Match reports 2007/2008
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Whing returns to haunt former boss
Andrew Whing watched Albion's gutsy goalless draw at Nottingham Forest a week ago from the stands as he completed a two-match ban.
His old manager must wish Whing had been sitting with the away fans again at Elland Road.
The former Coventry right-back's early clearance off his own line not only saved a goal, it also saved the Seagulls from almost certain defeat.
We will never know whether Dougie Freedman's shot would have led to victory for Leeds but it is a fair bet that would have been the case, because it would have blown apart Albion's game plan.
The aim, just like at Forest, was to keep things tight at the start of the match. Michel Kuipers kept the plan intact at the City Ground when he foiled Kris Commons, this time it was Whing.
Freedman's 14th-minute shot on the turn from a cross by captain Rui Marques had beaten Kuipers and was on its way into the net when Whing, restored to the side in place of Gary Hart, volleyed off the line with a left-footed scissors kick.
It was no way to treat the Leeds manager, Gary McAllister, who Whing holds in such high regard.
"He gave me my debut when I was at Coventry," Whing explained. "He played me regularly when I was there, so I look up to him as a great manager and a great person for giving me that chance.
"He didn't really speak to me after the game but I remember him shouting at me because I was taking my time with a throw-in. That didn't bother me. I got so many kicks I feel like an old man but I'll be fine."
Whing's rescue act typified another doggedly determined team display, all the more commendable at the end of an exhausting month.
This was Albion's ninth match in 29 days, many of them arduous journeys against tough opposition. To emerge with four wins, three draws and only two defeats, thereby achieving the 15-point target set by the players and staff, has been a Herculean effort.
Dean Wilkins can be hard to please. The Albion boss, to the surprise of a fellow scribe who wondered if he had seen a better goal-line clearance this season, described Whing's acrobatics as "run-of-the-mill".
He played down Kuipers' heroics in the East Midlands in similar fashion five days earlier.
It was also a little odd that Wilkins, after complaining about several offside decisions that went against his team, did not share everybody else's enthusiasm with the result.
"Because we have been growing and everyone has been starting to settle since the change around at the start of the year, I feel as though we can win every game," he said. "I really believe that.
"Everyone was saying great point, well done' when we came off the pitch at the end and I actually felt slightly disappointed.
"We had to dig in during periods of the game. I didn't feel we were under great pressure in open play but they had a number of corners which I thought we could have avoided giving away and which are always going to be a threat against us, because we are not the biggest and we're not the most physical."
Wilkins did manage to muster some well-deserved praise as well. "To come to Leeds and not really get torn apart speaks volumes for our organisation and effort to keep a clean sheet," he said.
"I wouldn't want to single anybody out. When we stuck to our plan we looked a good side and when we didn't there were times when we were scrambling a wee bit defensively.
"But they didn't really get around the back of us and we didn't have to produce any really desperate defending apart from the one Andy cleared off the line."
Leeds had more possession and territorial control than Forest without working Kuipers nearly so much, which is testimony to how well he was protected.
The flying Dutchman only had to make one really serious save, from a swerving shot from outside the box by Jonny Howson early in the second half.
A goalless stalemate was unexpected, considering the strikers on show. The nature of the contest meant Nicky Forster, industrious as ever, and Glenn Murray, had few opportunities to flourish.
They combined in the second half for Albion's only real chance, Murray heading down for Forster to fire wide of the near post when well-placed.
The Leeds front pair will feel they both should have scored. Freedman, apart from Whing denying him, slotted just wide from a Bradley Johnson cross and dithered when a mistake by the otherwise accomplished Joel Lynch let him through.
Lynch's partner, Tommy Elphick, was also impressive again. They restricted Jermaine Beckford to peripheral involvement, although he should have done better with 19 minutes left when, found in space for once inside the area by Darren Kenton's run and pass, he side-footed over the bar.
Albion looked the likelier winners on the break after that, once McAllister had boldly introduced Tresor Kandol as a third striker.
Wilkins' midfield diamond, with Charlton's on-loan Frenchman Therry Racon oustanding in front of the back four, promises a healthy haul of points from the remaining away games at play-off rivals Southend, Luton and Bristol Rovers.
Racon should have more opportunities to roam forward as well in the rest of the programme at Withdean against Port Vale, Hartlepool and Swindon.
The fly in the ointment is the attempt by Leeds to claw back five of the 15 points they were deducted for an administration misdemeanour, which is due to be heard by an independent arbitration tribunal in mid-April.
Cue bedlam if, as seems increasingly plausible, they are successful.
Who have been your heroes in Albion's recent good run?
9:16pm Sunday 30th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: marc, worthing on 11:35pm Sun 30 Mar 08
the supporters who GO and cheer on the team.
the supporters who GO and cheer on the team.
Posted by: Rich, Hove on 6:26pm Mon 31 Mar 08
In recent games Kerry Mayo and to a slightly lesser extent Gary Hart.
Well done to every one that has played during the last month - they've all played their part.
In recent games Kerry Mayo and to a slightly lesser extent Gary Hart.
Well done to every one that has played during the last month - they've all played their part.
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