Yet another high goal scoring dramafest at Elland Road

Last night saw Leeds United play Barnsley in a very anticipated derby game. After losing 5-2 at Barnsley Every Leeds fan was looking for revenge. Myself included. As a early birthday ticket I was finally going to my first home game of the season. Can't believe its taken me so long. And the game was definitely worth the wait.

As myself and Mister Lunn walked down for the bus to Elland Road we both discussed how the game could go. I was certain of a win. Maxi Gradel, Luciano Becchio, Robert Snodgrass and Billy Paynter (Yes...The Billy Paynter who is yet to score for Leeds United) were my favoured goalscorers. However I was also pleading for a clean sheet. Boy was I disappointed!!

But first I had a more pressing matter to attend too. For the last 2 weeks I have .... impatiently bugged my twitter followers about my tickets having not arrived yet. Even started a daily Postie Watch. Gave me some laughs any road! Anyway Tuesday came...Still no tickets so after a call to the Leeds ticket office (9p a min and on hold for 8.5mins!!! - Robbing Bates!!) I was finally put through for a 15 second conversation that ended in me getting duplicate tickets to pick up at the game. So as well as paying £62 for 2 tickets (that never arrived) in the first place, also had pay an extra sum of cash just to get duplicates! Not impressed.

Finally armed with our tickets we entered hallowed ground. Neither of us had been to a game this season so we were glad to be back. Rejoicing I ordered a pint of Lager for Mister Lunn and a pint of Blackthorn Cider for myself. I drank half of this cider before realising why I stopped drinking Cider in the first place. Its not very good!

Having bought my matchday programme, we took to our seats back in old NEL stand! Apart from my first ever game at Elland Road, where me and my best friend Lesley sat in the West Stand, I've never sat anywhere else. Nor do I wish to change. I like NEL...espec when the lads do corners. ;)

Not long after finding our seats the first half kicked off. Though for Leeds it seemed as if they'd forgotten they were playing and not warming up as within 2 minutes Barnsley were ahead. Heads in hands, we sighed as yet again the defense of Leeds broke to pieces. We couldn't possibly lose to Barnsley again could we?

It was not long after though that Leeds seemed remember they were actually playing and decided to wake up. After 23 minutes a big relief came to the Leeds fans as Luciano Becchio scored from a header, and the Leeds faithful shouted their hearts out. After that things improved with Max Gradel scoring from a penalty to make it 2-1 in Leeds favour.

Leeds seemed to be in control with a load of missed chances. Whistle blew 10 minutes later for half time.

A smile was back on my face, and I headed out to see other half time results coming in. Yet within 3 minutes of the second half starting the smile was wiped from my face as yet again the Leeds defense messed up and saw Barnsley's Matthew Hill score. The groans were intolerable, and we seemed to go from bad to worse as just 3 minutes later Bradley Johnson was sent off, leaving Leeds with only 10 men.

From where I was sat I didn't get a good view of what exactly happened, but it seemed like a soft decision. Even people in front didn't seem to know what had happened, laughable even as one fan said moments later, "We should take Johnson off he's not doing much. Get somma on." Only to be told by his neighbour that Johnson had just been sent off. Embarrassed much?!

Despite the sending off Leeds struggled on, and made two substitutions. Bringing on Somma and Sanchez Watt for Becchio and Snodgrass respectively. Bang went my Snods scoring prediction then. Yet a few minutes later, and with 20 minutes left in the game a miracle happened. Out of nowhere Max Gradel got the ball and rocketed the ball into the net. Leeds 3 - Barnsley 2. Elland Road went ballistic!!!

Sadly it seemed the defense were falling asleep again, and without the 11th man, Leeds found themselves troubled again. Along with some very dodgy linesman and referee decisions, Barnsley were finding themselves in the game again. And after the referee awarded them a corner (when should of been a Leeds free kick) Barnsley took advantage and pulled it back with Kieron Trippier making it 3 all with 9 minutes to go. The Leeds fans seemed to die down a little however it seemed that Barnsley were happy to see it finish as a draw and thats the way it finished.

Alot of Leeds fans were rightly disappointed on the bus back to city centre. Johnson's sending off was a joke...Barnsley were lucky not to have gone down to 10 men in the first half in the incident that created the penalty Gradel scored from. And worse of all, yet again our defense was appalling.

It begs the question of how exactly Leeds can stop the rot. Teams are catching up with us. And while starting the season most Leeds fans would of been happy just staying in the Championship, sitting in the play offs for the last few months has seen most expectations rise. My own included.

Personally I can't wait to see Kisnorbo fit again. He's definitely one player we miss in Defense. The only decent player in our defense was the new loanee from Aston Villa, Eric Lichaj. As usual Max was his persistent troublesome self, and with two goals was my man of the match.

Although we are drew, we are still 6th and I am still to see Leeds lose at home while I am there. Maybe am a good luck charm?

Leeds United Hokey Cokey

Well the official January transfer deadline has now passed and as usual its been quite busy at Leeds. Its like doing the Hokey Cokey. You get players in, you get players out, you mix them all together and you shake them all about. Though granted its been more players out than anything. Surprise exit was Andy Hughes. While the guy hasn't really played much of a role for us it was still sad to see such a well liked Leeds player leave after a good spell at the club. Wish him all the best at Scunthorpe.
Also being taken off the wage list was Andy Robinson. Yes, Bates finally got him to agree leave the club (and the Elland Road pies). He's now joined Enoch at Tranmere. Other players leaving were Aidy White (loan), Bessone (Loan), Jason Crowe, Collins, Tom Elliot, Alan Martin, & Darville. Incoming saw David Gonzalez come in on loan from Man City, And George McCartney back at ER for another loan spell. And just in the last few days Leeds have agreed a deal for Eric Lichaj to come on loan. Tis exciting stuff!
Less exciting was watching the Arsenal replay. We lost 3-1 at Elland Road. Was still proud of the Leeds boys tho. Awesome team spirit was shown.
As for me...am looking forward to my first home game of the season against Barnsley. Self bought birthday pressie!!