Good Morning. It's Monday 8th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds left ruing missed opportunities Leeds were left ruing missed opportunities against a below par Leicester City at Elland Road yesterday afternoon. They dominated large parts of the game, but either fluffed their lines in the final third or were thwarted by former White Casper Schmeichel. Bielsa's men could have gone ahead early on. Llorente's long range diagonal ball found Harrison deep on the left. He unleashed a fierce strike on the edge of the area which Schmeichel did well to get his fingertips to. The Danish International shot stopper was on hand again from the resulting corner, diving smartly to his left to deny Kalvin Phillips header. Leeds deservedly look the lead on 26 minutes. Raphinha's inswinging free kick from the edge of the area deceived everyone, to the delight of 36,000 screaming Leeds fans. (He was booked for taking his shirt off showing a t-shirt paying homage for singer Marília Dias Mendonça, a Brazilian singer who was killed in a plane accident a few days ago). For all their dominance (statistical wise), they were only able to keep their slender lead for a matter of seconds, as Harvey Barnes rocket gave Meslier no chance. Leeds should have taken the lead five minutes into the second half, but Harrison blazed over from point blank range. The visitors thought they had, twenty minutes later. Cooper inexplicably let the ball go out for a corner from which Lookman duly converted. Fortunately for the Whites, VAR came to their rescue. Although the draw lifts Leeds to 15th in the table, three points from the drop zone, they are a long way from safety. They were fortunate not to be punished for glaring defensive errors, but at the end of the day, had more than earned their point against Brendan Rodgers team. Leeds are quickly becoming the draw specialists which is slightly unusual for them. They have already drawn as many games as they did last season (5). Similarly, since the 16/17 season, they only averaged nine draws each season in the Championship! please log in to view this image Forshaw turns on the class Adam Forshaw showed Leeds fans what we have been missing out on for the last few years as the 30yo put on a master class performance for the Elland Road faithful at the weekend. As frustrating it has been with the set backs he has had to ensure, it was great to see him not just play for 90 minutes (substituted for Cresswell in injury time) but to have such an influence on the game. He has a lot to prove, but lots to give, with some fans even naming the Liverpudlian as their man of the match. If Forshaw can keep his fitness levels up, how important will he be this season? please log in to view this image He's an animal Cherris boss Scott Parker has labelled Leif Davis 'an animal' after his dominant performance for Bournemouth at the weekend:- “I was pleased for him. He’s had to wait for his opportunity. He’s struggled since coming in for many reasons. He’s had injury and illness so it’s been a bit of a stuttering start. “He’s also a young player and he’s not got vast experience in the arena so we’ve had to work and help him through that. “What pleased me the most is that he started slowly in that sense today, then he just grew into the game. He was an animal really and got an assist, so I was pleased for him.” please log in to view this image
Morning all…. We probably all want Bielsa to remain in charge? If Bielsa does call it a day, does anyone else wonder if players like Bogusz and Leif will return and flourish? Would his departure see us signing a few players who sounded great when we were linked with them but were declined for one reason or another? I’d hoped Bielsa would transform Dan James (still plenty of time I know) so when some were concerned about the fee, I wasn’t. Now I’m reflecting on the large sum we paid for James (with those who originally questioned the price now ringing loud and clear) and how Bielsa didn’t think it was too much yet he turned other players down who he did consider overpriced. I’m hoping we pick up another win or two before we get properly into December, prior to this little group of fixtures we do have Brentford at home
On more serious matters. Really happy for Forshaw, no player wants to be injured and he's had a terrible run of luck. Some players are more injury prone than others and it frustrates fans but its hardly the players fault. I was one who said for a while we really needed a genuine midfielder in the squad, the argument given in the summer for it not being a priority was they felt forshaw was close and could do the job. Couple of points to that: 1. His recent performances have shown how we're more convincing when an extra genuine midfielder helps us control the ball... and that's what he is, a neat tidy link player and someone who understands the defensive requirements of the role and can play a bit. 2. One swallow doesn't make a summer. He's come back for a few games then sadly got crocked again numerous times for us. We all hope that's not the case, but that extra midfielder is still a priority for me.
the genuine consensus about james at man u and before, was lightning quick, good feet, no end product... whether that ability to play the killer ball or take his chances is something that is there in training but a mental thing on match days, or whether he just doesn't really have it, i don't know. But he's been pretty much what was on the brochure for us so far. MB was always a huge fan, and he can see what we see, so presumably he felt he could take him to that next level... and he has a well-earned rep for improving players. I think we need to be patient. James is doing good stuff in every game, let's see if MB can shape him into a top player.
Morning all Really chuffed for Davies because he started well and got rave reviews and then got injured and then got ill and had to wait his chance. He took it and he was MoM. I posed the question yesterday about maybe Bielsa missed at trick because of all the injuries we have had and a left back with pace etc… Chuffed for Forshaw and a well deserved set of reviews on his performance. All going to help us steady the ship, and we should have Firpo, Shaks Ayling and Bamford all available for the next game. A great performance yesterday and only lacking that final ball. Like the Newcastle match we should have been well ahead at half time and could easily have scored a bag full. It was 2 points dropped and in reality we deserve to be mid table with the 4 points dropped from just those 2 games. Factor in WHU when we again should have closed out the gamebut final ball missing and then we folded in the last 10 minutes. Yes we’ve made it harder due to injuries etc but we are now showing last seasons form again
Morning all, Great performance not matched by the result. Truly believe that if Bamford had been playing we would have won that 5-1. A few pointers. Forshaw, as already noted, was brilliant and really helped control the midfield. Gives us that balance we've been so clearly lacking. I think Bielsa has spotted what we have about Klich and his days as first or second choice may be up. Struijk was brilliant again. Rodrigo has bags of skill but sometimes can be a bit selfish and needs to use the extra pass instead of attempting the long distance shots which any keeper, except Tim Krul, should be stopping. League one Llorente. Let's be honest if Cooper made some of the mistakes llorente seems to me making recently ie poor passes, trying to be clever on the ball and losing possession and silly fouls the Twitter/606 lynch mob would be out in force. He is without a doubt a great player but there are too many heart in mouth moments for my liking.
As Bournemouth have an option to buy at the end of the loan we won't be seeing Leif Davis in a Leeds shirt again...not if he's any good anyway, Forget him he's gone. Morning all by the way
Morning everyone. I only got to watch the last 30 mins of the game yesterday so can't really comment but obviously adding Bamford for Harrison or James would give us more of a goal threat but would you bring Ayling back for Dallas and/or Firpo back for Struijk? Would you keep Forshaw and bench Dallas? Bielsa could actually have choices to make.
I was reading an article this morning, Bamford scores from something like 1 goal in every 6.75 shots they compared that to the shots Rodrigo and James have had and it’s quite shocking how bad they’re doing. I don’t know why it only compared those two because if you put Roberts and Harrison in it would be even worse. Me personally, I’d be playing Drameh at RB but if it’s a straight choice of Ayling or Dallas Ayling every time. LB I’d put Firpo back in and if he’s having a stinker Dallas off the bench same if Phillips or Forshaw were struggling, tired or walking a tightrope. This hasn’t been Dallas’s season, great utility player off the bench but whilst Forshaw is clicking into place why change the central pairing
Yep Leif Davis is one that got away, I revert back to people watching the young talent coming through like WJ and making good remarks about him, next he has gone to Bournemouth, now the Championship is totally different class to the PL but we shall see next season as I do think that Scotty Parker (who I rated highly as a player) shall get Bournemouth promoted. Question!!!!!! Mr. Orta is not on a percentage cut from agents who he brings into the club for vast amounts, just saying.
The only game we can get points from IMO is the Arsenal game. Hopefully I'm wrong and we catch the other sides on an off day.
Does anyone know where you can find out how long the ball is in actual play for in our matches ? Also specifically for each half ? Yesterday for example, Leicester slowed the game down at every possible opportunity, goal kicks, throw ins, free kicks, all were delayed until the referee started waving for them to get on with it. Second half there were 5 substitutions, 2 delays for treatment on the pitch and the time taken for VAR to disallow a goal for offside, yet only 3 additional minutes were played. A study in 2013 showed that the mean average time the ball was in play during the 2011 PL season (all matches) was 55 mins and 6 seconds. With a maximum of 66 mins (Arsenal v Liverpool) and a minimum of 44 mins (Stoke v Sunderland)....so a massive 22 mins differential in actual playing time. It will come as no surprise that Stoke City were the team with the ball in play the least, with an average playing time of less than 52 mins across the season. More data from 2018 showed that the average game time had increased to 59 mins and 23 seeconds but the disparity had grown. The maximum being 68mins (Man City v Chelsea) and the minimum 42 mins (Stoke v Watford)...so now a wopping 26 mins differential in actual playng time. With these massive differences surely the time has come for each half to be a minimum of 30 minutes (or more, I'd prefer 35) actual playing time ? Let's stop rewarding the time wasters and the cheats and start giving fans at least the opportunity of getting value for money.
Forshaw absolutely bossed the midfield, superb display and easily MoM the speed of the Leeds attacks unsettled Leicester and stopped them getting front foot ball, resulting in a lot of long ball punts to try and get their rapid front three in behind or to simply get up the field and relieve the pressure ... Leicester didn't have an off day, they simply weren't allowed to express themselves and the Leeds press and swift counters forced them to play mostly in their own half Vardy couldn't get any service, their wide men were pulled deep by Struijk and Dallas, and their Wing-Backs stuck close to their CBs for fear of leaving space for a runner to exploit ... Bielsa Ball was back at its flowing best, and if the team can continue in this vein the wins will come, regardless who the opponents are pleased for Leif Davis, but if Leeds feel he has a future at the club and the lad wants to stay, then he will stay ... didn't think there was an option for Bournemouth to buy him, if there is it will probably be linked to promotion ... the lad has a lot of potential, and Bournemouth aren't in the habit of signing potential for a new Prem campaign if they go up, which is why I find a buy clause strange ... then again, a nice transfer fee will fund the Academy for a few more years
