Well I am back in one piece!!
April 19th, you expect to be going to a football game in short sleeved shirts. Yesterday was more like a winter’s day on a cold and windy day with the occasional bit of rain in the air! Not that I would have wanted to just have my Leeds shirt on as I was sitting with the Millwall lot!
I don’t think I have ever seen so many police, the metropolitan police were out in force and it was like watching an episode of the Bill! I was talking to some Leeds fans who had come down Saturday morning and they was saying a lot of Leeds fans couldn’t even get past Kings cross station with a huge police presence at the station.
Anyway onto the game, after Tuesdays disappointing defeat to Huddersfield Leeds made three changes. Prutton replaced the suspended Douglas, Sheehan, back from suspension replaced Kenton (cone #2) and Elding was given a start ahead of Kandol (cone #1).
When Millwall came to Elland Road earlier in the season I thought they was the better team apart from a fifteen minute spell when Leeds scored four they was the better team. This game went in a very similar vain for Millwall and if they had somebody who could score goals I am sure they would be much nearer the play offs than fighting for their lives at the bottom.
From the off they were the better team and I thought it was only a matter of time before Berkovic scored who could have quite easily had an hat trick in the first half! Millwall were playing some good football and Craig probably missed the best chance of the half when he missed a good chance from inside the six yard box.
Even though it was mainly Millwall, Ankergren was never really stretched and when Millwall managed efforts on target they were pretty easy to deal with. Leeds rarely threatened in the first half but could have taken the lead late in the first half when Elding shot over the bar from the edge of the area. Howson also had a chance on the stroke of half time. Leeds finished the half better so I was hoping for a better start to the second half.
Unfortunately the second half started much in the same vain. Millwall were unlucky not to take the lead when a good effort hit the underside of the bar and was then cleared to safety.
Leeds steadily began to get into the game as Millwall started to tire. Freedman had a couple of half chances to give Leeds the lead but put one wide and hit the other straight at the Millwall keeper. Leeds finally took the lead with about twenty minutes left when a lovely volley from Prutton from 25 yards crept into the bottom corner. Andy Hughes replaced Elding soon after to give Leeds a more defensive looking side, it wasn’t long after though that a wonderful one touch passing movement by Leeds found Hughes unmarked five yards from goal to sweep into an empty net.
That really finished the game off as any sort of contest and Leeds happily saw out the remainder of the game. For me, it was exactly what we have seen most of the season. We haven’t played brilliantly but we have grinded out a result and come away with the three points. Millwall will be wondering how they have lost the game but Leeds managed to keep the majority of Millwall’s chances to long range efforts and when they did get a chance in the box weak finishing let them down.
With other results going our way a win at Yeovil on Friday night will clinch the minimum of a play off place (who knows what will happen at the arbitration hearing?!)
I have seen Millwall on three occasions this season and if they had a centre forward I am sure they would be nearer the play offs than fighting relegation; I would like to wish them luck against Carlisle next Saturday!
I have to admit I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the ground with Millwall and Leeds fans at each other all afternoon. There was the odd little incident but nothing for the tabloids to get their dirty little pens warmed up on.
Player Ratings
Ankergren 7/10
Even though we was under pressure quite a lot he was rarily forced into any hard saves. In recent months though he has worried me with his distribution and his ability to clear crosses in the box.
He may be banned soon Dazza so I wouldn’t worry too much – ed
Richardson 7/10
Usual solid game at right back and help on the right hand side when Leeds were attacking. Had a decent effort from distance in the first half that went over the bar.
Sheehan 7/10
Glad to see he was back in place of Kenton and a natural left back. Had a steady game and looks like keeping the left back spot.
Huntington 8/10
Threw his body on the line again and helped reduce Millwall to mainly long range efforts.
Michalik 7/10
Probably his best game since returning to the club but I still worry when the ball come anywhere near him.
Kilkenny 6/10
I thought the midfielder battled hard and helped out the defence.
Prutton 8/10 (MOTM)
Fantastically controlled volley for the goal and worked hard in midfield. I wonder what Mcallister will do at Yeovil with Douglas back from suspension?
Howson 8/10
Grows in stature with every game. Got forward and tried to help out the forwards. Had a decent chance to score at the end of the first half
Johnson 6/10
In and out of the game but generally quiet. Was involved in the flowing movement which led to Leeds second goal.
Elding 6/10
In the first hour when Leeds were under the cosh he wasn’t able to get much into the game. Did have a decent chance in the first half but put over from the edge of the box.
Freedman 6/10
Worked very hard up front and tried to keep the ball and slow the game down when Leeds were under pressure. Had a couple of half chances in the second half.