End Of Season Review – Part Two
In the second of our series of articles where we have asked our match reporting team to give an end of season report and then have an early look forward to next season, today Stuart Dawkins gives his viewpoint
What was your highlight of the season
I attended the pre-match tour of Sweden, which was fun. There was a sense of optimism regarding Sven and the team. Unfortunately, that optimism ended quite quickly, and I struggle to think of many proper 'highlights' during the season itself.
Reaching the FA Cup quarter finals was good, and going to Stamford Bridge for the match was a personal highlight - if only the team had turned up for the first half-hour, it might have been a football highlight too!
What was your biggest disappointment
The lack of consistency. Year-in, year-out City have had seasons where they were able to beat the good sides, but not beat the bad ones. I had hoped that Sven and the huge transfer bill would result in a team which was better than that; I was wrong.
City started as one of the favourites for Promotion, yet failed to make the Play Off’s, what do you feel were the main reasons for this ?
Giving away too many 'soft' goals at key times. Too often having far more shots on goal than their opponents, but not scoring from them. A midfield which was completely outclassed against bigger/stronger players.
That seems to cover most of the team (Schmeichel did OK, I think). Overall, as the season progressed it was a lack of ability and drive in midfield which seemed to matter the most.
Oppos View – Leeds Part 1
A few opposition viewpoints for our final game of the season, here's part one
A bit about you:
Name: Brian Brookes
Current home town: Leicester
Birthplace: Coventry
How long have you supported your team? 44 years
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: Close proximity to Pie Shop
Favourite match played by your team & why: Leeds –v- VFB Stuttgart 4-1.(1992) We were 3-0 down from the first leg and tickets were easy to come by so I took some Leicester fans with me to show them what European football was like. 4-1 would still normally mean that we were out but the game had to be replayed as Stuttgart played an ineligible player. We won that game 2-1. Man of the Match in the 4-1 win was a certain Gary McAllister – thank-you Leicester.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Gordon Strachan
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Becchio. Constantly working and pops up with those late goals.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Snodgrass. If he is on song then he will make the difference
Going to Leeds ?
Leeds United LS11 0ES
BY ROAD
Leeds United is adjacent to the intersections of the M1, M62 and M621. Alternatively enter the postcode LS11 0ES in to your Satellite Navigation.
FROM THE NORTH
A1, M1, A639 to Leeds. Join m621 to Junction 1. Take A6110 from Roundabout into Elland Road.
FROM THE SOUTH
M1, M621 to Junction 1. Take A6110 from Roundabout into Elland Road. Just as you go under a railway bridge there are entrances on either side to a couple of very large car parks.
FROM THE EAST
A64, A1, then as from North or M62, M621 to Junction 1. Take A6110 from roundabout into Elland Road.
FROM THE WEST
M62, M621, to Junction 1. Take A6110 from roundabout into Elland Road.
Distance is around 100 miles 2 hours approx from Leicester
CAR PARKING
There are car parks near the ground where you may need to pay although the Leeds website suggests there is free on site car parking. Car Park A is close to the M621 for after the game
We subsequently had an e-mail from a Leeds fan saying "the car parking is a fiver its owned by the council not LUFC"
And Finally – Leeds
And Finally – Leeds – 28 April 2012
Manager Neil Warnock
Founded 1919
Ground Elland Road
Address Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 0ES
Capacity 39,460
Squad:
Squad List
1 Andy Lonergan
2 Paul Connolly
3 Patrick Kisnorbo
4 Alex Bruce
5 Andy O'Brien
6 Robbie Rogers
7 Mika Vayrynen
City off Pace as Hammers Cruise to Easy Win
City 1 West Ham 2
Report by Eddie Blount
The scoreline might suggest that this was a closely-fought game. It wasn't! There was a street of difference between the 2 sides who were the bookies' pre-season favourites for automatic promotion and this is reflected in the comparative league positions of the teams - the league table does not lie at this time of the season.
West Ham settled quickly and had a couple of potentially dangerous moves in the first five minutes as befits a side with still an outside chance of filling one of the top two places; City on the other hand looked like a side with nothing to play for. The gulf in class was clearly evident as West Ham enjoyed a massive percentage possession statistic and we gave the ball away as soon as we had managed to get it back.
City's cause was not helped by an early injury to Wellens. We were already being overrun in midfield where King was hardly able to get a touch and Drinkwater unable to keep hold of the ball or use it profitably. As we have insufficient quality in midfield to make up the team anyway this stretched our resources beyond breaking point. Dyer came off the bench and an original formation of 2-1-4-1-2 with Marshall playing in the hole behind the two strikers became a more orthodox 4-4-2.
Against the run of play City took the lead on 34 minutes when Marshall cleverly won and kept possession wide right, cut in and delivered a perfect cross for Beckford to rise between the impressive central defenders and score with a decisive header. It all looked so easy but there was to be no repeat so looks must be deceptive.
West Ham responded by giving us a.......hammering for the rest of the half and it came as no surprise when they equalised five minutes after going behind. We should note their reaction as we inevitably struggle when we go behind away from home.
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