You must log in or register to see images
Good Morning. It's Monday 27th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Firpo's strike lifts Leeds away from drop zone
A Junior Firpo strike thirteen minutes from time was enough to see Leeds move out of the bottom three, and cast more doubt about Southampton's Premier League status. The game was far from a classic, with both sides determined not to lose, rather than find a winner, and if truth be told, it had nil - nil written all over it for much of the game.
Saying that, Leeds were by far the busier team. They outscored their occupants in every discipline, and apart from a few nervy moments (which we have come to expect from his Leeds side), never looked like conceding.
Southampton were poor, even the normally reliable Ward-Prowse was little more than a by-stander.
Firpo took his goal well. He surged into the box to collect Harrison's back heel after good work from Summerville. He took a touch, before side footing the ball under the despairing dive of Bazunu from the edge of the six yard box. The Elland Road pressure cooker lifted as 72 days of hurt were forgiven in an instant.
You must log in or register to see images
Gracia announces backroom staff
Javi Gracia’s has announced three new additions to his backroom staff following the arrival of his visa last Friday. Zigor Aranalde and Juan Jose Solla join as an assistant coaches, having served under Gracia for much of his managerial career. Former team (at Gracia and Real Sociedad), Mikel Antia also arrives. Michael Skubala, has also been promoted to the first team set up, with Paco Gallardo stepping up to Under-21s duties.
That's quite a few changes for a four month contract! Perhaps he has eyes on the Elland Road hotseat on a permanent basis?
You must log in or register to see images
Did we write off Firpo too soon
There was never a more important time for Junior Firpo to grab his first league goal for the Whites (his other came in the 3-1 FA Cup win at Accrington Stanley). Since his arrival 18 months ago, the 26yo quickly became the latest in a long line of targets for the ER boo boys, who reach out to social media in packs, to rip apart his shortcomings.
To his credit, Firpo seems desensitised to this, and for this season at least, is beginning to show some consistent form, when Leeds need it the most. His 8.3 man of the match rating will give him some much needed rest-bite, but only if these performances continue. According to Phil Hay:-
"It is not as if Junior Firpo, to quote the Arctic Monkeys, is Mr Inconspicuous in a Ford Mondeo. His drive of choice is a Rolls-Royce, number plate neatly personalised, and his partner is never far behind in a pink Lamborghini, often spotted bouncing gingerly over the potholes in Fullerton Park."
"In that respect, you can see Firpo coming but only until he steps from the tunnel, at which point everything tends to cloud over. For 18 months at Leeds United, he has been hit by questions on repeat: what is he, and why did Leeds pay £13million ($15.5m) for him? Is there a handy left-back in there, hidden and trying to break cover? Then on a day when Leeds need someone, anyone, that someone is him. The club are bouncing again and Firpo is punching the air in the direction of the South Stand. Is this real? He doesn’t look sure himself."
"It has been coming for Firpo bit by bit recently, which is not to say that history is suddenly destined to judge him kindly at Leeds, but that life has been kinder to him in the past few weeks. Kinder than it has been to many other people in these parts. Appearances became little steps towards confidence and competence, culminating on Saturday in a 77th-minute winner in a game Leeds could only afford to win. Firpo, in that moment, was up and running. Javi Gracia on the touchline was up and running. Leeds at last were free of a Sunday devoted to panic and fearing the worst."
"Firpo’s demeanour as his goal went in, his puff-of-the-chest towards the West Stand at full-time and his move to conduct the South Stand as he soaked up acclaim, was the release by someone who cannot have enjoyed much of his career in England. He was the talent developed by Real Betis, the former Barcelona player, the left-back signing approved by Marcelo Bielsa in the summer of 2021."
You must log in or register to see images
