I was in the hot seat for the trip to Leicester City on Sunday.
After watching the humiliating performance against Blackpool on Wednesday evening, I really was not very confident ahead of the game.
McCarthy 7
He had very little to do in the way of shot stopping. He does look like a goalkeeper who organises his defence and he looks very confident. His kicking is a little wayward.
Connolly 7
He had a steady game at right back and he was helped out a lot by Snodgrass.
O`Brien 7
His first game since early in the season and he looked much fitter and sharper than the one that looked a liability back then.
Kisnorbo 8 Star Man
He was solid as a rock at the heart of the Leeds defence and along with O`Brien, they never gave Nugent and Howard a chance on goal all afternoon.
White 7
Not so much of the attacking White but he put in a good shift and was relatively untroubled in defence.
Snodgrass 7
He offered very little width for Leeds but he really helped out defensively in this game.
Howson 7
A hard working display in the middle of the park by Howson. Much more of the same please.
Clayton 7
He has struggled in recent games but along with Howson, they managed to keep King and Wellens very quiet.
Keogh 5
Another very quiet afternoon for Keogh. I think he has struggled in the last three or four games. We could do without him going on international duty next week.
McCormack 5
He is beginning to misfire. He missed a good opportunity in the first half when he shot wide and should have done better in the second half when he seemed more concerned in appealing for a penalty than scoring.
Pugh 7
Like Snodgrass on the other side, he played very deep and concentrated on protecting White.
Substitutes
Becchio 3
He looks nowhere near fit. I was crying out for him to come on with half an hour remaining, as we needed someone who could hustle and bustle up front. He offered very little and he looked shattered within five minutes of coming on. I hope Grayson can arrange a game or two behind closed doors during the international break. Is missing the whole of pre season still causing him a problem with catching up with the fitness of others?
Bromby 6
He replaced O`Brien with fifteen minutes remaining and quickly settled in alongside Kisnorbo.
Brown 5
His first appearance for Leeds since September. He got involved in tackling and harrying the Leicester players in his short time on the pitch.
Summary
After the midweek game, I was very worried about this game, especially as we were depending on O`Brien and Kisnorbo in the centre of defence.
Simon Grayson set up the side to not concede and had Snodgrass and Pugh both very narrow and protecting the defence.
Patrick Kisnorbo and Andy O`Brien both played well at the centre of defence and they have given Grayson a decision to make with Lees and O`Dea available again after the international break.
Not a classic game, with lots of chances at both ends. Something that we have come accustomed to watching Leeds.
Instead, a very hard working display by Leeds and it was always going to be something special that won the game.
Adam Clayton`s goal was worthy of the win. He did not try to smash the ball, he just picked his spot from 25 yards and gave Schmeichel no chance.
Fans as usual were excellent. A great reception was given to Jermaine Beckford whilst Kasper Schmeichel was given a hard time by the Leeds fans.
I am beginning to worry a little about our forward line as Keogh, McCormack and Becchio all seem to be struggling to get close to scoring.
I gave star man to Patrick Kisnorbo but if I was giving star man in the game it would have gone to Leicester centre back Sol Bamba who was solid at the back for the home side.
Leicester showed today that throwing cash at a squad doesn`t bring you success as they looked very ordinary.
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