Post by kbateschqbk on Feb 23, 2010 17:16:12 GMT -1
Former Leeds manager and well-respected radio co-commentator and PFA Coaching’s Technical Consultant Jimmy Armfield on his thoughts on recent developments at his former club.
Q: Is tonight's game against Oldham a must-win?
A: Well, they are all must-wins at this stage of the season when we approach what I would call the run-in. That said, there are still plenty of games left and plenty of points to play for. People have been slightly surprised how their season has dipped probably ever since the win at Manchester United – I was there at that game and they played really well.
I don’t think the FA Cup has been a distraction. They just have to show they have what it takes to stay the course.
Q: What do you think has been the problem in recent games?
A: Well, they haven’t been scoring enough goals – that’s plain for everyone to see. Even a five-year-old could tell you that.
That would be a concern for Simon Grayson but he is a good manager, I know him well from his Blackpool days. If they can rectify that I’m sure they have the ability to get things back on track.
Q: Is it also a case of lack of confidence at present?
A: Of course confidence comes into it and we’ve all played in teams when you’re wondering where your next corner is going to come from never mind the next goal.
But all teams have ups and downs – even sides like Manchester United and Liverpool. In fact, I can remember when both those clubs were in the Second Division. But I do think it’s important that Leeds go up this season.
Q: How big a part will the Leeds fans play?
A: They have great support, I was there for four years, and it’s not a surprise to see them getting 25,000 even in the division they’re in now.
The problem is the fans are not the ones who are doing the playing – it’s the players. But the pressure is creeping in now because Norwich are now top of the table and Colchester have come from nowhere.
Q: So do you think the players have the strength of character to turn things around and recapture their best form?
A: Well, they had the strength of character before Christmas and they need to show that again. They’ve had two stumbling games where they lost against Walsall and needed a late goal to get a draw against Brighton at the weekend.
But hopefully that equaliser against Brighton will act as a springboard to get some confidence back. The bait is there for the players and they have the ability.
Q: Is tonight's game against Oldham a must-win?
A: Well, they are all must-wins at this stage of the season when we approach what I would call the run-in. That said, there are still plenty of games left and plenty of points to play for. People have been slightly surprised how their season has dipped probably ever since the win at Manchester United – I was there at that game and they played really well.
I don’t think the FA Cup has been a distraction. They just have to show they have what it takes to stay the course.
Q: What do you think has been the problem in recent games?
A: Well, they haven’t been scoring enough goals – that’s plain for everyone to see. Even a five-year-old could tell you that.
That would be a concern for Simon Grayson but he is a good manager, I know him well from his Blackpool days. If they can rectify that I’m sure they have the ability to get things back on track.
Q: Is it also a case of lack of confidence at present?
A: Of course confidence comes into it and we’ve all played in teams when you’re wondering where your next corner is going to come from never mind the next goal.
But all teams have ups and downs – even sides like Manchester United and Liverpool. In fact, I can remember when both those clubs were in the Second Division. But I do think it’s important that Leeds go up this season.
Q: How big a part will the Leeds fans play?
A: They have great support, I was there for four years, and it’s not a surprise to see them getting 25,000 even in the division they’re in now.
The problem is the fans are not the ones who are doing the playing – it’s the players. But the pressure is creeping in now because Norwich are now top of the table and Colchester have come from nowhere.
Q: So do you think the players have the strength of character to turn things around and recapture their best form?
A: Well, they had the strength of character before Christmas and they need to show that again. They’ve had two stumbling games where they lost against Walsall and needed a late goal to get a draw against Brighton at the weekend.
But hopefully that equaliser against Brighton will act as a springboard to get some confidence back. The bait is there for the players and they have the ability.