King Billy is in the hot seat for the game against Doncaster Rovers.
Here are his views of the game and the player ratings in the 0-0 draw at the Keepmoat.
Higgs 6
Had very little to do in the game, made a good reaction stop from a free kick but otherwise wasn`t troubled all evening.
Hughes 6
Very hit and miss, made a crucial stop in the opening minute to deny Sharp a great goalscoring chance and seemed to be popping up all over the place in the first fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, he is prone to too many mistakes and got away with it twice. Not sure what he was trying to do in the first half when the ball eventually fell to a Rovers player who saw his shot hit the post and then in the second half his weak header back to Higgs was almost intercepted.
I think with Parker injured and Bessone awful, I think if Connolly is fit next week, Grayson will once again have him at left back.
Collins 7
Probably his easiest game of the season, finally got a central defender alongside him who knows what he`s doing.
Bruce 8 Star Man
Finally made his first start in the league and put in an excellent performance with some outstanding tackling and reading of the game. Also nice to see him passing the ball out from defence rather than just the ‘hoof ball` we have grown accustomed to with Naylor.
White 6
Really not sure about this lad at left back, was helped out a lot by the Johnson in front of him at times. He was at fault for the early chance that Rovers had when he got in the way of Collins. I don`t think the left back spot is his strongest position and think he would be much better playing on the wing.
Howson 7
I thought the whole midfield did an excellent job of crowding out the Rovers midfielders, that eventually saw them reverting to the long ball. Howson was involved in breaking up play and getting Leeds attacking.
Kilkenny 7
I thought Kilkenny also had a very good game, was involved in everything at the heart of the Leeds midfield and played a great through ball for Somma at the start of the second half that should have seen Somma score. Would have scored him slightly higher as I thought he was the pick in the centre if not for a couple of poor passes when in a good position.
Gradel 7 (Replaced 86 Watt)
Had a good game without ever being spectacular. Put in some good balls and also did a lot of tracking back to help out the rest of the side.
Johnson 7
Had a good game in the defensive part of his play. He helped out White a lot in defence and helped keep Coppinger very quiet. I was getting very nervous after his booking, but it didn`t stop him from getting stuck in.
He did waste a couple of great chances with shots in good positions.
McCormack 5 (Replaced 66 Snodgrass)
Was disappointed in the whole, a couple of nice exchanges with Somma but was quiet for long periods.
Had a decent shot in the second half from distance but hit it straight at Sullivan.
Got an injury to his ankle and was replaced by Snodgrass.
Somma 8
Nice to see him get a deserved start and he should keep his place next weekend. Looked very lively and had one fantastic left foot shot tipped onto the crossbar.
He looks very confident and his movement is excellent, got very good feet and also tracked back at times to help out the midfield. I am sure he will be disappointed to have not scored with at least one of his chances when put through, especially the first one.
Thought he`d scored in the second half only for the linesman to put his flag up (I`ve heard the replays showed he was offside).
Had he scored he would have pipped Bruce to Star man.
Substitutes
Snodgrass (66 minutes) 7
Looked to get involved as soon as he came on and looked like he`d never been away.
Watt (86 minutes) 6
Not really enough time to do much, had a couple of nice touches but couldn`t give Leeds the spark to find the winner.
Summary
After the hammering at Barnsley earlier in the week, it was a great response by the side.
Thought we were the only side that looked like winning in the second half. It was nice to watch us play and not be worried too much about the defence.
We totally snuffed out their midfield and didn`t allow them to play and pass the ball the way they like to do so well done to the midfield for their arraying and battling performance.
Of the players that came in, Somma and Bruce look like they have earned themselves a run in the side.
One draw and one defeat in the derbies, now it`s time to get a win when Sheffield United come to Elland Road next Saturday. I am definitely having a bet on Somma for first goal.
Thanks for your thoughts King Billy.
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