retired_sfa97

Chapter 7

It's becoming tiring now. Everytime we find a player, someone else comes in and steals them away. Vilakazi joins Betis for £140k, disappointing but not entirely unexpected. I've heard nothing from the other offers we've made, but with the transfer window closing quickly we need to make some serious moves. We have made a loan offer for Aston Villa star Steven Davis but i don't know if it will yield much success, but i have been wrong before...like when i said Leeds would win the champions league (not a f**kin word). Anyway moving on and people still doubted us, again long odd's to beat Watford and David Batty being the man he is pretty much slated everyone for doubting him and his team even after scoring 18 times in 5 games, winning 4 of them. He stated his confidence in the team and said Leeds would have the last laugh when all is said and done, i hope so, 3000-1 for the championship...thats like..£30,000 quid. I could buy my own box at Elland Road...come on lads, daddy needs a new directors box!

Leeds 2-1 Watford: Our toughest game yet. Strange line up, but injuries have forced Batty's hand i suppose, 16 year old Oliver Hotchkiss made his debut in the centre. Watford had us pinned down for most of the first half, Sulivan was like a man posessed, save after save and really showing the excellent form that has made him Man of the match for our last 3 games. We came into the game alot more towards the end of the first half, Warner and Horsefield both forcing saves. The gaffer made some changes, Douglas coming on for Hotchkiss who's taken a knock (he looked very good, sharp and inventive, had a great battle with Spring in the centre, one to watch!) started the 2nd half alot better, pinning Watford back and in the 60th min we got what we wanted. Blakes fantastic corner found Horsefield at the back post who sent home a thunderous header and it got better 2 mins later. Brilliant link play between Horsefield and Warner released the young lad, he rounded Foster in the Watford goal, unlucky not to score as Foster got a massive hand to it but the ball spang into the path of Horsefield who tucked away his 11th of the season. We were looking like we'd cruise but a really crap clearance from Soley gifted the ball to Henderson who tucked home with 15mins left. It was very very frantic and even between the teams after that, the last few mins really showed why Sulivan is probaly the best in the league with 3 fantastic saves in the last minute alone. The whistle finally blew and we'd done it. Richardson and loanee Bernard came on also, but didn't see enough of the young lad to be impressed. Sulivan man of the match.

In other news though, the champions league draw was made with all 5 teams in there. Chelsea were drawn in group A with Real Madrid, Rangers and Monaco. Arsenal got drawn with PSV, Sporting and Shakhtar. Everton got Barcelona, Lille and Steaua. Man Utd ended up with Porto, Schalke and Rosenborg while Liverpool got Juventus, Benfica and Anderlect. Fun and games, really gonna be looking forward to that Chelsea v Real Madrid game.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 8

Ok, we've just got to the end of August so i'm gonna give you a quick run down of how things stand.

(played) (won) (drew) (lost) (for) (against) (points)

1. Crystal Palace (6) (5) (1) (0) (15) (6) 16pts
2. Leeds United (6) (5) (0) (1) (20) (6) 15pts
3. Reading (6) (4) (2) (0) (12) (3) 14pts
4. Southampton (6) (4) (1) (1) (12) (6) 13pts
5. Norwich City (6) (4) (1) (1) (7) (2) 13pts

And for the top scorers
1. Matt Warner / Leeds United / 10 goals
2. Geoff Horsefield / Leeds United / 9 Goals
3. Jon Macken / Crystal Palace / 6 goals
4. Dave Kitson / Reading / 6 goals
5. Andy Johnson / Crystal Palace / 5 goals

And there you have it. From where i'm standing our match against Crystal Palace could be a very interesting one as we're about even when ya tally everything up. But we got a while to wait, 11 days until our next match, a home game against Norwich City, another tough looking match but we'll have a new recruit for it in the shape of 17 year old defender Lewin Nyatanga who joined for £50k from Derby County, he can play in the centre of defence or on the left. Bids for Montgomery, Gaven, Gudjonsson and Marwene were abbondoned but the deal for Glenn Whelan still has some life in it. From what i've heard on planetfootball though, Kilgallon, Hulse, Einarsson and Lewis will all return from injury in time for the Norwich game and with no one leaving for International duty, hopefuly it will give some of the lads a rest for the long season ahead.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 9

We finally agreed a deal with Sheffield Wednesday to bring Whelan to us. It was an undisclosed fee but Stephen Crainey goes to other way in the deal which i wondered about but i'm sure there a plan in the head of David Batty. Also a bid was made to Sheffield's other club for 18 year old right sided utilty player Aaron Frey. The window is set to close at midnight tomorrow so, it's all going to be a bit rushed. Don't know how much the bid was but i'm sure good old Batesy can get us a bargain.

The end of the transfer window came and went, we didn't manage to sign Frey but we've got a good squad of young stars, maybe we can gain promotion on youth. Geoff Horsefield won player of the month, Eddie Lewis coming in second and Andy Johnson 3rd while Dan Harding got young player of the month (Despite being injured for quarter of it), Peter Leven got 2nd and Kevin Doyle of Reading snatched 3rd. David Batty came second in the manager of the month award behind Iain Dowie, Steve Coppell of Reading got 3rd. Unlucky for Batty but there's always next month and i'm sure he can win it, maybe Mark Javis can give me some odd's. Speaking of odd's, wonder what the odd's were for Wales v England. 1-1, Earnshaw opened for Wales 8 mins in but Gerrard equalised 10 mins into the second half. Not great for us, but could have been worse i suppose.

Hulse, Einarsson, Lewis and Kilgallon all resumed full training and is a massive boost, hopefuly they should be fit for our next game against Norwich which i've heard will be young Nyatanga's debut at left back. With Harding out for a good while yet and Crainey going to Sheff Wednesday, he's the only one who comes close really. England beat N. Ireland 2-1, Beckham and Defoe netting while Warren Feeney scored N. Irelands goal, a win but not an impressive one by any stretch of the imagination, god help us if we play a GOOD team thats all i can say. And with that, the international break is over and it's pretty much back to the saw mill and the slating of Leeds United. Horsefield misses out after picking up a bruised head in training (Bruised head? Back in my day....) so Hulse should make his first start of the season after returning from injury.

Leeds 0-0 Norwich: Nyatanga and Whelan made impressive debut's but it wasn't enough to get the win. It was a very even first half but we dominated in the second looking dangerous throughout, only let down were Warner and Hulse who couldn't convert their chances. Hulse looked a bit ring rusty but had a couple of good chances. We tried just about everything but Robert Green had a save for every occasion. Hard fought point for Norwich but i was pleased with the result as they had some chances to score which could have easily found their way in. We missed Horsefield in a big way as we lacked a big man up front to hold up the ball and make life difficult for the Norwich defenders. Gregan man of the match.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 10

Thanks to that draw we dropped a place to 3rd and Palace took out a 3 point lead at the top of the table. Next up is Sheffield Wednesday, i'm hoping to get to that match as it's away and should be a good one. Whelan could return to his old club, after his perfomance on saturday i wouldn't bet against him to start this match either.

Sheff Wed 3-1 Leeds: Leven started up front with Warner as Hulse declared himself unfit to start but otherwise it was the same squad that faced Norwich on saturday. I did make it to this match, though i wish i hadn't of bothered. Peacock opened the scoring with a good header in the second minute and they looked good for another until we caught em on the break. With the defence on it's way out Walton clipped the clearence first time into the path of Warner (hint of offside) who drew the keeper in and lobbed him from 18 yards to make it 1-1 on the 20 minute mark. After that we dominated until our inability to clear the ball punished us. A goal mouth scramble left Sulivan out of position and Whelan was beaten to the ball by Burton O'Brien to make it 2-1 Wednesday. We made a couple of changes. Leven came off as he was dire and Nyatanga also left the field, he looked a little out of his depth, maybe one for the future. It got worse for us 7 minutes into the second half as they pressued us over and over. Peacock latched onto a good through ball before Gregan hacked him down and conceded a penalty, straight red card which was harsh. McCormack netted the resulting penalty, 52mins gone, 3-1 down and a man down. As i said, may as well not have bothered. We had a few good breaks, Warner switching to right with Hulse as the lone front man. They both had chances but most of our time was spent defending and we didn't do it very well. Kilgallon held back Peacock (who had been the bain of our existance) and conceded another stupid penalty before pushing Brunt and getting booked. Brunt stepped up but Sulivan saved to save a few of our blushes. Final whistle blew and the Leeds fans trudged out, unhappy to say the least. Warner and Lewis were the only inventive ones, the rest looked crap. We gave away the ball way too cheaply and got punished for it, god help the boys in the changing room.

Things got worse after though as we found out Sulivan was out for at least a week, leaving us with no established goal keepers in reserve. It didn't look good at all, in fact it looks absolutly s**t. From what i heard Batty got on the blower to Rafa Benitez at Liverpool trying to strike up a loan deal for Scott Carson. Next up we face Leicester, the game is televised so the whole nation can see us get shown up thanks to our lack of goal keepers. Interesting one though as Matt Warner returns to his home town and could be lining up against his younger brother Chris who has so far been free scoring from the midfield this season and his best mate James Pamma in the City goal. I need a cig and some beer, it's gonna be a loooong season....

retired_sfa97

Chapter 11

The FA dismissed our appeal against Gregan's 1 match ban and he'll be missing for the Leicester game, Butler looking most likely to start with Soley at the heart of the Leeds defence with Kilgallon moving into the left back position. Carlos Bocanegra returned to full training but i doubt he'll be back in time for the Leicester game and Liverpool accepted our offer for Carson, hopefuly the lad will want to come home for a visit. The days passed and Carson look his time, ungreatful little tw*t. And as sunday came round it was a case of make do. Mark Wilberforce looked set to make his debut.

Leicester 3-0 Leeds: Wilberfoce did start and try as he might he was just out of his depth, Horsefield returned as did Bocanegra at left back. Chris is going to have the bragging rights in the Warner house for a while. 20 yard free kick found the top corner 2 mins in. We were being over run really, the whole team just didn't want to know and it wasn't making it easy on the young lad in goal. Hammond smashed home a brace and could have had more. Hume went off injured after Whelan dropped him with an elbow to the face...i feel his frustration. Oh did i mention that this is just the first half action? The second half we were alot better, we hussled Leicester for the entire half, only Rab Douglas kept us out, Warner and Horsefield proved a hand full and Leven also caused problems when he came off the subs bench. About half way through though, i was left thinking "Are we cursed?...does god hate us? or are the other 23 teams in this league plotting against the goal keepers of Leeds United?" Wilberforce was stretchered off, Butler came into replace him. We kept up the pressure for the rest of the match. Douglas stopped us possibly getting a point.

To rub our faces in it, Carson finally decides that he has no intention of coming back. He better not run into any Leeds fans cause they'll rip him apart. Just when the team who gave him his big break needed help, he turns his back. We have just 1 goalkeeper left, Jonathan Lund, 17 years old, hardly out a nappy's in football terms. We sit 6th in the league but it could get so much worse. Next up is Northampton at home, league cup tie so it doesn't matter too much and may buy us some time to sort out a short term replacement in goal. Bocanegra's return was a short one, twisted knee in training means he's out for at least 2 weeks, what the hell is in the water at Elland Road?

retired_sfa97

Chapter 12

So here we are. No goalkeepers, no natural left sided defenders and...were dropping like an anorexic womans dress size. We started so well but we have just 1 point from a possible 9 over our last 3 games. A win is needed badly to boost the confidence and get us back on track. Maybe we should send our players out in a full suit of armor each, maybe they won't get bloody injured then! No less than 4 loan offers were faxed out in search of a goal keeper, Kasper Schmeichel being one on the list. Hopefuly at least one will decide they want some first team football and high tail it down here. We'll have to wait and see, i doubt were going to get someone in before the Northampton game, but prove me wrong guys...prove me wrong.

Ok, so i was right but i wish i wasn't.

Leeds 4-0 Northampton: Jonathan Lund started in goal for this one. Gregan returned from his ban while Kilgallon slots into the left back spot. As for the match...wow. We were back to our old selves it seems. Slick, fast, one touch football, making life very difficult for the visitors all in all. Horsefield opened the scoring as he likes to with a well placed finish, slotting home from the angle. Warner doubled it 10mins later, Horsefield turning provider as Warner gets his 14th goal this season. A minute later Horsefield provides for Warner again, this time a cross which the 22 year old nods home to make it 3-0. They looked pleased with themselves but they really have to behave, one conceded goal could set things in motion for the away side. They trotted out into a chilly september night air for the second half and things got worse....for the visitors. Doig dragged down Warner, straight red and from the resulting free kick Lewis got his first for the club. Looping ball to the back post saw Lewis steal in and tap home on 54mins. Great goal. We dominated throughout, Warner looking for his hat trick. He was subbed for Hulse about 20mins in, Leven also came on for Walton. The rest of the half followed the same format of us ripping them apart with smooth, slick and quick football. Blake got the 5th with a powerful finish from close range. Keeper got a touch but it wasn't enough to stop it going in. Dyche was sent off with 5mins to go, we broke quickly with Horsefield and Dyche hacked him down. He was the last man, i could see the red card a mile away. Northampton down to 9 men but we didn't increase the lead and Blake came off injured with a minute to go, that was the only bad news of an otherwise great night. Finished 5-0, first clean sheet in a while and good to see we still know how to win. Lund man of the match. (dunno why, he didn't even have a save to make!)

I found out the morning after that Blake was out for at upto 3 weeks with a damaged elbow. Nasty but we'll have to deal with it, we have so far...to an extent. Oh and all our loan offers but one were accepted. I'll print up some names if we manage to sign one of em, Schmeicel was the offer that wasn't excepted. Young Hotchkiss suffered a broken ankle in training and will be out for at least a couple of months, poor lad but life goes on...

retired_sfa97

Chapter 13

One of the keepers in our loan search turned down the deal. Arse. But still got 2 left, maybe we'll get lucky and someone will take pity on us...or Sulivan will get better. Either one will do. A quick glance at the fixture list showed me that our next task was against Millwall at home. A win is paramount as Batty said after the Northampton game and he's right. A win could get us right back on track for the season, a loss and our promotion hopes take another big knock. A day later and the other two turn us down and it's looking like the same old crap. It amazes me, half these keepers whine and cry about not playing first team football, here they have a chance to get some and they turn it down...why...are they off their meds or something? I give up trying to figure them out really.

Batty voiced his frustrations again in a interview with the mirror. Looks like Lund will be making his debut against Millwall. Let me give you all a little run down of the lad. He's 16 years old, 5'8ft tall, joined last year on a youth contract but been part of the teams youth set up since he was a young lad. He's lucky in a way, i doubt he'd make a debut if it wasn't for all these injuries. The 3rd round draw for the league cup came round and we drew Watford away. Already beaten them once this season so beating them again may not be to big of a task, as long as we manage to get an established keeper between the sticks.

Leeds 10-0 Millwall: A half fit Neil Sulivan returns with Wilberforce on the bench, Richardson comes in on the right wing for the injured Blake. No other changes to speak of as i took my seat, drinking my tea. Still nice and warm around. I managed to blag a ticket for the missus for this one, i normally sit with my dad and brothers, but my brothers are away working so my girlfriend and mum took their places. More than likely they'll be talking about eastenders and corro rather than if we can clinch promotion. It didn't take long to answer that question though, Richardson turns and crosses, Walton powers a header home from 6 yards. The crowd go mental, 4 mins in and were ahead. We'd hardly settled into our seat before we were standing and cheering again. Walton again, only this time he decided to score from 30 yards. An absolute jackhammer of a drive to make it 2-0. 7mins later, Warner latched onto Horsfields (just realised i was spelling it wrong) cleaver ball and smashed into the roof of the net from 18 yards out, 3-0. What a difference a keeper makes eh? Horsfield made it 4-0 soon after. Warner split his head open getting to this ball and Horsfield made it count. Warners header found Horsfield in the area and he slotted home from the tightest of angles. A bit of vasaline and some water and Warner was back out there. Horsfield got his first hat trick before half time. One was a big header from a Richardson cross and the other was a shot across the keeper which he couldn't stop. Kilgallon released him down the left and he found enough time and space to pick his place and drive home, 6-0. The half time whistle came and we went for some snacks and a cig, me and my dad talking over the finer points of the half, as you do. When we returned the teams did also, one looking scared as hell, the other laughing and joking with each other, do i need to name them? It didn't take long for Millwall to show themselves up more, the absolutly useless Vanderjeugt got himself sent off. Horsefield just got to a loose ball and was brought down. Straight red and a penalty which Matt Warner lashed home. Still not done though. Not to be out done by Horsfield Warner broke free down the left, beat the last defender and rocketed home a shot from the angle. Most of the stand didn't even bother to sit down, we just stood there singing, waiting for another and we weren't disappointed. Lewis got onto Waltons cheeky pass and dinked it into the area. Replacement keeper Marshall looked to have it but under no pressure just fumbled it right to Matt Warner's feet and he gladly tapped home his 4th of the afternoon. Soon after he and the fantastic Walton were replaced by Hulse and Whelan. We struggled to put the ball in the net again for a while, took us half hour but we finally found our 10th of the afternoon. A short throw to Lewis with a minute to go released him and he crossed to the back post where Rob Hulse finally got off the mark for the season with a looping headed into the far corner for 10. Batty was ecstatic, the fans were in raptures. Final whistle blew and nothing could wipe the smile off my face, even the missus having a go for staying out till 4am drinking with my dad. Warner man of the match.

The morning after the back page was filled with Warner mania. He's been an absolute revalation for us this season, 12 starts has brought him a whopping 19 goals. When asked on goals on sunday if a big move was beckoning for the lad, Batty gave the answer us Leeds fans were looking for.

"He's an amazing player, so much pace and drive. I've told the chairman that i want him at Leeds for a long time to come and he's gave me full backing in that. We turned down £15m from Chelsea for him in the summer and that has only made me more confident. I have no doubt that he can do it at the highest level, but i want him doing it for Leeds at that level. He's been an absolute star and alot i put down to the help of Geoff Horsfield, he's worked alot with him and those two have become good friends in the short time the Horse has been here, now they look unstopable. 10 games together has yielded 29 goals in all competitions so don't write off promotion just yet when we have a strike force like that."

Great!

retired_sfa97

Chapter 14

Healy and Sulivan resumed full training ahead of our home game against Stoke City. Sulivan will definatly start but Healy will more than likely be left out to fully regain his fitness. Could take a couple of weeks but i'm confident we'll see him make his first start of the season soon to take some of the pressure off Horsfield and Warner.

Leeds 2-0 Stoke: Einarsson comes in for Richardson on the right of midfield, thats the only change to the team which took Millwall apart last saturday. I again settled into my seat, my brothers cursing their luck for having to miss our last game but thats life, and they'll have seen the goals by now. Anyway, back to match. We fell into the same pattern of dominating, Simonsen in the Stoke goal was pulling off save after save throughout the first half. The closest we came was through Warner. He latched onto Horsfield's header down and shot, the ball clipping the outside of the post just before half time. Stoke had one chance and missed it, but only just. The second half started alot quicker. Douglas drove through the midfield before passing to Horsfield on the left, his cheeky flick found Warner who volleyed home at the near post for his 20th of the season. A few minutes later we got another. Again Douglas provided the pass which Warner ran onto, his low drive was saved by Simonsen but sprang right back where it came, only this time Horsfield was there to lash home to make it 2-0. We chased them ever more, Hulse and Whelan came on to help. Neither could get a 3rd. Horsfield came closest when his looping header hit the cross bar before being cleared. That was it though, 3 points against a fellow promotion contender. Lewis man of the match.

We moved up into 4th thanks to that win, which was very hard fought. Not because they pinned us back, but because we struggled to find the net a little. Can't have any of that on saturday as we travel to 2nd place Reading knowing a win could rectify that blip we had a few games back and get us back into the automatic promotion spaces. We trail 1st place Palace by 4 points so it's not impossible by any means.

It's the end of the month again which means 2 things. I get paid and the monthly player awards. Horsfield wins the player of the month gong once again with Lewis in 2nd place. Kilgallon wins young player, Walton in second. Nothing worth mentioning in the manager awards part. Here's the run down of the league and top scorer charts,

(played) (won) (drawn) (lost) (for) (against) (points)

1. Crystal Palace (11) (8) (3) (0) (30) (13) 27pts
2. Reading (11) (7) (2) (2) (23) (11) 23pts
3. Southampton (11) (7) (2) (2) (20) (12) 23pts
4. Leeds Utd (11) (7) (1) (3) (33) (12) 22pts
5. Wolves (11) (7) (0) (4) (21) (13) 21pts
6. Burnley (11) (6) (3) (2) (16) (16) 21pts

Scorers chart
1. Matt Warner (Leeds Utd) 16 goals
2. Geoff Horfield (Leeds Utd) 13 goals
3. Dave Kitson (Reading) 11 goals
4. Jon Macken (Crystal Palace) 9 goals
5. Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace) 8 goals

Horsfield and Warner still topping the charts scoring wise and i doubt they'll be caught.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 15

Reading 4-5 Leeds: Unchanged squad but Healy comes onto the bench in place of Hulse. More than likely to make a 10-15 minute cameo. We started things as usual, with a bang. Douglas moved the ball forward before releasing Warner who shot first time, the keeper got a paw to it but it wasn't enough and we had the early lead. And it was doubled almost from the restart. A deep cross from Lewis on the left found Einarsson who nodded to the edge of the area where Warner volleyed into the top corner. However, we knew it was going to be tough and Reading proved that. A defensive lapse by Kelly let Kitson through who's shot trickled through Sulivans hands into the goal to make it 2-1. About 20mins later Horsfield scored a weird goal. Einarsson found space on the right to cross, Horsfield met with a headed which was pushed out, only the ball crashed off his face and into the goal. And it didn't take long for him to double his tally. A throw in gifted him the ball near the corner flag and what looked like a cross curled sweetly, crashing off the post and in, excellent goal. Reading got another one back just before half time, Harper skinned Gregan before smashing low across Sulivan. I wish i could say the action stopped there but when Matt Warner is on the field, it rarely does. Walton's through ball down the centre found Warner who skipped away from the defender, dropped his shoulder and rounded the keeper before slotting home with ease. 5-2 and the whistle finally blew on a goal filled first half. The second half was just as entertaining, Warner, Douglas and Einarsson made way for Healy, Whelan and Richardson about 10mins into the half. It was end to end again but the first goal went in at the other end, Leroy Lita found himself with the ball after we failed to clear and his shot found the net. It could have been worse, we didn't have any major chances. Healy's shot hit the inside of the post and rolled across the line before Shorey cleared the danger. With the dying seconds upon us Littles long ball to the corner was picked up by Kilgallon who passed across his own 18 yard box to Soley, he mis-controlled and Kevin Doyle took his chance, smashing it past an unprepared Sulivan. We won the game, but our defensive quality has to be questioned, at times it was a farce and only luck or the brilliant Neil Sulivan saved us. What a game for the neutrals though. Warner man of the match.

Again the papers were ram packed with Matt Warner. I seriously haven't seen hype like this since Wayne Rooney, people are saying that the lad may stand a chance of making it into the world cup squad next summer. Liverpool, Chelsea, Charlton and Spurs are all after him, should he move in the january transfer window he'll get into the England squad for sure i reckon, but staying at Leeds until the end of next season at least can't be all that bad. All i know is i'll be looking for Sven in the upper levels when i'm down at Elland Road. But that won't be for a while as we've got a 2 week break for the international fixtures, which will be welcome i'm sure. In the mean time Leeds made an offer for Michael Nnaji around the £170k mark. I don't know much about him but i'm sure i'll find out more should we become successful in the bid.

Well, it's been a few days but not much to inform you of. Kilgallon's good form has seen him called upto the England U21's while our bid for Nnaji was accepted, he rejected terms so nothing will come of that. Steve Stone started some light training along with Bennett, Jarvis and Bocanegra while Blake resumed full training after his injury lay out, he should be full fit for the visit of Brighton in a week or so's time.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 16

Shaun Derry came out in the press saying he wasn't happy with the lack of football he was getting but was happy with Batty's responce that if he worked harder in training he'd get his chance. Gonna pop down to Thorpe Arch to watch training next week, got a few days off so the missus will have to wait for Ikea, i wanna see how the lads are doing. Other than all that, again quiet. No transfer news, all our players are back in training so hopefuly we'll really be able to start pushing for that automatic promotion place and maybe chasing down Palace at the top, who are ahead by 5 points. Oh, i know what i can do, report on the premier league. 8 games in and Chelsea are top by 3 points, Arsenal are in 2nd with Liverpool and Bolton 3rd and 4th respectivly. Man Utd find themselves in 18th with just 7 points from 8 games (yeah i'm enjoying it alot) Wigan, Sunderland and West Ham are all in the top half, 10th, 9th and 5th. Crespo, Baros, Gudjonsson, Cisse, Kevin Davis and James Beattie all top the scoring charts with 6.

England got a decent win under their belts as they won 3-0 against Austria. Owen, Lampard and Gerrard scored the goals. Still very much in for that automatic world cup place as long as we don't have any screw up's. Hulse has been ruled out for upto 3 weeks with a viral infection but Ryan Jarvis and Carlos Bocanegra both resumed full training and look to be fit in the next week or so. Can't see em playing any part against Brighton but i don't pick the team so who knows what will happen, but i expect to see em in the near future. In Englands other match they managed to beat Poland 4-2 with Wayne Rooney getting a hat trick, Shaun Wright-Phillips got the other goal of the game, the win secures Englands passage through to the 2006 world cup finals.

Back on the domestic scene though our match with Brighton has been re-arranged for November so now we'll play Hull on tuesday giving the lad 3 extra days of rest. We'll have a game in hand over most of the league for a while so it's time to knuckle down and make sure when it comes to cash in, were in a position where it's going to be useful in our promotion plans.

Hull City Vs Leeds Utd, Championship: A couple of changes to mention. Butler comes in for Soley while Derry is given a chance in the centre ahead of Douglas and Blake returned to his familar right wing position. There i sat with a cup of tea, watching the sports centre with Jeff Stelling and the boys. We kicked off but it was Hull who were applying the early pressure, forcing Sulivan into a couple of good saves. However the deadlock didn't last as long as it should. Barmby found space on the left and his cross was met by the glancing head of Hotte before hitting the back of the net. After that, things slowly turned in our favour, we got alot more of the ball and created some half decent chances. It didn't last long though, Horsfield came off with injury, David Healy replacing him and what a replacement. On the stroke of half time Warner found space down the right before crossing to the edge of the 18 yard box. Healy took the ball on his chest and lashed home a fantastic volley to even it up, his first of the season and a welcome sight. After the interval we came out alot quicker. Straight from the kick off A ball down the right was played straight into Healy diaganol run and he leathered the ball into the top corner from 16 yards out. We had the lead. It didn't last however, Hull fought back almost straight away. Lynches long looping cross found Hammel at the back post who powered a header past Sulivan at his near post. From what Kammy was saying, Batty was going balistic on the side-lines. He was about to hit the roof though. We fought hard looking for the lead again but we couldn't get it, Healy was our most inventive player all day, though Lewis had his moments. Then, with around 10mins left that moment struck. Butler dragged Hammel down and conceded a stupid penalaty with subsitute McPhee scored with ease to give Hull the lead. We had a couple of chances but in the end we just couldn't convert them. Healy man of the match.
F/T: Hull City 3-2 Leeds Utd.

However, the bookie's are starting to turn in our favour now. Reading in a national news paper people are starting to come around and suspect that our good form maybe isn't just early season luck and that we can mount a promotion challenge. Now for the bad news, Matt Warner picked up an injury during the Hull game and will be missing for anything upto 2 weeks. A big loss, but no word on Horsfield so maybe he just picked up a bit of a knock. With Healy returning and finding the net he will be leading the line with Horsfield should he be fit to play. Hulse is out with a virus. It also means that Ryan Jarvis and Lee Bernard could make apperences in the absence of Warner and Hulse.

In the champions league, Everton lost 1-0 to Barcelona at the Nou Camp, Liverpool were beaten 3-1 away to Juventus while Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-0, Ronaldo punishing his former club with the opener. It was a good game. Man Utd won and Arsenal drew. Only mentioned the others cause they had some interest to them.