Showing posts with label jermaine beckford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jermaine beckford. Show all posts
Friday, 28 May 2010
Jermaine Leaves a Hero!
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In another decade, fans will look back on Jermaine Beckford’s time with Leeds United as fondly as we do that of Gordon Strachan. Jermaine didn’t operate at, or reach the level that ‘wee’ Gordon did, but his contribution to the resurrection of our club cannot be underestimated. Gordon dragged a Leeds United team from the depths of Division 2 (The Championship) to the crowning glory of English League Champions, through sheer determination and no small amount of ability. Jermaine on the other hand, scored goals, lots of goals… 85 in 150 appearances not only stopped the downward spiral that the club found themselves in but eventually propelled them back up to The Championship for their first promotion since Gordon Strachan held aloft the Championship Trophy 20 years ago…
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Promotion: The Leeds United Way! - 2009/10 Season Review (Part One)
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**Firstly, apologies for the dreadful formatting, the editing tool won't let me adjust it ** Having partially recovered from another Play-off disaster, confidence was high amongst Leeds fans during the close season of 2009. We had a settled club for the first time in years and the manner in which Simon Grayson had gone about getting the team playing in the closing stages of the previous season had many dreaming of promotion - Surely a third season in League One would be our last! However, thoughts of actually celebrating something as a Leeds fan seemed a little too far fetched, for me at least.
The following is a 'look back' at what turned out to be an unforgettable season...
During the Summer Simon Grayson had set about strengthening key areas of what was already a very decent League One squad. Jason Crowe and Patrick Kisnorbo were brought in from Northampton Town and Leicester City respectively, to bolster an area of the team that had been an achilles heel the previous year. Each were signed on a Bosman transfer. Goalkeeper Shane Higgs was a surprise signing from relegated Cheltenham Town to provide competition for Casper Ankergren between the posts.
The Whites served up a very promising pre-season, the highlights being a creditable goalless draw with Newcastle United (and a certain Alan Smith) which was sandwiched between a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road, only succumbing to a last minute penalty and an excellent 2-1 win at Turf Moor over Premiership new boys Burnley.
Meanwhile, Richard Naylor was named club captain after the departure of Frazer Richardson and in typical Leeds United fashion, when all seemed to be going smoothly, the club was rocked by the sale of teenage sensation Fabian Delph. Leeds had agreed a deal with Aston Villa for the player who had ran League One ragged the previous season, predictably Delph joined the Midlands club for an undisclosed fee. All this just hours before the new season was set to commence...
Exeter : Jones, Duffy, Russell, Seabourne, Taylor, Harley, Golbourne, Corr, Cork (Sercombe 90), Edwards (McAllster 60), Stewart (Norwood
The disappointing news of Delph's departure was softened (mildly) by the signing of experienced Coventry midfielder Michael Doyle, an all-action, battling 'Batty-esque' type player who would plug the enormous gap left by Fabian's departure. At least that was the plan anyway... News of Robert Snodgrass signing an extension to his current deal was also very welcome. A biggest opening day crowd at Elland Road for 5 years suggested as much.
With hindsight, Leeds' opening game would encapsulate the entire season into just 90 minutes. Grayson handed debuts to the four new recruits, with Michael Doyle partnering stand-in captain Jonny Howson in the centre of the park. Rui Marques started alongside Paddy Kisnorbo, in place of the injured Richard Naylor.
Leeds started well and a superb, cool finish from Jermaine Beckford on 13 minutes had The Whites seemingly on their way to an easy victory against the League One new-comers. Leeds pressed hard to put the game out of sight but inspired goalkeeping and the woodwork kept them a bay. The impressive Ben Parker limped out of proceedings just before the 30 minute mark and was later ruled our for several months. despite Leeds' superiority, it was 1-0 at the break.
Kisnorbo emerged in the second half, sporting a large head bandage to protect a wound picked up in a first half challenge with Barry Corr, the bandage would be a stalwart for the season as Paddy refused plastic surgery to retain his place in the team.
With Leeds still pressing for a second goal, their job was made all the more straight forward when ex. Leeds trainee Barry Corr was dismissed for an 'off-the-ball' incident involving Micky Doyle. The whites fans settled back for the inevitable onslaught and a comfortable 3 points... As is often the way with Leeds United, its 'the hard way' or not at all. On 73 minutes Russell bent a magnificent free-kick into the top corner to bring Exeter level. The horrible feeling that goes with watching visiting players scampering over to the South-East corner of the stadium to celebrate, almost in disbelief rather than triumph had returned for another season. The thought of dropping points so early, against such a 'weak' opposition was a terrifying one - we had to win promotion this season.
As the game played out into a familiar, frustrating afternoon, of the like loyal Leeds fans had become very accustomed too in recent years. Some smart play from Enoch Showunmi (an 84th minute replacement for Luciano Becchio) released Jason Crowe down the right as the clock ticked towards a conclusion. Crowe's perfect cross was met by the head of Jermaine Beckford, who directed a powerful header into the net at the 'Kop End'. Elland Road breathed a collective sigh of relief, as much as in celebration.
Beckford had rescued a desperate situation, that at one point seemed almost inevitable - A Theme that would define the season.
As is the case with lower league football, after months of waiting, matches come thick and fast as Leeds headed North to Darlington, a home from home in recent years. The Whites had cancelled a pre-season friendly at the same venue after being drawn against the League Two outfit in the League Cup.
DARLINGTON 0, UNITED 1 (Showunmi 54)
A largely uninspiring match, in which Simon Grayson made several changes to accomodate for injuries and international commitments. The SKY cameras were present on the off chance of a cup shock. Watching from the comfort of my own living room, was an unnerving experience to say the least. Showunmi missed a whole host of chances before finally converting what was probably the most difficult opportunity shortly after the break. Leeds should have gone on to stretch their winning margin but in the end, plenty of spurned chance didn't come back to haunt the Yorkshire men, despite Mark Bower missing a sitter in injury time for the hosts.
Two wins from two, left fans with more questions than answers. Neither performance had been convincing but as Simon Grayson pointed out after the victory over Exeter, its the points that matter...
Again, with little respite the first team headed for a first ever away trip to Adams Park four days later. A midweek reserve match had produced a 5-1 win over Newcastle United's second string with four goals from forgotten man, Tresor Kandol. Trialist, Mariano Tripodi scored the other... he was never heard of again.
Leeds returned to near full strength at Wycombe, with Ben Parker the only absentee from the opening day. Despite his midweek heroics against Newcastle, Kandol didn't make the eighteen and Mike Grella had to make do with a place on the bench despite signing a contract extension a few days earlier.
Its usually at this point in the season that Leeds' failings become clear, having failed to win their 2nd league game of the season in 4 or the previous 5 attempts. A Wycombe team who had so far struggled with life in League One, seemed likely candidates for a typical Leeds, below par performance in a tight ground, packed to the rafters.
The opening exchanges suggested as much, as both teams struggled to get a grip of proceedings with the home team clearly 'up' for the big match. The half came to a close with Leeds showing early signs of having a little too much quality for the hosts and just after the hour mark, Becchio fired an excellent, low shot into the far corner of the net from 20 yards. Snodgrass was influential in the build up before feeding Becchio who turned and fired Leeds into the lead, to the delight of the travelling Whites behind the goal.
Leeds saw the rest of the game out with little trouble, although in injury time Shane Higgs produced an excellent save, tipping a speculative Stuart Green effort onto the post, denying the league new-comers their first point.
A second unconvincing league victory of the new season had fans wondering if there was more to come from Simon Grayson's men or if this was the sum total of a team, who's luck would surely run out at some point of the season.
Again with barely time to draw breath, we headed for The Banks's Stadium, Walsall (presumably another stupid naming rights decision). This would usually be a game that would get my full attention but following the abject display there the previous year, I thought better of it. Couple that with my missus being in the latter stages of pregnancy, I sat back, phone in hand, laptop on knee and Jeff Stelling's midweek replacement on TV, his name escapes me.
WALSALL 1 (Parkin pen 80), UNITED 2 (Johnson 83, Beckford 87)
Leeds were on a roll, a somewhat unconvincing roll but a roll nonetheless. Nine points from the three opening games saw The Whites joint top of League One with Colchester and Charlton. A very promising start indeed but as we all know Leeds have an unnatural ability to pluck despair from the joys of ecstasy...
The following is a 'look back' at what turned out to be an unforgettable season...
The Whites served up a very promising pre-season, the highlights being a creditable goalless draw with Newcastle United (and a certain Alan Smith) which was sandwiched between a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road, only succumbing to a last minute penalty and an excellent 2-1 win at Turf Moor over Premiership new boys Burnley.
Meanwhile, Richard Naylor was named club captain after the departure of Frazer Richardson and in typical Leeds United fashion, when all seemed to be going smoothly, the club was rocked by the sale of teenage sensation Fabian Delph. Leeds had agreed a deal with Aston Villa for the player who had ran League One ragged the previous season, predictably Delph joined the Midlands club for an undisclosed fee. All this just hours before the new season was set to commence...
LEEDS UNITED 2 (Beckford 13, 89), EXETER
United: Higgs, Crowe, Kisnorbo, Marques, Parker (Hughes 28), Snodgrass, Howson, Doyle, Johnson (Robinson 74), Becchio (Showunmi 84), Beckford. Subs: Ankergren, Prutton, Grella, Michalik.
Referee: N Miller
Booked: Showunmi (Leeds), Edwards (Exeter
Sent-off: Corr (Exeter
Att: 27,681
The disappointing news of Delph's departure was softened (mildly) by the signing of experienced Coventry midfielder Michael Doyle, an all-action, battling 'Batty-esque' type player who would plug the enormous gap left by Fabian's departure. At least that was the plan anyway... News of Robert Snodgrass signing an extension to his current deal was also very welcome. A biggest opening day crowd at Elland Road for 5 years suggested as much.
With hindsight, Leeds' opening game would encapsulate the entire season into just 90 minutes. Grayson handed debuts to the four new recruits, with Michael Doyle partnering stand-in captain Jonny Howson in the centre of the park. Rui Marques started alongside Paddy Kisnorbo, in place of the injured Richard Naylor.
Leeds started well and a superb, cool finish from Jermaine Beckford on 13 minutes had The Whites seemingly on their way to an easy victory against the League One new-comers. Leeds pressed hard to put the game out of sight but inspired goalkeeping and the woodwork kept them a bay. The impressive Ben Parker limped out of proceedings just before the 30 minute mark and was later ruled our for several months. despite Leeds' superiority, it was 1-0 at the break.
Kisnorbo emerged in the second half, sporting a large head bandage to protect a wound picked up in a first half challenge with Barry Corr, the bandage would be a stalwart for the season as Paddy refused plastic surgery to retain his place in the team.
With Leeds still pressing for a second goal, their job was made all the more straight forward when ex. Leeds trainee Barry Corr was dismissed for an 'off-the-ball' incident involving Micky Doyle. The whites fans settled back for the inevitable onslaught and a comfortable 3 points... As is often the way with Leeds United, its 'the hard way' or not at all. On 73 minutes Russell bent a magnificent free-kick into the top corner to bring Exeter level. The horrible feeling that goes with watching visiting players scampering over to the South-East corner of the stadium to celebrate, almost in disbelief rather than triumph had returned for another season. The thought of dropping points so early, against such a 'weak' opposition was a terrifying one - we had to win promotion this season.
Beckford had rescued a desperate situation, that at one point seemed almost inevitable - A Theme that would define the season.
As is the case with lower league football, after months of waiting, matches come thick and fast as Leeds headed North to Darlington, a home from home in recent years. The Whites had cancelled a pre-season friendly at the same venue after being drawn against the League Two outfit in the League Cup.
Darlington: Knight, Arnison, Bower, Foster (Plummer 76), Miller, Smith, Lumsdon, Thorpe (Main 79), Smith (Windass 59), Chandler
United: Higgs, Crowe, Michalik, Huntington, Hughes, Snodgrass (Robinson 90), Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Showunmi (Becchio 73), Grella (KIlkenny 83). Subs: Ankergren, Sheehan, White.
Referee: N Swarbrick .
Booked: Chandler (Darlington )
Att: 4487
A largely uninspiring match, in which Simon Grayson made several changes to accomodate for injuries and international commitments. The SKY cameras were present on the off chance of a cup shock. Watching from the comfort of my own living room, was an unnerving experience to say the least. Showunmi missed a whole host of chances before finally converting what was probably the most difficult opportunity shortly after the break. Leeds should have gone on to stretch their winning margin but in the end, plenty of spurned chance didn't come back to haunt the Yorkshire men, despite Mark Bower missing a sitter in injury time for the hosts.
Two wins from two, left fans with more questions than answers. Neither performance had been convincing but as Simon Grayson pointed out after the victory over Exeter, its the points that matter...
Again, with little respite the first team headed for a first ever away trip to Adams Park four days later. A midweek reserve match had produced a 5-1 win over Newcastle United's second string with four goals from forgotten man, Tresor Kandol. Trialist, Mariano Tripodi scored the other... he was never heard of again.
WYCOMBE 0, UNITED 1 (Becchio 61)
Wycombe: Shearer, Smith (Green 77), Oliver, Duberry, Woodman, Phillips, Montrose, Mousinho, Westlake
United: Higgs, Crowe, Marques, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Prutton 84), Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Beckford, Becchio (Showunmi 90). Subs: Ankergren, Kilkenny, Grella, Michalik, Robinson.
Referee: S Attwell
Booked: Beckford, Howson (United).
Att: 8,400
Leeds returned to near full strength at Wycombe, with Ben Parker the only absentee from the opening day. Despite his midweek heroics against Newcastle, Kandol didn't make the eighteen and Mike Grella had to make do with a place on the bench despite signing a contract extension a few days earlier.
Its usually at this point in the season that Leeds' failings become clear, having failed to win their 2nd league game of the season in 4 or the previous 5 attempts. A Wycombe team who had so far struggled with life in League One, seemed likely candidates for a typical Leeds, below par performance in a tight ground, packed to the rafters.
Leeds saw the rest of the game out with little trouble, although in injury time Shane Higgs produced an excellent save, tipping a speculative Stuart Green effort onto the post, denying the league new-comers their first point.
A second unconvincing league victory of the new season had fans wondering if there was more to come from Simon Grayson's men or if this was the sum total of a team, who's luck would surely run out at some point of the season.
Again with barely time to draw breath, we headed for The Banks's Stadium, Walsall (presumably another stupid naming rights decision). This would usually be a game that would get my full attention but following the abject display there the previous year, I thought better of it. Couple that with my missus being in the latter stages of pregnancy, I sat back, phone in hand, laptop on knee and Jeff Stelling's midweek replacement on TV, his name escapes me.
Walsall: Ince, Hughes, Smith, Jones (Nicholls 86), Bradley, Westlake
United: Higgs, Crowe, Kisnorbo, Marques, Hughes (Robinson 72), Snodgrass (Prutton 90), Howson, Doyle (Kilkenny 72), Johnson, Beckford, Becchio. Subs: Ankergren, Grella, Michalik, Showunmi.
Referee: A Taylor
Booked: Snodgrass (United)
Att: 8483 (3679 Leeds )
Following calls from assistant boss Glynn Snodin for United to start from the first whistle, following a sluggish opening at Wycombe, Leeds threw it all at Walsall. Snodgrass, Hughes, Howson all went close early on and Beckford had a header palmed onto a post as Leeds looked for an early breakthrough.
As is often the case with Leeds, the missed opportunities fuelled confidence in the opposition and Walsall came back into the game before half-time with plenty of play and a few decent chances. Beckford had several opportunities to give Leeds the lead as The Whites were reduced to playing on the counter attack, an assistants flag ruled out what appeared to be the opener.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Beckford passing up each opportunity to set Leeds on their way. On 77 minutes 'disaster struck' (I hate how the official site reports that, we already know! stop making it worse) as Rui Marques inexplicably lunged into a challenge on a Walsall forward who was being forced into touch by Andy Hughes... PENALTY! Nobody could argue, it was just another fixture that was going to get away from Leeds, in what was an infuriating familiar fashion. Parkin despatched the penalty and that would be that... my phone beeped to give me the bad news as the Sky Sports reporter shared the news in what always seems to be such a smug fashion when Leeds are losing. Same old Leeds!
My subsequent lack of interest was stirred within a matter of minutes as the internet messageboard I was following displayed the familiar fan favourite 'GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLL'. Trying to come to terms with this, and trying desperately to secure an official confirmation was heart stopping. Annoyingly, the triumphant post was the last on the current page I was viewing, so an age passed as the popular site struggled with the traffic presumably all trying to navigate to that next page. Official confirmation came via the various mediums and Leeds were back in it, a diving header from Bradley Johnson had Leeds on terms (no seriously!). As the elusive page finally arrived on my screen, the number of celebratory posts had taken the thread onto a further page which again took a lifetime to load. However, load it did and I was greeted with the initial post '2-1' - "What, to who?" I screamed at the posters inconsiderate contribution. It soon became apparent that Leeds had turned the game on its head and Beckford had scored a beauty to give Leeds another 3 points in a situation that looked lost. Jermaine controlled a long ball, with his back to goal before taking everyone by surprise and hooking the ball into the net from 25 yards.
Next time out was a return to Elland Road against a Tranmere side in disarray. John Barnes had taken them from Play-off hopefuls to relegation certainties in just a matter of weeks... which Leeds team would turn up? Find out (lets pretend you don't already know) in Part Two...
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Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Dirty Leeds: 7 Days of Football (11/05/10)
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In what will become a weekly feature of Dirty Leeds during the Summer and into next season, lets have a look back at the last 7 days of footballing news;
MIGHTY WHITES WIN PROMOTION
The only place to start really, Leeds finally escaped the dreaded pit of despair that is League One and in typical Leeds United fashion, it was far from straight forward and at one point had a grown man close to tears... To say that Daryl Duffy's goal rocked me to my very core would be the biggest understatement since Gary Neville revealed he 'admired' David Beckham. If the front man had ran into the crowd following his goal and stabbed me in the chest, I can't imagine it would have hurt more than watching him reel away in celebration of a goal that threatened to unravel 9 months of hard work and condemn Leeds to another season in oblivion.
What happened next was something that even the most long-standing of Whites supporters would consider a 'rarity'. Leeds United's players stood as one and mirrored the passion and desire that their supporters are famed for. Fighting back from the brink of disaster to the most glorious occasion Elland Road has witnessed since 1992... and the rest is history!
A quick mention to each and every player who has participated for Leeds United this season - Thank You!
BATES BRANDS EVERTON "A TWO-BOB" CLUB
Ever the epicentre of an argument, a less than sober Ken Bates belittled Merseyside's second club at the club's End of Season Dinner on Saturday night. Alledgedly claiming that Jermaine Beckford still has time to reconsider a Summer move to a "two-bob" club like Everton and stay with Leeds United.
If money wasn't a factor, then I'd say you have a point Ken. However with Jermaine now 28 years old he needs to fund his future and unless you can relocate your cheque book then nobody can blame the lad for looking after number one. Jermaine has his critics but for a man who has been undoubtedly the single most important player for the club since our relegation form The Premiership and scored the two most legendary goals in our recent history, he owes Leeds United a sum total of - Nothing!
SPURS WIN TICKET TO EUROPE'S TOP TABLE
Never has such an over-hyped game been shown so much apathy. Seriously, did anybody outside East Manchester or North London really care which team finished fourth in The Premiership? Strangely more attention was on the fact that Liverpool had dropped out of the 'Big four', rather than which team would replace them. For the record Spurs won 1-0, thanks to a late Peter Crouch header. Again, the real story is where do the Anfield club go from here?
POMPEY SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL
Having entered administration some two months ago with debts rumoured to be around £119M, the South Coast club have now fallen closer to the black hole of extinction with reports of them haemorrhaging £7.5M each month. Quite how they will fair with the lack of regular income between now and August is anybody's guess. Player sales will undoubtedly be rapid and at a fraction of their true worth and funds will fall a long way short of the required millions to stem the flow... Apparently looking at a 17 point deduction before the season even starts in August, one has to question if the club will even make it that far, or will the life support machine be switched off??
POINT DEDUCTIONS BECOMING A HABIT
Up until the infamous Summer of 2007, point deductions in the English game were a thing of legend, something only found in a small annotation in record books from way back when. Since the Football League dropped the unprecedented sanction of 15 points upon Leeds the day before the start of the new season, several clubs have fallen victim of the new 'toy' of the powers that be. Luton, Bournemouth, Rotherham, Southampton, Crystal Palace amongst others have all been hit with similar sanctions. Admittedly, the rules for entering administration are clear to all and few clubs can have a complaint when the 'minus 10' letter arrives in the post.
Strangely this week Hartlepool United were hit with a 3 point deduction just days before the final day of the season, throwing any plans of winding down, out of the window by dropping them deep into a relegation battle! The reason they were deducted 3 points was due to fielding an ineligible player, who should still have been serving a suspension. Clearly an admin error on someone's part. As it turned out the sanction was irrelevant and The Pools survived on goal difference, condemning Gillingham to the basement division.
Now all this seems perfectly straight forward but if you cast your mind back a few years when West Ham United 'knowingly' played Carlos Tevez in the majority of their games, even though they didn't own the player. The Premier League (Its worth noting the different governing body) decided, after much deliberation that no points would be deducted, thus relegating Sheffield United by the finest of margins; a single goal. Where's the justice in that!? Is it because nobody will really notice if Hartlepool are deducted points, are they too far North to even worry about?
Its also worth remembering that Leeds did something similar at Burnley a few years ago by fielding one too many loan players, although Leeds lost that game, points remained intact.
This seemingly 'random' approach to points deduction and sanctions needs to be clarified for everyone, sooner rather than later.
PREMIER LEAGUE INCREASE REWARDS FOR FAILURE
In the recent General Elections, a major topic has been that of Welfare, and the ridiculous way that this Countries Government's pay out to the terminally lazy and general under-achievers. Its a hot-topic, and probably one that almost won the Tories the vote!
As 'unbelievable' as the majority of tax payers see the current welfare system, The Premier League have adopted one of their own... Currently, clubs relegated from The Premier League into The Championship receive £16M over 2 seasons in 'parachute' payments. These payments are said to 'bridge the gap' in the difference of revenue between the two leagues, allowing clubs to restructure and adapt to their new, lower income. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. Clubs spend all the cash trying to get back and end up where Southampton are. Portsmouth have already been given theirs for next season!!
Inexplicably, and for reasons that I can't grasp at the minute, it has been decided that relegated clubs (Clubs that have FAILED remember) will now receive a whopping £48M over the next 4 seasons following relegation!! Such ridiculous decisions are usually associated with UEFA and their 'rigged' seeding systems. What this new ruling is to achieve, apart from further alienate the lesser clubs in The Football League pyramid, is anybody's guess. Surely the idiots in suits can see that throwing money at the Premier League clubs further diminishes the sense of competition and the integrity of the game. Why not share the wealth equally between the four divisions? What chance have the likes of Millwall or Swindon (should they win promotion) or Leeds for that matter, have against a team who has £48M to spend? Rigged Deck!
WIGAN MAKE A JOKE OF PREMIERSHIP
Now its obvious that Chelsea are a very good footballing team and are deservedly Champions of England but for Wigan Athletic to be hammered 8-0 in supposedly the 'strongest' league in the world is an absolute shambles. Lets not forget, this is the same team that shipped 9 at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. They should be relegated by default and replaced by a team that can actually call themselves 'professional'.
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MIGHTY WHITES WIN PROMOTION
The only place to start really, Leeds finally escaped the dreaded pit of despair that is League One and in typical Leeds United fashion, it was far from straight forward and at one point had a grown man close to tears... To say that Daryl Duffy's goal rocked me to my very core would be the biggest understatement since Gary Neville revealed he 'admired' David Beckham. If the front man had ran into the crowd following his goal and stabbed me in the chest, I can't imagine it would have hurt more than watching him reel away in celebration of a goal that threatened to unravel 9 months of hard work and condemn Leeds to another season in oblivion.
What happened next was something that even the most long-standing of Whites supporters would consider a 'rarity'. Leeds United's players stood as one and mirrored the passion and desire that their supporters are famed for. Fighting back from the brink of disaster to the most glorious occasion Elland Road has witnessed since 1992... and the rest is history!
A quick mention to each and every player who has participated for Leeds United this season - Thank You!
BATES BRANDS EVERTON "A TWO-BOB" CLUB
Ever the epicentre of an argument, a less than sober Ken Bates belittled Merseyside's second club at the club's End of Season Dinner on Saturday night. Alledgedly claiming that Jermaine Beckford still has time to reconsider a Summer move to a "two-bob" club like Everton and stay with Leeds United.
If money wasn't a factor, then I'd say you have a point Ken. However with Jermaine now 28 years old he needs to fund his future and unless you can relocate your cheque book then nobody can blame the lad for looking after number one. Jermaine has his critics but for a man who has been undoubtedly the single most important player for the club since our relegation form The Premiership and scored the two most legendary goals in our recent history, he owes Leeds United a sum total of - Nothing!
SPURS WIN TICKET TO EUROPE'S TOP TABLE
Never has such an over-hyped game been shown so much apathy. Seriously, did anybody outside East Manchester or North London really care which team finished fourth in The Premiership? Strangely more attention was on the fact that Liverpool had dropped out of the 'Big four', rather than which team would replace them. For the record Spurs won 1-0, thanks to a late Peter Crouch header. Again, the real story is where do the Anfield club go from here?
POMPEY SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL
Having entered administration some two months ago with debts rumoured to be around £119M, the South Coast club have now fallen closer to the black hole of extinction with reports of them haemorrhaging £7.5M each month. Quite how they will fair with the lack of regular income between now and August is anybody's guess. Player sales will undoubtedly be rapid and at a fraction of their true worth and funds will fall a long way short of the required millions to stem the flow... Apparently looking at a 17 point deduction before the season even starts in August, one has to question if the club will even make it that far, or will the life support machine be switched off??
POINT DEDUCTIONS BECOMING A HABIT
Up until the infamous Summer of 2007, point deductions in the English game were a thing of legend, something only found in a small annotation in record books from way back when. Since the Football League dropped the unprecedented sanction of 15 points upon Leeds the day before the start of the new season, several clubs have fallen victim of the new 'toy' of the powers that be. Luton, Bournemouth, Rotherham, Southampton, Crystal Palace amongst others have all been hit with similar sanctions. Admittedly, the rules for entering administration are clear to all and few clubs can have a complaint when the 'minus 10' letter arrives in the post.
Strangely this week Hartlepool United were hit with a 3 point deduction just days before the final day of the season, throwing any plans of winding down, out of the window by dropping them deep into a relegation battle! The reason they were deducted 3 points was due to fielding an ineligible player, who should still have been serving a suspension. Clearly an admin error on someone's part. As it turned out the sanction was irrelevant and The Pools survived on goal difference, condemning Gillingham to the basement division.
Now all this seems perfectly straight forward but if you cast your mind back a few years when West Ham United 'knowingly' played Carlos Tevez in the majority of their games, even though they didn't own the player. The Premier League (Its worth noting the different governing body) decided, after much deliberation that no points would be deducted, thus relegating Sheffield United by the finest of margins; a single goal. Where's the justice in that!? Is it because nobody will really notice if Hartlepool are deducted points, are they too far North to even worry about?
Its also worth remembering that Leeds did something similar at Burnley a few years ago by fielding one too many loan players, although Leeds lost that game, points remained intact.
This seemingly 'random' approach to points deduction and sanctions needs to be clarified for everyone, sooner rather than later.
PREMIER LEAGUE INCREASE REWARDS FOR FAILURE
In the recent General Elections, a major topic has been that of Welfare, and the ridiculous way that this Countries Government's pay out to the terminally lazy and general under-achievers. Its a hot-topic, and probably one that almost won the Tories the vote!
As 'unbelievable' as the majority of tax payers see the current welfare system, The Premier League have adopted one of their own... Currently, clubs relegated from The Premier League into The Championship receive £16M over 2 seasons in 'parachute' payments. These payments are said to 'bridge the gap' in the difference of revenue between the two leagues, allowing clubs to restructure and adapt to their new, lower income. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. Clubs spend all the cash trying to get back and end up where Southampton are. Portsmouth have already been given theirs for next season!!
Inexplicably, and for reasons that I can't grasp at the minute, it has been decided that relegated clubs (Clubs that have FAILED remember) will now receive a whopping £48M over the next 4 seasons following relegation!! Such ridiculous decisions are usually associated with UEFA and their 'rigged' seeding systems. What this new ruling is to achieve, apart from further alienate the lesser clubs in The Football League pyramid, is anybody's guess. Surely the idiots in suits can see that throwing money at the Premier League clubs further diminishes the sense of competition and the integrity of the game. Why not share the wealth equally between the four divisions? What chance have the likes of Millwall or Swindon (should they win promotion) or Leeds for that matter, have against a team who has £48M to spend? Rigged Deck!
WIGAN MAKE A JOKE OF PREMIERSHIP
Now its obvious that Chelsea are a very good footballing team and are deservedly Champions of England but for Wigan Athletic to be hammered 8-0 in supposedly the 'strongest' league in the world is an absolute shambles. Lets not forget, this is the same team that shipped 9 at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. They should be relegated by default and replaced by a team that can actually call themselves 'professional'.
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Monday, 26 April 2010
Killer Watt!
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Its been a long standing complaint of mine that in recent years Leeds United have been unable to sign/attract Premiership youngsters or reserve players to the club on loan. Success stories of such deals have been seen at Birmingham and Hull when Frazier Campbell and Nicklas Bendtner fired their respective temporary employers to promotion. Even this season Brentford have loaned several top flight fringe players to comfortably avoid relegation back to League 2. Meanwhile Leeds have had to make do with ageing Championship players who have been deemed surplus to requirements. I realise this isn't an exact science, the 'Premiership' tag of a borrowed player doesn't guarantee success and the odd Max Gradel is available from The Football League but young, talented players who are struggling to get into the large, expensively assembled squads of the 'Big Four' come with a certain amount of security, for all but Leeds United it would seem...
Step forward Sanchez Watt. An innocuous signing at the end of the recent 'loan window' the Arsenal loanee has been limited to cameo appearances so far and looked set to go the way of Hogan Ephraim and countless others before him, a loanee to make up the numbers. I'm sure Sanchez was as surprised as I was to learn that he was starting arguably Leeds' biggest game of the season. Drafted in at left midfield to hopefully offer Leeds pace and energy going forward, qualities so scarce at League One level. Twelve minutes had elapsed before his first telling contribution when he dispossessed his man on half way before feeding Luciano Becchio with what was probably the most accomplished through ball seen by a Leeds player all season. Luciano gobbled up the chance with his new found composure in 1-on-1 situations and Leeds were on their way!
Unfortunately he was powerless to prevent an equalising goal that again underlined Leeds' defensive frailties and let MK Dons back in the game. Thankfully that didn't prevent the lad being involved in pretty much everything Leeds did thereafter, credited with an assist for Max Gradel's goal, although how much he knew about it is debatable as the ball ricocheted off a number of legs before falling to Max with only the goalkeeper to beat. Sanchez was so influential that Mathias Doumbe deemed it necessary to try snapping him in half with a two-footed lunge shortly before half time and was duly dismissed by referee Michael Oliver.
With more space available in the second half the front players pulled The Dons in every direction with some neat play and pacey attacking and the introduction of Jermaine Beckford signalled Simon Grayson's intent. He was duly rewarded soon after when a flowing move, again involving the impressive Watt was finished off with a sublime volley at full stretch from Leeds' leading scorer. This was the cue for Sanchez Watt to take a well earned rest and he left the field to a standing ovation, an excellent performance from the young lad on his first start in a very tense atmosphere. Leeds and Jermaine Beckford added another without him and MK Dons had two further players dismissed in an entertaining game.
Quite what Simon Grayson does with this now is open to debate, do you release Watt on Frazer Richardson at The Valley or do you opt for a more experienced professional in what is a monumental fixture for Leeds United? Personally I'd throw him in there, he can't be any worse than Gary McSheffrey and he possesses that magical fearless quality that only seems to come with youth. (or is it that top flight players can handle pressure better than their League One counterparts?)
For more Leeds United discussion join the Dirty Leeds forums at www.dirtyleeds.com
Step forward Sanchez Watt. An innocuous signing at the end of the recent 'loan window' the Arsenal loanee has been limited to cameo appearances so far and looked set to go the way of Hogan Ephraim and countless others before him, a loanee to make up the numbers. I'm sure Sanchez was as surprised as I was to learn that he was starting arguably Leeds' biggest game of the season. Drafted in at left midfield to hopefully offer Leeds pace and energy going forward, qualities so scarce at League One level. Twelve minutes had elapsed before his first telling contribution when he dispossessed his man on half way before feeding Luciano Becchio with what was probably the most accomplished through ball seen by a Leeds player all season. Luciano gobbled up the chance with his new found composure in 1-on-1 situations and Leeds were on their way!
Unfortunately he was powerless to prevent an equalising goal that again underlined Leeds' defensive frailties and let MK Dons back in the game. Thankfully that didn't prevent the lad being involved in pretty much everything Leeds did thereafter, credited with an assist for Max Gradel's goal, although how much he knew about it is debatable as the ball ricocheted off a number of legs before falling to Max with only the goalkeeper to beat. Sanchez was so influential that Mathias Doumbe deemed it necessary to try snapping him in half with a two-footed lunge shortly before half time and was duly dismissed by referee Michael Oliver.
With more space available in the second half the front players pulled The Dons in every direction with some neat play and pacey attacking and the introduction of Jermaine Beckford signalled Simon Grayson's intent. He was duly rewarded soon after when a flowing move, again involving the impressive Watt was finished off with a sublime volley at full stretch from Leeds' leading scorer. This was the cue for Sanchez Watt to take a well earned rest and he left the field to a standing ovation, an excellent performance from the young lad on his first start in a very tense atmosphere. Leeds and Jermaine Beckford added another without him and MK Dons had two further players dismissed in an entertaining game.
Quite what Simon Grayson does with this now is open to debate, do you release Watt on Frazer Richardson at The Valley or do you opt for a more experienced professional in what is a monumental fixture for Leeds United? Personally I'd throw him in there, he can't be any worse than Gary McSheffrey and he possesses that magical fearless quality that only seems to come with youth. (or is it that top flight players can handle pressure better than their League One counterparts?)
For more Leeds United discussion join the Dirty Leeds forums at www.dirtyleeds.com
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Tranmere boss joins 'Lucky Leeds' brigade
ShareWhen I started the Dirty Leeds blog, I was adamant that it wouldn't be a news site or a copy, paste and discuss free-for-all but a small article on Tranmere Rovers' Official website caught my attention. It seems rookie manager, Les Parry has been to the Phil Parkinson school of 'Blame Lucky Leeds if your team is s****!' His post-match assessment of his side's thumping defeat is below;
Les Parry was disappointed with his side's first half display as they conceded three goals before going on to lose 4-1 at home to Leeds United.
The Manager told Tranmere Player: "I think the first half was our poorest performance since we've taken over. It's not as if Leeds scored good goals - a free kick, a penalty, a third poor goal and then the fourth was a boot over the top.
"We had a pop at the lads at half time and I think we were unfortunate to lose the second half. But the first half was a poor performance. It was a comedy of errors.
"I had a word with the referee at half time as I felt the first four free kicks were debatable, the one they got the goal from especially so. But he gave them and we have to deal with themNot actually being at the game last night due to being on holiday when the original game was scheduled (arrived back just hours before the trip to Old Trafford) I can only go off the replays of the goals I have seen on TV. Quite how Mr Parry came to the above conclusion is mystifying... the quality of the last 2 goals was there for all to see in the few seconds the Sky Sports News editor allowed them. I assume if the 'big boot over the top' had been a wonderfully flighted, inch perfect pass then Jermaine Beckford wouldn't have been able to finish with such composure and style and thus Tranmere would have avoided conceding a goal... and if Jermaine's cross to Becchio had been of better quality Luciano would have been chasing the ball towards the corner flag instead of scoring a splendid diving header. Come to think of it, according to Mr Parry, if Leeds had played better football Tranmere would have won!!
League One seems to harbour a lot of sore losers; Phil Parkinson, Paul Lambert and now Les Parry. Oh and not forgetting the serial lower league bad loser that is Paul Ince, although he lost all credibility with his "It was a close game, between two massive clubs" comment after our win at MK Dons.
Lets just hope we can leave this lot behind come May...
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Saturday, 13 February 2010
94th minute equaliser? Thanks, but no thanks...
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Two Saturdays in succession Leeds' fixture has featured a 94th minute equaliser. Last week Anthony Sweeney headed Hartlepool level with just 10 seconds remaining, costing Leeds two valuable points. Today, in similar fashion Leeds were on the right end of a last-ditch leveller as Charlie Daniels of Leyton Orient put through his own new to gift Leeds a much deserved point at Brisbane Road.
By all accounts Leeds played very well today and a shots on goal ratio of 5:18 would suggest that a single point is scant reward for such dominance. Perhaps with a little more composure, luck or just Jermaine Beckford in the starting line up we would be celebrating an excellent away win. The situation Leeds found themselves in today as the clock ticked over to added time dictates that this is a point gained but as the more perceptive amongst you may have noticed, should neither added time goal have been scored over the last two weeks, Leeds would be a point better off, a point closer to Norwich, a point further away from Charlton and a point closer to promotion!
As I mentioned yesterday, our 'Fatal 4-Way' with Orient, Walsall, Brighton and Oldham must yield al least 9 points, meaning today's result reduces the margin for error at Elland Road next week to a minimum, a situation exacerbated by Norwich City's late reversal at The Withdean this afternoon. Leeds may find some solace should Bristol Rovers prolong Charlton's dismal form and give The Whites some breathing space before the first of our games in hand on Tuesday but how long can we go unpunished?
Simon Grayson will hope Jermaine Beckford is available sooner rather than later, as we hope to turn these improved performances into much needed points as we enter the business end of the season. For all Jermaine's faults, he is a match winner, a commodity that we sadly lack elsewhere in the squad - Today's game being exhibit A.
I'll say it again, we must make these 3 home games count if we're to avoid a very nervy and uncomfortable run-in. Time to deliver...
By all accounts Leeds played very well today and a shots on goal ratio of 5:18 would suggest that a single point is scant reward for such dominance. Perhaps with a little more composure, luck or just Jermaine Beckford in the starting line up we would be celebrating an excellent away win. The situation Leeds found themselves in today as the clock ticked over to added time dictates that this is a point gained but as the more perceptive amongst you may have noticed, should neither added time goal have been scored over the last two weeks, Leeds would be a point better off, a point closer to Norwich, a point further away from Charlton and a point closer to promotion!
As I mentioned yesterday, our 'Fatal 4-Way' with Orient, Walsall, Brighton and Oldham must yield al least 9 points, meaning today's result reduces the margin for error at Elland Road next week to a minimum, a situation exacerbated by Norwich City's late reversal at The Withdean this afternoon. Leeds may find some solace should Bristol Rovers prolong Charlton's dismal form and give The Whites some breathing space before the first of our games in hand on Tuesday but how long can we go unpunished?
Simon Grayson will hope Jermaine Beckford is available sooner rather than later, as we hope to turn these improved performances into much needed points as we enter the business end of the season. For all Jermaine's faults, he is a match winner, a commodity that we sadly lack elsewhere in the squad - Today's game being exhibit A.
I'll say it again, we must make these 3 home games count if we're to avoid a very nervy and uncomfortable run-in. Time to deliver...
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