Debate: Who has been Leeds United’s stand-out star of the season?

twardman7 Leeds United , , , , ,

As the 2014/15 Championship draws to a close, it is time to reflect on a stop-start season for Leeds United. After making a less than impressive start to the campaign – that saw then-recently appointed manager David Hockaday sacked after just six games – United managed to turn their fortunes around and despite several subsequent slumps in form, currently sit 13th in the table and a whopping 16 points away from the relegation places.

Winning seven of their last ten Championship games, the Whites have shown the rest of the division that they are in fact a force to be reckoned with, but who has been the stand-out star of a largely forgettable season for the Yorkshire giants? With just ten games left of the 2014/15 season, we take a look at the most likely candidates for Leeds’ Player of the Year award.

Alex Mowatt

Where else to start but the highly talented – and surprisingly prolific – young prospect that is Alex Mowatt? The 20-year-old midfielder broke into the first team last year, but it is only this season that the Englishman has added goals to his game, recording as many as eight goals in the Championship.

Mowatt’s goals this season, prior to March 5 – Video credit: Jack Francis

Scoring four of those in his last six games for the club might suggest that Mowatt is a late addition to this list, but in truth his dead-ball accuracy, pinpoint finishing and composure on the ball have been a constant menace to opposition defences this season – leading to speculation surrounding a move to the Premier League in November 2014.

The academy graduate has relished linking up with fellow young-prospect Lewis Cook in midfield and they look to be forming quite the formidable partnership, which brings us onto our next contender…

Lewis Cook

Another breakout star, Lewis Cook has – like Mowatt – all the potential to become a midfield lynch-pin for the Whites. At just 18-years-old, Cook has amassed 30 appearances thus far in the league, missing just six games – which says a lot about his commanding presence at Elland Road.

Cook is another assured customer when dribbling with the ball and his no-nonsense battling in the middle of the pitch has resulted in the England Under-18 international featuring for the full 90 minutes in his last eight games for United, which averages out to a full game every 3.5 days.

As seen above, Cook has allegedly attracted the interest of several Premier League giants and at such a young age, this season is likely just the start for such a talented young player.

Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook discuss each other’s game ahead of the 2014/15 campaign – Video Credit: Leeds United Official

Marco Silvestri

Having featured for both the Italian Under-20 and the Italian Under-21 international sides in the past, it was perhaps a surprise when the former Cagliari stopper reported for training in pre-season with little-to-no hype, after signing a four year deal. One of Massimo Cellino’s Serie B additions, Silvestri soon proved any doubters wrong with a clean sheet on his home debut for the club, when Billy Sharp’s late winner helped the Whites to a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

The 24-year-old retained this form until late 2014 and in truth has proved a constantly reliable ‘last line of defence’ for the Elland Road faithful this season. Sometimes known for his over-composed attitude, Silvestri showed he is more than capable of sparing Leeds’ blushes with his cat-like reflexes and even saved a penalty in the recent 2-1 defeat over Ipswich Town.

In a season of sackings, silly tackles from Serie B signings and even superstitions – just ask Massimo Cellino, who was rumored to have sacked goalkeeper Paddy Kenny for wearing the number 17 – all three players have impressed on a consistent basis, but who has been your stand-out star of the season? Have your say on the poll below:

Fletcher and Rostance reveal BBC demands

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BBC Sport online journalists Paul Fletcher and Tom Rostance offered insight into the demands that applying for a role within the BBC Sport newsroom entail, when speaking at Leeds Trinity University’s Journalism Week on Thursday.

The duo were just two of the members of the team that covered the 2014 World Cup for the BBC Sport website’s live pages and helped compile the information that warranted over 100 million views throughout the tournament’s duration.

The World Cup in 4 minutes – by Nameless

Both journalists were more than experienced for the task at hand and whilst they were keen to talk of their experiences reporting on the tournament – which garnered as many as 672 million tweets in relation to the action – they also gave advice to prospective sports journalists on what it takes to work for the BBC in sport.

“I think that there’s lots of different things that you are looking for there,” said Fletcher. “Ideas, attitude and hard work I guess. I think a lot of people are probably in a good place right now, because one of the things that the BBC are looking to do at the moment is try and improve their engagement with an audience whose demographic you are smack-bang in the middle of – the 16-34’s or whatever.”

“The BBC audience and website audience is getting older,” Fletcher continued. “As the website gets older and what they want to do now is get more younger people in there and I think that some people within the BBC, who aren’t sure how you do this. I’m not sure that there’s anyone anywhere who knows exactly how you do it. So you need to come with new ideas and I think you need to play to your strengths and advantages.”

“You’re all young, you all access devices in ways that weren’t available when I was your age and all that sort of stuff, so you need to bring that along with you, but I think ideas, experience and willingness also,” Fletcher added, addressing the on-looking students.

Rostance –  who enjoyed a five year spell with the Press Association prior to joining the BBC – echoed that sentiment, saying: “Be passionate as well, because it’s such a competitive field – all journalism is but sport is probably more than lots of places. There’s so many people that want to do it, so if you get a chance on a placement, just try and show that you really want to do it.”

You can view Fletcher and Rostance’s full talk below:

Video Credit: Leeds Trinity University

Powell Promotes Proper News

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Speaking at Leeds Trinity University’s Journalism Week, Sky News Sports Editor Nick Powell highlighted the importance of authoritative news sources amid the growing worldwide trend of checking and using social media sites such as Twitter as a primary source of news.

Both the Sky News and the Sky Sports News desk have Twitter accounts, although the 140-character limit on the site means that many of their tweets are small and direct, simply offering a headline in most cases, with a link that re-directs to their respective news sites. Whilst this is a strong method of distributing news, it can allow less than trusted sources to report the same news in an incorrect manner concurrently, leading to confusion over what has truly occurred.

An example news tweet from Nick Powell

Powell – who was speaking to both Journalism and Sports Journalism students – highlighted this as a key reason why the ’24/7 rolling news channels’ such as Sky News and Sky Sports News are far from dead, but just as important as ‘click of the button’ and instantaneous news outlets such as Twitter in today’s world of journalism.

“Everyone can access material that is not properly channeled that is not coming to you necessarily from experts you trust,” said Powell. “The reason that people turn to Sky News – and they do in enormously increased numbers when thee is a big story – is they know we will do it well and with authority and when you’ve got people, like in this case (Crime Reporting) Martin Brunt (Sky News Crime Correspondent), who has known more about most crime stories than most coppers (Police Officers) for 20 years – and the cops will tell you the same thing!”

With exciting TV packages, expert analysis and constant updates from a wide variety of sources, both the Sky News and the Sky Sports News rolling channels have retained a strong viewership – with renowned events such as ‘Transfer Deadline Day‘ paying dividends for the Sky Sports channel.

Deadline Day as it happened – Sky Sports

“It’s the authority,” Powell continued. “It’s the expertise that you trust. The process will gradually change, the role of the rolling news channel is changing a lot. We devote at Sky News a lot more of time – a huge amount of time – more of our time to other forms of disseminating news than the rolling TV news channel, but there is no sign that the death of the rolling channel is imminent, because we channel it to you in a way that we think you want and we do it with on the one hand expertise and on the other hand, with some ability to make it entertaining and engaging.”

“But,” Powell added. “Clicking on the button (or refreshing a news feed on Twitter, for example) is quicker, so there will be a role for both, I think, for as long as I can for-see.

You can watch Nick Powell’s full speech – in which he also offers anecdotes of his past experiences, advice on how to stand out when applying for a job at Sky and many more topics – below.

Video Credit: Leeds Trinity University

Leeds United: Three reasons why the Whites will stay up

twardman7 Leeds United , , , ,

As we enter the month of March, the Championship table makes for some pretty grim reading for Leeds United fans. Languishing in 16th place and a staggering 19 points away from 6th-placed Ipswich Town in the final promotion play-off spot, the Whites are almost certainly out of the running for a promotion push this season. What’s worse, however, is that after a dramatic upturn of fortunes throughout the month of February, the Whites are still just ten points clear of 22nd-placed Millwall and the relegation zone. With just 12 games left to play, here’s just three reasons why Leeds can stave off the already depreciating threat of relegation this season.

The Fans

Leeds United always offer strong away support
Leeds United always offer strong away support

Leeds have a notoriously strong following, consistently posting strong attendance numbers at away fixtures in far-away parts of the country. Fans have so often been known as the ‘Twelfth Man’ for football teams, with their vociferous support seemingly spurring their chosen side to victory in important matches and with Leeds’ strong following, this factor could prove pivotal in changing the momentum on the football field when a result is in danger. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, United top the away-attendance tables with an average following of 2,593 fans per away trip so far this season, although that is not to say the strong support isn’t reciprocated at home. Elland Road has long been considered a footballing fortress and whilst it’s stature may have faltered in the eyes of English teams over the last decade or so, it is still capable of unrivaled noise from the home support when it wants to be.

Sol Bamba

Whilst the jury is unquestionably still out on the Ivory Coast international’s consistency, there is certainly no doubt that Bamba is the no-nonsense style defender the club have been crying out for over recent years. United were on a bad run of form upon Bamba’s arrival, but the former Leicester City defender sparked a change in fortunes for the Elland Road faithful, as Leeds earned six points from nine during Bamba’s first three games in the heart of the defence.

Bamba even earned the Man of the Match award during Leeds’ recent 1-0 away win over Middlesbrough, but concerns were raised – as seen in the tweets displayed below – over his display in the weekend’s 3-2 home defeat to Watford, in which Leeds ultimately conceded a 2-0 advantage. Calls for a brief rest away from the first team have become commonplace across the United fanbase and given Bamba was low on first team fitness on his arrival at Elland Road, a short spell on the sidelines could do wonders for Leeds in their latter fixtures of the season.

Young Blood

Whilst this addition will come as no surprise to Leeds fans out there – especially given the fact they have offered most of the highlights of the season so far – the new breed of young talent coming through the ranks should be enough to see United over the line. The likes of Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt have offered up strong, solid performances on a consistent basis under boss Neil Redfearn, whilst Sam Byram has continued his development since breaking into the first team some years ago, albeit now deployed as a wing back or midfielder rather than his initial position of right back. Alex Mowatt in particular has impressed, recording six Championship goals so far this season, including the decisive strike in the aforementioned 1-0 defeat of Middlesbrough in recent weeks.

Luke Murphy – another relatively young talent at the age of 25 – has turned in some inspired performances since the turn of the year and given he is no stranger to criticism since his big-money move to Leeds from Crewe Alexandra last season, the Englishman will no doubt be buoyed by the fact he has started all 11 of United’s last Championship fixtures, scoring three goals in the process.

Luke Murphy’s goal vs Bournemouth – by Leeds United Nation

Bower bemoans Guiseley inconsistencies

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Guiseley AFC boss Mark Bower has admitted his side were “sucked in” by Bradford Park Avenue during Tuesday evening’s 2-1 defeat at Nethermoor.

The Lions arrived at the fixture on the back of some inconsistent form over the last six fixtures, having won three and lost three of those games. There was cause for momentum for the home side however after recording a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Boston United in their previous fixture, which was also staged at Nethermoor.

That result proved enough to spark a positive reaction within the Lions camp as they were quick out of the blocks against a relatively lackluster Bradford Park Avenue and the positive start to the game handed the home side the advantage after just ten minutes. Danny Boshell was bundled over inside the Park Avenue penalty area giving the referee little option but to point to the spot, with brother Nicky Boshell comfortably converting the resultant spot-kick by sending goalkeeper John Danby the wrong way.

Nicky Boshell converts a 10th minute against Bradford PA

The deficit proved enough to stir the away side though as Guiseley failed to capitalize on the momentum and former Guiseley defender Simon Ainge headed home on forty minutes to give Park Avenue a much deserved equalizer, following a corner kick on the right hand side.

Guiseley AFC attacker Liam Dickinson chases down a loose pass
Guiseley AFC attacker Liam Dickinson chases down a loose pass

After a cagey second half affair it appeared that both sides had settled for a point, but with just one minute of normal time remaining on the clock, Richard Marshall converted from another Park Avenue corner kick to hand the visitors all three points with little time for Guiseley to respond.

The result leaves the Lions fifth in the league and five points away from Tamworth in fourth position. Guiseley do however have three games in hand on their promotion rivals as the Conference North promotion race heats up, but the result did not stop boss Bower bemoaning his side’s performance.

“No,” said Bower, when asked if he believed there were any positives to take from the performance. “After 20 minutes we were pretty poor really. We got sucked in to them, stopped playing too much in front of them and they sat really deep and made it difficult for us to break them down. Ultimately, it’s a couple of set pieces that we’ve conceded and that’s lost us the game, but after 20 minutes we didn’t play well.”

Bower also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Steven Drench who was awarded the Man of the Match award after making several impressive saves throughout the game.

“Yeah he made some good saves for us certainly,” said Bower. “More than you would like your goalkeeper to do in a home game and yeah, he made some good saves.”

You can hear the full interview with Mark Bower below, as the Lions boss also discusses the referee’s display and his thoughts on how the side can respond before their next fixture.

Bower pleased with “professional performance”

twardman7 Guiseley, Guiseley AFC , , , , ,

Guiseley manager Mark Bower was full of praise for his side’s efforts in the aftermath of the Lions’ 3-1 victory over fellow Conference North promotion-candidates AFC Fylde on Tuesday evening.

AFC Fylde players surround the referee after a first-half penalty is awarded.
AFC Fylde players surround the referee after a first-half penalty is awarded.

The Lions began a stretch of four consecutive home games with the visit of Fylde to Nethermoor in the knowledge that defeat would leave them 16 points shy of their promotion rivals and 17 adrift of Barrow, who currently lead the division. A cagey opening thirty minutes ensued before the deadlock was finally broken by the home side when Gavin Rothery converted a 34th minute penalty after Danny Hall – who made his long-awaited return from injury – was bundled over in the box.

Guiseley didn’t let off however and a calamitous own-goal from Fylde midfielder Joe Booth sent the home side into a two-goal advantage, before striker Adam Boyes wrapped up the goals for Guiseley from close range on 64 minutes, following a parried attempt from Wayne Brooksby.

Above: Gavin Rothery converts a first half penalty to give Guiseley a 1-0 lead against AFC Fylde

Fylde did earn themselves a 74th minute consolation goal, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit and Bower was quick to highlight the professionalism of his players as a key factor in the victory once the final whistle was blown. “It was a good strong professional performance,” said Bower in the aftermath of the win. “We defended very well when we had to and restricted them to very little and a little bit of luck, possibly, with one or two of our goals but we deserved that. So yeah, we are really pleased it (the result).”

New signing Liam Dickinson featured prominently throughout the game and Bower believes the 29-year-old’s presence in the final third will pay dividends for the Lions as the race for promotion begins to heat up. “He’s an experienced player and he’s played at a high level,” said Bower of the former Stalybridge Celtic and Stockport County front-man. “He’s a big presence for us up front and he caused them (AFC Fylde) problems. Adam Boyes coming back into the side as well after his suspension, playing off him I thought the two linked up really well and did a good job defensively for us as well. So yeah it’s been a good start for Dicko (Dickinson) and hopefully a lot more to come,” Bower added.

The Lions next face Hednesford Town at Nethermoor, in the Vanarama Conference North, before hosting Boston united and later Bradford Park Avenue to round off a period of four consecutive home games for the club.

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Some shots of the on-field action

Tuesday’s victory over AFC Fylde saw Guiseley leapfrog their aforementioned next visitors, Hednesford Town, into fourth place in the division, adding extra spice to the oncoming fixture. You can listen to what Mark Bower had to say on the performance and the fixtures to come for the Lions here:

Parker pleased with powerful performance

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Guiseley defender Ben Parker has revealed his delight at the side’s start to 2015, which began with an emphatic 4-2 defeat of local rival’s Harrogate Town at Nethermoor on Thursday.

The home side dominated proceedings throughout the first half, with goals from Jake Lawlor and Oli Johnson sending them into half-time with a two goal advantage. The Lions soon added to their lead when Nicky Boshell headed home soon after the restart, before Gavin Rothery rounded off Guiseley’s scoring following some impressive play on the right hand side between Boshell and Alex Johnson.

The Lions in action against Harrogate Town. 01/01/2015
The Lions in action against Harrogate Town. 01/01/2015

The Lions did however concede two late goals as Harrogate attempted to mount a late comeback and while Parker commended the visitor’s for their attitude despite trailing by such a margin, the defender couldn’t help feeling disappointed in his side’s inability to finish the game with a clean sheet.

“For 65-70 minutes of the game we totally bossed it in terms of pressing and creating chances,” said Parker, when asked of the performance.

“When you go 4-0 up the thing that you want, especially in defence is to get that clean sheet. But to be fair to Harrogate they threw a few men forward, created a few chances and fair play, they kept on going until the end. But we were disappointed not being able to keep that clean sheet.”

Parker was however quick to praise the Lions’ attacking intent in the first of their three games without suspended srtiker Adam Boyes. Boyes has found the target on twelve occasions this season, but chances came thick and fast for the hosts and they rarely showed signs of discomfort without their leading goalscorer.

“Yeah, definitely,” Parker responded, when asked if they coped well in Boyes’ absence. “But I was more impressed with our application to the game. We knew what to expect from Harrogate, they came into the game on a decent run of results so we knew it was going to be a hard game. But we also knew if we applied ourselves and focused on our positives that we would be too much for them and that proved the case.

“So four goals today and it could have been a lot more given the chances we did miss, so that was a pleasing effort from us today,” Parker added.

Half-time at Nethermoor
Half-time at Nethermoor

The former Leeds United defender went on to discuss Guiseley’s fixtures over the month of January, their tricky away tests against Worcester and Tamworth and the fixture with league leaders, AFC Fylde (which follows the Lions’ next home fixture, against Bradford Park Avenue), on January 20th, that could prove pivotal in the race for the Conference North title.

You can hear the full interview below.