I first made contact with Thomas Hill a couple of seasons ago talking about blogging. We have produced posts for each other in the past and recently you may have seen my contribution in the Leeds Utd match programme both league and cup games. Thomas pulls all of that together.
Anyway, I asked Tom to answer the questions he sent to me, from a Leeds Utd perspective. Hope you find his answers interesting.
How have you been playing recently?
We haven’t been playing is the answer, we’ve turned up on the coach and what not and then warmed up and then that is it.
Against Barnsley we didn’t have a single shot on target or a corner, against bottom of the league. No matter who was on the pitch or in the dugout – it’s just not good enough.
We’ve just stopped playing football (readers will blame Warnock) and seem to have no shape or desire.
Which of your players do we need to look out for and why?
Well Ross Barkley has just joined on loan so he can produce. He was the only man in our starting eleven that looked like he was going to do any damage against Barnsley.
Becchio can produce but was awful on Saturday and Warnock mentioned his mind not being in the game. With it being a replay and a game on Saturday we might see Ross McCormack and Paul Green start (they should be starting every week). Ross will cause anyone problems and he’s so creative.
What system will you be playing for the game?
I’m not lying when I say this could be anyone’s guess. The past 2/3 weeks our shape has disappeared. We went with 4-3-1-2 on Saturday and it didn’t work so I wish I could give you some insight but I’d only be telling a few porkies.
What can we expect from the traveling fans?
Well, no matter what anyone says we always take a fair share of fans. At the moment the fans are disgruntled and unsure of the future. We have new owners who are struggling to get some new players in and a manager under severe pressure from the fans – despite being 2/3 wins away from the play-offs.
So expect some noise if we have a go – expect plenty of boos if we keep playing the way we are.
Favourite fixture between Blues and yourselves?
Considering my relatively young age and the fact we’ve only beaten you twice in around ten years this isn’t too hard to answer. It’s got to be the 2-0 win on New Year’s day from 2003. Baake and Viduka were the scorers on the day and it’s nice to think what a powerful team we had in those days.
Since then you’ve had a field day.
If you could sign any Blues player who would it be?
Chris Burke would be in my car tomorrow and on the way to Leeds, brilliant little winger. Marlon King was dire for us in his first spell but I’d like to think he could show his maturity and finishing ability in his older age.
What do you think our strengths and weaknesses are?
Your consistency is a real issue – from the outside looking in that is. I can’t remember the last time you went on a run and seemed to climb the table.
I think Clark can do a job he’s passionate and stands by his players so I think if he’s given time he could get you firing again.
On the other hand your squad is far too good to be where it is. Some of the players you have at your disposal are a dream to some clubs so you have that on your side – when they show it anyway.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I’m not being miserable here – I’m a positive person but I can’t think of many positives at the moment. We do have the odd player who on their day can dominate the opposition.
Our weaknesses are building up despite our position in the league. There’s no real thought behind our play, we’re getting out run in midfield and still conceding too many goals.
It’s hard to judge because the same group of players went on a good run before Christmas and have since then appeared to be disillusioned with life at the club.
3 to get promoted, 3 to go down?
Up: Cardiff, Leicester, Watford.
Down: Bristol City, Peterborough and Barnsley.
First goalscorer today if any?
Zigic/ King depending on who plays.
Prediction for the match?
2-0 to you guys.
Thanks again Tom.
I expect us to beat Leeds now.
This over-expectation of mine is not good for the soul.
Birmingham will walk this one because Leeds have no motivation to fight any more. Just a bunch of average players and a below average manager. Every time we come up against Blues w are never in it. Comfortable 5-0 win for Blues and Warnock hanging by a thread to his job!
Fair bloke, Tom. Met some Leeds fans before their away match at Hull a few weeks ago, and they were downbeat, but in the end realistic. The way things are, the only way we’ll lose is if we’re more depressed than them!