Lita strikes to beat below par Leeds‏

By Keith Ingham

When Derby County came to Elland Road last season, Neil Warnock offered his hand to Nigel Clough and said 'Enjoy it, cause you won't get another of my teams lying down like that'. I may have missed a word or two but the sentiment was the same. 

Please don't get me wrong I fully support what Neil Warnock has tried to do since he took the job but I'm afraid lately the players on the field are not showing the  supporters that they want success as much as Neil and the fans. Also this takeover business has taken far too long and it is affecting the club as a whole. 

I'm not just saying this after one poor game, since Barnsley the eleven sent out are just not performing to the standards they themselves set in earlier games. 

Leeds made changes for the Birmingham game with Peltier, Tonge, Austin and Pugh restored to the side, the latter at left back with Sam Byram in a more advanced position. Still no place for Ryan Hall, who was mentioned in Neil Warnock's press conferences as part of his 'Plan B' but stayed on the bench.

Leeds started brightly with a good run from Sam Byram and Butland was quick to react to one of his own defenders. Birmingham though had good moments themselves, but again the alert City keeper was on hand to deny half chances by Byram and Austin. At Half Time the score was 0-0.
 
In the second half Diouf did his best to spark Leeds into some fluency from his position on the left but again the final ball was just not good enough to prise open a resolute Birmingham defence. Diouf did go close though after another great ball by Sam Byram.

The deadlock was broken when in a quick breakaway Lita received the ball some way out and unleashed a shot that flew past the despairing dive of the Leeds stopper. Neil Warnock brought on Ryan Hall for his first appearance and Aidy White with eight minutes remaining, they replaced Lees and Norris... But Leeds could not find an equaliser and Birmingham held on to give Leeds their first defeat in eight games and the second on home soil. 

I understand Neil Warnock reads the 'locals' and I hope that he understands that the fans feel frustrated by this latest poor performance. Somehow we need to bring in a player who offers us something different from the bench or as a alternative to those already up front.
 
Man of the Match: Sam Byram - Best player in a white shirt and never gave up
 
Fans : Better than Tuesday but still quiet 6/10

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