BBC 4/11/11
Leeds United agree loan deal for keeper Alex McCarthy
Leeds have signed England Under-21 keeper Alex McCarthy on a month's loan from Championship rivals Reading.
With first-choice Andy Lonergan injured, Leeds boss Simon Grayson decided he needed extra cover after the 5-0 midweek loss to Blackpool.
"They are keen for him to play games and hopefully his loan spell here will help with his development," Grayson told Reading's website.
McCarthy goes straight into the squad for Sunday's game at Leicester.
And he could be handed a place in the starting line-up after three mistakes by Paul Rachubka against Blackpool, which all resulted in goals, saw him replaced in the second half by youth-team keeper Alex Cairns.
Leeds fans may remember McCarthy following his man-of-the-match performance for Reading at Elland Road in last season's 0-0 draw.
I need to give Alex more games and more experience of this level so that was the thinking behind it
Reading boss Brian McDermott
And Reading boss Brian McDermott admitted he was in two minds about letting him move, albeit temporarily.
"We had a phone call from Leeds and Alex was excited about the possibility of going there," McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire.
"I spoke to Simon Grayson and I think in this case I have to do right by Alex McCarthy. He has done really well for me and I have three keepers at the club who are capable of playing in the Championship.
"I need to give Alex more games and more experience of this level so that was the thinking behind it.
"It was a tough call but I think in the long term for Reading and for Alex it's the right call."
From Europe to Yeovil 3/11/11
Rachubka enters Elland Road Hall of Shame
by lufcjames
Pay peanuts, you get monkeys. That was the phrase that kept going around my head as I watched the worst individual performance in my time as a Leeds United fan.
Let’s make no bones about it, Paul Rachubka was utterly atrocious tonight. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It is not as if he was peppered with shots. Blackpool were playing some nice football but didn’t have a shot to speak of before the first goal.
I felt as if I was reliving the Preston nightmare all over again during that first half. That gut-wrenching feeling of helplessness as you watch your beloved team fall apart in front of your eyes felt oh so familiar as I watched Rachubka gift Blackpool the points.
The first goal was similar to the one conceded at Birmingham, Rachubka palming a shot which came at a comfortable height straight into the striker’s path. One shot on target, one follow-up, one goal – a familiar tale with Rachubka between the sticks.
The second one, well, does it get any worse than that? Rachubka came to claim a routine cross and ended up making the most monumental cock-up you are ever likely to see, leaving poor Tom Lees having to take one for the team. The decision to award the penalty and send Lees off was debatable but utterly believable in the context of the game. It was one of those nights.
Rachubka has a terrible problem collecting crosses at waist-height. He dropped one in the dying seconds against Coventry, another against Birmingham and topped the lot with that tonight. We are talking about basic goalkeeping, the very basics. I felt sorry for the outfield players, their spirit was crushed during that first half.
The third one was coming a mile off, he shouldn’t have still been on the field. Simon Grayson needs to take some responsibility. Rachubka’s confidence was cleared shot after gifting Coventry a late equaliser. He looked dodgy against Peterborough, again at Birmingham and was hardly convincing against Cardiff. We should have been looking to get another keeper in a couple of weeks ago. I like Grayson but he tends to be reactive rather than proactive. Any manager worth his salt should have seen this performance coming.
For me, it isn’t all about tonight, this goes back to the summer and our distinct lack of ambition in the transfer market. While other sides were signalling their intent with eye-catching signings, we were sat on our hands, making the odd uninspiring signing, like Blackpool’s third-choice goalkeeper.
It is tough to gauge anything from tonight’s game. It is fair to say Blackpool were on top before the first goal and we struggled to get into the game. Grayson should have freshened things up going into the game, we looked lacklustre again early doors. The fact he didn’t tells me he doesn’t trust the fringe players.
However, we had ten men for large parts and Rachubka gifted Blackpool three goals. He threw the game away and let his team-mates down badly. They looked as shell-shocked as the fans when the third one went in.
I will openly admit booing Rachubka and shouting for Grayson to get him off. With hindsight, I know that didn’t help the situation at all. This is football though and emotions are running high. I appreciate booing him is bad, however, I would have to say clapping him is just as bad. If I performed like that at work I can’t imagine I would get a round of applause as I cleared my desk.
I was one of those who stayed until the end tonight and it hurt like hell. As I have said, it was like reliving Preston all over again. I made myself stay to the end, because I know it will be all the sweeter when the good feelings come back around. MOT.
Guardian 2/11/11
Jonjo Shelvey hits hat-trick in Blackpool rout of 10-man Leeds United
Leeds United 0 Blackpool 5
Paul Rachubka was hauled off at half-time after a pair of costly errors by the goalkeeper sent 10-man Leeds spiralling towards a heavy 5-0 defeat by Blackpool at Elland Road.
Jonjo Shelvey scored a hat-trick for Blackpool and Lomana LuaLua struck twice on his first start for the club, but despite overcoming consecutive defeats with an at-times swashbuckling display, Ian Holloway's men had more than a little help from Rachubka.
Signed after his release by Blackpool this summer, Rachubka has endured a tough introduction to the Leeds first team since Andy Lonergan suffered a fractured finger last month.
He was publicly backed by the manager, Simon Grayson, after a mistake gave Coventry a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, but his shaky form has continued and his manager was in less conciliatory mood, substituting Rachubka in favour of 18-year-old Alex Cairns, who made his
professional debut at the start of the second half.
After LuaLua's opener, Rachubka spilled a routine catch, leading to Tom Lees's dismissal for deliberate handball and Shelvey's first, from the penalty spot.
On-loan Liverpool playmaker Shelvey scored his second goal when Rachubka dropped a LuaLua shot at his feet, and both he and LuaLua scored a goal apiece in the second half, to make it an uncomfortable night for Grayson against the club he left in acrimonious circumstances in December 2008.
Leeds had the game's first opening when the Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks failed to hold a Robert Snodgrass free-kick from deep on the right flank. Patrick Kisnorbo, starting in place of the injured Darren O'Dea, reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area but was thwarted first by Gilks and then the centre-back Craig Cathcart.
Blackpool sprang up the other end to open the scoring when Stephen Crainey's delightful through-ball released Shelvey in the inside-left position. His shot was parried by Rachubka towards LuaLua, who slotted home the 13th-minute rebound.
The Seasiders doubled their advantage in farcical circumstances after 27 minutes. Rachubka dropped a routine cross from Alex Baptiste, Ludovic Sylvestre looked to pounce and Lees handled the goalbound shot. Shelvey emphatically finished from the spot only for the referee Roger East to rule out the effort for encroachment. Unruffled, the Liverpool man calmly stroked his second effort beyond Rachubka's dive into the bottom corner, and the former Charlton youngster would benefit from an even simpler opportunity four minutes later.
LuaLua drove speculatively from 25 yards and Rachubka spilled the shot, leaving Shelvey to round the prone, beleaguered goalkeeper and make it three.
The academy product Cairns was given a raucous reception as he commenced his warm-up and a section of the home fans made their feelings clear 10 minutes before half-time, booing as Rachubka received a back-pass.
The introduction of Luciano Becchio and Cairns briefly buoyed Leeds as the second half began. Gilks rushed from his line to avert danger when Adam Clayton burst through the Seasiders' defence, and top scorer Ross McCormack had a shot blocked, with optimistic penalty shouts falling on deaf ears.
Cairns received his second ovation of the night for a routine save from Shelvey, but he was left with no chance in the 65th minute when LuaLua cut inside Paul Connelly and lashed into the top corner.
The substitute Angel MartÃnez then played through Shelvey to clinically complete his hat-trick with 12 minutes remaining.
Leeds United agree loan deal for keeper Alex McCarthy
Leeds have signed England Under-21 keeper Alex McCarthy on a month's loan from Championship rivals Reading.
With first-choice Andy Lonergan injured, Leeds boss Simon Grayson decided he needed extra cover after the 5-0 midweek loss to Blackpool.
"They are keen for him to play games and hopefully his loan spell here will help with his development," Grayson told Reading's website.
McCarthy goes straight into the squad for Sunday's game at Leicester.
And he could be handed a place in the starting line-up after three mistakes by Paul Rachubka against Blackpool, which all resulted in goals, saw him replaced in the second half by youth-team keeper Alex Cairns.
Leeds fans may remember McCarthy following his man-of-the-match performance for Reading at Elland Road in last season's 0-0 draw.
I need to give Alex more games and more experience of this level so that was the thinking behind it
Reading boss Brian McDermott
And Reading boss Brian McDermott admitted he was in two minds about letting him move, albeit temporarily.
"We had a phone call from Leeds and Alex was excited about the possibility of going there," McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire.
"I spoke to Simon Grayson and I think in this case I have to do right by Alex McCarthy. He has done really well for me and I have three keepers at the club who are capable of playing in the Championship.
"I need to give Alex more games and more experience of this level so that was the thinking behind it.
"It was a tough call but I think in the long term for Reading and for Alex it's the right call."
From Europe to Yeovil 3/11/11
Rachubka enters Elland Road Hall of Shame
by lufcjames
Pay peanuts, you get monkeys. That was the phrase that kept going around my head as I watched the worst individual performance in my time as a Leeds United fan.
Let’s make no bones about it, Paul Rachubka was utterly atrocious tonight. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It is not as if he was peppered with shots. Blackpool were playing some nice football but didn’t have a shot to speak of before the first goal.
I felt as if I was reliving the Preston nightmare all over again during that first half. That gut-wrenching feeling of helplessness as you watch your beloved team fall apart in front of your eyes felt oh so familiar as I watched Rachubka gift Blackpool the points.
The first goal was similar to the one conceded at Birmingham, Rachubka palming a shot which came at a comfortable height straight into the striker’s path. One shot on target, one follow-up, one goal – a familiar tale with Rachubka between the sticks.
The second one, well, does it get any worse than that? Rachubka came to claim a routine cross and ended up making the most monumental cock-up you are ever likely to see, leaving poor Tom Lees having to take one for the team. The decision to award the penalty and send Lees off was debatable but utterly believable in the context of the game. It was one of those nights.
Rachubka has a terrible problem collecting crosses at waist-height. He dropped one in the dying seconds against Coventry, another against Birmingham and topped the lot with that tonight. We are talking about basic goalkeeping, the very basics. I felt sorry for the outfield players, their spirit was crushed during that first half.
The third one was coming a mile off, he shouldn’t have still been on the field. Simon Grayson needs to take some responsibility. Rachubka’s confidence was cleared shot after gifting Coventry a late equaliser. He looked dodgy against Peterborough, again at Birmingham and was hardly convincing against Cardiff. We should have been looking to get another keeper in a couple of weeks ago. I like Grayson but he tends to be reactive rather than proactive. Any manager worth his salt should have seen this performance coming.
For me, it isn’t all about tonight, this goes back to the summer and our distinct lack of ambition in the transfer market. While other sides were signalling their intent with eye-catching signings, we were sat on our hands, making the odd uninspiring signing, like Blackpool’s third-choice goalkeeper.
It is tough to gauge anything from tonight’s game. It is fair to say Blackpool were on top before the first goal and we struggled to get into the game. Grayson should have freshened things up going into the game, we looked lacklustre again early doors. The fact he didn’t tells me he doesn’t trust the fringe players.
However, we had ten men for large parts and Rachubka gifted Blackpool three goals. He threw the game away and let his team-mates down badly. They looked as shell-shocked as the fans when the third one went in.
I will openly admit booing Rachubka and shouting for Grayson to get him off. With hindsight, I know that didn’t help the situation at all. This is football though and emotions are running high. I appreciate booing him is bad, however, I would have to say clapping him is just as bad. If I performed like that at work I can’t imagine I would get a round of applause as I cleared my desk.
I was one of those who stayed until the end tonight and it hurt like hell. As I have said, it was like reliving Preston all over again. I made myself stay to the end, because I know it will be all the sweeter when the good feelings come back around. MOT.
Guardian 2/11/11
Jonjo Shelvey hits hat-trick in Blackpool rout of 10-man Leeds United
Leeds United 0 Blackpool 5
Paul Rachubka was hauled off at half-time after a pair of costly errors by the goalkeeper sent 10-man Leeds spiralling towards a heavy 5-0 defeat by Blackpool at Elland Road.
Jonjo Shelvey scored a hat-trick for Blackpool and Lomana LuaLua struck twice on his first start for the club, but despite overcoming consecutive defeats with an at-times swashbuckling display, Ian Holloway's men had more than a little help from Rachubka.
Signed after his release by Blackpool this summer, Rachubka has endured a tough introduction to the Leeds first team since Andy Lonergan suffered a fractured finger last month.
He was publicly backed by the manager, Simon Grayson, after a mistake gave Coventry a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, but his shaky form has continued and his manager was in less conciliatory mood, substituting Rachubka in favour of 18-year-old Alex Cairns, who made his
professional debut at the start of the second half.After LuaLua's opener, Rachubka spilled a routine catch, leading to Tom Lees's dismissal for deliberate handball and Shelvey's first, from the penalty spot.
On-loan Liverpool playmaker Shelvey scored his second goal when Rachubka dropped a LuaLua shot at his feet, and both he and LuaLua scored a goal apiece in the second half, to make it an uncomfortable night for Grayson against the club he left in acrimonious circumstances in December 2008.
Leeds had the game's first opening when the Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks failed to hold a Robert Snodgrass free-kick from deep on the right flank. Patrick Kisnorbo, starting in place of the injured Darren O'Dea, reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area but was thwarted first by Gilks and then the centre-back Craig Cathcart.
Blackpool sprang up the other end to open the scoring when Stephen Crainey's delightful through-ball released Shelvey in the inside-left position. His shot was parried by Rachubka towards LuaLua, who slotted home the 13th-minute rebound.
The Seasiders doubled their advantage in farcical circumstances after 27 minutes. Rachubka dropped a routine cross from Alex Baptiste, Ludovic Sylvestre looked to pounce and Lees handled the goalbound shot. Shelvey emphatically finished from the spot only for the referee Roger East to rule out the effort for encroachment. Unruffled, the Liverpool man calmly stroked his second effort beyond Rachubka's dive into the bottom corner, and the former Charlton youngster would benefit from an even simpler opportunity four minutes later.
LuaLua drove speculatively from 25 yards and Rachubka spilled the shot, leaving Shelvey to round the prone, beleaguered goalkeeper and make it three.
The academy product Cairns was given a raucous reception as he commenced his warm-up and a section of the home fans made their feelings clear 10 minutes before half-time, booing as Rachubka received a back-pass.
The introduction of Luciano Becchio and Cairns briefly buoyed Leeds as the second half began. Gilks rushed from his line to avert danger when Adam Clayton burst through the Seasiders' defence, and top scorer Ross McCormack had a shot blocked, with optimistic penalty shouts falling on deaf ears.
Cairns received his second ovation of the night for a routine save from Shelvey, but he was left with no chance in the 65th minute when LuaLua cut inside Paul Connelly and lashed into the top corner.
The substitute Angel MartÃnez then played through Shelvey to clinically complete his hat-trick with 12 minutes remaining.