Andy Munro on a fruitless visit to Elland Road.
Blues are apparently desperately trying to save money to ward off the prospects of administration and watching them capitulate against a very average Leeds side gave me an idea to assist their plight.
Losing successively to Bolton and Leeds, both desperate to end a losing streak themselves, can only be described as a charitable act so we might as well be registered as a charity and save, off as well as on the pitch.
Blues on TV is never normally a pleasurable experience for all the usual reasons and it is said that the first quarter of an hour of a game usually reveals who is going to be in the ascendancy. Never was anything truer as we suffered a woeful opening spell. While the late withdrawal of Tom Adeymi through illness was unfortunate it couldn’t excuse some excruciatingly bad defending and a non-existent midfield. In the latter case, Ollie Lee looked every inch a free transfer signing from Barnet while Wade Elliott seemed more concerned about keeping his hairstyle in place than getting stuck in. Mind you, it was the back where we were all at sea with Burn and Bartley looking particularly shaky, Randolph bailing out the former before the keeper himself made a horrendous error coolly put away by the impressive McCormack. Yet despite Randolph’s second mistake in as many games, he was still undoubtedly Blues’ best player, which says something about the team.
On the flanks, Caddis has ideas above his station as a wingback and his partner Murphy looked a bit ponderous at times. Despite missing a couple of chances, Burke looked our biggest danger while the other wing cried out for the width of Ferguson as part of a 4-4-2. The up-fronters didn’t get much service but the paceless Lee Novak needs something on a plate (with knife, fork and spoon) anyway whilst Jesse Linguard kept disappearing or getting bogged down in the ‘hole’. It was also interesting that when Zigic aimiably ambled onto the pitch, the similarly sized young Leeds forward showed him how it should be done with a display of hunger and enthusiasm. Shinnie also came on and showed a bit more craft but was never consistent in his application.
It was all a bit depressing after the match when Lee Clark gave one of his classic ‘ Oscar winning in reverse’ performances. One thing is certain; his posture will ensure that he would have spotted what footwear everybody in the room was wearing. Penniless – definitely. Clueless – probably.
