All the talk before the game was about what Simon would do with the formation. Revert to the currently more successful 4-2-3-1 or return to the 4-4-2 which was victorious last time out while also giving a clean sheet. It was expected that he'd go back to the 4-5-1 given Somma's international involvement in South Africa, and that's just what Grayson did - it continues to be a formation that keeps Leeds pulses racing, especially with the form of the deadly Gradel and Snodgrass.
All the talk after the game was about Snodgrass. Quite rightly, as he made a third performance in a week that made the players dealing with his threat seem rather silly. Snoddy carried his impressive 30 minute performance from Wednesday's Scotland international into Ashton Gate and Jamie McAllister must have been dreading the prospect of facing him. His goal was taken with such poise that comparisons were drawn to Eddie Gray's audacious goal against Burnley all those years ago - such was its class. Poise, confidence, technique, composure and it made those defending it look bamboozled as he passed it into the back of the net. This comparison was by no means anyone getting ahead of themselves - at this level and in this form, Snodgrass is showing such talent that people are beginning to believe he can go on to greatness at a higher level, and hopefully that is by taking Leeds with him.
The performance was good, another one similar to the Coventry performance. Looking back at Cov. with the Bristol performance in mind pleases me immensely, as with the 4-4-2 that day we managed a similar level of solidity and created a similar amount - both have to be pleasing for Leeds fans, as we could have two very good options regarding our setup, if I'm not speaking a little prematurely about the success of the 4-4-2.
It was by no means a clear cut Leeds domination though. Bristol had several clear cut chances, and in one instance managed to ping the post and crossbar in succession, after smashing a shot directly at Schmeichel, who was scrabbling around on the floor after an attempted save.
The game
Onto the match itself then. We saw Kilkenny returning to his deep lying central midfield role in place of Davide Somma - who was rested to the bench after international duty. Paul Connolly suffered an injury last week against Coventry and his replacement, who joined on loan for a month this week was Eric Lichaj. Becchio was thus allowed to return to his favoured role, and most profitable in terms of goals scored.
The game started in a bitty and broken up way and for the majority of the 90, this described the game well. A half chance for Kilkenny who shot from 25 yards and a good headed opportunity for Keogh who evaded the marking but also the goal, heading it wide when he should have done better. He said pre-match he had nothing to prove to us, which is true really. He wasn't doing anything to prove we were wrong in letting him go, though.
It was Snoddy who saw the best of our attacking play during the first quarter of an hour. Running at McAllister proved an easy task, as he was allowed to provide a ball into the box, albeit too long for Becchio or Gradel to sweep up. Eric Lichaj also performed well in the opening few minutes. He proved solid and no nonsense at the back and had a fair amount of pace. A ball through to Snodgrass for that cross showed an early understanding with the Scot which could be crucial during Connolly's absence - we all know how effective Connolly is when linking up with Snodgrass.
The goal on seventeen minutes was nothing short of magic from Snodgrass. Gradel provided the incisive ball from a central position to Snoddy who was around the penalty spot. Robert managed to juggle the ball from left to right foot to go round one, before stopping on his left, right side to goal. He then dragged the ball back with the sole of his left foot to fool another and simply passed the ball past David James into the bottom corner. It was the least he deserved this week, after three fantastic performances. This is the quality Leeds possess just now, the ability of one individual to do something that puts us ahead - in what was a game without any flow. Minutes later, Snoddy had a drive from distance parried round by James who couldn't hold it.
The game continued in its mainly uninteresting way for the remainder of the first half, with Bristol having the only other notable chance when Elliott put a shot into the side netting from six yards having turned full circle to get the strike away. The Leeds defence had thus far proved solid, with Bruce and debutant Lichaj impressing in particular.
Bristol's main spell of pressure at the end of the first half was thankfully due to long ball play, this is what Leeds fans would prefer to see coming at us, rather than anyone running at our defence directly. This was also a testament to the way in which we managed to contain their attacks with our midfield numbers and solid defending.
Bristol came out in the second half the better of the two sides and a shot into the side netting where perhaps they should have done better was a bit of a let off for Leeds - who then went on to make it 2-0 on 50 minutes. Snoddy was allowed to stroll in from the flank with no real resistance and drilled a shot at James, where he may have been better placed to pull the ball back. The loose ball fell to Gradel with three men and David James in his way of the near post. Some quick feet and a snapshot on the turn put the ball round the defenders and laughably through James' legs - who received the taunts of the Leeds fans. "David James is F****** Shit"...
Snoddy was again instrumental in fashioning another opening. He ran body open, teasing McAllister as to which way he'd go, he wrapped his left around the ball and ran outside of the defender - looping a cross over with his right - which was met by Bradley Johnson's head - it was a little high though for Johnson to meet effectively, and the ball skewed narrowly over the bar.
Gradel had a great chance when released through on goal by Howson but unusually for him in current form, he managed to lift the ball over the bar.
Following this, Bristol had a large spell of pressure that Leeds needed to deal with, and thankfully went into with a two goal advantage. This was in no small part due to Leeds failing to get the ball out to Snodgrass anything like as often as we'd managed earlier. This does happen in games, inexplicably. Even though we know how much of a threat Snoddy is, for extended periods in some games we fail to just play it out to him and let him do his thing. This could have been tactical, if we'd decided with about 20 minutes remaining to hold back a little in a bid to ensure the three points. I don't think this was the case however, as we brought Somma and McCormack on later in the game - surely if the tactical decision was made to hold back then we'd have brought a defender or midfielder on? This sporadic inability to play to our strengths in games really does frustrate sometimes.
Schmeichel was called into action to produce game saving stops on a couple of occasions. The best was a second save in a few minutes as he reeled out the Schmeichel star jump to deny Bristol from a matter of yards - what a stop - again he provides an important and vital contribution at an important moment. The next piece of Bristol attacking play left everyone wondering how the ball hadn't been hit home. The ball looped over Schmeichel onto the far post in the first portion of this scramble, then the ball was smashed against the prone Schmeichel who'd just dived and finally the rebound fell to Marvin Elliott who hammered the ball against the underside of the bar from the penalty spot. We breathed a collective sigh of relief as the ball was whelked upfield.
Bristol's introduction of Albert Adomah on the right wing and Nicky Maynard's first appearance of the season lifted both the Bristol players and their fans inside Ashton Gate. Much of the attacking came down their right flank directly at McCartney - Adomah was highly effective at getting the better of George and it was left to Bruce to be an unsung hero at the back by providing several trademark flying blocks to prevent the ball getting into the danger area. It would have been better to see Leeds cutting out the crosses at source rather than give them any chance to be a danger.
O'Brien, Bruce and Schmeichel provided key contributions at the back with blocks, headers and Kasper rushing out at the feet of defenders when necessary - it's pleasing to see the key three in the defence working in harmony at last. Despite the desperate nature of our defending, it seemed to do the trick, with perhaps a little luck. On the whole though we did deserve to come out winners, although again it wasn't as clear cut as some sources made out and as the chances, possession and corners showed. We just had more talent available to convert where necessary.
The players
The defensive unit again proved solid. This time with five midfielders in front of it. It was by no means all conquering though. McCartney seemed to be the player that was singled out by Bristol, perhaps due to the introduction of Adomah late on - his direct running and bits of trickery seemed to cause problems for our left back, who ended up allowing several balls into the box. Thankfully though, Bruce at left centre back provided the tonic for McCartney's problems with Adomah - with key blocks and headers preventing the development of further danger. McCartney provided his usual presence upfield linking up with Gradel well though.
Lichaj impressed in his debut. There will be bigger tests of him to come, as Bristol didn't offer an awful lot going forward on his flank, but he proved capable and proved some doubters wrong. He looks so far a good step in for Connolly - with perhaps even the ability to challenge the place of probably this season's most convincing defender for us. He has good pace and is pleasingly no nonsense, with the ability to link up nicely with Snoddy as he showed in his first Leeds outing. The understanding between the two can only improve with time and its vital he fulfills this role as Connolly excels in support of Snodgrass.
The relationship between Bruce, O'Brien and Schmeichel was pleasing. Consistency has allowed this solidity - and even when defending desperately, they kept cool and proved resilient in the end. Schmeichel provided one or two key saves, as he always does, but he is worrying me with his reluctancy to come and claim. His punches tend to be good, but there are times when they fail to convince with distance or accuracy - and can cause us issues. Bruce at times failed to head clear, and on a couple of occasions the distance on his header clear was about five metres, again, causing issues on a couple of occasions.
In midfield, it was another assured performance from Howson, the creative force behind a Gradel run on goal and will flourish in his return to the in the hole role. Johnson was again at home, doing everything required an also being allowed to bomb on by the presence of Kilkenny deeper, and nearly profited with a header. Neil Kilkenny's return will no doubt be of reassurance to many and he did nothing wrong worth speaking of. He passed well and incisively and used his brain to dictate play on occasions. No one could have substantiated complaints at any of the midfield three.
It was the wingers that again proved key to our win - this time, both of them got on the score sheet. They must be at this moment the two most effective wingers in the division. They're creative - providing a host of chances for us per game, and also deadly - Snoddy has taken his tally to seven whilst Gradel has scored ten. Defenders simply can't cope with them. Its a joy to watch. In 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 they seem equally effective and its a long time since we've had proper wingers at the club. Even 10 years ago, we'd use Gary Kelly out wide, Bowyer as well and other makeshift wide men. Not out and out wingers. Particularly since our fall out of the Premier League I can't remember one effective winger. The nearest to a good one was Eddie Lewis who was acceptably good but could produce nothing like our current crop can. Gradel and Snoddy always make you think they are going to produce when they have the ball at their feet. Sam and Watt are a cut above too, most teams would kill to have such backup on the bench.
Luciano did OK. He held the ball up well, challenged in the air, but was lacking in efforts on goal - mainly due to a lack of service directly to him. Most of the time we attacked out wide with the intention of beating men and running into the box, so Luciano wasn't as "required" as an outlet as he usually is. His game suits this formation though, and he's a key component to it working. Davide came on for him and did OK as well, although miraculously not scoring!
Grayson
"Bristol City had some chances and we had to make some last-ditch challenges so it was great credit to the lads that they kept a clean sheet."
"A lot of clubs still fancy their chances of automatic promotion in the Championship."
"We don't look at other results too closely, but will go on doing our jobs and see where that takes us."
On Snoddy
"It has been a huge week for Robert, with his first game for Scotland and now this excellent performance."
"He is a lad who deserves everything that comes his way because he works so hard at his game."
"In the 92nd minute today he was still closing down Bristol City's full-back and playing his part for the team.
"Max Gradel is a similar type of player on our other wing and he also took his goal well and played a major role in our victory."
The Support
Our support were wrongly attributed to police intervention during the game, which was in fact to take about four Bristol City fans our of the ground, on their side of the segregation. Other than that, there were a lot of Leeds fans in their sections sparking off chants of "town full of Leeds fans" which brought a laugh.
Man of the Match
It has to be Snodgrass. He was unbelievable, and our key threat - and the goal was just magic.
The promotion race is unquestionably wide open. The top six have all played the same amount of games, bar Forest who have one in hand. I was fully expecting Forest to beat Scunthorpe in midweek and go a point clear in second. Scunny managed the impossible though and ended Forest's twelve game unbeaten league record with a vital win. 2nd-6th position in the division is a span of merely 3 points, with QPR seemingly running away with it, 5 points clear at the top. Its tight, and we need to keep getting results. Leicester are waiting ominously in the wings should anyone in the Play-Off positions take their eye off the ball.
