Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
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Just back from Lane. Fairly competitive game if sadly lacking in quality. United dererved a draw and had large portions of game, especially second half but did not create too much and looked a bit clueless when in Leeds half. Leeds scored an excellent long range goal from lad Stokes who had just come off from having his head bandaged but they also created little.
Just before Leeds scored (which was not long before half time) the lad Wright was put through from a good ball from Dimaio but his one on one was saved and he could not nod the rebound home under pressure. He should have scored.
2nd half we had a few scrambles but few clear chances. We had a penalty appeal but Hamilton was booked for diving which probably was about right. After this we huffed and puffed but Leeds held on comfortably.
Not many 'senior' players played. We had Brayford at right back but the rest of the side were of course u21's as the fixture suggests but think JB was only over 21 player. Leeds had striker Doukara who has been in and out of 1st team last few years. They also had Bianchi in midfield and the lad Sloth who has been on the fringes of the 1st team.
Overall football was not great. It was very slow and pedestrian from both sides. United looked sadly much like first team lacking subtlety, pace and power. We seem to have built a huge squad of players from u18 to senior level of 5'5''-5'10'' players who lack pace and any real stand out qualities.
Interesting to see United have messrs Morgan, Dungworth and Wadsworth barking orders on the bench whilst Leeds only had Paul Hart cutting a lonely figure in his technical area. Saw Adkins, Wilkins and Crosby in the stands along with Di Girolamo, McGahey, Reed and Adams. Unsure why likes of Reed or Di Girolamo are not playing at this level. Surely they need games as both have barely played?
Player ratings -
Ramsdale 5/10 - We have a lot of keepers in the ranks and with Howard, Long and Willis all looking nowhere near good enough. I expect latter two to be moved on at the end of the season; Ramsdale is the next one up I suppose to look at although of course very young and long way off first team. He was very suspect tonight from juggling a simple shot over him and just catching to the goal which was a good strike but he was completely caught out. Caught a few others shots but missed two crosses badly punching thin air. Also could not kick very far.
Brayford 7/10 - Sound. Was solid throughout. Nothing great but just kept it simple and could see main intention was building fitness. Moved across pitch fine and looked fairly fit. He won a few headers, passed it simple and his overall touch was decent. Seemed to coast through it. Would like to see him on the bench Saturday. Should be back in side in a few weeks all being well.
Phillips 6/10 - Thought he made a few errors and got beat to the ball a few times. Also a bit slow to react. Not a player I know much about. Is he the lad from Llandudno that came at the start of the season? Only 19 but does not look anywhere near.
Banton 5/10 - Seen him a few times and has always done ok but tonight looked poor. Seemed to be carrying too much weight and very slow over the floor. He got caught a few times and beat for skill too. A few wildly sliced clearances too. Been at Halifax whose fans gave mixed reports. Another who has been around the reserves a few years and not sure he will make it sadly at this level. I think like a lot at first team we have a lot of u21's who are on 2nd year of 2 year deals and unsure many will remain.
Whiteman 6/10 - Played centre back to start and then moved into midfield. He was the lad who was given a cameo in a cup game last season? Not sure he has really pushed on. He was ok today but nothing great and another who when players ran at him looked quite slow.
Dimaio 7/10 - Maybe United's best outfield player. Tried to get on the ball and pass it. He was neat and tidy and used it well. Seemed frustrated with what was going on around him. Not sure he has the pace, dynamism to make it and has not pushed on since nearly 2 years ago he had that good game v Rotherham. Another who may move on at the end of the season. Surprised he has not got a loan spell at a League Two side as he is a decent player if not someone who looks like he could make it above Conference/lower League 2 level..
Brooks 6/10 - Incredibly slight player who looks about 12! He is maybe bigger than Reed height wise but only about 5'8'' and very skinny. He got knocked off ball too easily and whilst did a few neat and tidy things did not really get in the game and was taken off. He is out of contract end of season and not sure he will be kept on.
Coustrain 5.5/10 - Played wide right but never got in the game at all. He overran it a few times and never reallly threatened to do much in terms of shots, crosses or dribbles.
Hamilton 5.5/10 - As above Another weak player who got knocked off it too easily. Ran down too many blind alleys when he had it but most of the time he was not in the game. Won a few flick on headers and tried to get past his man but never did. When he did he tried a daft dive which officials spotted; this was sadly after only decent run he had all game.
Kleh 5/10 - He tried to get on it but looked like a kid in a mans game (admittedly most were kids!). Neat and tidy but so powderpuff and when players leaned into him he just lost it. A few flicks and tricks tried but he did not look strong enough to run at players and his touch was not great either. Came off after an hour. Out of contract end of season too and may have to get games in non league and build strength/some level of physicality.
Wright 6.5/10 - Tried his guts our. Really did put a lot of effort in. He most have commited about 15 fouls. No idea how he did not get booked. Did spent a lot of the night just moaning and groaning which was disappointing. He needs to get on with the game. Maybe he could have had a few fouls but he has to move on from any perceived poor decisions. Had one good chance he missed and kept going but lacked quality. Quite tall and a willing runner but still not convinced he has what it takes despite rave reviews when he was at Hallam. That might be more his level sadly. Need to do more than run around a lot.
Subs
McDonagh - A player I like and when I have seen u21's/u'18's; one I feel has a chance. Determined player wtih a lot of ability. Did not really get in the game but think he is better out wide or in midfield than up top.
Gordan - Lad from u18's who has been doing well and been pushed through. Had one good run and shot deflected wide.
Evans - Another who has been in and around u21's for over a season now but has not really pushed on either.
Final word - The referee was a woman, Elizabeth Simms. A lot of time female officials have been derided but despite cat calls from some in the crowd; I thought she was superb. She kept cards in pocket (could have booked Wright) and I honestly cannot recall one decision she got wrong. Her two linesman were very indecisive but she was excelllent. Let things flow; spoke to the players and brought things back for fouls when no advantage was clear. Really was good. One to look out for as seemed quite young.
Just before Leeds scored (which was not long before half time) the lad Wright was put through from a good ball from Dimaio but his one on one was saved and he could not nod the rebound home under pressure. He should have scored.
2nd half we had a few scrambles but few clear chances. We had a penalty appeal but Hamilton was booked for diving which probably was about right. After this we huffed and puffed but Leeds held on comfortably.
Not many 'senior' players played. We had Brayford at right back but the rest of the side were of course u21's as the fixture suggests but think JB was only over 21 player. Leeds had striker Doukara who has been in and out of 1st team last few years. They also had Bianchi in midfield and the lad Sloth who has been on the fringes of the 1st team.
Overall football was not great. It was very slow and pedestrian from both sides. United looked sadly much like first team lacking subtlety, pace and power. We seem to have built a huge squad of players from u18 to senior level of 5'5''-5'10'' players who lack pace and any real stand out qualities.
Interesting to see United have messrs Morgan, Dungworth and Wadsworth barking orders on the bench whilst Leeds only had Paul Hart cutting a lonely figure in his technical area. Saw Adkins, Wilkins and Crosby in the stands along with Di Girolamo, McGahey, Reed and Adams. Unsure why likes of Reed or Di Girolamo are not playing at this level. Surely they need games as both have barely played?
Player ratings -
Ramsdale 5/10 - We have a lot of keepers in the ranks and with Howard, Long and Willis all looking nowhere near good enough. I expect latter two to be moved on at the end of the season; Ramsdale is the next one up I suppose to look at although of course very young and long way off first team. He was very suspect tonight from juggling a simple shot over him and just catching to the goal which was a good strike but he was completely caught out. Caught a few others shots but missed two crosses badly punching thin air. Also could not kick very far.
Brayford 7/10 - Sound. Was solid throughout. Nothing great but just kept it simple and could see main intention was building fitness. Moved across pitch fine and looked fairly fit. He won a few headers, passed it simple and his overall touch was decent. Seemed to coast through it. Would like to see him on the bench Saturday. Should be back in side in a few weeks all being well.
Phillips 6/10 - Thought he made a few errors and got beat to the ball a few times. Also a bit slow to react. Not a player I know much about. Is he the lad from Llandudno that came at the start of the season? Only 19 but does not look anywhere near.
Banton 5/10 - Seen him a few times and has always done ok but tonight looked poor. Seemed to be carrying too much weight and very slow over the floor. He got caught a few times and beat for skill too. A few wildly sliced clearances too. Been at Halifax whose fans gave mixed reports. Another who has been around the reserves a few years and not sure he will make it sadly at this level. I think like a lot at first team we have a lot of u21's who are on 2nd year of 2 year deals and unsure many will remain.
Whiteman 6/10 - Played centre back to start and then moved into midfield. He was the lad who was given a cameo in a cup game last season? Not sure he has really pushed on. He was ok today but nothing great and another who when players ran at him looked quite slow.
Dimaio 7/10 - Maybe United's best outfield player. Tried to get on the ball and pass it. He was neat and tidy and used it well. Seemed frustrated with what was going on around him. Not sure he has the pace, dynamism to make it and has not pushed on since nearly 2 years ago he had that good game v Rotherham. Another who may move on at the end of the season. Surprised he has not got a loan spell at a League Two side as he is a decent player if not someone who looks like he could make it above Conference/lower League 2 level..
Brooks 6/10 - Incredibly slight player who looks about 12! He is maybe bigger than Reed height wise but only about 5'8'' and very skinny. He got knocked off ball too easily and whilst did a few neat and tidy things did not really get in the game and was taken off. He is out of contract end of season and not sure he will be kept on.
Coustrain 5.5/10 - Played wide right but never got in the game at all. He overran it a few times and never reallly threatened to do much in terms of shots, crosses or dribbles.
Hamilton 5.5/10 - As above Another weak player who got knocked off it too easily. Ran down too many blind alleys when he had it but most of the time he was not in the game. Won a few flick on headers and tried to get past his man but never did. When he did he tried a daft dive which officials spotted; this was sadly after only decent run he had all game.
Kleh 5/10 - He tried to get on it but looked like a kid in a mans game (admittedly most were kids!). Neat and tidy but so powderpuff and when players leaned into him he just lost it. A few flicks and tricks tried but he did not look strong enough to run at players and his touch was not great either. Came off after an hour. Out of contract end of season too and may have to get games in non league and build strength/some level of physicality.
Wright 6.5/10 - Tried his guts our. Really did put a lot of effort in. He most have commited about 15 fouls. No idea how he did not get booked. Did spent a lot of the night just moaning and groaning which was disappointing. He needs to get on with the game. Maybe he could have had a few fouls but he has to move on from any perceived poor decisions. Had one good chance he missed and kept going but lacked quality. Quite tall and a willing runner but still not convinced he has what it takes despite rave reviews when he was at Hallam. That might be more his level sadly. Need to do more than run around a lot.
Subs
McDonagh - A player I like and when I have seen u21's/u'18's; one I feel has a chance. Determined player wtih a lot of ability. Did not really get in the game but think he is better out wide or in midfield than up top.
Gordan - Lad from u18's who has been doing well and been pushed through. Had one good run and shot deflected wide.
Evans - Another who has been in and around u21's for over a season now but has not really pushed on either.
Final word - The referee was a woman, Elizabeth Simms. A lot of time female officials have been derided but despite cat calls from some in the crowd; I thought she was superb. She kept cards in pocket (could have booked Wright) and I honestly cannot recall one decision she got wrong. Her two linesman were very indecisive but she was excelllent. Let things flow; spoke to the players and brought things back for fouls when no advantage was clear. Really was good. One to look out for as seemed quite young.
