The Breakfast Debate

Crowd was a bit flat last night in the first half,it was fookin cold and took a long while to warm up.As for the window,Monk seems very confident something will happen,personally think its top players on loan and there clubs are waiting to see if they can sell first.

 

Morning all.

Let's get one thing straight. There is no plan to frustrate and tire opponents in the first half before picking them off in the second. The reality is we are usually a bit slow out of the blocks, our passing and speed of thought is lethargic which results in too many backwards and sideways movements. The opposition are fresh and energetic, so press us in the midfield areas resulting in more negative thoughts and play. Remember we are playing a lone striker system so any long balls up to Wood usually results in a loss of possession.

This usually results in a quite boring stalemate for most of the first half. The opposition usually have one or two good chances during this period as they grow in confidence a they enjoy good possession in our half of the field.

The reason the second halves of games are better are just the usual footballing reasons for any game. Players tire slightly so the pressing is slightly less, the gaps between players are slightly bigger, this results in a little bit more room to play and that goes for both teams.

Fortunately for us this season we have better quality players so once they have they little bit of extra space and time we can start push teams back and create a little bit of momentum. We are not carving out chance ofter chance but we are on the front foot. This momentum and pressure results in more corners, set pieces etc and we usually nick a goal from one of them.

That first goal has been absolutely vital to our recent fantastic home form. The opposition have had to attack more and then there is space everywhere, which is why Monk keeps saying we need more composure to be able to pick teams off at that stage of the game.

So we are a capable but functional side whom are heavily reliant on a secure defence and set piece goals. We show good fitness as a team and keep going right until the end. The attitude and togetherness of the squad is hugely important as is the improved coaching from Monk and his staff. It's fine margins in the championship but we seem to have found a way to have a slight edge over most teams. But anything less then 100% effort and concentration and that edge is lost as witnessed at Barnsley on Saturday.

 

Morning Milky, Bridcutt had a great game last night. Think perhaps he was still regaining a bit of form since his injury...

Interesting that the hierarchy don't keep the fans up to date too much with the injury status of players. Players like O'Kane, Taylor and Bridcutt were supposed minor knocks, therefor you'd expect them to be back in a week or two not two or three months.

Perhaps this has been a deliberate tactic so not to give an advantage to the opposition.

 

Agree with all that .listening to the Duke after the game,we have a team enjoying their football with a great team spirit,and at the moment I think that is our big advantage.

 

Morning Doc, Are you saying that Thom and Eddie are not Leeds fans

Eddie kept that quiet

Its always going to be a balance between youth and experience. Heard one of the things we did very well last night was closing down at every opportunity. You can expect that more from the likes of Viera and Phillips, but less so of Bridcutt.

 

It was one of Bridcutt's best games for us last night, he was everywhere.

The home form is key this season, especially as we are picking up results away from home as well. To go 6 games without conceding is a testament to our back 5.

To see Wood get to 20 goals before the end of Jan is great to see, and although i'm not Doukara's biggest fan that was some strike.

 

Morning Chesh

 

Morning Elland

 

Morning Jammy,

Keeping possession is important at this level. If you remember a few seasons ago, the squad was burnt out by Christmas. The reason the Manager gave was as the team had such little possession they had burned themselves out by chasing the ball, and covering twice the amount of distance

Suppose what I am saying is I'd rather pass the ball back and keep possession than keep losing the ball.

There is of course a fine line, especially if you see how the likes of Reading play which is extremely negative.

 

Phil Hay ‏@PhilHayYEP 3h3 hours ago
Amazing how many people filmed the Doukara goal. Leeds United corners used to be an opportunity to check your betting coupon.

 

Morning Paul, it was a Yeboah-esque strike...

Doukoah...

 

Duke said he's not sure he was born,when Yeboah scored that one,but he knew about it,and our history which is good to see.

 

I have lutv, had trouble with the stream when they first changed the layout at the start of the season. It seems poorly designed but it has worked for me after the first month or so. Having to click on the play button when the link thing comes up seems superfluous.

 

Afternoon all,regarding LUTV it's a proper pain in the arse. Happy enough i can now get it in HD on my ipad but there are way to many problems. Fair play to our new co-owner Radz though, after seeing complaints on twitter he tweeted, apoligised and promised it would be looked at and improved for next season. An owner who cares at last.

 

Afternoon CM,
Super what????

 

Olla Spain, lets hope so...

 

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Last 6 seasons to get into the play offs: 74, 78, 72, 68, 75 and 75 points

 

Let's see Doukara's goal again....

 

So what kids started last night then, Doc?