League One Leeds: A Journey Through the Abyss by Rocco Dean;

Author:Rocco Dean;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mint Associates Ltd
Published: 2021-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Oldham Athletic 1 Leeds United 1

Matchday 34 of 46

Boundary Park (7,835)

‘If you’re wearing a Leeds United shirt everyone expects you to be mature, physically strong, with the right mentality. Age doesn’t seem to be taken into account.’ – Jermaine Beckford

Fixtures were coming thick and fast, and three days after the victory over Scunthorpe, Leeds had the chance to leapfrog another promotion rival when they visited fourth-placed Oldham. The fans were feeling positive again, but a fourth successive away defeat would be a hammer blow to Grayson’s progress. Thus, it was a real relief to leave Oldham with a point on the board, especially after Leeds fell behind in the second half to a goal from former West Bromwich Albion goal machine, and convicted killer, Lee Hughes, whose hit and run crime cost a man his life and Hughes three years of his career. Had he reported the accident his victim may have lived, but by fleeing the scene the prosecution were unable to prove he was drunk behind the wheel, and not just driving ‘like a madman’. It was sickening to see him celebrating on the pitch.

Grayson’s team again displayed their new-found mettle by responding immediately, although it was barely a team effort; the equaliser was all down to Delph. Like a stroppy teenager, annoyed at his team-mates for conceding a goal, Delph took it upon himself to surge forward with the ball straight from the kick-off. He dribbled all the way through to the Oldham box, not quite scoring but winning a corner, from which Becchio scored to the delight of the travelling fans behind the goal.

If there was an element of teenage stroppiness about Delph’s dribble, perhaps it was born out of the frustration of losing his place in the heart of midfield, despite playing so well. Grayson had shunted the jewel in his crown out to the left wing to incorporate Jonathan Douglas, a decision that stifled Delph’s influence on matches but succeeded in eradicating the soft underbelly that had plagued the season. As Delph’s form dipped, the team’s form soared.

Simon Grayson: ‘I wanted more control in midfield while keeping Jermaine and Luciano up front. Delph was a hugely talented central midfielder, who would clearly go on to have a fantastic career, but I knew he would still contribute from the left with his ability on the ball, and with goals and assists. I wanted my main players in the final third where they would have the freedom to express themselves and make things happen.’

Faced with another tricky away game at Bristol Rovers, goals from Becchio and Snodgrass seemed to have secured a longawaited away win, but a gut-wrenching injury-time equaliser ensured another miserable journey home for the travelling fans and knocked Leeds out of the play-off places again. But not for long. A return to the home comforts of Elland Road brought two wins in four days, a 4-0 midweek thrashing of Yeovil and a resilient 1-0 win against Swindon. These two games were chalk and

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