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. please log in to view this image 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? please log in to view this image 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." please log in to view this image
Morning Leeds fans. The goal was vitally important obviously, but I was as much relieved to see the overall performance that Firpo put in and the clean sheet. He has shown glimpses before, let's hope he's found his groove now and can keep that going.
Great result and delighted for Firpo. I wasn't one of his critics incidentally. Have to say for first time in many years, Im actually excited about tomorrow nights game. Win and were only one game away from Wembley. The Chelsea trip Saturday no longer looks a lost cause either. One word of caution, Southampton were pathetic on Saturday so too soon to get carried away
Morning all Let’s just wait and see how we perform tomorrow before getting carried away But a good start to the new campaign
A very scrappy performance. Wasn't great but we edged the game and got a slice of luck on the goal. We still lack that ability to find the crucial pass. At this point 3 points is crucial not only to our league position but also the confidence of the players but most importantly its stopped the fans from turning on the board for a few games. We are much stronger when veryone is pulling in the same direction. Firpo played really well but the body of evidence still suggests he's not up to the level required. We NEED a left back this summer. One good performance every 18 months won't cut it. He needs to back it up now. Fulham is a free hit for Gracia, a chance to show improvement, try things, before next weekends game.
Echo everyone’s thoughts on Firpo and chuffed for him. The problems as usual came from a lack of composure in front of goal and a lack of decent passes into the box. Wasteful Harrison or should that be greedy Harrison or even wrong choices Harrison. Yes he created the assist but he is not great this season. Georginio needs to start against Fulham because Paddy will never manage 2 games in a week
Great to get the win, cheers the weekend up no end. Not just Harrison, Summerville should have squared the ball to him at the end.
Delighted with the result. Thought we looked more compact defensively which will be important going into the final part of the season. Still have concerns about our ability to create good chances, but hopefully that’s a confidence thing and that will improve as we get a better understanding of Javia’s tactics. Really pleased for Firpo, he’s improving game by game, but I still think he needs to work on his recovery when he’s up top and we lose possession. Can’t remember the exact circumstances but one time in the 2nd half he nearly got badly caught out, and appeared to be sauntering back. Still it’s onward and hopefully upwards. Looking forward to Fulham match, it’ll be tough but we should give it a good go, hopefully a strong team to try to build on Saturdays result. Then Chelsea, think we’ll get a point there. MOT
Only saw the 30 minute highlights on sky. There was one point where Firpo looked like he was in the centre forwards position, not completely sure if it was the same incident where Wober got across to make a superb tackle. But I was thinking what was he doing up there?
Apart from the Man U games we've offered pretty much diddly up defensively to teams in 2023. Always the way, harder to create as much going forward when it's less of a focus. Be easier to judge progress when we've played sides with ambition. Likewise with junior... always looked a player going forward and a car crash defensively. Let's hope he prospers under a new manager. Looking forward to tomorrow. Fulham are a decent side but their league position flatters them. No reason we shouldn't have a good go at them.
A very good morning all Seems like a huge weight is starting to lift, i say only starting because their is a way to go yet. Two trips to London coming up and i am quietly confident we won't lose either, how long has it been, since it felt like that?
Wonder how Rayo Valacano fans are taking things at the minute. Iraola their head coach has had 2 draws and a loss since his decision to not join Leeds. That’s not European places form and fallen from 5th in the table when Victor was trying to poach him….
Hi to all I'm busy going back and forth to the hospital plus running errands. Shako and son plus me were in the south stand lower near the away fans. The atmosphere is great but bodies flew everywhere when firpo scored. I braced myself on the seat in front but the lad behind me took a right whack. It's stupid and someone is going to get seriously injured.
Koch.. Wober.. Ayling.. Firpo could be the reason Leeds may stay up this season. Once a defence gels it's a big plus.
Pre Fulham presser was another waste of time because Gavi won’t talk about injuries or team selection so what’s the point? Is it just to make journos feel good about asking inane questions
I thought that was what the fans wanted? Bielsa was criticised for naming his team, Jesse for basically not shutting up at all. Javi gives nothing away, most thought Wober would miss the Southampton game for example.
That was possibly the incident I was on about. Didn’t have a problem with him being there, I seem to recall we had Saints pinned back for a good few minutes. It was just his seeming lackadaisical way of getting back that disturbed me, once we’d lost the ball. However he’s been showing signs of life in the last few games, so don’t want to detract from improved performances. Hopefully as his confidence increases he’ll become the player we hoped we were getting.
