Boss delighted with team display
leedsunited.com 21/10/13
Brian McDermott gives his reaction to Sunday's win against Birmingham…
United manager Brian McDermott was full of praise for his side after the Sunday afternoon victory over Birmingham City.
Ross McCormack, Rudy Austin and a Matt Smith double put the Midlands side to the sword with United turning in the best Elland Road performance of the season.
The squad spent the international break working on a new-look system - the experiment was put into practice during a behind closed doors game against Rotherham at Thorp Arch last midweek - and the reward was a four-goal victory and a strong team performance.
“I was really pleased when the break came because we are trying to find a system that suits the players that we have got,” he said.
“We are also trying to find a way of getting some width into the team and we did that on Sunday.
“I thought we were excellent on Sunday. I thought that we started the game on the front foot. It wasn’t just about the system, it was about mentality.
“We need to have that winning mentality. We spoke about the players being brave at Elland Road and when playing for Leeds you have to be brave on the ball.
“I thought we saw two really young midfield players (Alex Mowatt and Luke Murphy) who were really brave on the ball. I thought that Rudy Austin played with freedom, he ran forward and the role he had suited him...Ross McCormack, Matt Smith I could go through the whole team.”
The strike pairing of McCormack and Smith delivered three of the four goals and the boss was delighted for both players.
“I was delighted for Matt Smith and I was also delighted for Ross McCormack,” said the boss. “I think that we have been guilty of playing in front of teams but we didn’t do that on Sunday.
“We could have scored six or seven goals. We had a couple of one-on-ones. On Sunday we got in behind them and that was important. Any good side, and I don’t care who you are, you have to get in behind teams.
"I was delighted for the supporters as well, it was a good day for them.
"The good thing about the game was that we created numerous chances. If you look back at the Millwall game we created one chance but on Sunday we created 10 or 11 really good chances.
“This is what the fans pay their money for, they want to see teams that can play with energy. I’m trying to find a way, the best way for us to move forward and Sunday was a good day for us.”
Brian McDermott gives his reaction to Sunday's win against Birmingham…
United manager Brian McDermott was full of praise for his side after the Sunday afternoon victory over Birmingham City.
Ross McCormack, Rudy Austin and a Matt Smith double put the Midlands side to the sword with United turning in the best Elland Road performance of the season.
The squad spent the international break working on a new-look system - the experiment was put into practice during a behind closed doors game against Rotherham at Thorp Arch last midweek - and the reward was a four-goal victory and a strong team performance.
“I was really pleased when the break came because we are trying to find a system that suits the players that we have got,” he said.
“We are also trying to find a way of getting some width into the team and we did that on Sunday.
“I thought we were excellent on Sunday. I thought that we started the game on the front foot. It wasn’t just about the system, it was about mentality.
“We need to have that winning mentality. We spoke about the players being brave at Elland Road and when playing for Leeds you have to be brave on the ball.
“I thought we saw two really young midfield players (Alex Mowatt and Luke Murphy) who were really brave on the ball. I thought that Rudy Austin played with freedom, he ran forward and the role he had suited him...Ross McCormack, Matt Smith I could go through the whole team.”
The strike pairing of McCormack and Smith delivered three of the four goals and the boss was delighted for both players.
“I was delighted for Matt Smith and I was also delighted for Ross McCormack,” said the boss. “I think that we have been guilty of playing in front of teams but we didn’t do that on Sunday.
“We could have scored six or seven goals. We had a couple of one-on-ones. On Sunday we got in behind them and that was important. Any good side, and I don’t care who you are, you have to get in behind teams.
"I was delighted for the supporters as well, it was a good day for them.
"The good thing about the game was that we created numerous chances. If you look back at the Millwall game we created one chance but on Sunday we created 10 or 11 really good chances.
“This is what the fans pay their money for, they want to see teams that can play with energy. I’m trying to find a way, the best way for us to move forward and Sunday was a good day for us.”