Watford away

Lord Larry is not a happy bunny this week.  Clearly frustrated with the schoolboy like errors that contributed to our League Cup exit against Leicester his normally calm, cool and collected persona was also pushed to the limit as his clandestine negotiations to bring two Cardiff players north were exposed by the host club.  Ross McCormack appears to be the main target of our leaders attention.  Not a player that many Leeds immediately recognised or knew much about.  The standard reaction was "who the feck is he?" So Inspector MOT has been digging about to find a bit more about the latest potential arrival at the Theatre of Hope.
The 24 year old U-21 international started his career started at Rangers before spending a short loan spell at Donny Rovers during their promotion season.5 goals in 19 games wasn't enough for him to keep his place when they moved up to the Championship so he returned to Scotland and moved to Motherwell where he bagged 10 goals in 48 games before moving to Cardiff City. Although the Welsh club "forgot" to pay Motherwell for his services until this last week McCormack starred in the 08/09 season finishing with 23 goals and the Championship's 2nd highest marksman.  It all went a bit pear shaped last season though as a combination of injuries and transfer speculation reduced his appearance and goal tally.  He has already scored two goals in this campaign though against the mighty Burton Albion in the League cup.
His record is as follows

Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2006	Rangers	11	(2)
2006	→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)	19	(5)
2006–2008	Motherwell	48	(10)
2008–	Cardiff City	73	(25)

So it would seem he does know where the back of the net is and at the tender age of 24 has an opportunity at Leeds to prove that he can develop into a prolific goal scorer....................assuming he signs, which at the time of writing was still not completed.


Assuming he does come we will suddenly be overflowing with potential strikers after starting the season with only one available as Becchio, McCormack, Somma, Paynter, Mad Max, Watt and even Snoddy are capable of leading the line.  Selection should be interesting?


Nice to see a certain Mr Beckford on the score sheet for his new club this week against Hudderstoon.  Their massive away following jeered his every move but all to no avail as he scored a pen and had a hand in at least one of the other 4 goals that flew into the Udders net as the Puppy dogs crashed out of the cup 5.1.  On the evidence of their stuttering start Lee Clark's charges aren't going to have it all their own way this season despite splashing the cash at random over the summer.


So to our clash with Watford, our nemesis in that fateful play off final, at Vicarage Road.  Up to now Leeds have shown some sublime flashes of brilliance and exciting football spliced with some rather less than palatable defending and error strewn play.  Probably no more than we can expect at the start of a new season in a new league but having shown against Millwall and for some of the games against Leicester and Forest that we can compete in this tough league expectations have began to rise  above the "I'll be happy with mid table" view.  Watford will provide a stiff challenge.  They were unbeaten in their 4 opening games including a win over Norwich City before succumbing to Notts County in the cup this week. Our baptism of fire is sure to continue against Malky Mackay's hard working team.  Question is whether our attacking flair will bring enough goals at the end of 90 minutes to cancel out any goals our rather fragile defense gives up?  At least the Happy Chocker and I will have feasted on Jonty's BBQ before the game to steel ourselves for another rollercoaster 90 minutes in the life of following the mighty whites.
Can't wait.
MOT