From the start it was obvious that the visitors had come with a plan. City swamped the midfield and battled hard in defence and, as a result, they fully deserved what they got: a two nil half-time lead.

Even from the start, one would have thought that we were the visiting team. Too many of our players were unfocused and there was no togetherness at all. We were completely disjointed. Half time was almost a relief for the fans as well as the players. At least we thought we couldn't get any worse, with both their goals coming from corners, described by DOL as "two silly goals."

The second half started very well, the only time we looked capable of applying pressure. Probably the manager's voice still ringing in their ears.We managed to pull one back during this spell but it was too little as the visitors never looked like conceding a second. The Leeds goal was excellent,involving Smith and Bridges before an excellent header from Lee Bowyer found the net.

Represetatives from Barcelona and Besiktas were watching and both must have gone away rubbing their hands together after this woeful performance. It was as bad as the start of that dreadful run late last season which saw the enormous gap between us and the eventual champions appear.

Viduka, I am afraid is not getting any better, on this showing. Sometimes he looks dreadful. Slow and cumbersome, I heard him described as a quickly becoming a donkey: Lee Chapman without the goals. Maybe it will be a relief when he goes off to the Olympic Games. Is this on his mind and affecting his play? He certainly doesn't appear to be getting any fitter. Maybe we can start keeping the ball on the floor again (something we're good at, generally) as opposed to hoofing it up in the air, (something we're notoriously poor at).

My worst fears about getting a target man were playing that kind of football. Last night, those fears were realised. We had loads of time and possession to get something out of the game but resorted to hair-brained panic "lump it up" tactics. Even Nigel Martyn was hoofing it up in the air instead of throwing out and trying to build an attack. It was woeful. Considering the fact that we thrashed the City last season on their ground leaves a lot to the imagination of how they have improved or is it we have gone the other way? I couldn't understand why Huckerby wasn't used. Surely as a manager O'Leary must try different tactics to change the pattern of the game. With 15 minutes or so left Huckerby having a run at them may have found a way through. Who knows if you don't try?

Players individual scores:

Martyn - 6, Probably one of the easiest games he will have. No chance for the goals. Distribution late in the game was terrible.

Kelly - 6, Best performer in our worst defensive performance for years. Some of his runs up the flank were encouraging.

Harte - 5, Poor. Again. Looked lost and caught out of place on occasions.

Radabe - 5, Not the usual Radebe at all. Was left wanting and beaten on several occasions. One of these lead to him being booked.

Duberry - 5, Defended well at times but woeful distribution

Jones - 5, Terrible distribution, not Premiership class yet.

Bowyer - 5, Not really with it, long spells out of the action

Dacourt - 7, Our lone star, if the team can recover some form, he will shine. Booked again.

Smith - 6, Worked hard but had little to work with. Went down too many blind alleys. The three men up front was simply not effective last night.

Bridges 6, Needs a goal and was unlucky not to get one. As at Boro, better 2nd half.

Viduka 5, This guy will struggle to get any amount of goals in England. About as confident as a mouse in an Owl Sanctuary. The next 4-6 weeks will be interesting without him, it'd be nice to get a run going and keep him out of the side. He's got a lot to do.

Subs:

Evans 4, He's not ready yet. Mills would have been a much better option. Mills with a blindfold on and both legs tied together.

Reporters: Graham Thirkill and MJK