Leeds Vs Gillingham Preview

Last 3 Results -

Leeds United

Carlisle 1 Leeds 3 (Becchio (2), Gradel)
Leeds 2 Southend 0 (Gradel, Becchio)
Yeovil 1 Leeds 2 (Naylor (2) )

Gillingham Fc

Gillingham 1 Brighton 1 (Miller)
Millwall 4 Gillingham 0
Gillingham 3 Southend 0 (Oli, Howe, Barcham)



Last time Leeds United played Gillingham, on 19th September 2009, we were 2 points clear of Charlton and easing into this promotion business. 2 goals from the in form Bradley Johnson, one from Jonny Howson and a strike from Jermaine Beckford helped Leeds climb to a 4-1 victory over our Southern opponents and all was well. 6 months on, we're still in the frame for promotion and clawing our way back into it, showing the famous Leeds United 'keep on fighting' mentality. We are it seems, finally getting back on track. Every game is once again being described as the 'biggest game of the season', in relation to our promotion bid. The doom and gloom of defeat to Millwall little over a month ago is being washed dry, but also kept as a reminder to not be complacent in the league. Wins over Southend and Carlisle are finally putting the wheels back on the bus and the expectations of Leeds fucking it up once again are slowly disappearing. This has been the same after many runs of defeat have ended after a win, but now it seems a little more real. Maybe after so many years of mediocrity and underperforming, we will finally be rewarded. Have any of the other promotion candidates had a season as emotionally tiring as us? Top of the league by 11 points at one stage, fucking it up, beating Scum at the Theatre of Wet dreams and our position in the league yo-yoing constantly. Many are calling this game more important than any other this season and it could well be. Millwall, the form team, seem to be slowly taking their foot off the pedal, Swindon are possibly startiing to do the same and Norwich are looking more and more complacent each time a fixture comes up that they're expected to win. We wouldn't dare go and win it would we? Promotion this year has always been the key aspiration to us and this is starting to be shown in our performances. Players are starting to grind down and work again, playing football we like to see.

Leeds' In Form Player ~
Luciano Becchio -
Luciano Becchio was thought to have joined Patrick Kisnorbo on the sidelines after a bad injury at Norwich, but has made an inspirational comeback to the team. After Jermaine Beckford suffered a loss of form, Becchio filled his boots at Brunton Park, disappointing many six fingered urchins, scoring 2 goals to go with the one he scored vs Southend. Becchio is linking up well with Gradel and the workforce between the two is nothing short of incredible. Gradel reminds some fans of ex peroxide wonder Alan Smith and the comparisons aren't too far off. Becchio wins the headers in the air and the ability to find Gradel with them is perfect. Many wondered how the departure of Jermaine Beckford will affect Leeds United, but every cloud has a silver lining.

Gillingham Key Player ~
Simeon Jackson -
Jackson was seen a possible replacment for Beckford, some even thought he was out of our league after Premier League teams sniffed around the Canadian international. Jackson has showed brilliant ability at this level, but it is unknown whether he'd be able to perform in a higher league. His strength and and heading are resemblant to that of Becchio, but with the pace and shooting ability, there is a likeness to Jermaine Beckford. Jackson has had a good 1st season in League 1, netting 14 goals in 38 appearances and many of Gillingham's points have come from Jackson saving them time after time.

Mo's Prediction -

Leeds are in good form, but Gillingham have a brilliant home record. Unfortunately for Gillingham, they also have players injured, so I'm going for a 2-0 Leeds win.

For more Leeds discussion join the Dirty Leeds forums at www.dirtyleeds.com

Leeds Vs Gillingham Preview

Lionel Messi: A New Breed of Footballer...

The phrase 'World Class' is used on a daily basis in football, Andy Gray and his colleagues file anything that passes over a goal-line within an inch or two or the woodwork or a ball that reaches its destination without bouncing firmly into the 'World Class' drawer. Protagonists are even encouraged to 'Take a bow' for their magnificent feats and ability. In reality, most of those superlatives are penned in the heat of the moment and on reflection few players manage to reach such a pinnacle that they can be referred to as 'World Class' and only a fraction of those manage to maintain such an accolade.

"Is Lionel Messi the best player this planet has ever seen...??"

Depending on their age, any football fan asked to name the three best players of all time would undoubtedly mention some of the following names; Diego Maradonna, Pele, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, George Weah, Kaka, Marco Van Basten or even Cristiano Ronaldo, your grandparents might mention legends such as George Best, Bobby Moore, Puskas or Jairzinho. It seems this season another name can not only be added to that illustrious list of talent but possibly be placed at the summit; Is Lionel Messi the best player this planet has ever seen??

At 22, the Argentine has come of age, currently on form with 16 goals in 9 games (including 3 hat-tricks) in a season that has so far returned 39 goals from just 42 appearances, he has shone on the highest club stage and even scored in The Champions League Final with a 'World Class' header beyond Edwin Van Der Sar, much to the delight of the majority of Great Britain. Granted he plays in arguably the world's best team and isn't required to do any of the defensive work a lesser outfit would demand of him but based on sheer technical ability and the skill of putting the ball in the net has anybody ever come close to a player that is probably still five years from his prime?

Its easy to overreact to such brilliance, especially when the closest rival for the accolade is a lady-boy Portuguese cheat who spends the majority of his time tricking referees and rolling about on the floor. Its quite possible that Messi could have an average World Cup in South Africa and that next season could well be an anti-climax. The fact that Messi is yet to light up the World stage in a major international tournament will always be the defining factor for many but he will get that opportunity in June, in a very average Argentina team.

Arsene Wenger likened Messi's performance against Arsenal on Tuesday night to "watching a Playstation game" the sheer ease that he won the game and the ability to find the net four times was made all the more impressive by the apparent humble attitude of someone blessed with talents never before seen. In some ways the fact that Manchester United suffered such an hilarious reverse on Wednesday was only tempered by the thought of Gary Neville trying to restrain Lionel Messi in the final at The Santiago Bernabeu... Oh Well...

Lionel Messi: A New Breed of Footballer...

10 years on; Never Forgotten

The 5th of April 2000 is one day that Leeds United fans will never forget. A day of tragedy and despair for fans all over the world that supported the club, that brought the game into mind. The tragic deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, stabbed by Galatasary fans, simply for wanting to watch a game of football, brought a whole new spin on the game. I remember watching as an 8 year old on Channel 5 news, which the game was to be staged on later that evening, seeing rioting, fighting and wondering what was going on. My Dad walked out of the room, tears in his eyes, after hearing of 2 Leeds fans being stabbed to death ahead of the game for no reason. At that age, you're too young to fully understand what's gone on, but I had the general gist of it. We watched the news reports in silence and the coverage of what happened still brings grown men to tears today. It only seems like yesterday that this atrocious disaster happened, but it will never be forgotten. Nobody should die going to watch the team they love, no matter what. The muderer that comitted this crime is allowed to walk free and accept no criminal responsibility, disgustingly, even after blood from Kevin and Chris was found on a knive during a raid of his house. It's moments like the death of Kevin and Chris that make you wonder about the important things in life, football comes last every time in instances like this. I urge every Leeds fan that reads this to get down to Elland Road on Monday and pay your respects. Be it flowers or just being there, please show your respects for the tragic deaths of two of your fellow supporters. At the Yeovil game, Leeds fans will be standing with their backs to the pitch, as they did on that horrible night 10 years ago. Maybe you could do this in your front room, your pub, wherever you choose to watch this game. The quest for justice is still ongoing, try to do your part if possible: http://www.leedsfansremembrance.com/leeds-fans-remembrance-letter-to-local-mp/ . I leave you with a poem dedicated to Chris and Kevin, never forget. MOT

I dreamed I saw Chris and Kevin
Down at Elland road today
Said I but lads your some years gone
We never left said they
We never left said they

Still stunned and dreamy I asked of them
Why do you you linger still?
Your love and kindness is our bread
We stayed to eat our fill
We stayed to eat our fill

Is this just one last show from you
Then forever you're away
It's true you may not see us here
But here we'll always stay
But here we'll always stay
So tell us what's your darkness then
Pray tell us where's your light
It's darkest when your heads go down
When you sing our world is bright
When you sing our world is bright

But are we not just mortals lads
Who's time will pass us by?
Our kin and Leeds are part of us
A part that will not die
A part that will not die

I dreamed I saw Chris and Kevin
Down at Elland Road today
Said I but lads you're some years gone
We never left said they
We never left said they

For more Leeds discussion join the Dirty Leeds forums at www.dirtyleeds.com

10 years on; Never Forgotten