Sponsored by
Leeds United legend Ormsby: I see hall-Marques of skipper in Rui
Hi Brendan. In light of the news that Richard Naylor could miss the start of the season through injury, who do you think should be captain if he isn't fit? GEOFF, Rothwell
Hi Geoff,
There are not that many candidates, is there? We've got a young midfield; I know he's made Howson captain before, but I wouldn't do that...
Looking at what Simon's got and if nothing changes in the next few weeks, then I'd probably say Rui Marques as he's been around the block and is experienced – that's if he's playing!
The midfield's too young as I say and I wouldn't put one of the strikers in as captain.
I know they've brought Crowe in and not long after Naylor came in, he was made captain with Frazer injured, but it's a big call to stick another new lad in as captain straight away.
For me, I don't like keepers or strikers being captain, it should be someone in the back four or one of the midfielders.
Keepers are so far back in terms of play, while the strikers are too busy trying to score goals and aren't concerned about defending, whereas defenders and midfielders are.
For me, centre-halves and central-midfielders can see everything and tell everyone what's going on.
There's the likes of Prutton and Hughes who are experienced players, but at the end of last season, they weren't figuring that much.
I had great build-up – then was handed my boat fare home!
Hi Brendan,
In reality how much does having a good pre-season matter?
DIANE, Adel
Hi Diane,
Some do read too much into pre-season, although you do need a decent one.
But I remember when I was player-manager back in southern Ireland in 1994 when I was at Waterford and we had a great pre-season and won every game.
As soon as the league kicked off, we started getting beat every week when it really mattered and I didn't know what was going on and got the sack.
All I got was my boat fare home and didn't get a pay-off or anything!
But I was the greatest manager in the world in that pre-season!
For me, as long as you don't have a nightmare pre-season and get beat every week – which will hit confidence a lot – that's what it's all about.
It doesn't matter if you say lose one or two games.
I know Leeds start off by going to Ireland and play two games and they should win those comfortably, although the Irish League is still a good standard.
And it would be good for them to get a confidence-booster as it doesn't matter who you play, getting a few wins under your belt always helps, especially if the goal- scorers start hitting the back of the net and the defenders and keepers can keep clean sheets.
Definitely, if you have a good pre-season, your confidence is bubbling for the kick-off.
If you have a bad one, it can drain confidence and you worry when Saturday comes around.
But also it's about clicking when it really matters; in the first game.
For me, you don't need a 100 per cent pre-season where you win every game.
Sometimes when that happens, everyone can get too over confident and start thinking 'we're going to walk this league'. Then you get a few defeats early on and confidence goes.
Pre-season is mainly about getting match fitness and sharpness back after a six-week lay-off.
For Simon, it will be all about looking at tactics and formation and looking at what is the best team he's going to play, that's the main thing.
Big three will deflect some of attention
Hello Brendan,
With ex-Premier League clubs in Charlton, Norwich and Southampton in the same division, do you think the pressure will be slightly off us?
MORLEY WHITE
I think it will a bit.
Leeds, over the last two years, have been the biggest club in the division – and still will be this season by far – but having those three in will ease the pressure a little.
A lot of people have said the three relegated sides from the Championship will sell their best players, but they will still be forces to be reckoned with and be challengers, along with Leeds.
In the past two seasons, apart from when we had 15 points docked, everyone's expected us to go up automatically and it hasn't happened.
And rather than the play-off route, as everyone thinks we're cursed, we're going to have to look at automatic promotion.
And having the three relegated clubs will provide more competition in that respect and we'll have to play more consistently, especially on our travels.
Another reason why I think there will be a bit less pressure is that Leeds won't be the only big ground for teams to go to. I also think going to Southampton, Charlton and Norwich will be a bonus for the Leeds lads and fans, without knocking the rest of the clubs such as the Yeovils of this world as they deserve to be in there with us.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Politics: Mark Hookham's Westminster blog - 5.33pm
- Castleford RSPB Fairburn Ings: High wire act Swallows’ summer parade
- Worker dies on North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Video: Restaurant reopens on Leeds Harry Ramsden’s site after £500,000 refit
- Chocolat author will tempt guests at Leeds Big Bookend Festival
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
