[Archived] Leeds United preview

[JAL]

Complain when Lowe passes the ball from one side of the pitch to the other?

ROFL he is barely ever capable of passing the ball more than 5 yards. IMO You've given an extremely rose tinted daily view of Lowe's contribution, he mops up bits and bats every now and then but his overall contribution to and impact on the game is farly minimal. Was Williamson dropped or injured yesterday? I agree you can't play bim and Lowe together but think he is far more effect I ve of the two in that role.

I do agree with you about Dann, I think he gets a lot of criticism based on his Premier ship performances. At this level I think he and Hanley are a very good pairing.

Dann's a poor player as hes there to be exploited, theres no ifs or buts about it and thats why Rovers are where they are in this league when we've got players like Scott Dann. Grant Hanley is a far better player than Scott Dann will ever be.

[jimlav]

You tell me about me sticking my head in the sand then I take it your on the wind up or you have a personal agenda to suit whoever other than..... Rovers and their supporters.

So you are not going to tell me what you disagree with? Just tell me I am wrong. That just supports my point that you will stick your head in the sand and tell me I'm wrong. Give me some examples or don't bother. I don't mind you disagreeing, but why disagree without clarity?

[T.J.Newton]

Dann is good 90% of the time, but he is and always will be prone to stupid unnecessary mistakes, its a fundamental flaw in his game, but saying that he is still one of the better defenders in this league(though we could probably find somebody just as good on a 3rd of Danns salary)

[JAL]

So you are not going to tell me what you disagree with? Just tell me I am wrong. That just supports my point that you will stick your head in the sand and tell me I'm wrong. Give me some examples or don't bother. I don't mind you disagreeing, but why disagree without clarity?

Scott Dann is not a leader, hes not even a good player. What on earth was he doing when the Leeds lad had a free shot at goal in front of the Blackburn end - soft lad the sooner hes gone the better for Rovers fans.

Jason Lowe isnt a good player far too many back wards sideways passes plus he slows pay down . If only he could collect with his back to the oppositions goal and turn and drive then he might be worthy.

[T.J.Newton]

As for Leon Best, I think there is more to it than him just being a bit of an arse(contract issues, ect...) I don't think its all Best's fault, but he obviously doesn't want to be here so I think the club will have to let him move to another club for a nominal fee or even free(no clubs going to take on his salary and a transfer fee) If he's fit enough to pass a medical then I do think there will be a few clubs very interested in him(possibly 1 or 2 bottom halve prem clubs), he was fairly well regarded before he came to us.

[wellesbourne]

Anyone catch the half time penalty shoot out between the two school teams?

My lad was the one who scored his penalty, pulled his school football shirt over his head and ran over to the Blackburn End to milk the applause.

He got a great reception - even Gerald name-checked him - he was made up! "Best day of his life".

#prouddad

Must entertaining moment of the day. Well done mate - you have brought him up well

[Giant]

How old are you giant?

Try having a look at my comment about Celtic v. Leeds in 1970, it might give you a clue.

[RevidgeBlue]

Yes Stu, what a character your lad was, I think we need him as a cheerleader to whip the BBE out of their slumbers every week!

I also particularly enjoyed it when he was low fiveing our players on the way out for the second half. How could they not put in a shift after something like that's happened?.

Cracking effort from your lad.

[Stuart]

Must entertaining moment of the day. Well done mate - you have brought him up well

Cheers. He's a good 'un. Love his Rovers.

Yes Stu, what a character your lad was, I think we need him as a cheerleader to whip the BBE out of their slumbers every week!

I also particularly enjoyed it when he was low fiveing our players on the way out for the second half. How could they not put in a shift after something like that's happened?.

Cracking effort from your lad.

The club should sign him up!

I must admit, I thought it was just my dad-tinted-glasses but I really thought he got the crowd going just as the second half was about to start. As if to say, well if a young fan like that can still get excited about BRFC then there's hope for all of us. Cheers, Rev.

[jimlav]

Scott Dann is not a leader, hes not even a good player. What on earth was he doing when the Leeds lad had a free shot at goal in front of the Blackburn end - soft lad the sooner hes gone the better for Rovers fans.

Jason Lowe isnt a good player far too many back wards sideways passes plus he slows pay down . If only he could collect with his back to the oppositions goal and turn and drive then he might be worthy..... take note please.

You are aware we have the 7th best defence in the league? With 1 of the teams better than us having played less games. It's fair enough to have that opinion of Dann, but it seems to me you can't move on from his initial poor period at our club. Being perfectly honest, it's laughable someone would have that opinion of Dann anymore. He is the leader of our defence, very vocal throughout the game.

I don't think I need to take note from you. I think you have a fairly misguided view of football. Who expects there defensive mid to collect the ball with back to goal and drive at the defence? As I said, it's pretty simple to see the job Lowe has been told to fulfill. He needs to be available to recieve the ball at any moment, and keep us in possession. I find it amazing that this seems to perplex people. Every team needs somebody to keep it simple (flamini at arsenal currently, silva and vieira in the past. Makelele at Chelsea. Carrick at UTD. Khedira at Madrid. Busquets at barca. Martinez/schweinteiger at Munich. Bender at Dortmund. I could go on, but you get my point) obviously these players are many classes hove Lowe, but they play a more simple role compared to their midfield partners.

But of course, 2 of our 6 defensive players (keeper, back 4 and DM) are not even good players, despite having one of the better defences in the league. As I say, laughable!

[Sparky Marky]

If only he could collect with his back to the oppositions goal and turn and drive then he might be worthy.

Then he would be a centre forward....

[JAL]

Then he would be a centre forward....

He should learn from Dunny in receiving and turning with the ball putting the opposition on the back foot.

You are aware we have the 7th best defence in the league? With 1 of the teams better than us having played less games. It's fair enough to have that opinion of Dann, but it seems to me you can't move on from his initial poor period at our club. Being perfectly honest, it's laughable someone would have that opinion of Dann anymore. He is the leader of our defence, very vocal throughout the game.

I don't think I need to take note from you. I think you have a fairly misguided view of football. Who expects there defensive mid to collect the ball with back to goal and drive at the defence? As I said, it's pretty simple to see the job Lowe has been told to fulfill. He needs to be available to recieve the ball at any moment, and keep us in possession. I find it amazing that this seems to perplex people. Every team needs somebody to keep it simple (flamini at arsenal currently, silva and vieira in the past. Makelele at Chelsea. Carrick at UTD. Khedira at Madrid. Busquets at barca. Martinez/schweinteiger at Munich. Bender at Dortmund. I could go on, but you get my point) obviously these players are many classes hove Lowe, but they play a more simple role compared to their midfield partners.

But of course, 2 of our 6 defensive players (keeper, back 4 and DM) are not even good players, despite having one of the better defences in the league. As I say, laughable!

There are six better defensive teams from your words which means that Rovers would miss out on promotion from a defensive point of view, laughable, but im not really laughing.

DANNS not a leader ffs he can scream as much as he wants at others hes still not a leader more a pass the buck type of guy from what I can see !

You dont want your leaders going down as easily as Scott Dann went down when the Leeds player ended up with a free goal scoring opportunity that brought off a good instinctive save from Jake Kean.

[Mike E]

He should learn from Dunny in receiving and turning with the ball putting the opposition on the back foot.

Ofc! Have him mentored by someone in a different position entirely! Why didn't I see it before?

Seriously, Lowe doesn't have the skill to break teams down. He's a Savage of the Championship. Yes, Sav got amongst the goals, but that's why he was a PL player and not Championship.

[JAL]

Ofc! Have him mentored by someone in a different position entirely! Why didn't I see it before?

Seriously, Lowe doesn't have the skill to break teams down. He's a Savage of the Championship. Yes, Sav got amongst the goals, but that's why he was a PL player and not Championship.

Hes not that though Mike is he.

Have to ask do you want to see Rovers playing championship football forever and a day.

[RevidgeBlue]

No he isn't. He hasn't mastered the art of closing players down like Savage could.

Perhaps he should study how Taylor played on Saturday. The former Millwall man pressurised the opposition and closed men down to tremendous effect.

[chaddyrovers]

Lowe did closed the ball down the Leeds half a number of times but he protect the back four very well.

Taylor deserved his man of the match award. very good performance.

home form is very good, good defensively record and 5 clean sheets at home now.

we just need to sort out the away form now. starting at Ipswich on Tuesday.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

It is amazing that Lowe is possibly one of our most improved players this season - and yet people still moan about the odd misplaced pass - when ignoring other players giving the ball away. He is our best player for playing the role he is asked to - and I include Evans and Williamson.

Unfortunately Lowe is one of those players that we will only miss when he doesn't play - and it won't be that his replacement plays badly - just that we will miss his drive, determination and pace. A good example was Burnley when Williamson got sent off - Lowe would have been able to keep up with the Burnley player whereas Williamson couldn't. We were lucky that it was only minutes to the end of the match - imagine if it had only been 1/2 way through the match.

[G Somerset Rover]

Delighted with the result on Saturday. Leeds haven't travelled well so it would have been dissapointing not to pick up the three points, but to back it up with what sounds like a decent performance is encouraging. How we go about replicating our defensive displays at Ewood away from home God only knows, but it's certainly something that Bowyer needs to keep working at. The next two games will be the acid test - particularly Tuesday against a team that you would hope we can compete with. For too long we've gone to places like Ipswich and simply rolled over.

I've been on a six month work secondment in Sydney so it's been extremely hard work keeping up to date with the latest goings on, while finding out the scores at 4am each week is absolute torture. So Sunday morning was particularly pleasing for a change. Trying to get back to sleep after reading about the team getting tanked 3-0 by Brighton was a particular highlight. I don't know how you permanent expats do it!

[dubdubdub]

As a team we're pretty much the total opposite to when Kean was in charge. We're far more organised and dogged, players fight for each other and look much fitter. We don't concede goals by the bucketload anymore and can actually hold onto a lead. We still struggle creatively and we're still trying to find a way to get the best out of Rhodes, but we're a steady outfit without too many weaknesses but also without any amazing strengths either.

In reality we're a solid mid-table team who could sneak 6th with a huge amount of luck and a hell of a run of form.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like more of a team worth following when I get back.

[DE.]

It is amazing that Lowe is possibly one of our most improved players this season - and yet people still moan about the odd misplaced pass - when ignoring other players giving the ball away. He is our best player for playing the role he is asked to - and I include Evans and Williamson.

Unfortunately Lowe is one of those players that we will only miss when he doesn't play - and it won't be that his replacement plays badly - just that we will miss his drive, determination and pace. A good example was Burnley when Williamson got sent off - Lowe would have been able to keep up with the Burnley player whereas Williamson couldn't. We were lucky that it was only minutes to the end of the match - imagine if it had only been 1/2 way through the match.

Lowe isn't better than Evans, but he's probably preferable to Williamson purely down to the fact he's more reliable.

There's no question Lowe has improved but on the other hand it would have been hard not to improve when taking last season's performances into consideration. With better players around him and a proper manager at the helm there was no reason for him not to kick on and this wild celebration of him being able to do the basics of the game correctly seems a little silly. He's good enough for the position we're in (mid table Championship team) but I still have my doubts as to whether he could cut it in a team pushing for the playoffs or promotion.

[FGS5635]

They really shouldn't show pre-match montage scenes of the great Rovers teams of the last 10 years under the current regime.

The sight of some brilliant players in our famous blue and whites from the non-too-distant past (although it feels longer) makes me hate Venkys that little bit more.

Not a great start to a matchday.

I said exactly the same to my mate when it came on

[FGS5635]

Anyone catch the half time penalty shoot out between the two school teams?

My lad was the one who scored his penalty, pulled his school football shirt over his head and ran over to the Blackburn End to milk the applause.

He got a great reception - even Gerald name-checked him - he was made up! "Best day of his life".

#prouddad

hahaha that was quality...what a cool kid. he also took the best penalty to, right in top snotter

[FGS5635]

Bit late, but thoughts on the game

Kean is deffo short on confidence and the collective groan of the whole crowd after every bad kick hurts him. You see his shoulders just drop

Hopefully the great save he made really picks his confidence up as we need him

BTW great save but how the heck did he not score, that was a sitter

Back four where really solid against a decent team. To hold a side like leeds to so little is pretty good.

Midfeild finally looked right and had some good shape to it after GB changed it on 20mins. Cairney is essential in the middle and we were solid enough to prove we dont need two defensive midfielders. harsh on Williamson, but he's now bench fodder.

King without doing much special looked way more productive on the right. Probably got more crosses in this game than the season combined on the left. Also unlucky with what would have been a worldie of a goal with the volley

Dunn had some bright moments and if wasnt kackered he'd have scored a worldie also when he went on the rampaging run only to over run the ball due to his lightning pace

Lowe looks so much better when cairney is central. Really lets him concentrate on what he does best and then give the ball to more creative players

Taylor - Wow thought he deserved a start, but didnt see that coming. great all over the pitch and not just going forward, so great defensive work also. Top game and fully deserved MoM

As for Rhodes, another game where he just looks a bit lost and he really shouldnt have lasted as long as 80mins. In all honestly DJ looked more threatening in his 10mins than rhodes did in 80, though I guess leeds where bombing forward a bit at that point

I hate it when we give away teams all that darwen end, dont think it does us any favours. That said it was cool having a bit of atmosphere inside ewood for a change

Bit weird, but I also liked the ref. He got some things wrong but he was reluctant to give the girlie free kicks you see so much in football these days. He really tried to let the game flow and it made for a better game. As a result he let a few go that he shouldnt have, but I'll take that tbh

All in all a good day and for some reason it felt so much bigger than 3 points at the end. All our squad seems fit now, GB may have stumbled upon his best side and he still has options a plenty now if needed.

Be intersting to see what side he pick tomorrw now, but I think the only way is up now for rovers with our injured players back.

COYB

[m1st]

Anyone catch the half time penalty shoot out between the two school teams?

My lad was the one who scored his penalty, pulled his school football shirt over his head and ran over to the Blackburn End to milk the applause.

He got a great reception - even Gerald name-checked him - he was made up! "Best day of his life".

#prouddad

Am I the only one to think he was lucky to escape a yellow card for pulling his shirt up?!

I, er, m1st the first 15 minutes because the bus I'd got on in Bolt-on took 65 mins to get from Darwen Circus to Ewood , apparently to allow our visitors to be "shepherded" [Yorkshire; geddit? ] off the motorway. I thought the Leeds player from whom Kean made that point-blank save on the half-hour had more time than he realised; but, as well as the tactical switch that others have discussed, that was a turning point, imo. The timing of Spurr's goal, followed by the way Stuart's lad whipped the crowd up as we were getting ready for the second half, meant that, again imo, the second half was the best display I've seen since the Bolton game at the end of August.

I'd like to see Taylor start in that position in future. I've rated him since the pre-season game at Rochdale when he was the only one who really impressed me.

[thenodrog]

Seriously, Lowe doesn't have the skill to break teams down. He's a Savage of the Championship. Yes, Sav got amongst the goals, but that's why he was a PL player and not Championship.

I prefer to think of him as the Mark Atkins of today. Never eye candy but all teams need one.

I've noticed a growing undercurrent of hate amongst the sheep against Lowe. It is quite tangible. So to all the supporters that always need a hate figure and now that PublicEnemy No1 MGP has gone dont look for the next scapegoat just get off his @#/? back!