Good Morning Everyone Leeds slipped out of the automatic promotion slots over the weekend for the first time this season as the draw specialists in the Championship held the Whites 1-1. Its fair to say that Brentford are considered one of the best footballing sides in the division, though the comparisons on the pitch were clear for all to see. First talking point, the penalty. At first glance, for those of you watching the game from the terraces or sitting on the edge of your seat in front of the box, did it look a penalty? Had Watkins not dived, would Peacock-Farrell's momentum have taken the striker down anyway? If he had, would it have then been a penalty? Are Leeds naturally unlucky, or do you feel that decisions even themselves out over the duration of the season? Before you answer that, did you know that since Leeds were last awarded a penalty 50 GAMES AGO , we’ve had 9 spot kicks given against us and 8 red cards. Professional to the last, Bielsa refused to blame the referee for decisions that went against the Whites, and even said a draw was a fair result. Brentford's gaffer Dean Smith had the following to say:- "We've come to the cauldron that is Elland Road and the first thing anyone says to me is commiserations, because we've come away with one point but probably deserved all three. "I thought we were excellent today. We were on the front foot, forced them into mistakes, and I didn't think we made the most of our opportunities and chances. "I'm disappointed we gave a cheap free-kick away and didn't defend it very well and they end up getting a point." You may recall last season O'Kane was given a straight red card for a head butt. I use the term head butt loosely as there was very little contact. During Saturday's game the same thing happened to Alioski when he went to retrieve the ball from the Brentford dugout. As the Macedonian International was trying to wrestle the ball off the away bench, Canos (who had been substituted) clearly headbutted Alioski on the back of the head. The only difference is Alioski (for the first time in his career) stayed on his feet. Thoughts? A lot of people have been critical of Harrison's performances recently. Its fair to say that the on loan winger has not set the World alight in recent games, but sections of the ER faithful are calling for the England U21 winger to be dropped in favour of Jack Clarke. Thoughts? Tom Pearce must be wondering what he has done wrong? Not only did the England U21 International miss out on a starting place in favour of Utility player Stuart Dallas, but when the Norther Ireland winger was replaced, Alioski took over the left back role. Thoughts?
Morning all... I’d have to agree with Dean Smith, they deserved a minimum of a point, we were our own worse enemies with poor passing, look at why they got the penalty, Cooper passing the ball straight to their guy standing just a few feet away. We were caught on the break time and time again due to losing the ball in the final third, Saiz, Harrison and Alioski were very poor, Alioski redeemed himself a little when he went to LB although I think it was Marcos who said Alioski did do a lot of tracking back first half that went unnoticed. The ref was very poor, great words from Bielsa though, would it have still been a penalty if the guy hadn’t dived? Quite possibly if BPF never touched the ball, no if he did touch it, however, ifs and buts, it was a dive.
Good morning Matt & everyone I stood in the kop absolutely dumbfounded when Simpson awarded the Bees a penalty. The less said about the ref the better. Pontus said it all Jack Clarke looks a better player than Harrison & he's one of our own, more direct & doesn't fanny about trying to get the ball on his left foot, appears to be an intelligent mature player for one so young. Surely Harrison & Dallas won't start v Blackburn Alioski an instant replacement for Douglas Btw we all witnessed one of the best performances we've seen at ER from Pontus Jansson, whilst the majority around him floundered he defied the Bees more or less on his own with a world class display, we'd have lost that game heavily without him. First time I've given a player 10/10 since I joined online forums twelve years ago
Morning all. Firstly it must be said that we were not at our best at times Saturday. I honestly think that was the worst game Ayling has had in a Leeds shirt. I questioned his instructions as he seemed to avoid crossing the half way line at all. I do feel for him though as they were two very very soft yellows. Brentford are a good side no doubt but without that penalty I still think when you break down their chances on goal they have stolen a point here. Ok the same could be said for our chances and a draw was probably fair but we scored from open play rather than a non penalty so to me we deserved the win. The ref. Bad officiating is part of the game at every level but how often is it so bad it causes a player to swear and accuse the ref of robbing their team on live TV? That tells you everything I think. In the past I've liked Brentford for a reason I can't explain. That is over. In a week where their manager talks in his press conference about time wasting and cheating against them for the penalty and Alioski incident to happen.... Sorry I do not have the words to convey how angry I am. In footballing terms based on the play and with the players we have out a draw will do but unfortunately there is so much more to discuss and that is sad.
Morning all. We were average but got a point. Clearly missing the injured lads but there will be lots more injuries over the season and must cope with it. Lots of focus on the ref and the non penalty but Cooper was the initial cause of it so situation should never have arisen. Agree with Ristacs comments above
I didn’t think it was a great game quality wise full stop. Maybe all the high pressing put everyone’s passing off it’s stride. We were worth a point though, no more no less... and without a terrible penalty decision we might have got 3. I say might... it took them going a goal up for us to really start to play. As for ifs and buts and as to whether bpf would have brought him down anyway if he hadn’t dived over the top of him... I think these decisions tend to favour strikers anyway. For me if the striker is trying to round the keeper and the keeper brings him down it’s a clear penalty... if he’s shot or passed it and they collide afterwards I guess it’s treated as a late tackle and a penalty but personally I’m not sure what the keeper’s supposed to do (except not come out in the first place). Bpf spread himself to try and block the shot then pulled his arms back to try and avoid contact. Whichever, Never a penalty.
Good Morning to the Sheriff and his posse from a slightly sunny Bardsey I think that we should appeal for BPF yellow card as it was not a foul I thought that Pontus was outstanding once again Calamity makes a mistake and gives a goal away Yes a draw was a fair result and Baker looked the part as well Pulis got found out they will struggle if they go a goal behind
Bielsa on his plans during the International break... "The first plan is to make the players who play a lot get some recovery. And then the second plan is to make the players who play less to get fitter for the game against Blackburn."
Morning ristac, I would disagree about Brentford deserving the win. I can't think of many, if any significant save BPF made
Morning Leon, we now have a 2 week International break, and should have Roofe, Hernandez and Berardi back.
One really good save first half to tip shot from Maupay round the post, decent block from the follow up to the rebound off the bar. Nothing else that wasn’t routine.
Morning Hamase, I was amazed Ayling was given a second yellow, firstly because the first yellow was so soft, and secondly it was the 89th minute and you'd expect some lieniency.
Morning Mike, I don't think you can appeal a yellow card, or two yellow cards. I think you can only appeal a straight red. I could be wrong though!
Good morning everyone Long & short of it we was robed,guy took a clear dive (cheating cnut) but it's something that's all to prevalent in todays game so i can't realy blame him, players seem to be expected to try and get a penalty in those situations.Shocked is not an understatement about Ellands statistic of, Leeds were last awarded a penalty 50 GAMES AGO,Alioski is clearly not diving in the right places is their another team out their in England who have gone so long without one ? Bottom line is although draws are better than defeats we are now starting to lose ground & have to get the super three back from injuries & get back to winning ways asap.
You can’t factor in the softness of the first yellow when deciding on a second. Ayling knew he was on a yellow, he made the foul. In isolation there’s no complaint. It’s the fact that their fullback got away with worse 10 mins earlier.
Morning, disappointing to drop points at home and spend the international break on top of the league. It was not a penalty even if he had stayed up. I see countless shots from the edge or inside the box where the player has touched the ball and been taken out afterwards with never a penalty given. He was not stopped from putting the ball in the net or was the ball on target. On balance of play a draw was a fair result but games are won on goals not balance of play. Therefore given the it wasn't a penalty (commentators reviewed with slow mo and confirmed that too) we were robbed of 3 points. On the referee, given he failed to send off the brentford player (number 2 I believe) then what was his justifications for the second yellow for Ayling. I found the ref to interrupt the game too often, blowing mainly against leeds for lots of light touches. Finally I watched the Man City Liverpool game and it was similar to the Leeds brentford match. Lots of possession lost as it was played at high tempo and a high press. I quite like Harrison and given he is not used to playing so often in a high tempo environment I would keep in the team. No-one has criticised Siaz last couple of matches but for me he has contributed less. On Alioski, I think he is too light weight for left wing and lacks the frame that once past a player alows him to continue forward. No doubting his commitment and work rate I liked his work at left back but can't see him replacing Douglas when fit. I would like to see Bamford and Roofe together with the following set up. BPF Ayling Pontus Cooper Douglas Phillips Klich Hernadez Saiz Roofe Bamford
