Doncaster - Leeds (Carling Cup) 23th of August 2011

Tomorrow Leeds will take the 53 km drive towards Doncaster to face them in the Carling Cup, the game is likely to have former Leeds captain, Richard Naylor, face his old team on his new home turf. The two teams both defeated "smaller" clubs in the previous round, Leeds seeing off Bradford and Doncaster beating Tranmere 3-0 - Doncasters win was their only of the campaign so far, having lost all four games in the championship.

I am having issues with this game, I would love for Leeds to win and to proceed to the next round, and hopefully seeing a "big team" come to Elland Road - furthermore a win would enable us to carry on our recent good form and boost morale within the team and among the fans. BUT, let's be honest, we probably won't win the carling cup (this season), so maybe it would be better for Simon Grayson to pick some reserves and enable us to focus on the league?? Players like Rachubka, O'Brien, Bruce, Sam and others would be able to get 90 mins under their belt and improve their fitness, but again players like Aiden White, Adam Clayton, McCormack & Keogh would be able to retaining their great form and get even better together on the pitch - It is always a tricky one to decide how you pick the team, and for a cup game it is even trickier. I am not sure what Grayson will do, but I think he will mix the team up and give some players a needed rest and others will be allowed to get more minuttes. My guess for the starting 11 is: Rachubka, Conolly, O'Brien, Bruce, Parker, Sam, Brown, Howson, Gradel, Nunez and McCormack.

Let's hope the Leeds lads can, again, revenge the league 1 final defeat from 2008 and beat Doncaster - because eventhough I have issues with giving 100% in this game, I still LOVE when Leeds win!

A betting tip for the game is a 2-0 Leeds win with goals from McCormack and and own goal from our former captian Richard Naylor ;)