Leeds United 1 - 0 Bristol City

Another week full of rumours and speculation that we were about to sell our top striker, Luciano Becchio, another week full of wondering just what the hell Warnock is doing with this team, but, at least we won against Birmingham City midweek....Though, for me, and I hate to sound negative here, it was a case of papering over the cracks.

Two days of snow had threatened to call off matches all over the country, but credit to the groundsman and the staff at Leeds United for making sure our match got underway without a hitch.

Bristol City are currently fighting for their Championship status under new manager Sean O'Driscoll who was sacked by Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, just hours after winning the match against us 4 - 2.

There were no surprises in the fact that Warnock changed the starting 11 from the side that won against Birmingham midweek, Becchio was back in the squad after recovering from his illness which stopped him travelling with the rest of the squad to St Andrews, Barkley and Kenny also returned. Aiden White came in at left back in place of Adam Drury who could be out for a couple of months after he suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday night.

It didn't take long for the home fans' frustrations to surface after a very dull first quarter of an hour. Ross Barkley took a shot on the 15th minute that required keeper, Heaton to make a save. This was met with actual cheers from what was a good chance and ironic cheers and chants of "Shot on target, we're on the pitch" and "Let's go f*cking mental".
The game didn't get much better, I could hear people around me talking about what happened on Emmerdale last week, full blown conversation about it, in the middle of a match, I remember thinking, 'is this game really that bad, you're talking about Emmerdale'....Sadly, it was.

Bristol City were playing some good passing football at times, we were being matched by another side at the latter end of the table, they had their chances to go in front too, Liam Kelly saw his shot go over the bar on the 35th minute of play.

Apart from a shot from Diouf that went over the bar and a Ross McCormack chance that Heaton managed to deal with, we didn't have much of anything to cheer about but just before half time Ross Barkley sent a cross into the box, McCormack was there and his shot was straight at the keeper who spilled the ball, Becchio attempted to chase it down but finally, Heaton scooped it up.

The referee brought a close to a very un-entertaining first half and as the players walked into the dressing rooms, they were met with a chorus of boo's from frustrated fans.

The temperature was dropping inside Elland Road and so were the patience levels, we needed a lift second half.

It seemed like nothing had changed though and on the 46th minute, Liam Kelly had the best chance of the game from 30 yards out but it missed just right of the target.

We did start to perk up a bit though and Ross Barkley shot from just outside the area which was just wide. We finally managed to open the scoring though on the 67th minute, Ross McCormack managed to head home what was a fantastic cross from Barkley.

Rodolph Austin was next to have a go but his shot just missed left of the goal on the 75th minute, The Robins weren't finished though and two minutes later Steven Davies' shot went wide.

Warnock brought on Paul Green for Ross Barkley and minutes later, Michael Tonge came on for Ross McCormack.

Three minutes of time was added to the game and Bristol City were lucky to finish it with 11 men on the pitch as Wes Burns brought down Sam Bryam in what looked an awful challenge, the Elland Road crowd were bemused when the card given was only yellow, it looked much, much worse and could only hope Sam wasn't injured, after receiving treatment though, Bryam was back on the pitch and playing on, we all breathed a sigh of relief.

The ref brought an end to what was a dull game, but 3 points all the same.

I know I'm going to sound negative, again, and I'm sorry but if that had been anyone better than Bristol City, we could have found ourself's on the end of another beating. Though we did improve in the second half, we didn't suddenly become good enough to win the league, I was happy for the win, don't get me wrong, but I was happy for the team, not for Warnock.

As most of you will know, I'm not exactly his biggest fan, and I just can't see that changing. There was more criticism yesterday for Luciano Becchio, who, by his standards, didn't have his best games, granted, but the amount of negative comments Warnock seems to be throwing his way at any possible opportunity and the fact that he's just seemed to make a situation out of nothing, it just doesn't add up to me!? Warnock's comments after the game at Birmingham regarding Becchio were also puzzling, pretty much saying that Becchio being on the pitch was the reason for the long ball, and because he wasn't there, they could get the ball down....So, let me get this straight, Becchio is picking the team and the tactics is he?! Ohhhh, silly me, I thought he was just a striker and that was YOUR job....I have it all wrong this football malarky, I feel an idiot. Anybody can see what he is trying to do here, and I'm not being funny, but I'd rather have Becchio at my club than Warnock.

In response to the criticism Warnock has recently received from the fans losing faith in his managerial skills, he said "For me, the glass should be half full, not half empty." - "We knew it would be hard work because they have a new manager and are fighting for their lives. We got a grip at half-time and were a lot more positive in the second half" - "Tom Lees and Lee Peltier were fabulous at the back for us. Unfortunately, you can't please everyone, even when you have won six in a row in the league at home" - "They'd rather we played like Real Madrid and lose". In regards to signings, he says that Shaun Harvey is working hard and will be on the phones all day on Monday and we still have two or three irons in the fire....Let's face it, we've all heard that before.

The attendance from yesterday was only 18,156, I'd expect that to go down even more if we don't start improving and certainly if we lose Luciano Becchio.

I hate being so negative about the club I love but something has got to give here, we NEED to improve, end of.

MOT xx <3 xx

Warnock....What's the score?!

After the shambles that was Barnsley away on Saturday – We are on the road again today, away at St Andrews for the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay against Birmingham City, minus Girl In The Gelderd!! My 2012/13 100% attendance record goes out of the window!! I can’t lie, even though we have been poor, I’ll be lost tonight, knowing we are playing and I’m not there!!

I’ve been toying with the idea of writing about my disappointment with Neil Warnock all day, however, I read an article on the Yorkshire Evening Post website (http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/birmingham-city-v-leeds-united-warnock-to-make-late-call-on-becchio-1-5316018) and it made my mind up for me.

I did mention in my match report from the weekend (http://girlinthegelderd.blogspot.com/2013/01/barnsley-2-0-leeds-united.html) that I was sick of Warnock’s style of play and I was questioning whether I actually wanted him in charge anymore. At this point, I would like to make you all aware, I have never been one to go through a bad patch and call for a managers head, I’m not like that, especially at this crucial time of the season but the things Neil has said in the past few days has wound me up no end and after reading what everyone has got to say on Twitter, I know I am not alone.

Warnock’s current contract with the club ends in the summer, so long term, we still don’t know his intentions….Would you financially back a manager that might leave once the season is over taking into consideration he usually buys his ex-players?!

Warnock stated in his interview after the game that he thought he was doing, and I quote a “Great job” – Is this honestly what he thinks?! Does he honestly believe he is doing a great job here?! Because I don’t really know where to start with this, instead I will bullet point just why exactly I beg to differ.

· He doesn’t know his best starting 11
· He continues to play people out of position
· His tactics and substitutions can be, at times, quite frankly puzzling
· He can’t accept when he is wrong, instead he will make excuses (e.g. referee)
· He’s bringing some of our best players down to his mind numbingly boring style of football, sorry hoofball and then blames them when we don’t win
· He looks like he might have lost the dressing room, the players looked as puzzled as we did on Saturday
· He has lost respect of the majority of the Leeds fans and he is still in denial about how ‘well’ he is supposedly doing here.

After the match on Saturday Warnock was quoted saying that striker Luciano Becchio “Wasn’t himself” he also said “It’s that time of year when agents put a lot of things in people’s minds and managers have to deal with it and see what happens” - We’ve all heard this many times before with the players that have gone on to leave the club.
Neil said only last week, he would have the ‘final say’ on whether any bids for any of our players would be accepted.
He has since spoke further about the future of Becchio and has said “I have had a word with Beccs. But it is difficult (as a player) when agents are in your ear all the time. All through the transfer window, it’s going to be a nightmare.” As I read the article further I could hardly believe what I was reading….
(Read the full Yorkshire Evening Post interview here: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/birmingham-city-v-leeds-united-warnock-to-make-late-call-on-becchio-1-5316018)
“One or two of the lads were accused of not trying. But when you look at the three lads in midfield who were overrun, when you look at (Michael) Tonge, (David) Norris and Rudy (Austin) and the metres they covered on ProZone, they covered as much as anybody.
“It was just that their decisions were so poor on Saturday. But the options they had up front were so limited. They had very little to aim at.
“The players were disappointed and we have had a meeting. It is difficult for us; you really need your strikers to be on fire for everything to gel for us.
“You look at the (good) performances we have had this season and usually the forwards have been on top of their game. And then everyone else has responded to that.”

Here, as you can see, he doesn’t blame himself, or his tactics, or the long ball, no, in fact, quite the opposite, he criticises the strike force for not being able to do anything with the long ball when actually, for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, when the ball was on the floor we were significantly better….

Is it any wonder players are starting to question their positions in the club and whether they want to stay long term when we look to have given up playing football and they seem to be getting the blame?!

I do know though, it is difficult getting rid of a manager at this time of the season and not everyone wants him gone, but as you can probably tell, I am getting quite fed up with it all and the sale of Becchio would just top it all off for me.

If you are travelling to Birmingham tonight have a good time and a safe journey.

MOT xx <3 xx

Barnsley 2 - 0 Leeds United

After the announcement of Ross Barkley joining us on an initial one month loan on Friday, and the permanent signing of Michael Tonge earlier in the week, I was pleased we seemed to be sorting the places that we were lacking quality in and when I woke up on Saturday morning, I felt strangely optimistic. I have no idea why....I've never once seen a Leeds United side win at Oakwell, in fact, we haven't won there since 1997 and as of late, our performances have been nothing short of awful so the optimism confused me but I was glad the faith was there.

Barnsley were going into this game rock bottom of the League Table with David Flitcroft as acting manager after the sacking of Keith Hill just before the turn of the year. In the past week Terry Butcher and Sean O'Driscoll have both turned down the chance to take the reigns at Oakwell.

There were stewards waiting for us as we entered the ground, checking bags etc, one of them asked me if he could check mine, I obliged of course, he then asked me if I had any glass bottles in there, I replied, "Yes, and fireworks and knives" I laughed....He didn't.

Paddy Kenny was back in the team after being sidelined for the FA Cup game against Birmingham the week before, and it was all change in other parts of the pitch too, Byram, Peltier, Barkley, Austin, Tonge and Diouf all started for Leeds United.

Barnsley held a minutes applause before the game kicked off to pay respects to Soldier, Richard Walker who was killed while on duty in Afghanistan earlier this week. Both sets of fans and players, stood and applauded and chants of 'Yorkshire' rang around Oakwell in what was a fitting tribute.

The game didn't begin well at all, Jim O'Brien went very close to scoring in the first minute but his shot was saved by Kenny, Tate had to react in orderer to block another shot by O'Brien seconds later.

Luciano Becchio saw his headed effort go right of the target on the 6th minute of play. Just a minute later though and O'Brien had another shot on goal, this time however it was too high.

Barnsley were having the better of the chances, on the 12th minute of play Paddy Kenny saved a shot from Stephen Dawson and Marlon Harewood's shot came back off of the post. At this point, we could have been forgiven for thinking, this was going to be another one of those days, we looked up against it and with every shot Barnsley had, the fans were getting more and more frustrated.

Micheal Tonge had a chance on the 26th minute but, again, it was wide of the goal.

Lee Peltier and Jim O'Brien were involved in a tackle just after the half hour mark which saw O'Brien stay down, injured. He looked in agony and the paramedics soon stretchered him off the pitch, both sets of fans applauded him, he acknowledged the Leeds fans and clapped as he went down the tunnel to receive treatment. He was replaced by Jacob Mellis.

Chris Dagnall's shot on the 40th minute was wide right of the goal mouth.

When half time came, we couldn't help but wonder how on earth it was 0 - 0, a chorus of boo's met Warnock and the players as they walked off into the dressing room. We'd not had a shot on target but Barnsley were really making Paddy Kenny work.

Warnock made two substitutions at half time bringing on Ross McCormack for El-Hadji Diouf and Paul Green for David Norris. This seemed to give us a boost in the opening 10 minutes or so and we began to play football, not hoofball. Ross Barkley tried his luck from outside the penalty area on the 48th minute but it was off target. Barkley almost scored again when strong strike of his, hit the crossbar.

It wasn't long until we went resorted back to the long ball though and 62 minutes in, Sam Byram bought down Chris Dagnall inside the box, it was a stonewall penalty and Dagnall made it 1 - 0. The way we were playing, this felt like they'd just scored their 8th, they were full of confidence and had the wind in their sails. 3 Minutes later and Dagnall doubled Barnsley's lead. Immediately the vast majority of travelling fans began to call for Warnock's head. We looked clueless and Barnsley were making us look amateur.

Both Barkley and McCormack had chances to score before the end of the game but they were off target. So 2 - 0 it finished. Becchio was first off the pitch, he looked up and clapped, we clapped back, McCormack & Barkley also got a good reaction from the crowd....However....Warnock didn't, he was met with 4,800 angry Leeds United fans. Chants of 'time to go' - 'we're sh*t and we're sick of it' and 'what the f*ck is going on' along with loud booing and 'we want our money back'.

I left this match feeling like I've never felt at any Leeds United game I've ever been to in my life. Like I'd just been kicked in the stomach, but I was angry with it. It wasn't the fact that we lost, no, in fairness, we always lose at Oakwell, but this, this was different. We all know we've not been playing good football of late, even when we've won it's been scrappy and we've not played well.

We all got back on the coach and waited to see what Neil Warnock had to say about this....First of all, he blamed the referee, saying Dawson should have been sent off for a tackle he made on Ross McCormack, he went as far as to take a replay into his interviews with the press to prove his point.
He then went on to say that Luciano Becchio's head wasn't in the game, apparently he's had his head turned by agents and he'll be having words with him later.

I don't even know where to begin with this, there was no talk of the way he's playing people out of position, his negative tactics and there was no virus to blame it on this week either. Don't get me wrong here, the players aren't faultless but, I personally think it's time to look beyond this now, I think it's time to look at the manager and the coaching staff.

I have absolutely no idea why we continue with playing the long ball up to Becchio when we know full well that doesn't work. I am sick to death of it now, I don't pay good money to see the ball in the air and the fact is, we play better when it is on the floor!!

The way Warnock spoke about Becchio caused a stir too. It sounds like we are about to lose not only our top scorer, but the current longest serving player in the club. This makes me feel sick. I thought times had changed?! I'm not going to lie, I will be devastated if he leaves.

We didn't have one shot on target. We didn't have one corner. We never stood a chance and again at 2 - 0 down with plenty of time left, we looked to concede ourselves to defeat, how much more of this can we take!?

Birmingham next up in the FA Cup Round 3 Replay at St Andrews.

Be sure to comment below and let me know your thoughts.

MOT xx <3 xx

First Signing of the January Transfer window

Michael Tonge became Leeds United's first signing of the Transfer Window today.

The 29 year old midfielder signed a 2 and a half year deal with the Whites from Stoke City after his recent loan spell at Elland Road ended.

Glad to see him back in fairness, midfield hasn't looked the same since he left.

Transfer speculation has been rife, as ever, in the past couple of weeks, one of the main names being mentioned was Dexter Blackstock from Nottingham Forest, however, Alex McLeish rubbished claims that Leeds United had put a £750,000 bid in for the 26 year old striker saying "In terms of players going out, we have not had any interest" (Skysports.com)

Warnock has also come out today to try and allay fans' fears that Sam Byram and Luciano Becchio were on their way out of the club. In an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, Warnock said: “We’re focused on players coming in, not players going out, I can’t stop speculation and I’m seeing plenty of it but the new owners have been very clear with me – nobody will be going from here unless I say so." (View the full article here: http://m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-i-will-say-if-any-players-leave-warnock-1-5298500)

We need to build for this club to be successful and though we are all very impatient I think we need to relax a little. As Leeds fans go, I'm as big as they come and I know how hard it is to trust anyone that would have come into this club, due to the way it has been run in the past, but for me, GFH-Capital have a clean slate. we need to understand things take time, Rome wasn't built in a day, things are already changing for the better. The clubs that have built in this league are the ones that have been the most successful, we wouldn't like them to spend silly money on players that weren't worth it, we've been there before and look where it got us.

Warnock had said he's enquired about 7/8 players but the clubs wouldn't let them go. January is a hard time to do business, clubs are always reluctant to sell even players that they don't use on a regular basis at this time of year, one example is that players get injured/tired and you'll need someone to come on, in place of those, with little disruption to the side and still play good football, like I said just one example of why January is a tough time for transfers.

We have to be patient and keep supporting the team....We're Leeds aren't we?! ;o)

Looking forward to a trip to Oakwell on Saturday, come on Leeds :o)

MOT xx <3 xx