Goodnight all, it was 3 points and were top of the league so I’ll sleep well tonight. Especially as Boro are second and I have money on them to get promoted too.
Commentary team on Sky picked up on the fact nobody has put 3 past Ipswich this season, we could easily have had the five if it were not for some excellent keeping and woodwork. It’s a good job Phillips is Leeds through and through because I’ll bet my house on us receiving some large offers for him come January, he was immense tonight. Alioski did okay at LB but when we moved him forward in place of Harrison and put Pearce on and swapped Saiz for Forshaw we looked far better. I’m a bit concerned for Saiz, I’m wondering if he needs a spell on the sidelines, Forshaw was a very good replacement. Assuming Douglas is still out it has to be Pearce at LB, some bold brave moves by Bielsa tonight and they worked, yes he brought Dallas on when Berardi was injured but what was the other option?
Evening all,just got back home after a 7 week work trip to mallorca. Great win,top of the league. MOT
Not really. I don't have to, think everyone knows what I am hinting at. I went for a score line of Leeds by 2, which we got, top of the league so why cause discord. Anyway don't want to upset Shaks. But if we don't win on Saturday!!!!!
He has been immense. Can see why all previous managers picked him but under Bielsa he's gone to another level. Undoubtedly the first name picked every time. He was simply excellent tonight
Player of the season for me Richard I've been slaughtered on the other side for my comments on Kalvin over the last couple of months Phillips for England doesn't go down well with some. I just hope KP is still a Leeds player when he gains his first international cap
Its three thirty thursday morning and im up for work.a hard slog of a day feels much easier upon seeing the result.top of the league is a bonus too. Some interesting fixtures ahead at the weekend .forest wont be easy to crack im just hoping for an unbeaten run to start. Nice to see pearce and forshaw getting a run and looking good.pontus will slot back in so no worries about cover in defense.
He’s also played every game including cup, most of the play goes through him at the back and it surely puts to bed that the players are tired due to the intense training schedule? Sad thing is, some fans can’t wait to turn on him but he is 22 and still learning, he is getting better and better and has Leeds United running through his veins. When he was getting knocked last season I posted somewhere to watch how he reads the game, he is constantly looking around and aware of what is going on, he doesn’t need to sprint his arse off as 9/10 he is in the right position, I can see under Bielsa exactly why he has been picked for his role in this team.
I was a big Philips detractor. When he first came into the team he was a disaster in my opinion, some performances were genuinely among the worst I’d seen in a Leeds shirt and there’s no shortage of competition for that. The mitigating factor was that whoever we played in midfield looked rubbish so you had to conclude that team set up/performance was a contributing factor... no one to pass to. We have still seen that at times this season eg Swansea... he may have been sacrificial, but he was having a bit of a mare. Other than that though he’s been really good. Thought he was terrific on and off the ball yesterday and was running the show from the back. You could argue that the team set up actually gives him a cushioned ride or you could more objectively say that he does that himself and sets the tempo of the team. Very happy to have been wrong about him. Kalvin pirlo indeed.
I’m amazed how much Ipswich continued to let him run the show last night, Klich had a quieter game but was that because they felt he was the threat that needed watching. This is the thing when all fit, who does the opposition stifle or attempt to? Saiz, Pablo, Ayling, Douglas, Alioski, Klich, Roofe we have threats all over the park, I guess Phillips is a less obvious threat so he gets more time in some games where the opposition coach/manager feels he doesn’t need watching
Positives Better team selection. Pablo Hernandez's class performance on his full return. Kalvin Phllips immense, can't recall one misplaced pass, dictated play from the back. Roofe scoring again when playing in his correct position. Alioski much better. Forshaw impressed when coming on as a sub. At last Tom Pearce got 30 minutes first-team football. Yes we were playing a very poor outfit, you still have to beat whoever the opposition is ! Negatives First-half shabby performance Saiz's poor form, we looked much better without him. Harrison is not good enough Berardi's injury Should have scored five or six, at least we are still creating chances 7 Peacock-Farrell 7 Ayling 8 Cooper 9 Phillips 5 Berardi 8 Alioski 9 Hernandez 7 Klich 5 Saiz 5 Harrison 8 Roofe Subs 7 Dallas 8 Forshaw 7 Pearce
Yeh two Harrison’s... the 9 will be Hernandez presumably. Ratings look about right to me if erring to the generous side.
They say a good team picksbitself im hoping so for saturday.ive seen harrison and would not let him start.nice to see ratings from an attendee gives a fans eye view.
