Rochdale game

Best thing about last nights game was the pies. Game was a bit of a damp squib.

Neither side really looked like scoring. Ross wasted our best chance and theirs came from a Bruce error which lead to a 2 on 1 situation but luckily for us their striker strayed offside. Game was settled by a great piece of selfishness from Gradel turning the defence one way then the other before shooting when there were better options available, but that is the brilliance/frustration that is Max Gradel.

Leeds looked the better team and looked comfortable throughout the game but probably created fewer chances than Rochdale, whose chances were limited to long range shots. On a positive note, it makes a change to look solid at the back.

I was more interested in having a good look at the new players and the 3 trialists. Brown looked a solid player, he played the simple ball well without looking terribly inventive. I thought Clayton looked better trying to get us moving forward often switching the play from one side to the other with great cross-field balls to bring the wingers into play.

Lees looked solid but he's not in the Woodgate class just yet. Rachubka looked pretty good. Made a couple of long range tip overs and came out well to avert any danger from through balls. His kicking was not the best but 90% of his distribution comes from rolling the ball out to his defenders.

Of the 3 trialists I would invite 2 back for a further look. The winger in the first half, believed to be Alexandre Mendy looked far too tall to be a winger but had a nice touch and usually tried to pick out an intelligent pass. Leeds fans were chanting sign him up. Does look like a cross between Calton Palmer and Brian Deane though. Awaiting the Barry Manilow chants if we do sign him up.

In the second half J Lloyd Samuel started at our troublesome left back spot. Unfortunately he had a bit of a nightmare. He made a few early mistakes and seemed to retreat into his shell more and more as the game went on. Played like Bessone when his confidence was shot.

The trialist I was more impressed with was Isaiah Osbourne. He broke up play with his long gangly legs played simple effective balls to his teammates and ran our midfield. Reminded me of a poor mans Patrick Viera.