Yorkshire Post 8/9/08
Leeds United 5 Crewe 2 - Teen talent Delph proves instant hit as Leeds reaffirm credentials
By Ian Appleyard
LEEDS United wonderkid Fabian Delph was dubbed the new Steven Gerrard after a performance that confirmed his status as a new hero of Elland Road.
Delph might be small in stature but his talent is massive – which is why Leeds have moved swiftly to secure his services on a four-year deal.
That won't put a stop to Premier League clubs chasing his signature of course but team-mate Andy Robinson hopes the teenager will go all the way to the top by staying at Leeds.
Robinson, who grew up with England star Gerrard on Merseyside, says Delph, 18, has the 'world at his feet'.
The teenager stole the show against Crewe Alexandra and his first goal in senior football opened the floodgates as Leeds smashed in five.
"Fabian is going all the way to the Premier League and, hopefully, he will take Leeds United there too," said Robinson. "He is just a kid who has come in from the streets and who enjoys his football and his banter, but clearly he has got the world at his feet."
Drawing comparisons between the Bradford-born youngster and Liverpool's finest, Robinson said: "When Stevie Gerrard came on the scene, he was very similar, he looked rangy but had the same passing range, and also liked a tackle.
"Fabian snaps you in the tackle and is already whacking senior pros in training.
"He has done me a few times and the gaffer has had to tell him to 'slow down' but that's just a sign of confidence in a player of such a young age.
"Gerrard was always enthusiastic and Fabian is certainly enthusiastic. I always say that if they are good enough, they are old enough and right now I think Fabian's is the first name on the teamsheet."As one of the best midfielders of his own generation, Leeds manager Gary McAllister is an ideal mentor for young Delph.
McAllister confirmed that there had been 'big interest from big teams' in a player who initially started his career in Bradford City's schoolboy ranks.
If Leeds go on to win promotion this season, it will also go a long way towards keeping the player at Elland Road.
After winning just one of their first four league games, Leeds produced a vintage performance against Crewe to re-affirm their promotion credentials.
Goals from Delph, Alan Sheehan, Jonathan Douglas, Jermaine Beckford and substitute Andy Robinson turned the game into a rout before a late lapse in concentration enabled Crewe to score twice and regain lost pride.
Beckford's apart – which was still a good near post header – all would easily have been contenders for any Goal of the Month competition.
Delph, Sheehan, and Douglas struck from long range while Robinson curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box.
Substitute Robinson had also struck the bar and provided the cross for Beckford's goal and hopes his contribution will warrant a return to the side next week at Swindon Town.
"It is early days still but losing my place, after a sloppy performance against Yeovil, was the kick up the backside I needed," said the summer signing from Swansea. "I moved to a new club, got married, and moved house – three of the most stressful things you can do – all in the space of six weeks this summer," he added. "But I guarantee that the fans will see the best of me and I will do well for the club this season."
Defender Lubomir Michalik faces a suspension after being sent off in stoppage time for pulling the shirt of Crewe substitute Clayton Donaldson.
His misdemeanour resulted in Crewe's first goal from the subsequent freekick and was quickly followed by a second scored by Eugen Bopp.
Leeds moved into the League One play-off zone thanks to the win and McAllister admitted that the result had defused pressure around Elland Road.
"I know its only four games in but you look at league tables and it doesn't quite reflect where your form is," he said. "We needed a result, there was a wee bit of pressure leading up to this game.
"We got an absolutely perfect performance for 90 minutes. Barring the last two minutes (of stoppage time), every player and each of the substitutes were first class."
Independent 7/9/08
Leeds United 5 Crewe Alexandra 2: McAllister enjoys stunning view of Delph
By Jon Culley at Elland Road
Kevin Keegan might not have cared to have Dennis Wise picking his players but the former Newcastle manager could surely have had no quarrel with his director of football's judgment over Fabian Delph.
Delph was one of a trio of Leeds United teenagers Wise wanted to bring to St James' Park and would have doubtless been offered attractive inducements to move to the north-east had he not committed himself to a future at Elland Road the day after Keegan decided to leave Wise to it on Tyneside.
Yesterday, the Bradford-born 18-year-old showed why Wise had kept track of his progress since he quit the manager's job at Leeds last January, playing a key role in a romp for Gary McAllister's team with a performance in midfield that displayed maturity beyond his years.
The England youth international, making only his second start in a league match, put himself constantly at the heart of the action with his intelligent positional play and his teammates were more than willing to give him the ball.
With good reason. Few passes missed their target, whether over short distances or long. "Already there is nothing much I need to tell him about controlling the ball and passing it," McAllister said. "He is a good footballer. It is just a matter now of drip feeding him information to add little bits to his game."
Indeed, encouraged by McAllister to "have a pop at goal" he enhanced his repertoire straight away, setting the tone for an impressive but all-too-easy Leeds victory by scoring the opening goal - his first in senior football - after 26 minutes, beating goalkeeper Steve Collis with a low, 25-yard shot that skimmed off the turf before going in off the right-hand post.
Leeds never looked back, glorifying in an oasis of rare sunshine at Elland Road to light up the afternoon with five high-quality goals. Their attacks led by the impressive but unlucky Luciano Becchio, they could have scored eight, although that might have been seen as greedy.
As it was, always given too much room as Crewe sought to play constructive football but neglected basic defending, Leeds hit a second after 36 minutes as Collis was beaten again by another long-range shot, this time from left back Alan Sheehan, a fine strike but one that was trumped four minutes into the second half, as Jonathan Douglas drilled the ball hard and low into the bottom left-hand corner from easily 30 yards.
Next on target was Beckford, who headed home at the near post from a superb cross by substitute Andrew Robinson, who himself took the Leeds tally to five with a magnificent right-foot curler from the left flank.
Thus Leeds completed a performance which - had it not been for a stoppage time red card for Lubomir Michalek - for a second bookable offence - and two subsequent consolation goals for Crewe - from Billy Jones and Eugen Bopp - would have been almost perfect.
It has not been a perfect start to the season - this was only their second win in five matches and their first in three at home -- but on the evidence here, Leeds can look towards promotion with some confidence. Crewe, on the other hand, clearly have much work to do.
Leeds United 5 Crewe 2 - Teen talent Delph proves instant hit as Leeds reaffirm credentials
By Ian Appleyard
LEEDS United wonderkid Fabian Delph was dubbed the new Steven Gerrard after a performance that confirmed his status as a new hero of Elland Road.
Delph might be small in stature but his talent is massive – which is why Leeds have moved swiftly to secure his services on a four-year deal.
That won't put a stop to Premier League clubs chasing his signature of course but team-mate Andy Robinson hopes the teenager will go all the way to the top by staying at Leeds.
Robinson, who grew up with England star Gerrard on Merseyside, says Delph, 18, has the 'world at his feet'.
The teenager stole the show against Crewe Alexandra and his first goal in senior football opened the floodgates as Leeds smashed in five.
"Fabian is going all the way to the Premier League and, hopefully, he will take Leeds United there too," said Robinson. "He is just a kid who has come in from the streets and who enjoys his football and his banter, but clearly he has got the world at his feet."
Drawing comparisons between the Bradford-born youngster and Liverpool's finest, Robinson said: "When Stevie Gerrard came on the scene, he was very similar, he looked rangy but had the same passing range, and also liked a tackle.
"Fabian snaps you in the tackle and is already whacking senior pros in training.
"He has done me a few times and the gaffer has had to tell him to 'slow down' but that's just a sign of confidence in a player of such a young age.
"Gerrard was always enthusiastic and Fabian is certainly enthusiastic. I always say that if they are good enough, they are old enough and right now I think Fabian's is the first name on the teamsheet."As one of the best midfielders of his own generation, Leeds manager Gary McAllister is an ideal mentor for young Delph.
McAllister confirmed that there had been 'big interest from big teams' in a player who initially started his career in Bradford City's schoolboy ranks.
If Leeds go on to win promotion this season, it will also go a long way towards keeping the player at Elland Road.
After winning just one of their first four league games, Leeds produced a vintage performance against Crewe to re-affirm their promotion credentials.
Goals from Delph, Alan Sheehan, Jonathan Douglas, Jermaine Beckford and substitute Andy Robinson turned the game into a rout before a late lapse in concentration enabled Crewe to score twice and regain lost pride.
Beckford's apart – which was still a good near post header – all would easily have been contenders for any Goal of the Month competition.
Delph, Sheehan, and Douglas struck from long range while Robinson curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box.
Substitute Robinson had also struck the bar and provided the cross for Beckford's goal and hopes his contribution will warrant a return to the side next week at Swindon Town.
"It is early days still but losing my place, after a sloppy performance against Yeovil, was the kick up the backside I needed," said the summer signing from Swansea. "I moved to a new club, got married, and moved house – three of the most stressful things you can do – all in the space of six weeks this summer," he added. "But I guarantee that the fans will see the best of me and I will do well for the club this season."
Defender Lubomir Michalik faces a suspension after being sent off in stoppage time for pulling the shirt of Crewe substitute Clayton Donaldson.
His misdemeanour resulted in Crewe's first goal from the subsequent freekick and was quickly followed by a second scored by Eugen Bopp.
Leeds moved into the League One play-off zone thanks to the win and McAllister admitted that the result had defused pressure around Elland Road.
"I know its only four games in but you look at league tables and it doesn't quite reflect where your form is," he said. "We needed a result, there was a wee bit of pressure leading up to this game.
"We got an absolutely perfect performance for 90 minutes. Barring the last two minutes (of stoppage time), every player and each of the substitutes were first class."
Independent 7/9/08
Leeds United 5 Crewe Alexandra 2: McAllister enjoys stunning view of Delph
By Jon Culley at Elland Road
Kevin Keegan might not have cared to have Dennis Wise picking his players but the former Newcastle manager could surely have had no quarrel with his director of football's judgment over Fabian Delph.
Delph was one of a trio of Leeds United teenagers Wise wanted to bring to St James' Park and would have doubtless been offered attractive inducements to move to the north-east had he not committed himself to a future at Elland Road the day after Keegan decided to leave Wise to it on Tyneside.
Yesterday, the Bradford-born 18-year-old showed why Wise had kept track of his progress since he quit the manager's job at Leeds last January, playing a key role in a romp for Gary McAllister's team with a performance in midfield that displayed maturity beyond his years.
The England youth international, making only his second start in a league match, put himself constantly at the heart of the action with his intelligent positional play and his teammates were more than willing to give him the ball.
With good reason. Few passes missed their target, whether over short distances or long. "Already there is nothing much I need to tell him about controlling the ball and passing it," McAllister said. "He is a good footballer. It is just a matter now of drip feeding him information to add little bits to his game."
Indeed, encouraged by McAllister to "have a pop at goal" he enhanced his repertoire straight away, setting the tone for an impressive but all-too-easy Leeds victory by scoring the opening goal - his first in senior football - after 26 minutes, beating goalkeeper Steve Collis with a low, 25-yard shot that skimmed off the turf before going in off the right-hand post.
Leeds never looked back, glorifying in an oasis of rare sunshine at Elland Road to light up the afternoon with five high-quality goals. Their attacks led by the impressive but unlucky Luciano Becchio, they could have scored eight, although that might have been seen as greedy.
As it was, always given too much room as Crewe sought to play constructive football but neglected basic defending, Leeds hit a second after 36 minutes as Collis was beaten again by another long-range shot, this time from left back Alan Sheehan, a fine strike but one that was trumped four minutes into the second half, as Jonathan Douglas drilled the ball hard and low into the bottom left-hand corner from easily 30 yards.
Next on target was Beckford, who headed home at the near post from a superb cross by substitute Andrew Robinson, who himself took the Leeds tally to five with a magnificent right-foot curler from the left flank.
Thus Leeds completed a performance which - had it not been for a stoppage time red card for Lubomir Michalek - for a second bookable offence - and two subsequent consolation goals for Crewe - from Billy Jones and Eugen Bopp - would have been almost perfect.
It has not been a perfect start to the season - this was only their second win in five matches and their first in three at home -- but on the evidence here, Leeds can look towards promotion with some confidence. Crewe, on the other hand, clearly have much work to do.