Leeds fight back for another 2-2 draw with Hull TSS February 2, 2011 Match reviews 11 Comments Two stunning saves from Kasper Schmeichel were all that saved Leeds United from a humiliating half-time scoreline at the KC Stadium as Leeds’ defence showed little sign of improvement. The first half started evenly enough, but Hull gradually started to dominate and when Matt Fryatt was put through in the box, the outcome was inevitable, leaving everyone in the away end pointing fingers at the defence. The ease with which Fryatt shook off his marker and fired in must be giving Simon Grayson nightmares. Things went from bad to worse for Leeds United, and once again they had no one but themselves to blame. With the defence busy doing their best statue impressions, Jamie Chester had a leisurely stroll through the box to head in from a corner. 2-0. “Who the f**k are Leeds United?” they asked. The answer to what I suspect was a rhetorical question came four minutes later when Robert Snodgrass struck an unstoppable free-kick beyond Hull City’s keeper. 2-1 The half-time break was one of mixed emotions for the travelling fans who were grateful Snoddy’s free-kick had reduced the deficit to just one goal, but depressed at the shoddy defending that had led to the two goals we conceded. In fairness to Hull, the lead was nothing less than they deserved. However, their failure to capitalise on Leeds’ woeful defending and an array of first half chances that should have seen them home and dry by the interval would ultimately cost them. Ten minutes into the second half and a long throw into the box bounced free to Davide Somma, whose shot came off the bar and bounced over the line before the Hull defence tried to pretend they didn’t see it and Robert Snodgrass made the net bulge for good measure. Snoddy did his best to claim the goal but it was quite rightly awarded to Davide Somma which brings his total for the season into double figures. “Two nil, and you f**ked it up…” Both teams will feel they had opportunities to win the game in the second half, but the tie remained deadlocked at 2-2 meaning Leeds have now drawn 8 of their last 14 Championship games. Our generosity in insisting other teams have a head start before we start knocking goals in is starting to drive me mental. 8 draws from the last 14 games, whilst not technically a blip, is also a bit of a concern as we head towards the most crucial stage of the season. It’s easy to bore everyone with the tired ‘lack of ambition’ comments that the close of the transfer window has brought in abundance, but individuals aren’t going to make a difference to Leeds United’s defensive frailties. On paper, we have one of the best defences in the Championship, but they’re struggling to cope with the style of play we’ve adopted this season. We can state the obvious and repeat the cries for a defensive midfielder too, but they’re hardly growing on trees around Elland Road and the one Simon Grayson did have lined up (Michael Johnson) was denied a loan move on the final day as Manchester City decided it was too risky letting him kick a ball around a field. To look at things more positively, derby games are always a potential banana skin for any team so it’s probably a little harsh to judge our current situation on this particular result. We’re still proving very difficult to beat, and the never-say-die attitude keeps clawing us back points from situations where most teams would have thrown in the towel. On and on…