As you didn't see the game I'll enlighten you. We were just as likely to lose the game after the changes as win it. A fantastic delivery by Phillips from a deadball scenario proved to be the difference. Our worst performance of the season in terms of opportunities for the opposition, fortunately we had Kiko on top form so all ended well.
I agree with you. Of the two, Costa is the one closer to getting a start, imo. This is purely based on Harrison being a bit flat on both sides of the international break. Bamford has not been in any way poor enough to be replaced.
I too thought Alioski played poor again today, I much prefer Douglas at LB and Costa in front of him would be a good call as they were on fire during their promotion season for wolves
Thought Ben White was absolutely outstanding again today. Most of you probably didn't notice him that much...but I bet you noticed Calamity.
Someone mentioned Eddies stats earlier and read somewhere today that he scores every 39 minutes which is huge. We have another 35 matches to play and if Eddie plays a full 90 minutes I estimate he can score another 81 goals Bamford played great and is different from Eddie and having all that pace I still say he could do a job on the left allowing him to create and take chances with Bamford. Costa is better on the right and that as a front 3 would scare the crap out of Derby. Could Eddie do to defenders what Bamford does? No he's different. Bamford who looks slight seems more powerful this season and really gets stuck into big defenders. Interesting to hear that Bielsa loved todays game. He said he loves this league where bottom of the league can mix it with the top. He praised Barnsley's commitment, manager, players and tactics and said he is in love with this league. So we sit there biting our nails whilst he gets the horn watching a chess match seeing beauty in the art of press and endeavour.
If it hadnt been for Calamity today Pablo would have taken the penalty. Obviously the players decided Bamford not on the pitch Klich should take it. Pablo and Bamford have missed this season but hope Klich doesn't take them all like todays. Heart wont stand up to it
From what I could see on the telly WJ, Costa’s pace troubled Barnsley as soon as he came on, and well before Nketiah’s appearance - fine margins alone prevented Bamford having a goal on the board, and then it’s all a different conversation. That’s why I think either Paddy or Eddie will do ok, but we need Costa providing the ammo.
Reading the calls for Eddie and Costa to start, they did against Stoke in the Egg and Spoon Cup. It wasn't until Forshaw, White and Harrison came on that we got back into the game after beating them so comfortably in the League that I was convinced the Manager would get sacked. Like others have said, I think Eddie and Costa are great players but I just trust Bielsa knows when to hold 'em, knows when to fold 'em..... Sorry, gone all Kenny Rogers
Totally agree, thought Costa had a positive impact on the game. Bielsa though backs his players and always gives them the chance to redeem themselves...until half time anyway.
Well we left that late. Our persistence, endeavour & quality clinched us the victory we deserved in the end. Positives Three points Top of the league. Two goals in the last six minutes. Clean sheet. We kept going right to the end. Periods of delightful passing & intricate play Nketiah is a fox in the box. Klich composed penalty, good game too. Kalvin pulling the strings once again, wonderful cross. Kiko's saves & dominance in & around his box. White continues to impress. Dallas still looks like a new signing. Shackleton, Oh Jamie Jamie, this kid is special. Three sublime passes from Pablo even though he had a off day. Bamford deserved a goal for his excellent all-round play. Nketiah, Costa & Roberts as attacking options off the bench. First time we've won six consecutive away matches since I started watching Leeds in 1963. Leeds fans on Halme, "you're too sh*t to play for Leeds." Negatives Barnsley caused us more problems in 90 minutes than in whole of our previous six matches. We look so vulnerable down the left flank, the tykes exploited & targeted our weaknesses in that area. Cooper still thinks he playing for Scotland. Alioski's energy is great but he is not a left-back. We witnessed the Jack Harrison of last season today Pablo not at the races. Referee gave Bamford nothing as he was pulled & kicked about by the hapless Halme Linesman was like a signalman brought in from the railway station waving his frigging flag. Was Bamford offside ? looked dubious. Barnsley steward who thought he was Mr Big & nearly incited a riot, hopefully he'll be charge with the offence & sacked in the morning. Ratings 9 Casilla 8 Dallas 6 Cooper 8 White 5 Alioski 9 Phillips MOTM 6 Hernandez 8.5 Klich 8 Shackleton 5 Harrison 7.5 Bamford Subs 9 Nketiah 6 Costa
Pace will always trouble a tiring team - particularly a poor one. But this ammo that Costa was providing - what is it? Crossing? Assists? Alioski, Dallas, & Harrison get crucified for lack of 'end product'. Perhaps I've missed Costa's end product? What is it & why does he escape criticism?
Pretty much agree with you. Interesting that it only seems to be you & I that didn't see Costa as a 9. I would have given him a 7, but hey! Where I do disagree with you is Cooper. Tbf, I was slightly distracted at times as I tried (unsuccessfully) to fix his laptop. But I didn't see a particularly poor performance from Cooper & most certainly not a 5 rating. I can remember him slipping twice, but that could happen to anyone. What on earth did he do (or not do) to earn a 5? I get the feeling he's always going to get a 5 from you unless he does something spectacular. And btw, he was rock solid for Scotland, and as I expounded elsewhere, that was not just my assessment, the guys around me who didn't know I was Leeds kept complimenting him whilst ripping the pish out of everyone else. Everyone. Quite an accolade, believe me.
Costa wasn't great, but was as good as any in midfield,the reason I would want him to start is because I believe he can produce a bit of magic more than the others.So about the same but more potential. IMO. Cooper didn't think he was awful, but if they had scored from his falls I might have, goals change games and opinions.
I watched the game on sky+. Didn’t notice Bamford having a dig when being substituted but that could have serious ramifications for him. There’s a thread on ja, don’t know how to copy and post it here but it’s a video of Bielsa explaining why he hates players ranting about being taken off and the disrespect it shows to the team mate replacing him.
I did mean to give Cooper 6/10 & have now ammended my rating. Coops got caught out of position & also done for pace twice with Barnsley almost punishing us had it not been for Kiko. Thought he looked a bit tired yesterday, maybe his international exploits had caught up with him I really hope Cooper continues to show top form as we only have two proper CB's
Costa has provided 2 goals for Eddie and played one exact same ball today from the left but this time no Eddy and nobody on the end of it. This was before Eddie came on but for me Costa was ok but not great and still think hes better on the right
I'd like to raise a point with you if I may ? On the occasion where Wilks turned Cooper on the half way line and he left him for dead Phillips was on the cover. Unfortunately he got done for pace as well resulting in the one on one with Kiko from about 8/10 yards out. The same thing happened to Kalvin against Stoke in the Caraboa Cup which resulted in one of their goals. Now if Kalvin had electrifying pace as well as all his other skill sets then we would be looking at the perfect player for that role. It's my believe that that's the reason he's not been on the radar of the clubs at the top end of the PL. Don't get me wrong I love Phillips and it irritates me that players like Eric Dier and now Rice get in the England squad and our Kalvin does not even get a look in. Do you also see this as his achilles heel, or as he matures can he read the game well enough for it not to be such a factor ?
