Good Morning. It's Monday 20th July, and Leeds Utd are the Champions of the Championship! Jubilant scenes from Leeds fans across the World as Bielsa's lads march to the Premiership Ale stock in West Yorkshire hit an all time low (supposedly) as thousands of Leeds fans celebrated Marcelo Bielsa's lads tear the Championship apart. High spirits were not restricted to West Yorkshire, or indeed to England, as fans from Europe, Asia, USA and South America toasted sixteen years of hurt coming to an end. Closer to home Derby County, led by Wayne Rooney gave Leeds a guard of honour and they entered the Pride Park pitch. There was plenty of discussions about whether the Rams would or should give the Whites such accolade given the rivalry between the two teams since Spygate. Animated Director of Football Victor Orta was in the stands celebrating exuberantly and even had the cheek to pull out a pair of binoculars at one point (and why not)!!!! In fact, last Friday as fans began to congregate outside Elland Road, Orta had to be restrained by staff from joining in the melee. Leeds Utd Angus Kinnear was quoted as saying "Decorum in the directors' box has gone out the window in the last few weeks. To be frank, his behaviours been a disgrace. But we love him for it." please log in to view this image Youngsters given a chance to shine Marcelo Bielsa made seven changes from the team that made heavy weather of beating Barnsley midweek. Alioski, Struik, Poveda, Shackleton, Alioski, Hernandez (who Captained the side) and an unexpected return between the sticks for Casilla all lined up against a deflated Derby having just missed out on the play offs. Casilla had spent the majority of the season in goal, so perhaps the gaffer thought it only fair for the former Real Madrid shot stopper to be part of the comradeship. Will Bielsa be criticised for playing Casilla after his racism charge, given the recent public outbursts across the World? Should Meslier we worried about his place in the team? No. News is filtering in, that Leeds have activated the agreement with FC Lorient to purchase the 20yo on a three year deal for 6m - MORE TO FOLLOW!!! Back to the game - After a goalless first half, Chris Martin broke the deadlock for the Rams, taking a cruel deflection from Ayling. This was the wake up call that Leeds needed. Captain Hernandez levelled things two minutes later, firing through a mass of players from 20 yards after good work from Povada. 20 Minutes later, Bielsa's men were in front. Roberts carved open the Derby defence, finding Jamie Shackleton on the right hand side of the penalty area. The 20yo calmly guided the ball around the scrambling Roos. The icing on the cake came six minutes from the end when Alioski's pin point cross was turned into his own net by on loan defender Matthew Clarke. This was Leeds 8th own goal of the season, four more than any other championship team! Bielsa's post Match Interview Marcelo Bielsa: On his future: "I don't want to put the focus on me because all I said before. Obviously, I think this. I think everything linked with me, right now, it's not the moment to talk about this. "It's a moment to say thanks to our players. To give this achievement to our supporters. Say thanks to the club and the authority for all they allow us to do. "It really makes me happy. It's the fact I did it with this group of players across two years. More than the capacity of this experience. Promotion was the capacity of our players." Phillip Cocu: "In many games against top teams we showed we don't have enough quality to get it home. "We know we have a lot of work ahead of us towards next season to make sure - depending on the possibilities, of course, financially at the club - we get some new fresh blood and quality in to support the senior players, but also the youngsters."
Morning all. The Roberts pass for the second goal was sublime, Peter Beardsley would have been proud of it, great to see Shackleton score. Do you think Cocu has been told he HAS to play Rooney, as no manager in there right mind would chose him for a team that had aspirations of reaching the play offs.
Rooney has had it. He was pedestrian against us last week and cost them the game getting dispossessed by Tomlin for our winner.
Was awful against the Albion too. £80k per week, he's must be laughing his head off. Hopefully the wage will go towards bankrupting them and that slime ball Morris.
Morning all. What a weekend. Like a dog with two mickeys all weekend. One worry for this week, Our trophy cabinets been locked for 30 years, I hope someone can find the key before Wednesday evening
I think Meslier hurt his hand vs Barnsley in the 2nd half. I presumed that was why he didn't play. Apparently we are interested in Benrahma if Brentford fail to go up.
Good one Eire Nice that it's all done & dusted now, who would have thought we would have done it at a canter in the end,especially with two games to spare. A very good morning to you all
I think Hull could just go for it on Wednesday, I mean what have they got to lose? Reading on the other hand no pressure and why risk injury.
Gonna feel very different this year. In recent years we watch out for the likes of Milwall or some big relegated club to see when we’d meet. This time every fixture will be mouth watering for one reason or another
Good morning we have a huge advantage over the other prem clubs. We won't have the crowds but the income can be managed better not having those big contracts to pay out. With carefull planning we have a good chance of establishing in the longer term. This is where orta has to earn his money and i suspect bielsa has given him a list already. No messing about this time please and sign guys early.
I was quite impressed with Poveda the most of the youngsters. He could end up being a dangerous player! Head hurts today to say the least! Still sinking in that we are back in the Premier League at last! I really hope Bielsa stays, but as far as I am aware it's not confirmed yet. Talks this week according the the owner. I have everything crossed!
Good Morning to Matt and co from a dull Bardsey Great result last night and Rooney did not let me down his legs have gone and anyone seeing him play must think how can he be on 100k a week Pleased too for Shackleton another one for the future The most bizzare story was Cowley getting sacked at Town what did he have to do to keep his job having beat WBA to stay up the owners should have been well pleased I have no doubt he will be well sought after.Remember Town donated £1m to Lincoln to get him
Thought I would look up Leeds United on google. Got as far typing in the L and Leeds United came straight up at the top of the list. Just goes to show how popular we have become
