It`s my turn in the hot seat for the fans view after a great if not sometimes nail biting three points were won at inform Coventry City.
Brown 6
Replaced Schmeichel in goal in what is probably going to be his final appearance before returning to parent club Blackburn Rovers.
He does not fill me with a lot of confidence in the Leeds goal, doesn`t command his area and his lack of height for a keeper sees him struggling to get to balls.
With Higgs back on the bench and Schmeichel away for this game after becoming a dad I doubt we will be extending his loan.
Looks like he`s enjoyed his time at Elland Road and gave his shirt and gloves to Leeds fans at the end of the game, which was a nice touch.
Connolly 8 Star Man
For me I think he`s going to be the ‘Mr consistent` of the side who doesn`t win many plaudits and just gets on with his job.
Kept the little fat guy (McSheffrey) who thought he was world class and deserved a contract at Elland Road quiet.
Collins 7
He looked good in partnership with O`Brien at the back. Think he was the man guilty of losing the Coventry player for their first goal.
O`Brien 7
Leeds finally has someone at the back to control the defence. Its time for Grayson to stop tinkering with his defence and give Collins and O`Brien a run in the side together. I think Grayson will want to make his move permanent in January.
McCartney 8
His partnership with Gradel worked really well. Linked up well on the left and Gradel would sit in if McCartney went forward.
Howson 7
The captain is revelling in his new role in midfield. Scored early on and missed a great chance to make it two. Seemed to fade after the missed chance and didn`t have the same freedom in the second half as Leeds sat back.
Kilkenny 7 (Replaced 83 minutes)
He played a part with good balls in Leeds opening two goals. Sat in the centre of midfield with Faye and his style of play is more suited to this style.
He is still weak in the tackle at times but a much better performance from him.
Faye 7 (Replaced 61 minutes)
Simon Grayson is finally playing to the strengths of certain players and the system is working. Faye is the one who does the hard graft, he gets stuck in and helps start the attacks. My only concern is he again only lasted an hour before being replaced. With a busy period of games coming up can he last the pace? Will be interesting to see if he is offered a new deal in January.
Snodgrass 8
Worked hard all game and scored a tremendous second goal for the side. Set up Howson for his first and set him up for what should have been Howson`s second with a great cross.
When Leeds came under pressure in the second half he was the one player who gave the side an outlet and looked capable of keeping the ball.
Becchio 7
Becchio has always works hard and ran his socks off for the side. The system needs him to work hard and he will not get many chances. He was unlucky not to score when his shot was cleared off the line in the second half. When Leeds came under pressure, we needed someone who could keep and hold the ball up, but he never managed it.
Gradel 8 (Replaced 68 minutes
If he had last ninety minutes he would have probably been my man of the match. Worked very hard on the left with McCartney and continuously got back and put in some great challenges. Looks like he has learnt how to keep his cool after last season`s last game tantrum and deservedly got a goal after being brought down in the area for a penalty. He made the penalty look easy when he sent Westwood the wrong way.
Substitutes
Johnson 5 (Replaced Faye 61 minutes
Struggled to get into the game and was guilty of giving the ball away. Played one suicidal ball across the front of Leeds goal that was cut out by a Coventry player. Luckily the defence saved his blushes.
Hughes 6 (Replaced Gradel 68)
Will always give 100%, makes mistakes and will do other things well. He`s a good substitute to have but thought the decision to bring him on for Gradel a strange one.
Somma 6 (Replaced Kilkenny 83 minutes)
Leeds were under pressure and did help in trying to hold the ball up. Snodgrass and Somma did a good job of holding the ball up in the closing minutes as they ran down the clock.
Manager – Simon Grayson 7
Once again he got the tactics spot on with a 4-5-1 which looked more of a 4-2-3-1 with Faye and Kilkenny sitting in front of the back four allowing Howson, Snodgrass and Gradel to play. I thought his decision to bring on Hughes in place of Gradel and push McCartney into a more forward role a strange one. I thought Sam would have been a better outlet and more like for like. It would have given Leeds more of an option in their quarter. He needs to work on the side keeping the ball when under pressure. Resorting to hoofing the ball up field just sees it coming straight back at us.
Fans 10
All in all a fantastic day, once again the Leeds fans were fantastic and taking over 6,300 fans to Coventry would struggle to be matched by most clubs in the country. Sang for ninety minutes and were on top form when Coventry brought on Marlon King. Also gave McSheffrey the abuse he deserved.
Enjoyed a good day out with the Thames Valley Whites and shared a few drinks with Des of Vital Leeds.
Summary
A great three points against an inform Coventry. Thought first half we looked well in control with the defence along with the midfield putting in some great tackles. Howson is clearly enjoying his free role and scored his fourth goal in two games. In this role, he could easily get 15 goals this season from midfield.
Will be very interesting to see how Grayson sets up the team for the game at home against Hull on Tuesday night. The system he is using is great for away games but when we are at home, we need to be more attacking. Paynter didn`t make the bench and hope he`s not injured. Would like to see him get a chance alongside Becchio on Tuesday if he`s fit.
If anyone is interested in doing the fans view at certain away games I would be more than happy to publish your thoughts.
Looking for someone to do one at Norwich at the moment.
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