I'm talking over 90 minutes, not a few here and there

I don't expect Leon-like workrate, firstly because he can't and secondly because he doesn't really need to. And although I can't speak for yesterday, on Tuesday I don't think he ever showed for the ball - incidentally, something I can level at at least 8 other players - and that is criminal in a centre-forward. He's the one who should be holding the ball up and distributing it, but walking around in the centre circle doesn't give us an outlet we should have.

I don't think it's a co-incidence that just about every time the ball goes forward, be it on the air or on the ground, it's going to Leon.

Partially that is the way the game is played at this level - instead of individual players doing individual jobs on their opponents as in the Prem, they are closing down in 2s and 3s so there's less space, and the only way around that is to be more mobile. Even if you don't receive the ball, you'll be tearing holes and making space for others.

I'm not saying he's a bad player, because that's patently rubbish, but I am saying he needs to up his workrate and do more of the unglamourous stuff.

Posted By: Iwan Husarmi on August 14th 2005 at 11:36:09

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