BIG JOHN'S LEEDS TRIP. AUGUST 16th

So, yesterday was a rare midweek away trip for me, but with my Leeds supporting cousin (originally from that hotbed of Leeds fans - Worcester Park!) coming over from Manchester, where he currently lives, we decided to meet up and watch the game together (1 of 2 Leeds fans I became aware of in our end last night!). Anyway, checked into the Jury's Inn, we caught up over a few very nice pints of Black Sheep in the hotel, including debating the merits of our teams' starts to the season. We may moan about recent seasons under Shahid Khan's stewardship, but Leeds fans probably have as much to complain about the way in which their own club is run, but I think I probably felt the more positive of the 2 of us going into this game. Would like to know how many Fulham were there last night, but I would hazard a guess at around 400 - not bad for us on a midweek game, although I guess that Leeds on a warm August night is far preferable to Burton in February. 

We started off well, and looked the sharper of the 2 teams, with Sessegnon and Aluko having noticeable joy down the left hand side. Aluko was a real threat all first half, hitting the post and being unlucky (from my distant view from the Fulham end) not to have a penalty after getting taken out by Green. That said, Leeds had a few chances too, including a one on one where their centre forward should have at least got it on target, and forced several corners as the half came to a close. The second half saw us starting brightly again, and we came close again with a header from Smith which once again hit the post. Smith himself was eventually substituted for Woodrow, and he got a good ovation from the home support ("You're Leeds and you know you are"). It's fair to say that I'm more of a Cauley supporter, but I'm happy to say that Smith has earnt his place so far this season. That said, a new striker has to be a priority for us. Anyway, onto the main action, and a sublime strike from Tom Cairney which deserved to win us the game. It's been a while since we've seen one of these from Tom, but it was a beaut, receiving the ball on the right hand side of the box, dummying the defender, and curling it into the left hand corner! Even my Leeds supporting cousin stood and clapped as the ex Leeds youth player lapped up the deserved applause - ain't nobody like Tom Cairney, we were certainly happy he made us feel that way! That should have been it, and we looked fairly solid for the most of the remaining 15 minutes apart from one good Leeds chance, although to be fair, they did start creating more pressure than they had all game. Our new £3.4m signing, Jozabed, came on for the last couple of minutes of the game, so not possible to have an opinion on him yet, and just as we were ready to celebrate the continuing 100% record, up pops Wood with an unconvincing bicycle kick, which Button manages to fumble into our net for the equaliser. Such a shame, I felt on balance we edged the game, and should have come away with the 3 points. That said, we are looking so much stronger this season and, with the addition of Jozabed and another striker, we have the makings of a decent squad, one that will compete in the top 10. Sessegnon looks full of potential, Madl and Kalas will be amongst the best centre back pairings in the division, especially with the added protection from McDonald and the revitalised Scott Parker. Cairney is class and if we can get someone like Bamford in up front, all will be well down at the Cottage! Anyway, the match was followed by a superb curry at Akbars - go there whenever in Leeds, and a couple of pints of Black Sheep back at the hotel - all in all, a cracking day out!

COYWs

© John Scanlon