give to us? We'll take Morrison off your hands if you fancy even though he's midfield. Now you've got Rat is Collins a spare one. We'll take him. The last one you sold to us did OK. Fergie wanted him though. I would like Rose back from Spurs and an injury free Woodgate or Killgallon. We paid the price of our fire sale. We gave our players away after training them up. West Ham must be sick of doing that. Frank, Rio, Scott....... the list goes on. Fortunately, Leeds do have a youth squad that does produce like the West Ham one. The problem we've had is hanging on to them. Maybe we have the youth that can step up. I hope McMott does find his jewels in the attic. O Leary did it and Revie did it. Lorimer debut at 15 was a brave move. Sometimes fortune favours the brave. Go on, give us Collins and Tomkins. That should sort us out.

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