Well, the clocks have
gone back, the winter balls are ready and the weather has taken a
turn. Another month has passed and with it another five games. It's
been an interesting month with several talking points from all the
games.
The Matches
Hull
City
We began the month with
a trip to face Hull City at the KCOM, Hull are a bit of an odd side.
They have some decent players but I don't think many are tipping them
to do much this season. Overall it was a frustrating game, we created
enough chances to win it and while we didn't play as well as previous
games we more than deserved a point in my opinion. Hull did take
their big chance and Tom Eaves who was brought on in the 2nd
half headed home. A big striker given a decent cross to head in,
simple really. We probably should have defended it better but it
wouldn't have been much of an issue if we'd have taken any of our
chances. An irritating result but that can happen.
Wigan Athletic
After the Hull game we
were back at home to face Paul Cook's Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough.
I like Paul Cook and he was someone I wouldn't have minded us looking
at in the summer after him from the North East went back up there. I
think 99% of Wednesday fans who know anything about the Championship
knew what was coming with this one. Wigan don't win many away and I
think would have taken a point. They started well in fairness and
should have taken the lead on 15 minutes through Gavin Massey after a
great run from Josh Windass. Wednesday could have scored through
Barry Bannan and Steven Fletcher but it wasn't exactly what you'd
call an entertaining 45 minutes but after the break Wednesday took
the lead through Massimo Luongo after Julian Borner's run from the
back. It was a functional win, a win where you won't remember it come
May but IF we are to achieve anything it's the kind of result we
need to be picking up. I saw a few people online after the game
saying things like “A good team would have scored 3 or 4” and “We
have to be beating these by more to go up”, A few things on this,
firstly you don't get more points for winning by more so that doesn't
make sense (Yes I know goal difference is a thing but that doesn't
look too shabby to be fair). Also let's not forget Bannan had two
good shots that on another day would have gone in and Fletcher had a
goal incorrectly ruled out for offside. Sometimes things go against
you in that regard.
Cardiff City
After the international
break Wednesday were back in action down in South Wales. It was also
the 2nd international break in a row where Wednesday were
back on Sky. Obviously Cardiff are managed by our old friend Mr Neil
Warnock. We knew he'd love to beat Wednesday and we know we certainly
like to get one over on him. Obviously a lot has been said and
written already about this game. Wednesday were in my opinion
excellent. The first half Cardiff didn't lay a glove on us and
deservedly took the lead through Julian Borner after deflecting
Kadeem Harris' ball into the net. I've heard a few people suggesting
he didn't mean to do it, he 100% did. In Germany Borner has a decent
goal return for a defender and that finish was deliberate. Already a
firm fans favourite that will have done nothing but add to that
affection. Alongside Dominic Iorfa he was outstanding down in South
Wales. Now we'll come onto the 2nd half, I've seen a lot
of people saying we sat off Cardiff. I'm not sure we did, I think we
were playing well enough and creating enough to finish the game off
but referee Keith Stroud who was in charge decided to fall for every
trick in the book. Fouls that weren't fouls, booking Wednesday
player's for nothing, blatant cheating. The obvious incident that
lead to Cardiff's equaliser is a disgrace. I actually have more of an
issue for the non foul given rather than Aden Flint and his star
jumps. As much as that is irritating if it had been one of our
players doing it we'd have been all over it. Doesn't excuse it but
for me the foul given was the worst thing. Add to that the fact Lee
Tomlin, who's dive conned the referee, should have been sent off for
a blatant strike out at Borner earlier in the game. Very frustrating
result, echoed of Norwich away at the end of last season. Also I saw
a lot of people slating Dawson for his positioning for the free kick.
Obviously Flint being stood where he was makes it impossible for
Dawson to stand where he wants to. Overall Dawson was brilliant, made
a crucial save to stop Cardiff doing a real smash and grab. All that
after coming in at the last minute to replace Keiren Westwood.
Stoke City
Following on from the
Cardiff game, we were back at home to face Stoke City. Stoke have had
a tough start to the season and had won just two games, they happened
to have been the two prior to this one. I must admit this game
worried me more than the Cardiff or Leeds one in this three game
week. A couple of reasons for this, firstly the squad they have is
more than capable. They have recruited players who should be right at
the top of this division. Also as mentioned before the recent form of
beating then top of the league Swansea and pre season favourites
Fulham in the last two. It was another tight game where quality
wasn't as on show as maybe we'd like. I thought Stoke passed it
around nicely but lacked a cutting edge. We did what we had too and
once again Massimo Luongo broke the deadlock after pouncing on an
error by Liam Lindsay and slotting the ball past Adam Federici in the
Stoke goal. It was a functional win and one we deserved. Stoke could
maybe say they were unlucky at having to use two subs in the first
half for injury but hey after the last two seasons I don't think many
teams can have as many injury gripes as we've had to put up with.
Another good performance for Dawson who retained his place in the
side and made a good 2nd half save from Lee Gregory It was
good to see praise after the game for Morgan Fox who had yet another
good game. I can't actually think of a bad game he's had for a long
time. Fox didn't deserve the stick he got at points last season and
he'd done excellently to not allow the boo boys to get to him. Also I
have seen and heard a few people (mainly blades fans to be fair)
talking about the chants towards Mark Duffy. Now take it from me who
was at the match. If anything Mark Duffy enjoyed it, he had a big
beaming smile on his face as that particular song was sung at him. He
loved it. Take it as a compliment, some ex blades don't get that.
Scott Hogan was on the same pitch, nothing. Cameron Carter Vickers
(who played in THAT game) nothing. Lee Gregory,hasn't played for them
but we know he's a known blade, nothing. Stop being offended by
nothing.
Leeds United
So we come to the final game of the month, the big one. Leeds United. Going into the game it was 2nd V 3rd and a chance for the winner to go top. I have to say it was probably the wettest day in a long long time. Constant rain coming down, it wasn't great. The conditions definitely played a part in the game, you could see players attempt passes that would easily have come off on a dry pitch but this was anything but dry. 5 years ago it wouldn't have survived and would have been postponed or abandoned. That investment in the pitch is one thing we can certainly thank Mr Chansiri for. Once again we had to cope with a drop out in the warm up, Julian Borner this time with an ankle injury meaning Sam Hutchinson moved back into the back four alongside Iorfa with Joey Pelupessy coming in. I thought we coped well, while I've been critical of Hutchinson a lot this season he was brilliant against Leeds. Alongside Iorfa who was my MOTM he made sure he didn't miss Borner as much as we thought we would. Pelupessy took quite a bit of stick during the game and while I don't think he had a great game I think you have to bear in mind coming in at the last minute isn't easy both physically and mentally. Think about it, he's probably known for a few days he isn't playing and then to be told with 20 mins or so to go that he is playing is a bit of an odd situation. It's not like Dawson where ultimately the game doesn't change too much, in midfield you're in the cut and thrust of everything. I like Joey and against Wigan he was superb and I have a feeling if we'd have won against Leeds nobody would have criticised him too much. We did miss Luongo who wasn't involved due to an injury picked up in the Stoke win. Overall it was a good game, some people don't buy into this idea you can have a good 0-0, you can and we did. Both sides had chances to win it. Leeds through Bamford, Phillips and Alioski. Wednesday through Fletcher, Nuihu and Palmer. Kiko Casilla and the returning Keiren Westwood both had claims to be Man of the Match. For me I'd have given it Iorfa, however Sky in their wisdom decided to give it to Brighton loanee Ben White, someone will have to explain that one to me. The third best centre half on the pitch gets Man of the Match, strange.
Verdict
So, 8 points from 15,
not bad. I'd argue we should have got at least 1 at Hull and another
2 down at Cardiff. We could if we'd have taken our chances in both
games be top of this division. Which feels odd to say, I think the
general feeling around the fan base at the moment is that we're a bit
surprised to be up there as we still have another gear or two to go
and I think that's fair. I think it's a big testament to Garry Monk
that 9 games into his reign Leeds United under Bielsa are bringing on
another centre half to take a point. That's a good sign, while Monk
wasn't my personal choice he's showing all the signs of someone we
need. Someone who can get us organised and keep us like that. Someone
who understands the division and knows the strengths and weaknesses
of the other teams. This time last year we were watching the
beginning of the end of Jos Luhukay's time at the club. We were
watching a team that didn't have any idea what it was doing, a team
that clearly did no work on the opposition. A team that you didn't
know what the plan was. For me If I know what the plan is even if I
don't agree it's right, is better than no plan at all. Monk has
impressed me, he speaks well, he conducts himself well and he's
getting it right more often than not tactically. Yes it's only nine
games (and one of them was a free hit against Everton) but the basis
is there. In a wide open Championship lets hope we can sustain the
pace.
Thanks for reading
Tom
WAWAW
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