Good Morning. It's Monday 7th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Schmeichel's heroics save foxes Leeds suffered their fifth defeat in a row on Saturday, at the hands of Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The end result may have been the same, but their performance was one of the best, witnessed by the Leeds faithful, in recent times. There seemed to be a renewed confidence about the team, and their energy levels were up too. No longer were the players wading in treacle; we were privy to witness free flowing football and lightening fast counter-attacks. If they continue to play like this, surely they'll stay clear of the bottom three! Schmeichel had to be at his best to deny Jack Harrison from opening the scoring midway through the first half. Dan James picked up the ball from the half way line, sprinting past the Leicester midfielders. He laid the ball off to Harrison, who struck the ball first time across the face of the host's goalmouth, only to be denied by Schmeichel's outstretched leg. Minutes later, Junior Firpo almost opened his account. Rodrigo crossed the ball into the Leicester City penalty area, but the ball was only partially cleared by the foxes defenders. The ball broke kindly for the Leeds left back. His goalwards effort however was blocked on the line by some last ditch defending. Leicester had to wait until the 44th minute to have their first strike on target. An out swinging corner was not defended properly, but Ndidi's effort was straight at Meslier. Early in the second-half, Schmeichel denied Rodrigo. The Spaniard flicked on Klich's corner, but the keeper managed to palm the ball away to safety. Leeds should have gone ahead on the hour mark. Harrison and Firpo combined well down the left. Firpo crossed a low ball into the Leicester penalty area, where James and Rodrigo were waiting for a tap in. Unfortunately for the visitors, Schmeichel once again produced a world-class save from point-blank distance to thwart Raphinha. Leeds hard work was undone with just over twenty minutes of the game remaining. Iheanacho combined well with Harvey Barnes. Regrettably, the Leeds Utd Nemosis never seems to miss. Both sides had their fair share of the latter periods, but an injury to Tyler Roberts meant they were effectively a man down as they searched in vain for an equiliser. In his first match in charge, Jesse March can be proud of what he and his team have accomplished over the last week, not to say that Marcelo Bielsa doesn't deserve a share of the plaudits, by taking the Whites to the Promised land in the first place. please log in to view this image Marsch remains positive despite defeat Jesse Marsch has insisted he's very positive despite the defeat on Saturday. Not only had his side have to alter their style of playing, but they managed to muster 19 efforts at goal, and were unfortunate not to get something from the game. “I have learned this is maybe the American in me this sport is not the fairest. Doesn’t matter. “I’m not saying we were better, but in general I am very pleased after four days and where we changed a lot of tactical topics and changed a lot of what we are trying to accomplish, there was such clarity and we were able to execute in the game. “What I found out is I know how hard they work, how committed they are, how intelligent they are, how proud they want to make the fans. “I’m very positive despite being disappointed. We’ll use this as momentum.” please log in to view this image Roberts could be out for the rest of the season Tyler Roberts could be out for the rest of the season after pulling his hamstring during the Leicester City game at the weekend. The Welsh International replaced Harrison with fifteen minutes remaining, but was seen clutching his hamstring following a collision with Amartey. He spent the remainder of the game performing a rather good impersonation of a mannequin. Roberts, 23 bit back at comments on social media following the game, saying: “And to the few negative talks, I got nothing for you but grow up and help raise your team correctly. Respectively,” “Appreciate all you supporters that are 100 per cent, it doesn’t go unnoticed. “Praying my injury isn’t too bad. “The level of performance the boys gave today (Saturday) shows the potential this group has coming. We got this.” please log in to view this image
Morning all I feel sorry for any player that gets injured but if I had to choose one I wouldn’t miss…. Sorry Tyler Andrea Radrizzani has liked a Twitter message urging Leeds United fans to ignore Gabby Agbonlahor on talkSPORT. The controversial pundit was at it again over the weekend, taking aim at Jesse Marsch for his huddle after the defeat at Leicester. In case anyone doesn’t realise, Thursdays game with Villa is on Amazon Prime
Good morning everyone and to you Tyler Roberts you earn respect. I think a lot of fans will read his post and say the same. Hopefully we continue to make steady progress and become more confident as a unit. Last two games we created loads and failed to finish them. Maybe it's just a confidence thing and the lads need to just let fly. I am happy with the performance and being able to listen to the coach is a plus for me. I think that makes it more interesting not having to rely in that boring interpreter.
Morning all Not the usual Monday morning blues, because I think we saw some shoots of recovery on Saturday. Thursday should be better still I hope, and I’m still not panicking yet. Like Rich I am not bothered about Roberts missing the rest of the season, but feel for him personally.
One thing for sure after Jesse marsch seeing the number of efforts on goal, and not converting, i reckon come the new season where ever are (PL i hope), we will have a proper experienced striker in place, well i really hope so.
Good Morning to Matt and co from a dull Bardsey It was good to read the positive comments about the way they playedand lets hope the next 2 games shows the same desire #On the home frontI have beeen diagnosed with Covid along with Moe.I feel OK though unlike Moe
Morning all, More positives than negatives from Saturday so let's look forward to Thursday. As for Roberts. Watching the match on Saturday I was disgusted with the away fans when Tyler was coming on. I know he isn't the most popular and I'm not looking to get into that debate again. He is a Leeds United player who is coming on to play for your team regardless of what you think. The crowd went dead when he was announced and what that must have done for his confidence, or even the rest of the team, is not good. Voice your opinions on forums or social media if you have to but for me any player on the pitch needs 100% support.
Well said, I’m not condoning what happened but… First mistake by Jesse, if Bamford isn’t fit enough don’t have him on the bench. If you warm him up with Tyler in front of the fans and building up the anticipation and excitement of a return then you tell him to sit down, it’s not happening today and you pick Tyler to go on ahead of him what was he really thinking the response would be?
Graham Smyth asks the Roberts question: SMYTH ON ROBERTS: LEEDS WRONG TO GIVE WALES MAN A NEW CONTRACT? Roberts has been given plenty of chances and while it might not have been in his favoured no.9 position, he has struggled at this level. Last summer, Roberts penned a new deal at Elland Road until the summer of 2024. He was being linked with a £10million exit before that new deal. But realistically, he is hardly going to be a player that shines at Leeds – especially with new signings expected in the summer. If Leeds stay up come May, surely, Roberts will have to be sold but given his contract and lack of form – suitors might not be as forthcoming, had Leeds chosen against offering a new deal.
Smyth also highlights the fact that Tyler has played 51 times in the Premier League and scored twice and 2 assists. He has actually played 100 games for Leeds scoring a total of 5 goals. Nobody in the history of this club has contributed less with the number of chances he has been given. Our dire injury situation has pushed Roberts to the fore this season, maybe unfairly for him. With so many players missing and players out of position nobody has been exceptional, so maybe not all Tylers fault.
A certain Mr Orta has proved he is good at splashing the cash outwards Let’s see how good he is at getting it in Surely he can get good money for a welsh international
Morning Mike, I genuinely believe we will stay up, though it may be a bumpy ride. I felt that the shackles were released (to a degree) on Saturday and the players did themselves no harm in expressing themselves. They are getting used to a new system.
Thursday will see Paddy play 30 mins or the 2nd half, which means either Rodrigo or Joffy or both staring up top, but now obvious that Joffy is ahead of Roberts. So will JM use Raphinha as a 9 or a 10 or persist using him wide
Didn't really understand that from Jesse, if he thought Paddy was OK for 10 minutes, really can't see why giving him 15, would have been an issue.
Dunno Rich... the manager has to take into account likely fan reaction when he sends his players out for warm ups? His job is to concentrate on the game and make what he thinks are the best decisions for the team. In hindsight, and it’s only with hindsight, if he made a mistake it was sending on Gelhardt, who played with his head down and lost the ball on several occasions. Not for the first time I might add. Joffy's a genuine prospect, but to me the fans see what they want to see. I completely get, by the way that the more time joffy is given the better the chance he adapts quicker. But also the risk it affects his confidence if it doesn’t go to plan… which is why in the vast majority of cases young players are introduced slowly. One thing I hope we all agree on is that the team needs every bit of support it can get, whoever puts on the shirt.
Ian Wright laid into Rapha on MOTD. He should have scored and he needs to do more overall. Can't argue with that.
Personally I don’t get the criticism Harrison gets. He’s obviously not the best in his position in the PL, but equally he’s obviously not the worst. Confidence player. Luckily he’s supported by the Leeds fans in attendance, which far outweighs the ****e thrown at him on here.
