Interesting how, given most of us had hardly heard of Bielsa (in my case not even hardly) after two games we’re all saying he know best. Didn’t happen with any other manager for a long long time.
If you’re not LLs second account welcome otherwise, you must have sh1t in your eyes. Genuinely, if it wasn’t for Roofes two goals and one Kalvin feck up first half I thought he was MOTM comfortably today, KP was awesome and I bet the boss agrees. IBWT is my new chant. In Bielsa We Trust. HTF do you turn so much average into awesome? If we had to go up via the Play Off final there is no-one more than Berardi I would like to lift the trophy, he embodies Leeds United. However, even he admits he is limited. If MB can turn him into a ball playing CB then the man really is a genius. Only weak link today for me. Alioski, hats off fella, best I’ve seen from you in a year, Klitch.. like a new signing, Hernandez looks ten years younger, Douglas quiet but fine, everyone else.... outstanding. We’ve scored seven in two games against multi million pound squads, that in itself is superb but, in all honesty how many could it have been?? At times it was like watching extra time in the cup final back in the good old days where we were breaking four on one. It can’t last forever so enjoy today - absolutely brilliant again
Like I said in my previous reply, the game is all about opinions and we're all never going to agree on certain things so let's just agree to disagree. Anyway that's enough excitement for me for one day, Mrs 10 wants me to take her down to the pub..catch you all later
Correct, I misread it. And that was last season, all my hissy fits are time limited, I’m even talking to LL.
Was hoping for a bit more coverage of the game on quest than the 8 or 9 mins shown but good to see it and to hear positive comments post match.
I’ve bought NOW for a month as we are on a lot in August. Finding it useful at start of season to see the other teams too - watched Reading v Derby last week and as a result put some cash on us to win today. In fact that win more than pays for the month, now I think on
First half and I'd agree you may have a point but 2nd half he bossed the game and was everywhere. Not saying and never would say he is a world beater but don't let your bias against KP stop you seeing what actually happened in the game.
Obviously football is all about opinions (and I begrudgingly respect those who disagree...), but I'm 100% with you on this - anyone who can't see what a terrific job Phillips is doing just cannot understand football. One or two misplaced passes (and one minor **** up), but that's the whole point of the Bielsa system - he doesn't want Phillips to make a safe 5 yard pass back to a centre half. He wants the whole team to take risks with the ball, Phillips included, and to do that, they will make the occasional mistake or misplaced pass. Anyone castigating him for that just doesn't understand the whole tactical plan. I'd rather we make the occasional misplaced pass trying to play through the thirds than spank it aimlessly upfield or pass it 5 yards backwards for the sake of it. Phillips' closing down was superb today, his energy levels are terrific. Won a fair amount in the air, and his positional play was outstanding. Very rarely in the wrong position, and almost always available for a pass. Whole team looked terrific again, in fairness. Peacock-Farrell did make a mistake, but the ball did dip and swerve and he didn't seem to let the mistake phase him, so that's the main thing for me. Ayling and Douglas were fantastic again, we look so much more balanced now we have Douglas in the team. An absolute bargain - Orta does deserve credit for that one! Berardi should be more than adequate as a back-up CB, did fine again today. Obviously not perfect, but playing out of position against two of the most expensive (and talented) squads in the division, he's done more than enough for me. Obviously once Jansson is up to speed, I think he'll go straight in, though. Cooper was terrific again - just needs to maintain that level of consistency, because he was superb at the start of last season, too, and then dipped (along with the rest of the team, in fairness) rather dramatically. Klich, brilliant once again. What TC didn't see in him is anyone's guess, but I'm glad we gave him a second chance. Passing was fantastic, keeps the ball well, and a brilliant finish. Alioski, Saiz, and Hernandez were superb. Their movement, on and off the ball, tore Derby apart. Saiz in particular was outstanding, despite fluffing a few efforts at goal! They couldn't live with his movement in the first half, and having Johnson on specifically to man mark him second half just meant we'd effectively taken a man out of the game at all times. Alioski's work rate was terrific, and the ball in for Roofe's header was a beauty. Good header for his goal, too. Hernandez looks in great condition, and he's just fabulous on the ball. Keeps it so well. Finally, Roofe - what a performance. Two brilliant goals, but his movement, his pace, his work rate - Derby could not handle him. Absolutely outstanding, rightly MOTM. Nice to see Bamford on and he looked lively, but I can't see him displacing Roofe anytime soon, not in that kind of form. To think, we wasted two seasons playing him out wide or only giving him the occasional game or two as a striker! Madness. At times we still looked a little sloppy, and towards the end of the game we tailed off a bit, so there's definitely still room for improvement. That should worry the rest of the league, though! All in all, superb again. Long may it continue
What an absolute fair appraisal of the game. If I'm being hypercritical, OLOF called it during the match (assuming he'll be too pissed to red this till Tuesday} Saiz sometimes just needs to let the pass go earlier, but real quality.
From what I’ve heard that would be some diet I’d also like to say a few words to commend the rows and rows of black seats for making clapping noises as their occupants left them 30 minutes before the end.
You're ok LOL, be as hyper, (you did mean hyper, not hypo critical didn't you) as you like mate, I've only had 8 cans i'm taking it steady for my big day tomorrow