The returning Chief sees rampant Leeds blitz Birmingham

The tempting aroma of traditional Sunday roasts assaulted my senses as we set off for yet another trek to the Theatre of Hope. The Happy Chocker was on board as I set the virtual sat nav to LS11 0ES and put the car on auto pilot for the short trip to Leeds. Lee Clark’s Birmingham City were today’s visitors with the ex Huddersfield boss’s cheery personality being severely tested with his team’s recent away form.

It’s that bad it’s even worse than ours having lost on their last four league road trips. The fact that a certain Mr Zigic plies his trade for the Blues was enough to send a cold chill of reality through the pre match discussions though. He always scores at least once against us. Add that to the fact that the West Midlands side were seeking their 6th consecutive league victory against the once mighty whites and there wasn’t a great deal of optimism filling the car as we entered Elland Road.

With recent disappointing results all too raw in the memory Brian McD’s selection for today’s game was always going to be difficult. Diouf was on compassionate leave but would Byram get a start? What about Murphy and Wootton and would today be the day Hunt scored?

We waited with baited breath for the team sheet to be announced.  When it was there were veritable gasps of surprise from the faithful home fans in a crowd of 21,000.  Three centre backs and two wing backs were clearly on the team sheet. Brian McD had bravely gone for broke with his selection bringing Wootton, Smith, Murphy and Byram back into the starting line up to facilitate a 3-5-2 formation. Wow! This should be interesting. I hurriedly placed an outrageous wager on a 4.1 victory for the mighty whites and scuttled to my seat.

Before the game the Chief, Lucas Radebe, was introduced to a misty eyed crowd who gave him a standing ovation. “Hope he’s brought his boots” I suggested to HC. Bright sunshine smiled down on Elland Road as the game got under way. Lees, Pearce and Wootton formed the back three and immediately settled into their new roles as if they’d played that system all their life and with Murphy and Mowatt settling deep in front of them allowing Austin to motor on forward as Leeds opened brightly. Warnock and Byram were soon hurtling up and down the flanks giving Ross Mac and Smith plenty of ammunition to pepper a very hesitant Blues back line. This was a very unusual start for Leeds as they took up the early dominance.

Ross Mac benefited from an awful mistake by the Birmingham centre half and found himself one on one with Randolph in the Blue’s goal but planted his shot straight at him.  Next Pearce was on the end of a teasing cross which he should have buried from 6 yards quickly followed by another save from Randolph as Ross Mac broke free from his lumbering marker. All this and the game was only ten minutes old. Shots were raining in on the visitor’s goal as Leeds dismissed their recent poor form to the dustbin with some lovely football.  What a difference from the woeful showings at Derby and Millwall.

Leeds’ pressure finally told after 18 minutes when Ross Mac coolly converted a chance after some comic defending from the Brum defence and goalkeeper Randolph who was left literally hopping mad as the Scot swept the ball into the empty net. 1.0 Leeds and credit to Ross Mac for keeping going after missing two glorious chances earlier in the match. The goal inspired Leeds who were gaining a real stranglehold on the game.

Murphy and Mowatt were dominating in midfield with Austin revelling in the freedom his more advanced position gave him.  At the back the 3 centre backs were snapping at the heels of any attacker who came near them whilst Byram and Warnock were making intelligent runs down the flanks. Paddy Kenny was a virtual spectator as Leeds put the Blues to the sword. Lee Clark cut a very lonely figure in the technical area as his demonic gesticulations had no affect on his team.