Alioski played his best game for a long while. The team played like it was the start of the season again. Coincidence? Btw, I'm pretty sure that Alioski & Clarke didn't swap for a very good reason. We often see our wingers swap, but on this occasion, I believe it was deliberate to play them there so they could cut in onto their best shooting foot. Worked with Clarke anyway! I think Alioski got in more telling crosses than he has done in a while - in fact he nearly scored from one! I still think that Alioski is not 100% to blame for his offsides, and some badly-timed releases form midfield bore this out today. Klich was offside just as often, and was also a victim of this.
I love this forum when we're winning but someone get Eire back, I need someone to help me stem this tide of this rampant optimism
For the record, I'm a fan of Alioski, and I agree that he's not entirely responsible for being caught offside so often. That said, he has been very poor in recent weeks. Still better than Harrison, mind. Clarke has the potential to be something really special. Glad Bielsa isn't giving in to the clamour to play him every week, though - think we made that mistake with Byram, Mowatt, and even Cook (to an extent) in the past.
Agreed. I always maintained that Mowatt & Cooke should have got a half each. It was madness to start both, as come the hour mark, both were noticeably flagging, and performances nosedived. And Leeds fans being good old Leeds fans, they took it out on the players instead of the manager. Just thought I'd mentioned that the Grot treatment was not a new phenomenon.
Absolutely. It's embarrassing how quickly fans (of any club) are to get on young player's backs, particularly when they're either massively overplayed and suffering burnout (a la Mowatt, Byram, Cook, etc), or only ever given five/ten minute cameos (a la Grot). For what it's worth (contentious opinion incoming), I still think Grot has something about him. Probably not going to make it here, but his physicality alone is a huge asset. You can work on finishing, finesse, and tactical intelligence - you can't teach pace and power.
Just arrived in New Zealand for Christmarse and seen the score. What a fantastic result and great to be top of the league Dare to dream??
What spirit what a manager and what a team! Missed the second half due to work. Hope to find the full game somewhere
Well that was a milestone result and a half. Still on a massive high. First game in a long time that I completely lost it when the third goal went in. Neighbours a few streets away would have heard the roar. Real character and the young uns were immense. Can’t stop smiling, top at crimbo. We are Leeds, we are Leeds.
And his name's Carlton Palmer & he smokes marijuana Walking along Singing a song Singing we are wonder winter Leeds
2-0 down at half-time & I was somewhat concerned as I thought we had played well in the first-half although we created our own downfall with silly errors that led to both their goals. I lost count on how many times we ventured into the Villa box with no end product to show for our decent play. Bring on the 2nd half & the introduction of Jack Clarke for the inept Harrison & things instantly improves, in fact we raised our game to another level playing some scintillating football. Wow! Pontus & Phillips were like rocks at the back, Pablo ran the show strutting his stuff with two assists as he drove us forward to to gain an impressive victory Positives Our never say die attitude Winning with style Most impressive performance of the season One of the great comebacks, will become memorable in time just like Southampton/Derby Three points of course Top of the league at Christmas please log in to view this image Pablo 'majestic' Pontus 'a real leader today & another goal at Villa Park for the big man' Alioski 'probably his best game in a Leeds shirt' Jack Clarke's 'lovely debut goal' Davis 'first-team debut' Phillips 'best game as a main CB' Roofe '95th minute winner' JFH giving Leeds fans the Leeds salute from Sky box just above us Leeds end 'barmy/mental' Negatives Douglas sudden withdrawal due to illness Sloppy errors in the first quarter that cost us Missed opportunities during the first-half Harrison, last week it was Baker today Harrison, both poor & subbed at half-time No striker on the bench, fortunately we didn't need Bamford this week Two certain penalties denied Dean Smith ungracious in defeat 7.0 - Peacock-Farrell 7.0 - Ayling 9.5 - Jansson 9.0 - Phillips 7.0 - Davis 6.0 - Forshaw 8.5 - Alioski 8.0 - Klich 9.5 - Hernandez 4.0 - Harrison 8.5 - Roofe Subs 8.5 - Clarke 7.0 - Shackleton
We were really good today... as well as we’ve played all season. Which is almost as pleasing as the result... almost. After a shaky first 10 minutes, Pontus was immense, Philips like beckenbauer. Klich and Forshaw linked play and Pablo pulled the strings. Clarke put the sh*ts up el Mohammedy and alioski seemed to have the freedom of villa park..., His best game for a while, if a little wasteful.. (while he seems to get involved more playing on the right, the amount of times where you’re wishing he would attack the full back in promising positions but you know he’s going to cut inside). There was much leaping screaming and swearing from the milkyboy sofa this afternoon.
