MATCH RESULTS - AUGUST
*LC) symbolises a League Cup match
Away vs Nottingham Forest LOST 0-2 Scorers: none
Always going to be a tough opening fixture, but disappointed to lose, as I felt we could have earned a point with a late attacking spell. The ball just wouldn't seem to go in for us!
*LC) Away vs Burton Albion - WON 3-1 - Scorers: Snodgrass(16,51); Kezman(42)
An easy win over a hapless opponent. This game also gave me the chance to rest players such as Lonergan, Kisnorbo, McCormack, etc. ahead of a tough tie at home to Hull at the weekend. The two first teamers got the goals in a team featuring the likes of Toto Nsiala and Nathan Baker gaining vital experience in the first team set-up. Mateja scored on his debut as well, which is essential for a new striker.
Home vs Hull City - WON 2-1 - Scorers: Pugh(44); McCormack(45+2)
Two goals just before half time tamed The Tigers, and saw us take control of a close game, despite Matty Fryatt's late consolation for Hull. A good all round performance, especially at the beginning of the second half, which saw Ross McCormack step into a pivotal role on the left wing, where most of the attacks were channelled. Another wonderful performance from Haris Vuckic, who now has a 7.26 average match rating in all competitions.
Away vs Doncaster - LOST 0-1 - Scorers: none.
A hard game, and one that I was disappointed to lose, seeing as we won the fight for possession. The whole game was played in central midfield, where I was forced into two substitutions; but it was the third sub that put the nail in the coffin - Robert Snodgrass forced off with a torn hamstring after pulling up in the centre-circle. He'll be out injured until December, and is unlikely to return to first-team action until January. Not a game to remember.
Home vs Millwall - DRAWN 1-1 - Scorers: Robinson(6,og).
My first draw as Leeds United manager, and a deserved one too. Both teams scored an own goal; Paul Robinson connecting with Nathan Baker's cross-shot to send it spiralling into the net after six minutes, with Leeds vice-captain Patrick Kisnorbo mimicking the feat just before the hour mark. Millwall threatened to take over late in the second half, until Liverpool-loanee John Flanagan's dismissal for a two footed tackle on Leeds 'keeper Andy Lonergan saw Millwall defending for much of the second period.
*LC) Away vs Doncaster - WON 3-0 - Scorers: McCormack(6); Núñez(16,20)
Apologies are in store for Ramon Núñez after he put Leeds into the third round of the Carling Cup with two fantastic finishes in the first twenty minutes, after Ross McCormack's diving header had given United the lead six minutes in. This game served as more of a reserve run out, with the League everybody at the club's priority, but the reserves beat Doncaster away, and beat them well, something the first team failed to do 10 days earlier.
Away vs Leicester - LOST 0-5 - Scorers: none.
A rainy afternoon with alarm bells ringing in terms of the teams performance, as the defence were taken to the slaughter by the Foxes' Jermaine Beckford, who finished the day with a first hat-trick for the club. Some very worrying signs as manager, as this was supposed to be the refreshed first team. Disappointing end to an August that had promising signs of a Leeds team that was starting to gel.
End of August League Position: 11th
Leeds' Player of the Month: Ross McCormack
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2009/4/3/1238769295288/Ross-McCormack-celebrates-001.jpg
*LC) symbolises a League Cup match
Away vs Nottingham Forest LOST 0-2 Scorers: none
Always going to be a tough opening fixture, but disappointed to lose, as I felt we could have earned a point with a late attacking spell. The ball just wouldn't seem to go in for us!
*LC) Away vs Burton Albion - WON 3-1 - Scorers: Snodgrass(16,51); Kezman(42)
An easy win over a hapless opponent. This game also gave me the chance to rest players such as Lonergan, Kisnorbo, McCormack, etc. ahead of a tough tie at home to Hull at the weekend. The two first teamers got the goals in a team featuring the likes of Toto Nsiala and Nathan Baker gaining vital experience in the first team set-up. Mateja scored on his debut as well, which is essential for a new striker.
Home vs Hull City - WON 2-1 - Scorers: Pugh(44); McCormack(45+2)
Two goals just before half time tamed The Tigers, and saw us take control of a close game, despite Matty Fryatt's late consolation for Hull. A good all round performance, especially at the beginning of the second half, which saw Ross McCormack step into a pivotal role on the left wing, where most of the attacks were channelled. Another wonderful performance from Haris Vuckic, who now has a 7.26 average match rating in all competitions.
Away vs Doncaster - LOST 0-1 - Scorers: none.
A hard game, and one that I was disappointed to lose, seeing as we won the fight for possession. The whole game was played in central midfield, where I was forced into two substitutions; but it was the third sub that put the nail in the coffin - Robert Snodgrass forced off with a torn hamstring after pulling up in the centre-circle. He'll be out injured until December, and is unlikely to return to first-team action until January. Not a game to remember.
Home vs Millwall - DRAWN 1-1 - Scorers: Robinson(6,og).
My first draw as Leeds United manager, and a deserved one too. Both teams scored an own goal; Paul Robinson connecting with Nathan Baker's cross-shot to send it spiralling into the net after six minutes, with Leeds vice-captain Patrick Kisnorbo mimicking the feat just before the hour mark. Millwall threatened to take over late in the second half, until Liverpool-loanee John Flanagan's dismissal for a two footed tackle on Leeds 'keeper Andy Lonergan saw Millwall defending for much of the second period.
*LC) Away vs Doncaster - WON 3-0 - Scorers: McCormack(6); Núñez(16,20)
Apologies are in store for Ramon Núñez after he put Leeds into the third round of the Carling Cup with two fantastic finishes in the first twenty minutes, after Ross McCormack's diving header had given United the lead six minutes in. This game served as more of a reserve run out, with the League everybody at the club's priority, but the reserves beat Doncaster away, and beat them well, something the first team failed to do 10 days earlier.
Away vs Leicester - LOST 0-5 - Scorers: none.
A rainy afternoon with alarm bells ringing in terms of the teams performance, as the defence were taken to the slaughter by the Foxes' Jermaine Beckford, who finished the day with a first hat-trick for the club. Some very worrying signs as manager, as this was supposed to be the refreshed first team. Disappointing end to an August that had promising signs of a Leeds team that was starting to gel.
End of August League Position: 11th
Leeds' Player of the Month: Ross McCormack
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2009/4/3/1238769295288/Ross-McCormack-celebrates-001.jpg
