The Opposition View

Following Wycombe’s excellent performance at Elland Road yesterday, here are some views on the game from Leeds’ manager Simon Grayson and a few of their fans.


Grayson was quick to acknowledge that the result was as much down to Wycombe’s performance as it was to any hangover Leeds may have had from their FA Cup heroics of last weekend.

“Last week we were on a high from the result at Manchester United and today we’re disappointed,” he said. “But you’ve got to give credit to Wycombe, I thought they played very well today and belied where they are in the league.”

“We probably didn’t, over the course of the game, deserve to get a point against them. They came here and just played as if they’ve got no fear in the world and that’s what we did last week.”

“We got the early goal which should have been a platform for us to go and build on, and we had opportunities – we didn’t maybe get the breaks – but we certainly got the breaks with Wycombe hitting the post a couple of times and having some close efforts just miss our goal,” said Grayson, speaking to BBC Radio.



The Leeds fans knew they were fortunate to get a point and admired the fact that Wycombe came to Elland Road to have a go rather than just park the bus in front of their goal.

The following extracts are taken from Vital Leeds, BBC606, Leeds United fans Online, footymad, the football network and Waccoe.


11whites wrote:
‘Wycombe were the better team They hit the post a couple of times and more than deserved their point. I was impressed.’



Kinel_Leeds wrote:
‘Howson found himself with lots of time and space and in fairness it should have been bread and butter for the keeper but he managed to misjudge it and we were 1-0 up. At that point I expected them to roll over but they pushed forward and our usually solid defence looked more than rocky. In fairness a point was probably more than we deserved.’



The Plumber wrote:
‘Their player Pittman was a threat all game and took his chance well when it came. He’s clearly a better £1.5 million target for Newcastle!’



Willy Wonka wrote:
‘Well done to Wycombe, they were superb with and without the ball and deserved more than the draw. That was the performance of a top 6 team today. Why are they bottom?’



joelufc wrote:
‘That JP Pitman for them is a good player. He was probably best player on the pitch today. Reminded me of a more skillful Beckford, probably not as good at finishing though. Their right-back looked good too, quicker than Beckford and kept Snoddy quiet. Christ we must have played badly if I’m praising Wycombe players.’



foreverleeds84 wrote:
‘I thought the bald bloke in Wycombe’s defence had a good game. He won everything.’



clivigerwhite wrote:
‘They came to attack, and to be fair, looked a much better team than second bottom of the league.’



Strachocaster wrote:
‘Eddie Gray reckons Wycombe were as good as any team that’s been to Elland Road this season. Amazing they can play like that against us but are sh*t the rest of the time.’



helix wrote:
‘We didn’t have the same level of desire as Wycombe. Our goal was a slip up by their keeper, and we were lucky that Wycombe didn’t go into the half time break 4-0 up.’



Batfastard wrote:
‘We were ahead on 3 minutes as Howson hit a hopeful shot from outside the box which bounced over the keeper’s arms as he mistimed his dive. “1-0 – it’s your keeper fault” came the predictable but perfectly correct response. Wycombe looked incredibly nervous at the back and, had we been more at the races, I feel we could have quite easily prised open the floodgates. But it was not to be. If their defence was nervous, this certainly didn’t translate further up the field as their midfield and forward line got stuck in with a vengeance. They are a team of precious little skill – but they did what they are good at. They played ‘nuisance football.` Always crowding us out in the middle. Small niggly fouls to break up the play. Anything to stop us getting into our rhythm and – full credit to them – it worked.’



erni wrote:
‘I can’t understand why Wycombe are second bottom of the league. Their midfield didn’t waste a ball and JP Pittman had a really good game. Well done to them for coming and having a go.’



WarwickgatesWhite wrote:
‘Wycombe were very physical in midfield and at the back, and generally hungrier for the ball. They fully deserved their point, and could easily have got all three.’



Shrek wrote:
‘A lacklustre Leeds performance against lively visitors who belied their lowly position and were fully worth their point.’



grumpy wrote:
‘One of the poorest sides in division three gave us the run around and we didn’t even deserve the draw.’



Rotherham White wrote:
‘The press are bigging Wycombe up saying they played well and all that. However the table doesn’t lie – they were as mediocre as ever and we were even worse. Methinks a few Wycombe players were trying to put themselves in the shop window today as they don’t wanna be playing League Two football next season. Think we ought to buy a couple of ’em? That Pittman guy brushed Richard Naylor off his shoulder like he was some sort of irritating insect..Not seen Nayls treated like so much fresh air before – not even by ManUre. Get Pittman. Now.’


Next Game: Wycombe v Charlton – 16th January – 3.00pm