The last game of 2006 sees the mighty strugglers Leeds go into battle with a Stoke City side who I would say, like Colchester are punching above their weight. With this in mind I would hope that Dennis Wise and the gang will go to the Potteries not ready to throw in the towel during round 1.
Vital Quotes:
Wisey has been in bullish mood this week but is worried that injuries will dictate the squad, rather than him!
‘We’re taking quite a bare squad to Stoke with the personnel who are missing,’
We’ve tried to lift them this week. We’ve had a good week and we’ve worked hard.’
Good to know their working hard, I’m not…gotta love being a student!
Stoke City Team News:
Tango Man’s long lost son Lee Hendrie plays what could be his last game for Stoke City before returning to Villa. However he has been playing without training at the moment so with a bit of luck he’ll be out. A dangerous player we really could do without facing. Stoke are full of maybe-play players for the match, Salif Diao and Darel Russel look set to play possibly maybe.
Player to watch: Lee Hendrie
He’s going back to Villa, staying at Stoke or going elsewhere (erm, obviously.) So there’ll be a manager that he will want to impress. The kind of player who (when he’s in the right mood) attitude you’d want in the other 10 players.
Mighty Leeds! Team News:
Anyone who fancies a game stick their boots in the car eh? Ehigou, Kilgallon and Blake are all rated doubtful for the tie. Kevin Nicholls continues his Christmas holiday (er, I mean ban).
Graham Stack’s ankle means he’s had his feet up over the holiday season, with this set to continue it is likely that Tony Warner will carry on between the sticks in what could be his last Leeds game. Matt Heath will also play his last game as he’s ineligible for the January 1st game.
Player to watch: Er? Pass
I don’t think there is a Leeds player that deserves ‘player to watch’ at the moment. Every single one of those boys on the pitch should be the one to watch. We need them to pull together and fight.
I’d like a goodun from Tony Warner before he goes back to London.
Match Facts & Stats
We go into this one having not won a game since the 25th November. Reports do also state we haven’t scored a goal in over 4 hours of football.
Ref Watch:
Yet again I don’t actually know who the ref is, sorry!
Match Prediction:
I have a somewhat random belief we can win this one. If the 11 players on the pitch turn up we could roll them over.
However recent results suggest this will be a tough tough tough TOUGH (did I mention tough?) game. However lets be positive, 2-1 Leeds please!
Next Fixtures:
After this we’re back home against Coventry on New Years Day.
After that it’s West Brom in the cup, woohoo!