Themes From The Black Hole

 

Reds 1 Whites 1, Whites 0 Latics 2, Rams 2 Whites 0

A point is decidedly better than being impaled on a red-hot poker and the festive period began with one (a point that is) at the City Ground. The merits and finer details of an evening by the Trent differed depending on tribal affliction but left many unhappy.

Forest fans steamed when recounting the controversial moments that scuppered their want while many of our number voiced dismay at the continuing frailty. This considered Leeds fan respected a battling display that stemmed the tide of misery but recognised that our improvement must be swift and merciless.

Such an improvement didn’t manifest itself on Boxing Day. Far from it.  During pre match interviews some players seemed oblivious to many fans fears and dismissed talk of another impending relegation battle but another destitute display will have served to sharpen their senses.

A painfully average Wigan side arrived in the Ridings with little going for them but departed clutching Yuletide spoils that had been conceded without much of a whimper. Coach Redfearn can’t do much about the debilitating defensive errors that pepper our existence but so much of this experience was found wanting.

The lustre of those earlier months seems a distant memory and things are beginning to unravel somewhat. Redders’ decision to replace crowd favourite Billy Sharp left the striker vexed and many of us dismayed, a mood not helped by the sight of fellow forwards Morison and Doukara suffocating in ineffectuality.

By the time Neil Redfrearn’s rudderless relegation charabanc trundled into Derby, the mood was one of desolation. Most supporters feared another bleak affair and our latest collection of calamitous clowns did not disappoint. The performance was one of such ineptitude that it is said the high-flying Rams were embarrassed by the ease of a victory played out to the cackling of their gleeful followers.

This latest aberration had many commentators claiming it was the worst Leeds team they had ever seen and not becoming of a fan base and club of such esteem. A record of just twelve victories throughout 2014 suggests a deep-seated malaise but Massimo Cellino, Nicola Salerno and Neil Redfearn must take their share of the blame.

Don Massimo’s desire to drive a recruitment process based largely on the continental game is drowning in the futility of players like Bianchi and Doukara, while coach Redfearn’s inability to muster anything from his players points to a man severely out of his depth. This is not a relegation battle my friends, there isn’t enough fight to call it that.