Morning all. When Don took over he inherited a team in the lower reaches of the second division. We didn't seem to be going anywhere until he picked a team with four kids in it. They beat Swansea and never looked back.
Heard Talksport presenters say 4 wins, is that all? People keep forgetting the stat is for a new manager I think, otherwise best start is: 8 wins in a row League One 8 August 2009 Leeds United 2–1 Exeter City 15 August 2009 Wycombe Wanderers 0–1 Leeds United 18 August 2009 Walsall 1–2 Leeds United 22 August 2009 Leeds United 3–0 Tranmere Rovers 29 August 2009 Colchester United 1–2 Leeds United 5 September 2009 Leeds United 2–0 Stockport County 11 September 2009 Southend United 0–0 Leeds United League Cup 10 August 2009 1st round Darlington 0–1 Leeds United 25 August 2009 2nd round Leeds United 2 – 1 Watford
Off topic I know but I want someone to research and tell me how Erling Haaland can sign for Saltsburg as I cant read Norwegian or Austrian. Think it says a 5 year deal for the now 18 year old wonderkid. Window closed? He scored for Molde’ in Europe the other night and now he plays for Red Bull Saltsburg?
It was a crazy decision to close ours earlier that the rest of Europe and with the loan window remaining open it's an easy get around with the loan with a view to signing in January
Anyway, back to the match Another great day out, Elland Road was rocking. Concerning first half, looked like we were starting to go through the gears and then stopped accelerating letting Rotherham get a foothold and cause some real concern. Phillips was poor for me first half (much better in the second). His passing was amiss and the tempo of the whole team was too slow. Overall, nobody was bad, sort of 7’s all round but I would give BPF MOTM just because he did everything he needed to including a couple of very good first half saves but was also very assured, especially under the high ball - a far cry from last seasons muppets Also really enjoyed seeing Jannson and Harrison applauding Roofes goal from the touchline - highly encouraging. The Roofe, The Roofe, The Roofe is on fire Eight goal scorers now in four games bodes well Chesh and, I think, Mike said they thought Klich was very good, wouldn’t disagree but we just struggled to get behind a very organised team (many more of those to come I’m sure). Great to catch up with a few of you guys as ever although really quite sad the iconic old rust bucket has been traded in for a Skoda, WJ, you have lost a bit of your identity. Quite amusing, Ben is getting requests from his mates to come with us next time after he posted having beers in the Peacock and the band pre match, ER in full voice and then whatever Bar Jammy (Rodney) took us to later. Delighted not to have the trots after a god awful kebab. Note to self, the drive from Leeds to Suffolk is much longer when socialising with Rodney - that mans beer valves must be made of iron. Luckily Mrs B has got a roast on so a couple of medicinal beers are open
Walt, do you want a ticket for the Brum game? I can pick you up but can’t get you home this time. WJ may help out or I will sort you a taxi
Leeds60 & I discussed this last night. I'm not sure I'll be driving for the Brum game. Might be indulging in a Campari & Soda or two myself. If I decide not to drink for some reason or other, then I'm available for pickup/dropoff.
A bit late to the party, but better late than never and all that jazz. Anyway, about the game: Not the best we've played, or will play, this season, but the fact we got past a physical team that defended deep impressed me. Last season we would've lost, for sure. I'm glad we stuck to Bielsa's principles throughout; we didn't get impatient and start lobbing balls upfield, we continued to pass and move through the thirds. Defensively we were sloppy at times, and in possession in the first half we weren't as sharp as we have been, but we got by. I do wonder if the players have taken Bielsa too literally with his insistence to play it out from the back, because at times it was clear that putting it out of play or hammering it upfield was the correct thing to do, but we tried to overcomplicate it and ended up losing possession... I'm a big fan of the little triangles and the way we play out of danger, but on a few occasions I think we actually put ourselves in more danger by passing it! Peacock-Farrell deserved his clean sheet, made a couple of top saves (still not sure if he got a touch on Taylor's shot that hit the post, was difficult to tell live and haven't seen any replays yet!). Bailed Cooper out as well, although I'm not sure how much he really knew about it! Ayling and Douglas were solid as usual. Threat going forwards, helped create overloads in the wide areas and defended aggressively. Quality of delivery was pretty poor from both (uncharacteristically so from Douglas!) but in fairness, the whole team struggled with their final ball. I'm glad Ayling got a goal though, he deserves one! Berardi was actually better than Cooper. His suicidal pass aside, Cooper was fairly solid, but Berardi just seemed more aggressive. He's a little suspect under the high ball, but I think we are in general as a team, to be honest. He brought the ball out well and was quick over the ground when he had to be. Very happy with him as a CB option now, though I still think as soon as Jansson is properly up to speed he needs to come back in. Phillips, once again superb for me. I think some people will always have an issue with him, but based on his performances so far, selling Vieira was 100% the right move. He wouldn't get near our midfield at the moment. Phillips was a little sloppy in possession at times in the first half (the whole team were) but he's so aggressive and tigerish in the way he harasses players and regains possession. He's winning lots of second balls and nips in for little interceptions, or just straight up wins the ball back through brute strength. His passing in the second half was much improved, and the ball in to Roofe for his goal was a beauty, weighted perfectly. Always seemed available for a pass, and never stopped pressing and closing down. Such an underrated player. Glad Bielsa sees how good he is, even if half our fans don't! Klich, as per the whole team, started off a little sluggishly and his decision-making wasn't up to his previous standards in the first half. Second half, he became the focal point - everything went through him (and Phillips). He dictated the game in the second half, just seemed to go up a notch. Hernandez and Alioski looked dangerous at times without really hurting them - Alioski's final ball in particular was poor, but I feel he'll get a lot more of the stick when in fairness, even Douglas' delivery was hopeless at times. Both of them stuck at it though, and defended well from the front. Saiz still showed some nice touches in the first half, but the Rotherham centre half (Ajayi? I think?) was basically playing in midfield to man mark him, and it limited his effectiveness. Second half he seemed to break free a bit more, and definitely should've scored. A little subdued, but he won't be man-marked every game. And the teams lower down the league who do come for a point will soon learn that man-marking Saiz only opens up more space for Klich, Alioski, Hernandez, Roofe, etc. Roofe looks a different player. Even in the first half when things weren't all going our way, he stretched their defence, held the ball up well, laid it off, and showed some excellent touches. Nearly scored with a neat turn in the box, too - shame he missed, but the way he made the space and opened up for the effort was brilliant, and his actual goal was superb. The way he dropped down a gear to accelerate round the defender was awesome, and his finish was that of a man oozing confidence. None of the substitutes got much time, but I really do like the look of Baker (following on from his Bolton performance). Looks a tidy player, with a good engine and a point to prove. Bamford full of energy too, and his time will come soon, but Roofe rightly has the shirt at the moment. Hopefully Jansson will continue to get minutes in him ahead of returning to the defence. Interesting point: When Jansson came on, it looked like we moved into the fabled Bielsa 3-3-1-3 formation - perhaps someone can confirm? Looked to me like Jansson, Berardi, Cooper had gone into a line of three, Ayling and Douglas had pushed up alongside Phillips as the second line of three, with Baker operating as the playmaker behind Hernandez, Bamford, and Alioski. I suppose in fairness, we're so fluent and showing so much fluidity at the moment, both with and without the ball, that it's hard to know what formation we're actually playing half the time! So I'm probably wrong. Either way, four wins from four is a great start. I think I'll help myself to another beer
Really enjoyed reading that. My thoughts entirely, so in full agreement. I couldn't work out what exactly was happening when Pontus came on, but now that you mention it, it fits into what you've suggested - I just wasn't clever enough to work it out. I rather foolishly thought he'd come on to man-mark someone as they'd gone to 2 up front. But I couldn't work out who he was marking! Silly old fool that I am.
You were right WJ...well sort of. Rotherham had gone 2 up top so Pontus came on to make it 3 v 2 in our favour . Otherwise one of our fullback would have had to tuck in and leave the wide areas exposed. It all happened really late in the game and to be honest most of it was just to run down the clock. Worked as well as there were 6 second half subs and only 4 mins added.
I'm with you WJ, been that much movement I can't tell the actual formation. Imagine what the opposite manager must feel like
