Match report: Leeds United v Barnsley F.C.

Leeds welcomed fellow Yorkshire side Barnsley to Elland Road this week in a fixture that never fails to live up to the occasion but despite the high intensity of the match, it ended 0-0 at full-time.

New Barnsley boss Danny Wilson.
                                                  Picture from http://www.dailystar.co.uk

The game was manager Danny Wilson's first in charge since returning for his second spell with the club after the Reds sacked David Flitcroft following a poor run of results which has left them at the very foot of the Sky Bet Championship. Leeds on the other hand went into the Yorkshrie derby at sixth-place in the league and were eyeing the fixture as an opportunity to take advantage of a struggling side.

Bizarrely, Barnsley are the fifth team Leeds have played this season with a new manager. Players always seem to 'put on a show' when a new manager comes into the fold at their club and Barnsley were certainly no different, restricting Leeds to a draw despite the home side dominating for most of the match. Manager Brian McDermott told the YEP after the match: “It was new manager syndrome for us again. I said to my players beforehand ‘play like you've got a new manager.’ They didn't but that’s life."

Wilson set his side up to contain Leeds, utilising Bobby Hassell as a protective barrier sandwiched between two banks of four defenders and four midfielders. This contrstricted the home side, allowing for little room to breathe and it showed. ""The first half wasn't good from our point of view." McDermott said, noting the difficulty that United had combating the strangle-hold that Barnsley implemented.

Leeds striker Matt Smith chasing the ball.
                                 Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Barnsley could have easily gone behind though had it not been for stalwart England international goalkeeper Jack Butland. The on-loan Stoke man kept his side in the game in the first half after his flash of brilliance denied Matt Smith a goal, parrying the Leeds striker's point-blank volley. Smith continued to threaten though and after showing strength to shrug off defender Peter Ramage, he latched onto Ross McCormack's pass but only to hit it straight at Butland.

Barnsley frustrated Leeds in the middle of the park all afternoon. David Perkins and Jim O'Brien pulled the strings and ensured that Leeds could not set their own pace from midfield. Marcus Tudgay also came close, in a game of few chances for the away side, but Kenny managed to tip his header safely over the bar.

Young Leeds midfielder Alex Mowatt picked up a yellow card in the first half and made way as McDermott introduced Michael Tonge and Sam Byram after the interval, but both failed to provide an impact as the tempo of the game continued to rise. The heroics of Butland also continued, saving a Danny Pugh volley before keeping out McCormack's on-target header. Striker Matt Smith once again went agonisingly close in the final stages but his shot dragged just wide of the post.

Barnsley were hanging on but in the 85th-minute Marcus Tudgay took a reckless swipe at Leeds defender Marius Zaliukus and saw a straight red card for his troubles. When asked about the dismissal, the Barnsley boss said: "He’s not that type of guy but I've no qualms with the referee. He was right on top of the incident." Six  minutes of injury time were added on at Elland Road but to no avail for the home side, who were held to a draw as the final whistle blew.

Luke Murphy picked up a yellow card in the match and his fifth of the season, inevitably ruling him out of the next game against Blackpool and the feeling is that he could be sorely missed. Though Leeds do have a readily available replacement in Michael Tonge, McDermott could opt for Michael Brown - the veteran's thorny style can be an asset when playing away at big clubs. Despite a disappointing draw against the Championship's bottom-placed side, Leeds moved up to fifth and, if the Whites can claim victory at Bloomfield Road, they will edge even closer to the automatic promotion spots.

Scoreline flatters as Leeds pick up away win

Leeds united left the Keepmoat stadium unscathed in a match that was marred by the controversy of a disallowed Doncaster goal. Smith, McCormack and Austin all score to thrust Leeds into sixth place.

Doncaster manager Paul Dickov.
                                                         Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

When Paddy Kenny was beaten by Theo Robinson's 67th minute finish after he latched onto Richie Wellens' through ball, the outcome of the match looked daunting for the Whites but the assistant referee flagged late, ruling out the goal. Doncaster manager Dickov was baffled by the decision, he told the BBC in the post-match interview: "I've had the benefit of replaying the incident about 20 times on the video and Theo is clearly a yard on side." The Scot failed to fathom why the assistant seemed to change his mind after initially not raising his flag. "It's a massive decision because we were all over them at that stage and had we got a goal it could have changed the course of the game."

And Dickov seemed to have a case. The decision to reverse the goal during that stage in the game was a huge call in the fiery Yorkshire derby. Leeds largely dominated the first half and Alex Mowatt's free-kick delivery proved dangerous again, as it was met by striker Matt Smith who headed home after 19 minutes, putting Doncaster under pressure. Smith's goal came just minutes after McCormack headed over the bar with a chance that could have easily been a goal. Rovers didn't lie down for long though, ending the half strong with chances for Richie Wellens and Theo Robinson but both players failed convert their efforts.

Leeds Alex Mowatt provided the assist for Matt Smith's opener
                                                     Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Despite a difficult first half, Doncaster came out after the interval fighting. Matt smith went close with another header for Leeds but Rovers began to put Leeds under the cosh at the Keepmoat. Wellens could have had a brace had he taken his two opportunities and when Robinson ran onto the former's pass, it looked as though the home side could go on and win the tie but their luck ran out and the goal was controversially disallowed.

Desperately chasing the equaliser, Doncaster threw bodies forward and Leeds caught them exposed. On 76 minutes, McCormack burst into Rovers' penalty area and from a tight angle, he slid the ball past Turnbull and left the Keepmoat in shock. The goal took the championship top scorer's tally to 16 for the season, 4 goals ahead of Burnley's Danny Ings, as he continues his average of a goal a game - a stat that Leeds boss Brian McDermott is all too aware of, he told the YEP: “You have to find a way to win in these situations and it helps when you have a player like Ross McCormack who can’t stop scoring and took his goal really well. That gave us some breathing space and I always thought we would see the game out after that.”

McCormack gave energetic midfielder Rodolph Austin an early Christmas present when he fizzed a cross into the Jamaican international's path and Austin buried a volley into Turnbull's net after 87 minutes. The heavily one-sided score line flatters Leeds, who struggled for periods of the game against Doncaster. Nevertheless, United come home with a vital away win and now look to establish themselves as solid play-off promotion candidates ahead of hosting the championships' bottom-placed side Barnsley, in another Yorkshire derby on Saturday.

Match report: Leeds United v Watford F.C.

December has already brought with it blistering cold, unusually mild temperatures and even freak wind gusts at alarming speeds to West Yorkshire. And before long, Leeds would have to weather a different kind of storm that had worked its way up from Watford - but this time Leeds fought back.

Both managers were in awe after their teams threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other during a six goal thriller that ended 3-3 with honours even at Elland Road. Watford came to Leeds on the back of eight games without a win but they certainly started well. So well in fact that Leeds went through the tunnel at half-time 2-0 down after Troy Deeney and Christian Battocchio grabbed a goal each for Watford. United will have felt somewhat aggrieved to be trailing by two goals at half-time after being in control for long periods of the first half. Deeney struck first against the Whites, latching onto the end of a cross in the 12th minute and slotting it smartly past Kenny. Then, in injury time of the first half, Christian Battocchio doubled Watford's lead after Leeds piled too many players forward for an Alex Mowatt free-kick and were battered on the break.

Brian McDermott (left) watching the match from the touchline.
                                                          Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

During the interval McDermott seemed to have his work cut out for him if he was going to breathe life back into his players. "All I said to the players was 'let's get the next goal.'" explained the Leeds boss after the match to the YEP. Zola's message in the Watford dressing room was a simple one he said, telling his players to keep the game quiet for ten minutes. And it did look as though Gianfranco Zola's side could have had a comfortable finish to the afternoon. Could have. But United were whirring up a storm of their own and, right from the whistle, Leeds launched a relentless assault upon the Watford goal and were unlucky not to score as Matt Smith twice came very close in under a minute. By the 50th minute Watford were a bag of nerves and finally caved. Ross McCormack fired a cross into Danny Pugh and the United left-back beat Jonathan bond from an unbelievably tight angle.

Elland Road boomed after the goal and Zola admitted to the YEP that he could feel the atmosphere. "We couldn't afford to show any signs of going backwards. Especially in a stadium like this. It can be very intimidating and the crowd were on top of our players." he said. The Yorkshire twelfth man was definitely on the pitch as the Whites continued to chase the game. Sure enough, like a pack of hungry sharks after smelling blood in the water, Leeds struck again just six minutes later. Peltier drove a pass to McCormack who was waiting on the wing, the Leeds striker proceeded to dribble on and stand a perfect ball up for United's towering forward Matt Smith, who headed home to make it 2-2. 

Leeds had clawed back to level pegging and another goal was in their sights. Mowatt's deflected shot hit the bar and Watford goalkeeper Bond managed to block Austin's close-range header. Watford looked very shaky. After 78 minutes, Murphy floated a beautiful cross-field, quarterback-style pass up the pitch to Ross McCormack. The Scot took the ball down with finesse, before swerving it past Bond as he came to clear. It was McCormack's fifteenth goal of the season and he once again cemented himself firmly as the top goalscorer in the Sky Bet Championship for yet another week.

McCormack's goal against Watford, putting Leeds ahead 3-2.
                                                              Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

With the game turned upside down, Leeds led 3-2 at Elland road and Watford looked a defeated side. But Troy Deeney's reactions provided Watford with a vital goal just when they needed it and drew the sides level again. United centre-back Marius Zaliukas made a hero's challenge in the dying moments to deny Swedish forward Joel Ekstrand from snatching the victory.

Although Leeds could and perhaps should have won, the match was a distinct reminder of just what the championship has to offer in terms of goals and excitement and neither team is at fault in that regard, they both gave it 100 percent. At full-time McDermott noted the errors which led to Watford's goals "I suppose with every one of Watford's goals you could say that it should have been stopped but that's football. I'd rather see 4-3 than a scrappy 1-0 and it's a good point gained."

United will travel to Doncaster on Saturday for a fixture that Leeds have already won once this season, in the
league cup back in August. Doncaster are hovering just above the relegation zone on twenty points and in twentieth position, whereas Leeds are eighth and just two points from fifth. Leeds will visit the Keepmoat stadium on the back of the Watford goal extravaganza but Doncaster will be looking to rekindle their season after a 3-0 loss to Bolton.

The stage is set for a proper Yorkshire derby.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier, Zaliukas, Pearce, Byram, Murphy, Mowatt, Pugh, Austin, McCormack, Smith. Subs (not used): Cairns, Brown, Tonge, Varney, Drury, Poleon. Warnock.
Watford: Bond, Faraoni (Cassetti 73), Nosworthy, Ekstrand, Pudil, Thorne, Bellerin, Battocchio (Hall 90), McGugan (Murray 67), Anya, Deeney. Subs (not used): Woods, Iriney, Fabbrini, Forestieri.

McCormack form blasts Leeds to seventh

Four matches have taken place since the international break in November and once again Leeds United have had some up and down performances. At Elland Road it has been all smiles more or less and, building on the victories at home against Birmingham City and Yeovil Town, Leeds have taken seven points from a possible nine at home against teams that could have easily snatched the win.

Leeds entertained Middlesbrough in late November and a full house at Elland Road ensured a tasty afternoon was on the cards. The home side took the lead after 35 minutes through the ever-present Ross McCormack. Middlesbrough fought back but only for their goalkeeper Jason Steele to be shown a red card just before half-time. Despite being down to ten men, Boro came out of the blocks strong after half-time and equalised just eight minutes after the starting the half. Leeds were not finished yet though and just four minutes later Jason Pearce secured all three points with a header as Leeds held their 2-1 lead. New Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka spoke to BBC Sport after suffering defeat in his first game in charge "It would have been better if we had won, but I am happy because we played very well in the second half when we were down to 10 players. I have had just 10 days with the players but they have shown a good attitude and with that we can build."

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jason Steele,
moments before he is sent off for this challenge on Dexter Blackstock.
                                     Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

For the last game in November Leeds United travelled to Lancashire to face a Blackburn side who have struggled as of late. It was a match of few chances for The Whites, who recorded just two of their six shots on target. The game ended  in a 1-0 victory for The Rovers but United will have felt as though they could have won, having seen Danny Pugh fail to score at point-blank range after a skilful flick-on by McCormack. After the game Leeds boss Brian McDermott said: "I didn't think we deserved to lose. I think if we'd have scored in the first half we would have won the game."

As November drew to a close, Leeds striker Ross McCormack picked up Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for his dazzling November performances. Brian McDermott exclaimed his delight at the Scottish international's form last month and added: "He has started December well with two goals, and let's hope he can win it this month as well."

Striker Ross McCormack receiving the Sky Bet Player of the Month award.
                                                                           Picture from http://www1.skysports.com

And McCormack was certainly not finished when it came to the goals department. When Leeds welcomed manager-less Wigan to Elland Road on the 4th December the fixture was destined to be a feisty affair. Both sides registered 13 and 14 shots a piece by the end of the game but it was the Yorkshire side that walked back down the tunnel with the win after ninety minutes. McCormack wasted no time getting on the score sheet either, displaying quick reactions to beat England goalkeeper Scott Carson after a Leeds corner in the 15th minute of play. The visitors could have equalised through Manchester United loanee Keane but Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny proved to be his nemesis that afternoon, who first beat him to a stray ball and later parried a close range strike to great applause.

Matt Smith could have improved the scoreline for the Whites but his shot was directed straight at Carson in the Wigan goal but Leeds fans would forgive him when the home side doubled their lead minutes after Smith's chance. McCormack once again lifted the stadium, curling a free-kick goal-ward and despite centre-back Jason Pearce initially appearing to get a touch on it, replays showed that the 77th minute goal was in fact McCormack's. Leeds hung on for the remainder of the match, keeping a clean sheet and moving up to 7th position in the process - racking up yet another home victory at Elland Road, which is fast becoming a fortress in Yorkshire. United manager Brian McDermott pointed out the difference in the home side's performances this season: "We've played better this season, but we're learning how to win together. They had a lot of the ball in the second half, but i didn't think they really got behind us and two good finishes by Ross, that's it in a nutshell."

Match report: Leeds United v Charlton Athetlic - The Mac attack

A wet and dreary afternoon in London set the scene for what would be a six goal thriller between Leeds United and Charlton Athletic. 

Leeds went into the match on the back of a home victory against Yeovil Town, who currently sit bottom of the table, and despite winning 2-0 the victory was far from convincing. Yeovil pressed Leeds hard for various periods of the game but lacked the quality to provide any goals. The same could not be said about Charlton, who boasted an impressive defensive record of over seven hours of football without conceding a goal - the very reason their manager Chris Powell had been nominated for manager of the month in October.

Ross McCormack receiving the match ball for his performance.
                                                            Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Despite a gleaming defensive record, Leeds fans saw the net bulge four times as their side went on to win the clash 4-2. Ross McCormack showed a lethal attacking prowess as he bagged four goals, taking him to the top of the Championship goalscorer list with 12 league goals so far this season and recording his first ever hat trick at senior level in the process. Leeds manager Brian McDermott revealed after the match that he had scouted McCormack whilst at Reading and prepared an extensive report on him. One thing in particular stood out in the report, according to the YEP McDermott described McCormack as "A Premier League player". And Ross definitely proved him right as he tore Charlton's defensive record to shreds during his four goal spree on Saturday. With his instinctive finishing, McCormack has now cemented himself in the Leeds United history books by becoming only the twelfth Leeds player to ever score four goals in a match and the first in nine years. The last player to score four goals away from home for the Whites was fellow Scot Tom Jennings all the way back in 1926! And McCormack's form came at a time when Leeds desperately needed a valuable win away from home, with the last five matches away from Elland Road ending in defeat.

The match looked as though it would be abandoned as kick off approached with Charlton's pitch resembling a swamp rather than The Valley. After two pitch inspections, another cloud burst and a half an hour delay the whistle blew to start the game. Leeds fielded a somewhat weakened side with stalwart left back Stephen Warnock and Leeds' storming youth talent Sam Byram absent with injury. McDermott replaced them with Danny Pugh and the fiery Michael Brown as Leeds sported a team that looked as though it could get beaten, especially considering their poor form as of late away from home and given that last season favourites Varney and Diouf didn't even make the bench. But McCormack had other ideas. The player for whom Leeds valiantly denied three Middlesbrough bids during the summer stamped his mark on the game just 16 minutes in after he latched onto Dexter Blackstock's header and slotted the ball past Charlton keeper Hamer. The home side piled on the pressure in bad conditions and Paddy Kenny blocked a shot from Simon Church which was destined for the back of the net. Church went on to rattle the post but Kenny was out of options when Cameron Stewart's 45th minute volley flew into the United goal to close the half. Leeds counted themselves lucky to be going into the changing rooms level after a flurry of Charlton chances threatened to crush any dreams of victory for the Whites.

Ross McCormack celebrating at Charlton.
                                                               Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

"We went in at half-time a bit frustrated," Charlton manager Chris Powell told South London Press and there was more frustration to follow for him in the second half. A penalty was awarded just two minutes after the interval when Harriott stuck out a foot and clipped Danny Pugh, who was charging into Charlton's box. McCormack dispatched the penalty with confidence, beating Hamer a second time and putting Leeds 2-1 ahead. Johnnie Jackson levelled for Charlton with a tap in on 70 minutes, given to him by poor Leeds defending, as the home side desperately tried to claw back a match that seemed to be getting away from them. Just three minutes later, a poor clearance gave McCormack the chance to put Leeds 3-2 up and he smashed the ball past the Charlton keeper from six yards. As Charlton pressed higher to salvage something from the game they left space for Rudy Austin to drive forward and earn a free-kick on the edge of the opposition's box after he was fouled by Jackson in the final minute of normal time. The set-piece looked to be awkward for a right footer but McCormack dispelled that view by thrashing the ball up and over the wall before it curved into Hamer's far post. The finesse of his free-kick rounded of a performance that saw McCormack single-handedly obliterate Charlton Athletic and walk away with a thoroughly deserved match ball.

"Fair play to Ross," Powell remarked after the whistle. "His predatory instinct was the difference."
And it really was. McCormack showed all the attributes of a complete forward at The Valley, which as results show has not been an easy place to pick up a win this season. Leeds welcome Middlesbrough to Yorkshire after the international break on the 23rd of November and the match is shaping up to be an exciting one. Ross McCormack will surely look to continue his electric form with more goals, against the club who were so desperate to sign him in the Summer - and now the whole world knows why.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier, Pugh, Pearce, Wootton (Zaliukas 45), Lees, Murphy, Austin, Blackstock (Smith 76), McCormack, Brown
Charlton: Hamer, Wilson (Pritchard 86), Wiggins, Morrison, Dervite, Harriott (Kermorgant 66), Stephens, Jackson, Cousins, Stewart (Sordell 86), Church. Subs (not used): Alnwick, Hughes, Evina, Lennon.

Mac's tacs - from old to new with 3-5-2

Brian McDermott's tactics have stood out this season, especially in the more difficult games Leeds have won. It's no secret that the United boss has been experimenting with the squad to find his best eleven and the last couple of games, in particular at home to Birmingham, seem to be a turning point for the team tactically. 

McDermott has changed the formation to a less rigid 3-5-2, with Warnock and young Sam Byram operating as wing-backs - patrolling the channels to provide support for the forwards and strengthen the back three when the opposition attacks from wide. The defensive side of the formation for many teams who have used it has been consistently criticised in the in the past. Several pundits have ironically targeted the vulnerability of the back three (the three centre-backs that make up the defensive line) as the specific problem.

The back three in the formation are often accused of sloppiness, not as such individually but rather as a unit. The formation demands a high level of chemistry and understanding between that defensive unit and this can be difficult to obtain because intensive practise and training is required. In a recent article for the Yorkshire Evening post, former Leeds United player Brendan Ormsby highlighted the confusion that swapping two centre-backs for three at the back can cause. "With two central halves, they know what they are doing in picking up two strikers between them. With three, one is spare and two are marking and when strikers switch, you've got to be able to pass them on, pick up or drop off."

Leeds United's Rodolph Austin at Elland Road against QPR.
                                   Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

The 3-5-2 formation that Leeds have adopted is almost an exact mirror of Brendan Rodgers' current formation with Liverpool. Rodgers has recently abandoned his famous 4-3-3 approach, the formation that he so spectacularly utilised at Swansea, for the 3-5-2 in order to incorporate both Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suárez as central strikers and it has paid dividends in almost every match that he has deployed it. However, at the weekend against Arsenal, the Liverpool back three saw their defensive confusion punished time and time again as the Chelsea attacking quartet pulled and pushed them out of position. Kolo Toure - a player who was arguably one of the best defenders in the Premier League at one time and part of the famous 03/04 Arsenal "Invincibles" side - was made to look like a school-boy centre-back at times as he was twisted around in a daze, not knowing who to mark or when to cover, oblivious to runs made behind him.

The formation then clearly does have its draw-backs, but it gives a hell of a lot going forward, especially when Leeds' Jamaican international Rodolph Austin puts in a shift and runs the opposition defence ragged. His link up play with McCormack has proved to be invaluble in the last few games as Austin seems to have slipped effortlessly into his role in the 3-5-2. He operates as an all round midfielder within the formation, pushing high up the pitch during build up play and acting almost as a trequartista but equally giving a balance to the team through his tireless defensive tracking work. This defensive part of Austin's game in particular is what sets him apart from his fellow midfielders, it gives his game an edge and when coupled with his aggression and intensity on the pitch. The worry for Leeds is that it does seem that regardless of the formation, when Austin doesn't play or has a bad game then United have a bad game as a whole and that is not a good sign. 

Talismans are of course integral to any team with ambitions to gain promotion to the Premier League but to rely on one player to be the backbone of your squad is a big ask. Leeds fans will be hoping that Austin can keep his match fitness up and continue his excellent form because his presence is beginning to seem irreplaceable.

The campaign so far

Leeds United's first game of the season was a breath of fresh air after a mixed pre-season for the club. Elland Road hosted last season's play off semi-finalists Brighton and it was an electric affair.

Brighton took the lead after just 13 minutes in the Yorkshire stadium through Leonardo Ulloa before Ross McCormack levelled five minutes later in front of a packed crowd. The atmosphere remained tense as the game continued goalless before new signing Luke Murphy set Elland Road alight when he sealed victory for the Whites after four minutes of injury time. The victory looked to be a turning point for Leeds after a tough ten years out of the top flight of English football and the good results kept on coming. 

Dominic Poleon (left) and Ross McCormack (right) celebrating a goal.
                                                           Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

A draw away at the King Power stadium is never an easy feat with Leicester manager Nigel Pearson manning the helm and making it very difficult for travelling teams. However, Leeds managed to hold the Foxes to a 0-0 stalemate and in doing so earned themselves a valuable point. Sheffield Wednesday were the next side to visit Elland Road and despite a difficult Yorkshire derby, the Whites secured a point after a highly-charged match.

As August drew to a close Leeds' next fixture was away at Portman road to face Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town and with Leeds under pressure to continue their undefeated start to the campaign, they did not disappoint. Luke Varney cancelled out David McGoldrick's goal before the ever present Ross McCormack rounded off his performance with the winner early in the second half to finish the game 2-1. Leeds welcomed the championship leaders to Elland Road on the back of a fantastic start to the season but couldn't hold off the Hoops' onslaught and the home side found themselves 1-0 down at full-time to Harry Redknapp's team. After another good victory against Bolton away, Leeds lost their next three matches; at home to Reading and Millwall and away to Burnley.

After the mid September slip Leeds reignited the good form they had shown early on in the season by beating Bournemouth 2-1 at home but October looked to be another hit and miss month after Leeds won at home in emphatic style 4-0 against a poor Birmingham City side and lost away to both Derby County and Huddersfield Town.