Huish ParkFootball. Remember that?

It’s played with a leather ball on a flat rectangular patch of grass, between two teams who attempt to kick the ball into each other’s goal.

Sounds odd, I know, but in between the never-ending takeover dramas, Leeds United have been known to partake in the occasional game. Sometimes we’re even pretty good at it.

Not often though.

Nevertheless, we plan to give this football craze another go on Saturday when we make a long trip south to struggling Yeovil Town.

Brian McDermott, if he isn’t sacked hours beforehand, will be hoping to record back-to-back wins for the first time since November when a run of three straight victories started with a 2-0 win over Saturday’s opponents.

Assuming no new injury concerns leading up to the fixture, McDermott will likely stick with the same team and formation which comprehensively beat Huddersfield Town 5-1 last Saturday, a much-needed result following an eight match winless streak in all competitions and a welcome high on what was an otherwise farcical weekend for the club.

If McDermott does decide to change things around a little, he’ll have new options up front with Noel Hunt fully recovered from injury and Matt Smith available following his suspension.

Yeovil Town meanwhile could give a full début to Manchester United youngster Tom Lawrence who joined the Championship’s bottom side on loan on transfer deadline day.

With just one victory in their last nine Championship fixtures, which included a 5-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town coincidentally enough, the bookmakers have Leeds United as clear favourites for this one, but with ongoing turmoil surrounding The Whites, Yeovil will fancy their chances of an upset.

Whether they have chance to turn a few heads with victory over Leeds may depend on the condition of their pitch however. Huish Park lacks the kind of drainage system most Championship grounds rely on so a huge sheet has covered the pitch all week to prevent waterlogging. Throughout the week, Yeovil have asked for volunteers to help with the efforts, which in itself tells a story of how far above their weight Town have been punching.

But Yeovil reached the Championship on merit and while their adventure may be short-lived, their manager is refusing to rule out a dramatic survival bid, offering these words of encouragement to fans following their last league outing at Nottingham Forest –

“We’ve definitely not given up and heads will not drop just yet. All we’ve got to do is keep learning and the boys have got to believe in themselves.”

Yeovil Town v Leeds United sounds like a David v Goliath battle, and just like Goliath, The Whites fall into the trap of underestimating “lesser” opposition far too often and end up getting stung. It’s imperative we don’t make that mistake this weekend, Yeovil – like Leeds – are one of 24 teams battling it out in the second tier of English football and must be given the respect they’ve earned.

Previous Meetings

Despite my nervous warnings, Leeds have never actually lost to Yeovil, winning six and drawing one of our seven fixtures to date. The last time we met was in November when Ross McCormack scored twice to give The Whites a 2-0 victory.

The record attendance of 9.527 was recorded at Huish Park for Leeds’ visit in 2008, back when the two sides were in League One together. A first minute Becchio goal was cancelled out by a second half goal from Lloyd Owusu to give Yeovil their only ever point against The Whites on a record-breaking day for the club.

Predictions

I’d love to predict a resounding victory for Leeds, but with all the chaos surrounding us at the minute it’s hard to know whether we’ll rally together or fall apart. In all honesty, neither would surprise me. Nor would Brian McDermott being sacked at half-time and Massimo Cellino taking charge of the second.

On paper, this should be a Leeds win. In practice, who the hell knows any more?