Good Morning. It's Monday 7th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Summerville's late late show An injury time strike, deep into stoppage time, spared Leeds blushes as they came from two-nil down to came a point, on the opening day of the 23-24 Championship season. With Bamford and Rutter injured, Willy Gnonto led the line, with Luis Sinisterra tucked in behind him; it wasn't an ideal setup, but at least it meant Leeds were able to utilize the services of Dan James and Crysencio Summerville in wide positions. Leeds looked dangerous from kick off. Gnonto's close ball control, and turn of pace caused the Cardiff defence all kinds of problems, whilst as we know, Sinisterra can strike the ball from anywhere, but Cardiff were up to the task. They defended resolutely, thwarting everything Leeds threw at them in the opening half. The Bluebirds opened the scoring midway through the first half. O'Dowda was given acres of space down his left flank (Leeds right)with Ayling nowhere to be seen. He tee'd up Bowler from 12 yards out, but his initial effort was blocked by Ampadu. The rebound fell nicely back to him; this time, even though surrounded by five defenders, stabbed the ball past Meslier. Bowler turned contributor for Cardiff's second, five minutes before half time. He exploited Leeds weakness down his right (Leeds left), easing his way past a disappointing Leo Hjelde, before cutting the ball back to Arron Ramsey. The Welsh International spun, turned and fired an effort, straight into the shins of Liam Cooper. The ball spun towards the far post, where Iké Ugbo reacted quickest to stab the ball home, silencing the Elland Road crowd. Daniel Farke's half time talk worked wonders, as Leeds reduced the deficit just four minutes into the second half. Liam Cooper flung himself at Summerville's out-swinging corner, beating the keeper for pace, but landed awkwardly, and was stretchered from the ground soon after. Leeds continued to ask all the questions, but had to wait until the fifth minute of injury time for a reply. Sinisterra's speculative effort was blocked, but Summerville's instinctive strike ensured the spoils were shared. please log in to view this image It's a scandal that we didn't win As a club, Leeds have never been blessed with a lot of luck. It's not the first and it certainly won't be the last time that they controlled proceedings, but get little in return. The Bluebirds had two efforts on goal, and scored them both, whilst Leeds enjoyed 72% possession, and dominated all the other stats that mattered, apart from the glaringly obvious one. The game was that one-sided that the heat map around the Cardiff City's defence was reminiscent of the recent forest fires around Europe. After the game, Daniel Farke described the Leeds defending as sloppy (as far as the Cardiff goals were concerned) but claimed with Leeds dominance, it was 'a scandal that we (Leeds) didn't win. "Against a really compact and good defensive side we created an unbelievable amount of set pieces and a lot of shooting positions," "It was difficult because we didn't have our normal strikers available – not (Patrick) Bamford, not (Georginio) Rutter, not (Mateo) Joseph (all injured) – and we had pretty small players on the pitch, we couldn't work with high crosses." "They found many, many good situations to be a threat on the Cardiff goal. The problem was our defensive behaviour before the goals we conceded was a bit too sloppy." "Then to turn the game after a team digs even a bit more in and drops deeper was difficult. "Even the (goal which made it) 1-2 was a picture of our situation. We scored an early goal in the second half and had the momentum but our skipper, Liam Cooper, injured himself and we had to play the next five minutes under-manned (until Charlie Cresswell came on). "The team we had (then) was more or less just a bit stronger than a youth side but to keep going, stay cool and equalise in he last minute of added time was special and really good for the confidence." "When you judge just from statistics it's a scandal that we didn't win," "We had more than 70 per cent possession, they had two shots on target, two goals, we had 25 shots (in total), we had 10 to no corners. "In the second half just one team was chasing the game and playing. It looked a bit like a powerplay (where ice hockey teams have a man advantage) at times. "But sadly we missed two many good situations and they were also unbelievably effective. "With so many hits in the neck and so many missed opportunities to equalise, it was a pretty important point not just for the table but also for the confidence, for the spirit, for the unity, for the mentality." please log in to view this image Did Farke take sly dig at ER hierarchy Nobody can blame Daniel Farke if he's getting a little tetchy regarding the transfer situation at Elland Road! The Leeds gaffer has done well since taking the reigns almost five weeks ago, but it doesn't take a genius to work out where Leeds frailties lie! Over half the Leeds participants that played a part yesterday, were not deemed good enough only seven weeks ago, and even though they have dropped a division, the Championship can be very unforgiving, if you're not properly prepared. During his post match interview, Farke labelled the strength of his side as being just 'a bit stronger than a youth side' following Cooper being stretchered off. This is a powerful statement to make out loud, during your first post interview of the season, and perhaps indicates that the big German wants more support than he is being given as far as transfers go. It's only week one of the season, and we have already seen injuries to the usual suspects Bamford, Cooper and Firpo. They only had 16 players train last week, and with the skipper now out of action for a sustained amount of time, and Meslier expecting to depart, they may not have enough players for their substitute bench soon. please log in to view this image
Good Morning all After 45 minutes of yesterdays game I feared we were going to lose by 3 or 4 goals, we certainly didn't deserve to be behind. The second half display was like watching an early Bielsa team. There were a couple of weak areas and hopefully we will see those areas fixed with some incoming transfers. I witnessed enough yesterday to firmly believe we will be one of the top teams in the division. It was two points dropped, but Cardiff have always been a bogey team for us, onwards and upwards and I'm really hoping we get at least one transfer in this week.
A good point but a disappointing point. Yes we deserved to win but will never win the league with the likes of Struijk, Ayling, Hjelde and Cooper and yesterdays stat shines a light on that. 2 chances 2 goals conceded. Too many mistakes by Ayling and Hjelde. We also need some striking power on the pitch too because we didn’t capitalise on the chances we created and maybe we should have been home and dry by half time yesterday. But a great performance in some ways and especially young Archie Gray. A couple of signings required this week especially at the back
Morning all Yesterday was 2 points lost. If we want to go back up we've gotta win games against clubs that are expected to be in the bottom 5 Come the end of the season. Farke better be careful about what he say about the owners etc etc. He'll be out of a job if he's not careful. Just remember what happened to Gus Poyet at Brighton and Nick Barmby at Hull.
Morning all. Farke is not wrong but it hopefully means they and we have a bright future together Gray 17 Hjelde 19 Gnonto 19 Perkins 19 Cresswell 20 Summerville 21 Gelhardt 21 Ampedu 22 Joseph (19), Gyabi (19), Rutter (21), Drameh (21) & Greenwood (21) to add to that list as well.
Morning everyone a good enjoyable game but...... Cardiff were not very good and can expect to struggle again. We need a good left back and centre back x2 also two mids and a striker. Harrison/Adams/firpo/Gelhardt (slow joe) need shipping out to get some funds.The statue Meslier might be saleable if we can mug him off. Struijk is another who needs to go and heljde. Ampadu was better than Adams so we won't miss him. I do not expect my wish list to come true but we should have beaten a poor Cardiff just by having a striker and Gnonto wide and dan james not anywhere near the first team.
That list is pointless gyabi was nowhere to be seen. Most of those including the deaf heljde need shipping out. Greenwood looks poor every game and needs to go. Loads more on that list who are either too young or too soft. Farke is correct we need some men in the side.
Positives from yesterday: Byram Ampadu Gnonto but he should have scored 2 Summerville but needs to stop showboating and look up more. Sinisterra Gray Poveda Byram and Poveda have shown they deserve to start Managing Archie Gray this season is going to be tough for FARKE. New AM and a couple of CBS required I cannot wait to find out who is staying and who is going. Imagine Adams and Gray together and Ampadu as a CB.
Enjoyable and great fighting spirit in second half, exactly what's been missing. Nothing whatsoever to suggest well be any better than mid table if we don't strengthen. If thats our defence, well concede in virtually every game this season. We've been a disgrace at the back for five years now and if wed been playing a half decent team yesterday, they'd have had the game long won by half time. Farke said we need strengthening in every position but also pointed out how difficult that will be thanks to the serious financial constraints on cash. So all up to the owners as usual, stay as we are, and eventually lose a good manager. It'll be a hell of a lot clearer in four weeks
Byram as a starter yes if he's fit enough, Poveda maybe not yet, but a great weapon to come on against tiring defenders. Wasn't as impressed with Gnonto as you were but he operating in very tight areas most of the time so perhaps I'll look at it again.
I read your list alright but don't agree with it. I expect to see a few of those out on loan or sold. I will stick my neck out and predict Gyabi never makes is at Leeds and that's just one.
Owners have sold rodrigo and caprille. Loan fees and wages saved too. So far they have spent nothing.
6 million in for rodrigo and caprile (goalie) plus loan fees coming in equals nowt much spent if any.
Plus Byram for nothing. Farke needs to start seeing some intent from the owners. Let's face it the ambition is to be promoted.
