Fairly new Vital Leeds user King Billy gives us his fans view from today`s game with Nottingham Forest.
Schmeichel 7
He made a great save in the first minute to stop Forest taking the lead. Couldn`t do anything about the goal. The one thing I have not really seen him do is bark out orders to his defenders (needs to take a leaf out of his dad`s book). Someone needs to get on top of Naylor and tell him to keep tight to his man.
He does command his area nicely though and at last we have a keeper in the Leeds goal that doesn`t scare us to death every time the ball comes near him.
Connolly 6
Although we was under intense pressure in the first twenty minutes most of the play was either straight down the middle or on the Leeds left. Grew into the game in the second half and made some good tackles.
Collins 7 Man of the match
Once again had to do the work of two defenders, with Naylor going missing in the first half it especially made him work hard. He never messes around, his motto seems to be get rid and don`t dally on the ball too long. Very strong in the air and won some towering headers in the second half. Glad Grayson signed him in the summer, just wish he would put Bruce alongside him at the back.
Naylor 5
Grayson has to realise eventually that his captain just is not good enough. He got worse as the season went on last year and he is no better this time around. Was the player guilty of not picking up his man with both of Forest`s efforts in the first ten minutes. Schmeichel got him out of jail with the first one but Blackstock punished him with the headed goal.
I actually thought he got a bit better in the second half as the back four got a bit closer together to snuff out Blackstock and Earnshaw.
Bessone 6
He made some good tackles, especially the one on the edge of the area early on. If he had mistimed that, it would have been a free kick in a very dangerous area or even worse a penalty.
Allowed two balls into the box early on, one they scored from and the other Schmeichel made a great stop.
He also seems to want an eternity on the ball before crossing or passing it and it often is cut out.
Tried to help the attack by over lapping but his crosses need some work on the training ground.
Howson 6
Both Howson and Kilkenny struggled in the middle of the park to get into it in the first twenty minutes as Forest closed everything down. The ball was also worked around them too easily and leading to chances for Forest.
Another one who got better in the second half, did a very good holding role and made a few surging runs near the end to help in attack.
Kilkenny 6
Same sort of game as Howson, struggled to get a kick early on (although so did the other nine Leeds outfield players). He got booked in the second half for probably his first meaningful tackle since he joined the club. Always whinging and whining, needs to shut up and put his foot in where it hurts more often. He did have more of an impact in the second half as Forest tired and he got time and space on the ball.
His biggest plus point is his crossing into the middle, he was the same against Derby last week and but some great balls into the box, that Leeds should have done better with.
Johnson 6
A fantastic cross for the goal that put Leeds level. Was one of the midfielders who tried to get stuck in and stop Forest building attacks.
He should have done better with a chance presented to him in the first minute of the second half.
Watt 6
Drifted in and out of the game and seemed to struggle to get hold of the ball early on. He linked up well with Becchio to set up the Argentinian with Leeds first decent chance. Got better in the second half and was probably unlucky to get a yellow card after an altercation with Chris Gunter.
He should have done better with a header late on when he was free inside six yards and headed wide
Sam 7
He gets forward really well to help in attack and scored his second headed goal in two games. He also helps out at the back by tracking back and putting a foot in. He could have scored a second in the second half when he cut in from the left and shot across goal. Looks a good signing, I hope he can keep it up.
Becchio 5
I thought he was poor, never really got into the game and wasted the one decent chance he had when his first touch was far too heavy, allowing the keeper to come out and make an easy block.
He seems to be spending all his time on the floor again this season and as an inability to stay on his feet. He will always work hard but we need someone to step up and find the net like Beckford did. He will probably get between 15-20 goals again this season so we still need someone else to partner him. Paynter still looks a long way from returning; wonder if he will throw Somma in next Saturday now he is back from suspension.
Sub
Clayton (replaced Sam 89 minutes) 3
Came on very late on but like he did against Derby last week he was guilty of giving the ball away far too easily.
I will be surprised if Grayson extends his month`s loan unless he improves.
Summary
After twenty minutes, I would have snatched the hand off anyone that offered me a point. In the second half it was a different story and there only looked like one side was going to win.
Forest is not an easy place to go to for anyone and I am happy that we are now off the mark with our first point.
Have to make sure we are ready for Millwall next weekend who have started the season really well and scoring plenty of goals. I don`t think they will let us off if our midfield and defence start like we did today.
Thanks King Billy for your first fans view, you are welcome back anytime to do more during the season.
Vital Leeds United is a fast growing Leeds United fan site, with the sole aim of becoming the #1 unofficial website for Leeds United fans everywhere.
The site is regularly updated with news and views regarding all the current events at Elland Road, alongside a fully interactive message forum and regularly looks at the clubs past. Vital Leeds offers everything that a Leeds United supporter could wish for. If you can think of something and suggest it, we`ll put it on the website!
With news and views, along with a forum, polls and article comments, everything you need in a fans site is right here!
You can even win prizes, by posting articles comments, posting on the message forum and voting on the polls.
Vital is also 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forum but you can also suggest an article or a poll so you can air your views.
So why not join Vital today?
It’s easy to register here and enjoy getting involved
Message Board
To visit the message board, click here.
Get involved
This website is your website and we are looking for people to help run the site. Do you go to most of the games and have an opinion? Why not write a match report? Perhaps you are a budding journalist or even just someone who is very opinionated? Well why not join our team? If this interests you please contact Vital leeds .