please log in to view this image After a freezing cold start today, it was nice to see the sun come out as we headed to Forest via Mansfield. We had a good stop in good company with plenty of laughs and comments beforehand were that hopefully the lack of football wouldn’t get in the way of a good day out. I slept on the coach on the way home so I could decide on what I wanted to say before writing my blog today. We did have a football game in the middle of this surprisingly and as there was plenty of steam coming out of fans’ ears at the end of it, I thought it wise to take a step back for a bit. Team: Meslier, Cooper, Adams, Roca, Ayling, Harrison, Gnonto, Sinisterra, Struijk, Wöber and Bamford. Subs: Summerville for Sinisterra (57), Weston McKennie making his debut (57), Firpo for Struijk (67), Rutter for Bamford (67), Greenwood for Harrison (83). Subs not used: Robles, Joseph, Aaronson, Kristensen. Leeds lost the game 1-0. Attendance: 29,363 with 2,956 Leeds fans. Referee: Robert Jones. Booked: Struijk, Wöber. After all the games yesterday and with Leeds perilously close to the bottom three, we needed points and quickly. I deliberately didn’t look at the table as it is better to have it out of sight and out of mind for me otherwise it would be panic stations! The game set off at a hectic pace with an electric atmosphere especially from the Forest fans (I’m positive they have microphones all around) as I’ve never known it as loud there. The best opening chance for Leeds came from a Sinisterra shot saved by the Forest keeper. With almost their first attack though, Forest took the lead after winning a free kick at the left-hand side of the pitch to us which also brought Struijk a booking which I thought was a harsh decision. As the ball was crossed to our side and our defence pulled out of position, their player was in space at the edge of the box to send a low shot that beat Meslier at the post nearest us. That was a blow, but it was also something that we never really recovered from but as we were only a goal down, we still had a chance as long as they didn’t score a second goal. Although we didn’t stop trying for the rest of the half with their keeper making saves from both Ayling and Gnonto we went into the break still losing by their early goal. Forest were the first to make changes to their side and were able to contain Leeds for the majority of the second half. Even though we made changes, we didn’t look like we could get that equaliser despite a few sparks in the side. When Firpo was taking a throw someone threw a ball at his head so Gnonto kicked a ball straight into the crowd. Things threatened to kick off then but luckily the referee just got on with the game. As the fans on the terraces grew restless, with 10 minutes to go, there were chants of “Marsch out” with some responses of support the team or “f**k off home”. Now regardless of your opinion, even if you do not agree with others, resorting to fisticuffs amongst our fans isn’t the way as they are entitled to their opinion. I know back in my earlier days of following Leeds though, so I do understand when others want to stick up for the team, I would never hear of anyone being negative against Leeds. I’ve become more tolerant of opinions since then, which comes from seeing the vast number of games I’ve been to as well as going through all the ups and downs since. At the end of the game when the whistle blew though the terraces grew toxic with chants of “Jessie time to go” and boos by a very large proportion of our fans. Looking at things, I could only see us heading one way and that is down sadly. I really hope Leeds can prove me wrong but there wasn’t much support for Marsch from the vast amount of fans I spoke to at the end of the game and they want him gone. My opinion is that according to the club, we were supposed to be building on Bielsa’s legacy when in fact we have destroyed what we were building in a year, and it is as though the last four years have never happened. We are back to what we were before he arrived sadly. Despite us having plenty of talent in the squad and realistically we should be doing better than we are, I cannot see a way forward under the current management. Please don’t ask me who would replace Marsch though as I really don’t have a clue. I am going to use some reverse psychology for our back-to-back games against man u though. We are going to get hammered in both games, so fingers crossed that Leeds prove me wrong! See you there, LUFC, Marching on Together! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Interesting Heidi a week ago we were criticising Everton’s fans for their behaviour booing the team and then manager. Some saying we were different and wouldn’t resort to that. Didn’t seem that way today. Re a new manager Heidi is it’ll be the same crew appointing the next one who have gotten three of the last four appointments dramatically wrong. I’m not exactly confident in their ability to pick the next one. 49ers Meddling in the selection will likely confuse matters more
The fans have been very patient up to now and have definitely given Marsch time but things reached crisis point today. I agree with choosing another manager though and they shouldn't be anywhere near that decision. If we are being taken over then there are big decisions to make.
Building on Bielsa’s legacy……………. Exactly my thoughts Heidi, brought in as he was a great fit for our squad? He even now has some of his ex players who know what he wants, yet they are tripping over each other, running into each other and look like strangers. Marsch has tried to adapt but he ain’t clever enough, I think he’s destroyed those players today….
Heidi, on a different note ..... Always meant to ask you if you keep a running total of the number of matches you've attended over the years. Any idea?
I've got a little bit of a record from the 70s when I did my diary. I know I had 7 years of not missing a game home or away in both the 70s and 80s and have only missed maybe a handful of home games over the years. I didn't go away for a few years whilst my children were small but still went to the home games. The answer though is that I don't have a total or the number of miles travelled but I think I've been to at least 84 grounds if not more as that doesn't count any Scottish ones. Also got quite a number of games abroad to add onto it. I'm hoping to keep going once I've had my hip op next week (if it still goes ahead of course) although I'm being told I won't be able to do it! Just watch me lol although reality may kick in.
