Quite how Norwich City escaped Elland Road today with a point to show for their efforts is a mystery for the ages, such was the overwhelming amount of chances Leeds United had to bury this one.

When Leeds weren’t putting attempts narrowly wide of the target, the woodwork and some last ditch blocks came to the aid of the Canaries who were struggling to cope with Leeds’ attacking threats.

By the interval, Leeds should have been three up, but Luciano Becchio’s close-range goal was cancelled out by Arsenal youngster Henri Lansbury who made one of Norwich’s small amount of first half chances count as Leeds switched off in stoppage time.

The second half saw things level out a bit and Norwich really get into the game. Both teams sensed three points were within their grasp, and both teams had chances to take the lead.

But in a game where Leeds should have been three up by half time, failure to make the chances count proved costly. Norwich sent the warning signs by striking Leeds’ upright, and just minutes later Wes Hoolahan put the visitors ahead.

Disaster for Leeds, but the heads stayed up and the Whites looked to respond quickly with Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass trying to find a way through.

It was saved by the sub stuff again for Grayson as Davide Somma was introduced with 15 minutes to go. The man many thought should have been on the pitch from kick-off rescued Leeds United when he smashed home an outstanding strike with his first touch of the game.

2-2, and this thriller of a Championship game hung in the balance and neither team looked happy with a point. The attacks and chances came, but neither team managed to take full advantage.

The final throw of the dice for Simon Grayson was Billy Paynter, who came close at the very depth only to be denied by an excellent Ruddy save. For any other striker, it would have been 3-2, but Lady Luck refuses to hand poor Billy a break and his wait for a first goal continues.

4-4-2 v 4-5-1 (again)

The obvious complaint after this one is that Leeds didn’t play two strikers from the off and force their own game on Norwich. I caught a comment from Grayson on the way home and he said that the decision to play 4-5-1 was based on Norwich City’s diamond formation – he was concerned we may get overrun otherwise.

Overall, 4-5-1 worked brilliantly. Leeds were simply sensational going forward, and had we benefited from a little bit of luck today we’d probably be celebrating a comfortable victory. But to tactically approach a home game based on what the visitors will do seems very negative. Surely we should be forcing our style of play on them, and letting them worry about what we may do?

Of course, there’s no point going into a game without doing your homework and knowing what the opposition may throw at you, but I do feel we give visiting teams far too much respect at times.

Whatever happened to the clean sheets?

Leeds’ defending at times today was desperate and lacking order. At times, we looked like a deer in the headlights when Norwich came at us and the clearances we did make were often panicked and failed to relieve the pressure.

Nevertheless, this was a brilliant game and a great advert for Championship football. Leeds were the better side, but Norwich made their chances pay and left with a point. Both teams always seemed to have one eye on their next attack and that’s what made it so thrilling to watch. For the entertainment both teams provided, a draw is probably fair. But for the chances Leeds had, you have to say it’s two points dropped.

What a difference a year makes though!

Thanks to Rachel Neil from Norwich City blog Lets Be ‘Avin You. You can also find Rachel on Twitter (@letsbeavinyou).

Ryan - We last met in November when we drew 1-1 at Carrow Road, has much changed for Norwich since then?

Rachel - Things have gone really well for us since we met in November. Back then we were eighth in the table and, I think, had won just one game in seven. However, since the 1-1 draw with yourselves, we have lost just twice in the league, and find ourselves up in third. So to be honest, we couldn’t have asked for much more!

Ryan - We have both done considerably well since getting promoted, if Norwich were to get promoted how do you think they would cope in The Premiership?

Rachel - Both teams have done exceptionally well since gaining promotion from League One. If we were to get promoted to the Premier League, which I think may just be a step too far this season, there’s no doubt it would be a massive test for us. Our chances would of course be dependent on the sort of players we could bring in, however you only have to look at Blackpool, who have given a great account of themselves this season, to know that there’s always a chance. We certainly have a fantastic manager in Paul Lambert, and with him at the helm, I’m tending to believe that anything is possible at the moment! With an ever-increasing gap between the two divisions though, it would of course, be really tough, but you’ve got to believe, right?

Ryan - At the start of the season, did you expect Norwich to be pushing for promotion and did you expect Leeds to be up there with you?

Rachel - No, I never expected us to be challenging for promotion. I was more than happy to settle for consolidation: avoidance of a relegation battle, and a decent top ten finish, thank you very much! What we have achieved has been fantastic, and certainly exceeded most people’s expectations. We do not have the best squad on paper, but we have a group of players who give absolutely everything. Paul Lambert has been nothing short of fantastic for us since arriving at the club, and he has the players playing above and beyond their suggested capabilities. Our team spirit and mentality not-to-give-in have really set us apart in games this season.

I’ve been impressed with your season so far, although I always felt once you got yourselves out of League One, you had it in you to be competing at the top end of the Championship. Beckford’s departure didn’t appear to harm you at all, and you have some really talented players in your squad. Simon Grayson is a good manager too, and with a great fanbase, I don’t think it will be too long before you’re back in the Premiership. (I’m going to get some stick from fellow City fans for saying that, but it’s just my opinion!)

Ryan - Who should we be looking out for in your squad on Saturday?

Rachel - A couple of Leeds fans I know were hoping Wes Hoolahan might be on his way to West Yorkshire in the January transfer window! Fortunately, he didn’t go anywhere, and has, for the record, signed a new contract! He will certainly be one to watch out for though. Not to do disservice to other players, but much of our quality and ingenuity comes from him. On his day, he is one of the best creative midfielders in the division. Of course, Grant Holt is also a player to look out for. He is our talisman, and plays such a big part (literally some harsh critics would say!) in our side. Your defenders will definitely know they’ve been in a game, let’s just leave it at that!

Ryan - The Championship 2010/11 – 3 up, 3 down?

Rachel - Mmm…I’m rubbish at these predictions. Ok, if you’re going to push me on it, I’ll say QPR to clinch the title, with Cardiff scrapping into second..perhaps on a frantic last day? At best, I think we can hope for a play-off place…so who knows, maybe we’ll see you at Wembley come May?!

To leave the Championship, I would have to say Preston, Scunthorpe, and probably Crystal Palace.

Ryan - If you could sign one current Leeds player for Norwich, who would it be?

Rachel - I’ve always liked Robert Snodgrass as a player, and Max Gradel is a talent and had a good game for you at Carrow Road. However, I also really like Luciano Becchio, and he certainly knows where the goal is…so I’d probably go for him. I just hope he doesn’t score against us tomorrow now I’ve said that!

Ryan - Finally, what’s your prediction for the game? I’m saying 2-1 Leeds!

Rachel - Well I can never bring myself to predict a City defeat. I think it will be a really tough game for us, but I’m going to go for a 2-2 draw!!

Thanks again to Rachel.

Clean sheet denied by officials

A record all-seater attendance at Carrow Road reminded the travelling Leeds United fans that this was another team who hated us for no particular reason. We didn’t have to wait long for a touching rendition of ‘we all hate Leeds scum’ alongside other popular favourites such as ‘you dirty northern b**tards*’ and ‘dirty Leeds’.

Quite why a team from Norfolk with no geographical significance to Leeds and no real history against us holds this much contempt for the Whites, is anyones guess? But the hostility Leeds receive in places such as Norwich always boosts the atmosphere and this was no exception as the two sets of fans exchanged pleasantries throughout.

The match was just as frantically contested too and it started at a rapid pace with both teams attacking from the off. For Leeds, Bradley Johnson did nothing to boost his market value as he miscued wildly from range, whilst Jonny Howson also saw his shot drift away from goal.

When an advancing Luciano Becchio was hacked down on the edge of the area, the referee played advantage and as our Argentinian hit-man pulled himself up, Max Gradel fired low from the edge of the area, beating a poor Norwich keeper to give Leeds United the lead. 1-0.

Leeds gradually took control of the game with Max Gradel looking impressive and the midfield dominating the contest. Midway through the second half however, Norwich were on the attack with Grant Holt. Alex Bruce put in a clumsy challenge on the Norwich forward, giving the home side a free-kick and injuring himself in the process.

Whilst the Norwich fans made their feelings towards Bruce clear, Chris Martin lined up a free-kick which was saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

From there until half time it was almost entirely Leeds. Gradel twice had shots saved by the keeper, whilst Jonny Howson attempted to take on the entire defence and walk it into the net and Becchio saw his glancing header go wide.

At half-time, Leeds had been by far the better team. Failure to capitalise further on such dominance must have been a big talking point for Simon Grayson, whilst Paul Lambert will have been trying to figure out how to stop Gradel wondering by his full-back without breaking a sweat.

Norwich improved in the second half and went close when Chris Martin hit the woodwork and Grant Holt was denied by Kasper Schmeichel. As Norwich pushed, Leeds tried to capitalise on the counter-attack but the final delivery continually evaded Snodgrass and Gradel.

Despite Norwich’s improvements, Schmeichel was at his best and never looked like being beaten so Norwich cleverly took him out of the equation by throwing him to the floor from a corner as Barnett headed the equaliser. 1-1

It was the cherry on top of all our recent injustices. Twice we’d contested the referee’s decisions not to punish players for viciously assaulting Luciano Becchio, and twice we’d been quoted FIFA rules that claim the FA ‘can’t re-referee games.’ Clearly this only applies to Leeds United however, as Norwich had just had a red card successfully overturned on Grant Holt – is that not re-refereeing?

I don’t wish to sound bitter and vindictive, but I am, so that’s how it comes across.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming Norwich here. I’m complaining about the dreadful standard of refereeing we’re subjected to week after week. Norwich fans should be able to sympathise to an extent as they had Holt sent off last week – a decision which undoubtedly changed the game.

Leeds meanwhile saw Hull and Cardiff get away with blatant red card decisions, which the referee clearly missed on both occasions. Yet, when we appeal to the FA we’re told the referee saw the incidents and felt an elbow to the face, and a potentially career ending lunge were both fair challenges?

And yet again, the referee and the other officials cost Leeds as they failed to spot a push on Kasper Schmeichel that left him sat down as Norwich City denied us of two points. Admittedly, I missed the shove as I was watching the flight of the ball, but as a spectator, that’s what I pay to watch! The referee and linesman are paid individuals that are supposed to be watching the players – especially from a corner when there is always shoving going on! They have no excuse whatsoever.

Anyway, back on level terms and Leeds tried to get back in front but the final ball continued to escaped us and Norwich sensed an opportunity to rub salt into the wounds. Hoolahan – who had come on a sub just after the hour mark – was a particular nuisance to us but despite chances for both sides, the game remained level and Leeds were left to bemoan another poor display from the officials.

Overall, it was an excellent match. Real end-to-end stuff with the emphasis on attack and free-flowing football. Leeds really should have killed it off in the first half and rendered poor decisions from the officials irrelevant but they failed to do so and it ultimately cost us two points.

TSS man of the match

Max Gradel was the stand out man, but he was brilliant and infuriating in equal measures, often taking too long on the ball and not shooting quickly enough when presented with an opening. George McCartney continues to impress whilst Kasper Schmeichel was back to his old self and truly deserved a clean sheet. Overall, the officials had the biggest impact on the game so maybe they should get it?

Simon Grayson's next target?

The strangely named Norwich City site, ‘The Pink ‘Un,’ is claiming that Norwich midfielder Darel Russell could be lured to Elland Road with the offer of a better contract than Norwich can provide.

Despite being brought into the game by Norwich City, and re-signed by them in 2007, Russell is thought to be considering a move north to join the Championship campaign at Leeds, where he’ll be set to face his current club next season.

It has all the hallmarks of a Grayson/Bates target too. With the midfielder’s contract set to expire at the end of the month, he’ll be free to discuss terms with other clubs. This also means that any transfer he does make won’t incur a fee, which should keep old Kenneth smiling away on his Monaco balcony. That’s not to say this won’t cost us mind. With an offer already on the table from Paul Lambert, Simon Grayson will have to get out his calculator and draw up a lucrative contract to entice Darel to Elland Road.

Meanwhile, in a related twist, Paul Lambert could set his sights on Michael Doyle, who spent last season on loan at Elland Road from Coventry City making 42 appearances during the campaign. Micky Doyle was hoping to secure a permanent contract at Elland Road over the summer, but with Simon alleged to be looking elsewhere, Norwich may move in for the kill.

I’m not even going to bother wasting my time arguing about who has the bigger Dad, because in terms of size Burnley can’t hold a candle to Leeds. It’d be like comparing a Boeing 747 with a paper aeroplane.

The rumours seem to keep coming from the same place, namely The Mirror. Never has there been a more pointless waste of trees than this sad excuse for a newspaper, and whilst I try not to entertain anything they write, it’s hard not to laugh at them sometimes

Regardless of what I think, the bookies are usually the ones that know first and change their odds accordingly. Simon Grayson as I write this is 16/1 on SkyBet with no fewer than TEN other managers in front of him, including Paul Lambert at evens.

The bookies, like me, know Simon Grayson is going nowhere. His odds would probably be a lot shorter than 16/1 too if it wasn’t for the afore mentioned national rag writing unfounded rumours every five minutes, leading to a load of gullible fools placing money on him.

Simon Grayson is living the dream at Leeds. He wears the same rose-tinted spectacles as the rest of us. For him, there is no one bigger than Leeds United. There’s nowhere else he’d rather be and no other job in the world that he’d rather be doing. His success is a result of the passion he has for this club and the enthusiasm with which he carries out his job. They’ve got more chance of signing Jose Mourinho.

This week, with Wycombe the visitors to Elland Road on Saturday (assuming enough people can figure out how to drive in the snow) we’re joined be the co-editor of Wycombe Wanderers fan site, SMBU for what has to be one of the most entertaining interviews to date. 

TSS - Hi SMBU, thanks for taking the time to talk to TSS. Wycombe’s current form leaves a lot of space for improvement with four losses and one draw in your last five games. Not the best time to visit Elland Road, is it?

SMBU - There’s not really been a good time to visit anywhere this season. We’ve looked ill-prepared for the campaign from the opening day and though League One is seen by most Wycombe fans as our natural level, we’ve looked like League Two tourists on a minibus with bring-your-own binoculars most of the time. Obviously the trip to Elland Road was the one everyone sought out in June but while we probably thought you’d be top, I don’t think anyone thought we’d be so marooned in the mire come January.

TSS - Our top-goalscorer Jermaine Beckford revealed he wanted to leave this week and has submitted a transfer request to the club. This hasn’t gone down well with the fans of Leeds United and the chances of him playing Saturday are slim at best. Do you think that’s a good thing for Wycombe, or are you worried a defiant Leeds will go out intent on proving they can win this league without him?

SMBU - There’s nothing worse than a talented but grumpy wantaway striker. We had the same problem with Jermaine Easter a couple of seasons ago when he wept with rage at Wycombe denying him his rightful place in the upper echelons of the Premier League. How did that go Jermaine? To be frank, I’m sure whoever Leeds bring in on Saturday will still have enough to bring mayhem and muddle to the existentially ragged Wycombe defence so don’t worry on that account. Looking from the outside, it seems disappointing that he’s willing to jump ship when you’re homing in on the title but agents need their slice of pie, especially when you’ve got the central heating on all day.

TSS - Anyone in your team that we can buy to replace Beckford’s 30 a season?

SMBU - Yeah, tell Ken to make a sensational £30m bid for our entire squad and we’ll meet him in a layby near Chesterfield.

TSS - You’ve got the wrong Ken mate. Ours doesn’t spend money! As I said in my first question, you’re not in the greatest of form at the minute and lie 23^rd in League One. Is relegation an inevitability or can you turn this round?

SMBU - A few weeks it looked like we were turning a corner but a traditionally bleak Christmas (we’ve won once on Boxing Day in 16 seasons as a league club) has dumped us back in the doom zone. Certain brands of Wycombe fan may swan about town boasting about our undersoil heating but when it only allows you to lose games that could have been postponed it’s a bit pointless. I think there are enough poor teams in the division for us to make a dramatic escape but we’ll need to strengthen in the transfer window and I don’t know whether that will happen.  

TSS - Back in 2005-06, you were riding high in the league, but everything went wrong after the sad death of young midfielder Mark Philo, and John Gorman’s (manager at the time) wife dying. 21 matches undefeated turned into 6 straight losses as Gorman took time off to grieve. Gorman was later “relieved of his duties” as the club didn’t think he was in the right state of mind to continue managing the club, despite the fact he took over Northampton a few days later. What are your feelings on this?

SMBU - That was a very odd season. Some of the football played under Gorman beggared belief, all out attack and a defence made of play-dough. The deaths were an awful & bleak interlude and to see a record unbeaten run and a record run of defeats in the same season summed up the unreal nature at the time. John Gorman is one of the nicest men in the game but he came back too early after his wife died and the club probably did the right thing, for him more than anyone. His spell at the wretched shoe-goons in Northampton showed as much. It was good to see him back in the game at QPR.

TSS – Odd seasons hey? I once had a dream that we’d appointed an idiotic chairman who went crazy and threw money at over-rated players like Michael Dubious. It resulted in us going into financial meltdown and crashing down into League One… Oh wait…

Anyway, staying with management, like Leeds, you seem to go through them quite quickly. Paul Lambert and Peter Taylor followed Gorman, and Taylor has since been replaced by Gary Waddock. Is he the right man for the job, or do you wish one of the others had stayed?

SMBU – Lambert was a good manager, and turned the players that Gorman had signed into a proper unit, as evidenced by our run to the League Cup semis (indeed, Manchester City may be chipper at the moment but we’ve still been to more domestic cup semis this century than they’ve managed in the past 30 years). Taylor should be spoken of in great terms, the first manager since Martin O’Neill to get Wycombe promoted, but the football last season was like watching battery acid run down some double glazing and there were no tears when he departed in the autumn. Gary Waddock has turned things around, in the entertainment stakes at least. Even if we go down, he should be given a chance to get us back up but modern football likes to encourage relentless change like a divorcee at a one armed bandit.

TSS - Funnily enough, the afore mentioned Duberry currently plays for Wycombe. Not someone I’m particularly keen on given his involvement in the Bowyer-Woodgate incident. It also didn’t help that we paid him a ridiculous amount of money when the fish in Ridsdale’s office were on a par in terms of usefulness. The last time I saw him, he looked a little on the heavy side; Is this still the case and how is he getting on as captain of Wycombe?

SMBU – Duberry may currently be paid by Wycombe but there’s not much chance of seeing him on Saturday. He’s done more lumbering than a Canadian truck driver this season and to say the Wycombe fans are unimpressed is an understatement. He was appointed captain based on his reputation but has shown nothing but chunky thighs and the turning circle of the Austrian naval fleet. Clubs like Wycombe should be bringing through young talent and hunting through the non-leagues for rough diamonds, not paying faded stars to bring some glamour and a carbon footprint to the training ground car park. 

TSS – Another ex-Leeds player Ian Westlake also plays for Wycombe. I met him when he was younger and was always a fan of the lad. Always thought he’d do well at Leeds, but wasn’t to be. How’s he getting on?

SMBU – Bit of a panic signing by Taylor at the end of the summer and hasn’t featured too much. Has shown some nice touches on occasion but has also looked well off the pace and injury prone, plus it’s fairly clear that Waddock is keen to get rid sooner rather than later.

TSS – That’s a shame, he’s a nice lad and the talents definitely there. Guess he’s doomed to be another ‘could have been’ though. Aside from Dubious and Westlake, what other players should we be keeping an eye on this Saturday?

SMBU – Midfielder Tommy Doherty is one of the classier players in the lower leagues though has a temper on him, while wideman Matty Phillips has come through the youth team and is showing some genuine promise. We’ve also got local lad Scott Davies on loan from Reading, a youngster who started with Wycombe as a kid before moving to Berkshire in the Nathan Tyson deal, and he’s been a step above most players in the past few months, This will probably be his penultimate game, sadly.

TSS – I’m always quite interested in what other clubs think of Leeds, especially since we were voted the most hated club in football (despite our demise). What are your feelings on us?

SMBU – I always have soft spot for any big club who slip down to the third tier, like seeing a heavyweight boxer fighting at the local carnival for candyfloss and a bus fare. We were the only team to do a league double against Man City in 98-99 but they still escaped at the first attempt. You should clamber out this time and we’ll wave you on your way. Let’s be frank, Wycombe and Leeds have no history so any Wanderers fan dishing it out is skating on thin ice. Then again, it works both ways so if you start saying that a club formed in 1887 has no history then you’re just as bad.   

TSS – A soft spot for Leeds? That could well be a first! Finally, what’s your prediction for the game?

SMBU – Leeds to cruise into an early lead before the ref abandons the game due to frost on the stanchions. 

TSS – I’d be more confident in the game being called off by frost than Leeds romping to an early lead. Even when we’re on the up I can’t help but feel the next fall is just around the corner. Years of experience taking it’s toll I guess! Thanks for taking the time to talk to TSS and best wishes for the rest of the season.