[madsteve]

This was three points won while barely getting out of second gear.

CC changed from his tried and trusted 4321 and went for more of a 4411, probably in order to accommodate Hutchinson back into the team. It didn't really work as we lacked a focal point to our attacks, we were more vulnerable in the air and we lacked fluidity in our movement.

Price replaced the injured Wildsmith in goal. While I feel totally relaxed with Wildsmith playing, Price makes me nervous although in fairness, there were probably more plusses to his performance today than minuses.

We started brightly and created a couple of good situations but the game was far too open and playing two banks of four made it easy for Leeds to find gaps to run into with Bannan & Wallace playing well below par. We were always under pressure on the flanks with Hunt & Pudil getting little support defensively but both were also caught out positionally.

Leeds had the clearer first half chances and Price saved us with a brilliant save.

I said at half time that Hooper was always getting in there & would probably score in the second half.

We started the second half on fire. FF battled to keep the ball alive and Hooper forced it in from close range. A few minutes later & FF in full flight shoots from 25 yards, the keeper fumbles & Hooper pokes it home.

That pretty much decided the match and showed why allowing Hooper to leave now would be foolhardy in the extreme. A player who gets into the positions to score regularly is like gold dust and we need Hooper to play 4321.

Price - 6 - did ok but scares the crap out of me
Hunt - 6 - good going forward but caught out of position a few times
Loovens - 6 - hardly threatened
Sasso - 7 - looked cool & accomplished
Pudil - 5 - not really at it today
Wallace - 5 - hardly involved
Hutchinson - 6 - linked play well
Lee - 7 - kept ticking along, wish he would shoot more when well positioned
Bannan - 5 - nowhere near as influential in a 442
FF - 7 - two moments of brilliance won the match
Hooper - 8 - right man, right spot
.........................................................
Joao - 6
Helan - 6
Semedo - 6

We looked great in spells but pretty much closed it up at 2-0 and took the points. Never seen an incident like the Leeds disallowed goal before but have to say it was a terrible refereeing gaff to allow it to happen. Anthony Taylor is a FIFA & PL Referee but he always seems to perform terribly when I see him. Apparently Keith Hackett described his performance today as unacceptable and allowing the free kick to be taken while a substitution was taking place as a monumental error.

Stat Attack:

Goals: 2 - Hooper

Assists: 2 - FF

Tackles: 6 - Pudil, 5 - Lee, 4 - FF, 2 - Hunt, Hutchinson, Bannan, 1 - Loovens, Sasso, Hooper, Semedo

Interceptions: 5 - Hutchinson, 4 - Bannan, Hunt, 3 - Loovens, Lee 2 - Sasso, Pudil, 1 - Helan, Semedo

Clearances: 12 - Loovens, 6 - Hunt, 3 - Lee, 2 - Hutchinson, 1 - Price, Sasso, Pudil,

Attempts: 5 - FF, 4 - Hooper, 1 - Wallace, Bannan

Attempts On Target: 3 - FF, 2 - Hooper

Key Passes: 3 - Hooper, 2 - Wallace, Lee, 1 - Hutchinson

Dribbles: 4 - Hunt, 2 - Hooper, 1 - Lee, FF

Dispossessed: 7 - FF, 2 - Lee, 1 - Hunt, Wallace, Hutchinson, Hooper, Helan, Joao

Bad Control: 4 - Wallace, 2 - Sasso, FF, 1 - Hunt, Loovens, Pudil, Lee, Bannan, Joao

Crosses (Accurate in Brackets): No Figures

Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):

Helan - 100% (4)
Semedo - 100% (6)
Lee - 93% (57)
Bannan - 88% (56)
Sasso - 87% (28)
Loovens - 86% (37)
Wallace - 85% (27)
Hutchinson - 84% (49)
Pudil - 80% (41)
Hooper - 75% (36)
Hunt - 67% (39)
FF - 61% (31)
Price - 44% (33)
Joao - 40% (5)

If we are to compete for promotion, CC has to go back to the flexible 4321 and not switch formation to accommodate particular players. Hutchinson, Bannan, Lee & Wallace are all first team players but perhaps CC needs to rotate them or rest one of them for the benefit of the team. Alternatively move Wallace forward to play in FF or Hooper's position sometimes.

The stats show that FF actually had a poor game compared to normal but he still produced a couple of magic moments that swung the game. Three points while playing averagely is good but there will be tougher challenges ahead.