Tag Archives: leeds

Leeds United: What Swansea Success Should Teach Us

February 25, 2013 Spoughts 3 Comments

By Dominic Smith

Forget the fawning over Bradford City for a moment. Theirs is a tale oft told in English cup
competitions, a ragtag bunch of promising youngsters, local heroes and fading pros defying the odds
and gaining thousands of new fans along the way. The fans have their big day out, applaud their
team’s effort then return back to the reality of lower league drudgery. Many fans would love to see
their team emulate this sort of success. We, as Leeds fans, remember the famous victory over Man
Utd in 2010.

But it is the Capital One Cup victors, Swansea City, who should really be admired. There are
obvious landmarks to celebrate; the club’s first English domestic trophy, a rare foray into European
competition and the highest margin of victory in a League Cup final ever, but theirs is a deeper and
more meaningful success.

It is from Swansea, not teams like Bradford, where Leeds United should be taking their lessons. This
season’s greatest victories have come in the cup competitions, unexpected triumphs against Everton
and Tottenham, but they have been unable to disguise a deep malaise within the club. League
performances have been insipid, performances uninspired, a squad disjointed, imbalanced and at
times – inept.

This is no accident. When Simon Grayson was given his marching orders by Ken Bates, Neil Warnock
was chosen as his successor due to an impressive record of promotions. But, in hindsight, it didn’t
make a lot of sense. Grayson’s squad, even after being ripped apart as a consequence of years of
underinvestment, still bore his hallmarks – wingers, ball playing midfield players, attempting to
attack with width, feeding the main attributes of main goalscorer Luciano Becchio. Warnock didn’t
like it, stripped the squad of width and changed the style of play attempting to bring the midfield
closer to Becchio and playing down the middle, forcing Becchio to hold up the ball and bring others
into play. Players were brought in to suit this system. When Warnock leaves, presumably in the
summer, a new manager will be appointed who may want to introduce his method and players, and
so we endure another squad overhaul.

Swansea’s ascent has been well documented. A series of managers – Martinez, Sousa, Rodgers,
Laudrup have been recruited by astute chairman Huw Jenkins. The philosophy and style of play
is built into the club – a positive, dynamic game built on ball retention, and players are recruited
and developed to fit. Managers are allowed a certain amount of leeway, Laudrup has for instance
instructed his fullbacks to push on and his Swansea team go from back to front quicker than
Rodgers’, but there is no radical restructure. Swansea have their own clear identity.

This ascent didn’t happen overnight. The owners were patient with setbacks, invested wisely, and
they are now reaping their rewards.

Leeds’ cup wins this were rightly celebrated, but we risk becoming a Bradford if we allow them to be
celebrated too much and too often. To get us back where we belong, we could do a lot worse than
becoming a Swansea.

Follow Dominic Smith on Twitter (@DomoTheBold).

Articles, Leeds United

Leeds United: Not a legend, but Morison takes first step on long road

February 22, 2013 Spoughts 3 Comments

Maybe it was a bit ludicrous to suggest it Warnock, especially at such an early juncture, but it was a decent home debut nonetheless. Whilst Warnock’s belief that Steve Morison would go down as a legend at Leeds United over the next few years seems a bit premature, to say the least, Morison’s play on Wednesday night was impressive.

His style is reminiscent not of Luciano Becchio, but of another recent focal point to our attacks, Andy Keogh. Keogh provided movement down the channels along with an ability to win the ball in the air. He was also comfortable with the ball at his feet. This partnership led to McCormack’s best run in a Leeds shirt, on fire in front of goal at the start of last season.

Morison held the ball up exceptionally, but he also brought other people into play, and sought to build moves for others. A couple of times he put dangerous balls into the area. With a fancy back-heel, he provided an opportunity for McCormack in the first-half. It was rare that a defender beat him to the ball in the opening 75 minutes of the game, and given his struggle for match fitness, it was no surprise that an effort-filled display led to him tiring in this last section of the game. His goal, whilst granted to him by a piece of terrible defending, was ultimately deserved with respect to the effort put in. It was also a good finish, and showed a bit of composure.

There are a handful of things that need a touch of work – he found it exceptionally difficult to do anything with the ball on the left-hand side of the pitch, seemingly vastly preferring his right foot and finding it difficult to beat a man on that flank. There were also a couple of occasions the crowd got frustrated when he didn’t go for the ball, but it may have been an effort to conserve energy in preparation for more winnable balls.

The word legend has been bandied about unreasonably in recent years. A certain player or certain players from the League One years could be included in this bracket with minimal debate. A good game does not a legend make. However, do not allow Warnock’s exaggeration post-match to cast doubt on what was a good performance. Morison could, quite easily, be a good asset for Leeds United over the next few seasons. It will be interesting to see if he is buoyed by a display that got the crowd firmly behind him. A good display, much more of the same required.

Follow Amitai Winehouse on Twitter (@awinehouse1).

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Articles, Leeds United

Leeds United: How Luke Varney turned a corner

February 22, 2013 Spoughts 2 Comments

The question is really whether it was simply a case of confidence? Even the best strikers can fall apart in the face of a lack of belief, but Luke Varney never even gave a glimmer of potentially being of a standard good enough for Leeds United. However, goals against Premier League opposition, especially Premier League opposition challenging for the Champions League, will probably provide a glimmer of hope to even the most beaten down soul.

Varney has two goals to his name now, and in the most recent 5 games (including the Spurs game) has provided the sort of performances that inspire belief amongst Leeds fans. Yes, the showing in the second half against Middlesbrough and in the whole game Manchester City was not worthy of praise, but that was the case for the entire team, not just the previously maligned forward. His first half against ‘Boro was decent enough, and he possibly was unlucky not to score an absolute screamer in that forty-five minute period.

Against Blackpool on Wednesday, despite not scoring (and having the opportunity to do so), Varney was the best player on the pitch, running about, winning every header, beating his man and providing opportunities for other players constantly. Many of our better opportunities came directly from his efforts, and in fact, the corner that led to the first goal was won by Varney.

What’s brought about this change? Is it just the confidence the Spurs goal provided? I think instead, it comes from slight shift in formation provided by Diouf’s sudden disappearance from the first team. With McCormack willing to track, it has allowed Varney to move further forward, not having to track on behalf of himself and another of our deeper advanced players. This was shown most clearly by our deployment of a 4-3-3 last night, with Varney essentially playing as a classical inside forward, swapping wings with McCormack as required. Tactically, we now suit Varney’s style of play, given his natural preference to play up-front rather than in a midfield berth.

It would be the right thing to keep him in the side now, and the system also suits the minimal available backup we have, the likes of Habibou and (when he returns next season) Poleon able to function in the same role. It’s just a shame it’s taken so long to get to this point.

(Incidentally, one of the better things Luke Varney did yesterday was clap the fans and make a celebratory gesture in their direction post-match. It was nice to know he no longer hates playing for us).

Follow Amitai Winehouse on Twitter (@awinehouse1).

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