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Coventry City v Leeds United: McSheffrey breaks Whites hearts
Ross McCormack scores for Leeds United against Coventry City.
The purpose of sacking Simon Grayson, or so Leeds United said, was to breathe life into their pursuit of promotion.
Two weeks on and wounded by a shocking defeat to Coventry City, that target looks more remote than ever.
Leeds took the view that dispensing with their former manager was an essential factor in making play-off qualification possible but so too were victories over teams as embattled as last night’s opponents. United’s chance seemed slender before kick-off at the Ricoh Arena and worse by full-time.
Saturday’s loss to Brighton, one of the Championship’s credible play-off contenders, muddied the club’s plan to install caretaker Neil Redfearn, Grayson’s temporary replacement, as manager until the end of the season but defeat to a Coventry team lodged at the foot of the league was more damning by half.
It was a match which United’s chairman, Ken Bates, termed “winnable” and a fixture that Leeds could not afford to waste while a gap of four points lay between them and sixth position.
Their campaign is not yet dead but it might be soon if more go begging before a difficult run-in begins at home to Southampton at the start of next month.
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Leeds’ decision to risk a vital stage of the season on caretaker management seemed deeply misguided as the dust settled on a turgid contest in Coventry.
Ross McCormack’s first-half goal almost rescued a point for Leeds but it was not Redfearn’s intention to be rescuing anything against a club with so much to worry about.
From the moment Gary McSheffrey – a player who takes the unpopularity of loan signings among United’s support to a unique level – converted a penalty in the 20th minute, Leeds’ performance took on an anxious feel and a second penalty from in injury-time put his former club to the sword.
Redfearn uttered the tried-and-tested cliché of “no easy games” before last night’s match but Coventry were at the softer end of the spectrum: sitting ducks with no form, minimal hope and fewer fit players than they required.
Their spine was badly weakened by injuries to Sammy Clingan and Richard Wood, two reliable campaigners.
Leeds, as expected, were unchanged with nothing more notable than the inclusion of Andy O’Brien among Redfearn’s substitutes.
It marked the completion of his re-integration at Elland Road and his first appearance in the club’s squad since their 1-0 win at Leicester City on early November.
That visit to the Midlands seemed an eternity ago.
Redfearn’s players did not take long to discover the thickness of Coventry’s hide.
McCormack was allowed to shoot unhindered after receiving Danny Pugh’s throw-in in the second minute, and basic interplay between McCormack and Luciano Becchio two minutes later saw Aidan White flash the ball over Joe Murphy’s goal. Coventry had the manner of a team waiting to be stretched.
News of their problems has not been exaggerated.
The Ricoh Arena was half-empty last night and a virtual ghost town in some parts.
What further damage relegation would do to the club is anyone’s guess.
Thorn’s players were willing but hampered by brittle confidence until McSheffrey’s goal gave the night an unexpected complexion.
From there, they were the better side and their win was utterly deserved.
It was Coventry, too, who saw more of the ball in a quiet first half which deserved the eerie atmosphere created by a vacuous ground.
The game cried out for a goal from the outset and it came in the 20th minute after Danny Pugh clipped Alex Nimely’s heel inside the box.
Referee Pat Miller had no option but to point to the spot but confusion surrounded a flag waved by one of his assistants as Nimely broke into United’s area.
Miller ignored it despite Lonergan’s attempts to direct him to the touchline and McSheffrey stroked home a composed penalty. His celebration in front of the away crowd was as well received as his stint of service at Elland Road in 2010.
It was not the scenario Redfearn envisaged and the composure of his players threatened to fail them. Adam Clayton overran the ball and was dispossessed by a sliding tackle as McCormack stood unmarked, waiting for a pass 10 yards from goal but an equaliser materialised quickly enough, scored by the Scottish striker in the 32nd minute.
The build-up to it was scrappy and unintentional with Clayton forcing a pass to Luciano Becchio and the ball deflecting kindly to the feet of McCormack.
Amid a suspicion of offside, he picked his head up and found only Joe Murphy in front of him, and his delicate finish found the corner of the goalkeeper’s net.
The reassurance that gave Redfearn was almost shattered when Becchio met Clive Platt’s goalbound header and flicked it over Lonergan’s crossbar, and United’s keeper handled McSheffrey’s shot safely after scrambled defending in front of him in the closing minutes of the half.
Pugh was also called on to hook the ball clear from under his own bar after Adam Smith conceded possession and left his side exposed on the right wing and vulnerable to another header Platt.
United’s contribution to the first 45 minutes barely passed as satisfactory and nor did the scoreline.
Redfearn attempted to elicit an increase in United’s urgency at the interval but the early stages of the second half did not bode well.
Tom Lees blocked a vicious volley from McSheffrey, and a deft through-ball from the winger gave Carl Baker a chance which he lobbed wastefully over Lonergan and the bar.
Injury
Redfearn’s response – enforced by an injury to Fabian Delph – was to send Michael Brown into the trenches with half an hour left.
Within moments, a glorious opportunity fell to Aidan White who reached the edge of the box and drove a shot against Murphy’s foot but Coventry came just as close when Oliver Norwood’s free-kick whipped through a crowded box and bounced beyond the far post.
It was anyone’s game by then and horribly tense.
McCormack saw the whites of Murphy’s eyes again as the clock ticked on but snatched at his shot, and the substitution of McCormack on 83 minutes drew howls of protest against Redfearn and Bates from the mass of 3,214 away fans.
It also prompted chants in support of Grayson, and McSheffrey finished United off after Nimely was brought down eight yards from goal. Suffice to say, this is not what was intended.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 26 comments to this article
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pattaya tyke
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 05:18 AM#20 Original Koppite. Re McCormack being pulled off because he was leggy. I was always told that the main cause of pulled hamstrings was not being warmed up properly before going out to play. I don't think McCormack comes into this category, but I've no doubt the lads who attend ER every match could name 4 or 5 of our lot who are probably still not warmed up after 80 minutes. By the way O.K my wife is leggy, but it doesn't stop her performing at her best for the required time.
OzTyke
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:48 AMHow disgraceful was Ken Bates' latest "interview" on Yorkshire Radio? The man just keeps on dragging himself lower and lower, and taking our football club with it. He admits that his office is analysing individuals' electronic records and then Ken names them and broadcasts personal details on his radio station that can be heard around the world. Have season ticket holders, or anyone sending in personal details to the club for compettions etc, had their personal information "onsold" to other parties? Is this entirely legal? Also I would love to discuss with Mr Bates his view that those of us who can't get to many or any matches are somehow less fans. I live in Australia, but have been to Elland Road at least once for the last five seasons. Unlike our Chairman, nobody reimburses me for my airfares, accommodation, tickets, food and drink. Does Ken get up in the wee small hours to watch or hear Leeds matches? My Dad can't make it to games any more, he's long since retired and the season tickets are too expensive, but he's glued to Yorkshire Radio and listens to every kick, never misses. So my Dad's not much of a Leeds fan either then Ken? You absolute twerp. We are ALL Leeds fans, including my kid brother who has just renewed his and his young son's season tickets for 660 quid. Unbelievable money, but he's mad keen. He did say today that it's the first time in over 20 years that he's had to think twice about renewing. Ken, with respect, if I was a businessman and I heard a very loytal customer talking like that, I would be VERY worried indeed. Think on.
LeedsBulldog
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:58 PM23oztyke you are right buddy - something has gotta give - this cant go on.
OzTyke
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:31 PMIt wasn't McSheffrey who broke Whites hearts. But Ken Bates and his regime are breaking mine. It's time for Bates to go. There HAS to be an alternative, even if it eventually has to be a breakaway fans model AFC Leeds run on a Barcelona-type charter.
LeedsBulldog
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:03 PM19Urinal poppit So what you are saying is that your dad is a liar then? as he quoted in the saturday programme that Grayson asked for £1.5m to buy a midfielder and got refused the money (whats new) they then had a disagreement and decided to part company - IT WAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SUPPORTERS.as no - one has ever asked for grayson out by chanting grayson out etc - but we HAVE chanted to get your dad out! AND we will continue to do so -so, if you ring him to tell him how your flower arranging classes are going - please give him a polite message from me - tell him hes a full weight 24k C*nt !
StevieDee
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:13 PMYet again nonsense from Original Koppite. Bates put pressure on Grayson before Christmas and Williams recently came out and said that the board wanted change in December but decided to hang on for another month. Bates does as he pleases as his investment in the team demonstrates. You are suggesting that Bates takes on board the fans' views and reacts accordingly. That is rubbish, if he did he needs to open his wallet because that is what the MAJORITY of Leeds United fans would like him to do. The latest gem is that his strategy is to buy back ER at a cost of £15million just like he was going to buy back TA. He says what he does to suit the occasion and then changes the story later on when presented with a different set of circumstances. Always has done, always will do. I note you continue to mount personal attacks on specific individuals, very mature. People in glass houses...., the word is VITRIOL by the way.
original koppite
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 05:51 PMDog..and how would you feel if Pappa pulled down the place and built a shopping centre and if he did it would be muppets like you would be to blame. Finally, do you know what happens to players if they are left on when they have given their all? They pull hamstrings and we find them out for rest of the season you dumb knownowt.
original koppite
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 05:45 PM16whitevanman1...The reasons for SGs sacking are entirely down to the whingeing vitreol of the fans putting pressure on everybody which caused poor results and upon Pappa who took the easy option and jettisoned SG. Everyone suffers from this, The fans, Pappa but most of all the fans. We are still in this years race but we'd have been more in it if SG was still here and even more in it if SG hadn't been pressured into a state where he couldn't give of his best. If the fans had done what I have urged and supported the team as our fans can and got behind SG we'd have been right in there.
LeedsBulldog
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 05:39 PMONCE AGAIN = A SO CALLED MANAGER WHO TAKES OFF THE PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO SCORE????? A SET OF LAZY "CANT BE BOTHERED" PLAYERS AND THOUSANDS OF DEDICATED LEEDS UNITED SUPPORTERS WHO ONCE AGAIN GOT RIPPED OFF BY THESE PLAYERS - A REPLACEMENT MANAGER SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE IN DAYS AT THE LATEST TO KICK THESE PLAYERS INTO PLACE AND NOT A "LETS SEE IF OUR UNDER 18s MANAGER CAN GET US PROMOTED ON THE CHEAP" ONCE AGAIN THE BEARDED SNAKE HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR - BUT WILL HE ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS? - NO! AS FOR ALL YOU BATES LOVERS ON HERE WHO MOAN ABOUT OUR PROTESTS AGAINST HIM - YOU CAN ALL P7SS OFF - AND TAKES LYING BATES WITH YOU! I CANT WAIT FOR BATES TO ATTEND A LEEDS UNITED MATCH - I JUST CANT WAIT!!!!
Idlewhite
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 04:03 PMJust heard that Lee Clarke at Huddersfield has got the bullet,hope he doesn't get set on at Leeds & time Ken Bates & Shaun Harvey are booted out as they are milking us dry,Wish Bates had the 7 year itch and took Harvey with him as they have ruined a once great club,had enough of the pair of them,Who are the MORONS now, not the supporters just the board.
whitevanman1
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:03 PMI still maintain tha Grayson should not have been sacked. It is plain to see that is bates bargain basement players that are the problem, cannot see any manager being able to motivate them, they are playing as well as they can, it's just that they are crap.
paz
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:23 AMLEEDS ARE DEAD. LONG LIVE LEEDS.
Dr Shakamoto
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:23 AM6th Feb 2012 Ross McCormack: "If he gets the job, I will be delighted for him. If we go and win six in a row then I am sure Neil will get the job." 14th Feb 2012: Ross McCormack scores a goal and gets sustituted for Ramon Nunez. Redfearn said McCormack was "leggy". Shocking.
shazzan
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:17 AMthe only positive about losing again was Redfearn will not get the job . Also McSheffrey is a right pillock. The quicker we get either Warnock or Mcarthy in the better. There should be no delays now.
MarcHarrison
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 09:37 AMKen Bates & Harvey want sending to Guantanamo, that's the only way we'l get the truth out of these a-holes. If anyone sees them in Leeds you should kidnap them both and force them to sell up. Ban them from the city all together, disgraceful pair they are. THE LEEDS FANS WANT YOU OUT! GET THE MESSAGE & GO SCUMBAGS!!!!!!!
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