Leeds United 2 Brighton 1: Player Ratings

3/8/2013

By Andy Gregory

The new season finally arrived and a bumper crowd of over 33,000 fans packed out Elland Road to support the start of a new era at Leeds United. Every single player worked their socks off and battled it out against a good Brighton side, the last minute winner no more than we deserved. Here is my take on player performances for the game.

Paddy Kenny - Paddy had a good game and kept us in it a few times with a number of outstanding saves when we were at 1-1. His distribution wasn't great today and needs to improve, but overall a solid performance. 7

Lee Peltier - Peltier was the least convincing player for me today, struggled to get into the game, was reluctant to get forward and looked short of confidence. Not sure he should still be captain. 6

Tom Lees - Lees was solid and very rarely looked troubled, is becoming a strong and dependable defender. 7

Jason Pearce - had a steady game, without been overly convincing. Still think we need another centre back as a first choice partner for Lees. 7

Stephen Warnock - Warnock had a great game, was solid at the back and got forward well to support attacks, impressive today. 8

Paul Green - A good performance from Green who is making the defensive midfield role his own, quietly got on with his job today, breaking up opposition attacks and linking up well going forward. 8

Luke Murphy - Had a brilliant debut, he seems to be able to do it all. Got stuck in well, great range with his passes, plenty of running and scored the winning goal. Looks a great signing and I think he will only get better with game time. 8

Michael Tonge - Tonge contributed well today, worked hard for the team and didn't do his first team chances any harm. 7

Ross McCormack - had a great game, he was everywhere and gave his all for the team as always. Scored the equaliser and generally looked sharp. Would like to see him play as an out and out striker. 8

Noel Hunt - Had a great first half and caused the opposition problems, seemed to struggle to make an impact before been subbed. Saw some glimpses of quality and why McDermott was keen to bring him to Elland Road. 7

Luke Varney - Varney had a fantastic game, couldn't fault him. Battled for every ball and looked really up for it. 8

Dom Poleon - Came on for Hunt and did well, was unlucky not to score from close range. 7

Matt Smith - On for a tiring Varney and contributed well, setting up Murphy's goal. Can see him coming on to give us something different in games quite a lot this season. 7

Adam Drury - Came on for the injured Warnock and stayed solid at the back. 7

Overall it was a fairly even game, with Leeds coming out deserved winners. We clearly still need to add to the squad, we all know where we are lacking a bit and it did show at times today. But if we carry on battling away and pushing other teams the way we did against Brighton today, we won't go far wrong. The return of Diouf, Austin and eventually Byram will also be a massive boost to the team. I really do hope everyone continues to turn up at Elland Road, as it undoubtedly makes a massive difference.

MO

30 Comments

Counte of monte fisto

3/8/2013 06:53:53 am

Good summary but I don't agree with Tom Lees, I thought he was poor today often not in the right place and at fault for their goal. For me Green was mom we will win some and lose some but we need to keep patient

Nick

3/8/2013 07:32:07 pm

Agree with you about Tom Lees. He got caught on the ball on a number of occasions and his passing was at times poor. Think we still look shaky in defence and to be promotion contenders need two centre backs.

mick

3/8/2013 07:01:17 am

gr8 3 points, gr8 crowd. brian made all the correct changes at the right times.we will get stronger, but would like to say to all the true leeds fans, "stick by whoever is on the pitch, we are going to build a good side here if brian is given time and a little to spend", prem in 2/3 years definitley.

Lisa

3/8/2013 07:04:16 am

Good summery i agree with peltiers ratings i dont think he had a goid game and i dont think he should be captain. We have got a few players out there with better quality that deserve to wear the captains armband.

Andyb1974 link

3/8/2013 07:10:08 am

Didnt get to the game gutted but by the sounds of it it was a great game reckon we need a couple of players and the games c'mon MOT

Stevie Dee link

3/8/2013 07:11:25 am

I cannot agree with the summary of Varney - he is a poor player & not fit to wear the shirt of LUFC.
If you ask me why then the reason is simple: I don't like him.

Jimbo

3/8/2013 07:14:55 am

Like him or not he had a cracking game and deserved his place

Steel

3/8/2013 10:07:54 pm

What game was u watching, varney was awful today. Just jumped around missing headers.

badras

3/8/2013 05:14:34 pm

varney is a very busy player,he can score goals and do good crosses and very good at getting up to header the ball but lacks in composure which he will get as the season goes on

chris

3/8/2013 05:30:23 pm

Can't pls everyone..you Definitely did not watch the game or if you did,you mistakenly saw someone else..your off your head or your just Kidding? come one,you want 10/10 perfection or all is crap? he was the best player out of 22 players from both sides..your comment is sort of strange..Leeds is definitely getting there..we are just short of a few,need a Bridges and a Gordon Strachan type of players who can create from midfield and score goals..and a prolific striker who can score 18-25 goals a season..

paul

3/8/2013 06:24:09 pm

We have a player that can create and score from midfield we just paid crewe 1 million for him ;-)

And if BMCD plays Ross as centre forward he will get 18 -25 goals no problem

chris moore

3/8/2013 05:34:08 pm

Forgot,if we had a Harry Kewell there we would be laughing ...we definitely need a winger or two...I think it would be very very hard to find or produce someone like Kewell again

damo

3/8/2013 05:36:56 pm

Hang on if you were at the game like I was then you would realise varney had a great game and gave his all. He does deserve to wear the shirt when playing like he did!!!

Yoda66

4/8/2013 05:19:30 am

Bit harsh steve

Deeda LUFC

3/8/2013 07:20:22 am

VARNEY ARMY!!!

mr orange

3/8/2013 07:29:23 am

good summary , great game , leeds showed they are here this season to fight hard and that's what eventually got them the result today , MOT

Tyler75

3/8/2013 07:41:40 am

Felt like we'd got our club back today - whatever else happens in the season, that's more important than anything else.
Really good win against one of the better sides in the division, once we started getting in their faces and closing their passing game down, we took control. Tactically smart move by Brian Mac to play Varney and Hunt wide and Ross drifting off the front as their centre backs didn't know who to come out and mark. Green was outstanding and MOM - with Sam and Rudy to come back we'll be a handfull for anybody this season.

kevin lowther link

3/8/2013 08:03:06 am

in Bmd we trust we can do this,lose some win some, but keep the trust in Mcd mot

Adriantag

3/8/2013 08:10:17 am

Great game, the passion is back, shame about the programme!

essjaycee

3/8/2013 08:16:10 am

Just great to witness the suffering Seagulls shot down by CRUEL HAND LUKE!!!

DAZLEEDSDAZ

3/8/2013 11:04:48 am

what game was you at then . green was totally rubbish ,mistake after mistake after mistake . hunt looked tired before the kickoff he did nothing , can smith run I didn't see him and varney well what did he do .but ross ran his socks off paddy kept us in it murphy looks a great buy best of all THE FANS MOT

sydney-leeds

3/8/2013 03:38:35 pm

Great to hear the fans here today hope they all stick with mac and what ever team he plays like to see a few class players come and im sure we will match the better teams in the league.

andy - leeds

3/8/2013 05:12:34 pm

Disagree with your rating of paddy Kenny he made three world class saves and kept leeds in the game 9 out of 10 for me

Chareose

3/8/2013 05:53:34 pm

I think the likes of Varney and Tongue more than earnt their places in the Leeds squad yesterday........unfortunately that leaves us with the likes of Brown and Pugh to shift and I really cant see who would want them ?
Personelly I think we need Tommy Rowe and Reece Wabara because wabara can play central defence or right full back allowing BMC the option of moving Byram into midfield. Unfortunately its looking like he will be going to Blackpool because Leeds are skint.....

3/8/2013 06:06:54 pm

Doubt Blackpool will tempt him and doubt they will pay what Leeds want.I think it would be a good idea to sell if you can replace him with three good players otherwise not worth it.it not the end of the world if he goes provided Leeds get his worth and buy three good players that will help them get Promoted then it all worth it..

3/8/2013 06:23:11 pm

Lol I wasn't talking about Byram..... Wabara watched the Blackpool game yesterday so its odds on that Paul "Ill make offers for every player in the championship" Ince is trying to snare him. As for Byram, no way would I sell him, unless we were going to sign an international caliber replacement because that's what he will become and his price will sky rocket eventually

3/8/2013 06:02:53 pm

Everyone is playing Leeds's chances down this year but If they can add one or two more,they look as good as any. I think they will surprise a few and if McDermott signed the right guys then his record last year with Reading prove he can get the best from players. Reading was probably 100/1 to win the Title two Septembers ago and were Favorite to be relegated... I think everyone is overlooking that Leeds had a decent team before but you needed to get them gelled and playing better and as a team..some are not worthy to wear the Leeds's shirt but there's one or two "average" players who are good players which will come good again. if i has a say,I would expect Leeds to end up 4th or 5th but with a bit of luck,who knows? i Think this might well be the season of a few surprises. if not,Next year..but let hope we add to the Squad.

3/8/2013 06:31:51 pm

what encouraged me is after they went a goal down they quickly scored a goal back right after conceding a goal.then what encourages me most is that they fight till the last minute and score right at the end
.
for Leeds to succeed I always put it simply: they need to score more goals and defend better. that it in a nutshell ..to score more they need a creative Midfield and a Winger option also. they need players who can play out of positions and who can score goals.not rely only on Strikers. for the last few years,Leeds lost too many games and were never consistent.
first thing to do it make sure you don't lose any point at home..a draw is still a loss..you lose 2 Point not gain..one step forward but two back is not progress. only away draws are valid.
then you must win some of your away games. even if you lose some goals,as long you can score more than you concede it ok.

so leeds have to go on the Attack more and once they get the goals,they defend like hell. that the way to win promotion. make sure you score your 2 goal advantage and if you get a chance to score a third take it,otherwise,play tight and protect the 2 goal advantage..how many times last year did leeds concede right after going ahead..almost most games..they must stop that habit and protect their advantage,
stop losing Point at home and gain a few away

3/8/2013 06:37:14 pm

We arnt going to play 442, that's why BMC went for Rowe because Tommy Rowe is a bit like Murphy except he can run on the ball more, Rowe, McCormack and the two fullbacks will cover the wings. My only concern with the current formation is it leaves too much space in midfield.....

Chris l

4/8/2013 04:37:05 am

I'd have given paddy a better score, stunning saves that helped win us the match.

Leeds United 2 Brighton 1: Player Ratings

By Andy Gregory

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