Decent performance against an in form Reading side but we should really have beaten them. Some of the chances we created really deserved a goal and the Reading keeper kept them in it. Johnson should have scored when he hit the bar and Watt had a great chance at the end but the kid is all left foot and snatched at it when he had more time than he realised.
I dont like Billy Paynter up front, he never looks a threat when he does play and struggles holding the ball up for us. I dont think he looks the fittest either and maybe needs to work on that. Why o why Somma is stuck behind him when it comes to Becchio being out is beyond me, he should have stayed in the team earlier in the season when he was scoring instead of being left out everytime he scored, that must surely knock your confidence and then to see Paynter get in ahead of you must be so annoying.
What is wrong with Lloyd Sam? He looked like he was gonna be a good player for us at the start of the season but Gradel and Snodgrass have kept him out of the team and now he doesn't even make the bench with Watt picked ahead of him. I personally dont rate Watt too much and think Lloyd Sam should be in the squad ahead of him everytime, Watt is only on loan and wont be here next season whereas Sam will so give him games.
Next season we need to sort the defence and midfield out. Conceding goals is our main problem and needs addressing in the summer. The full backs have been problem areas all season, more so at left back. McCartney will be going back so we've only got Parker who isn't great anyway and has had his injuries over the past few years. Naylor and Kisnorbo are both OOC and i dont think any of them will be offered new deals unless Paddy can prove his fitness. That leaves O'Brien, Bruce and Bromby as the only centre backs available and we will need at least 1 quality centre back will need to be signed.
In midfield Johnson and Kilkenny are both OOC and will leave IMO, i dont think Kilkenny is up to much at this level and we have Howson in the team so desperately need a ball winner to play in there. All the loan signings will go back and midfield is an area we'll be light in if Johnson and Kilkenny do leave so maybe a couple of solid midfielders will need to be brought in. Hopefully we can keep hold of Gradel and Snodgrass but i'm not sure we will be able to, if a PL team comes knocking both will want to go and test themselves at that level aswell as getting more money and nobody can blame them for it plus if the right money is offered Leeds will sell straight away and bank the money. The strikers we've got are good enough, Becchio has signed a new deal, Somma has really come on this year and proven he can score goals at this level and will only improve. McCormack hasn't really had a chance this year but has proven himself at this level, just needs games but might leave IMO if an offer comes his way and Paytner is okay for the bench, has struggled this year but hasn't played much and has been injured, similar to McCormack. If one of them leaves we wont miss them, especially with us only playing one up front.
Dont think we'll make the play offs now, we've hit some poor form just at the wrong time. But whatever happens it's been a great first season back in the league for us. They've done themselves and the club proud, they've been the most entertaining side in the league with the goals scored in games and will have learned an awful lot as alot of these players haven't played much at this level before. A few quality signings and keep the players we've got and we'll be up there again next season. Just hope Bates doesn't ca$h in on our best players and then get Larry to bring freebies and loan signings in.
