please log in to view this image Coventry City v Leeds United Saturday 6th April@15:00 | Ricoh Arena Leeds head down to the Ricoh Arena at the weekend, desperately hoping for three points, and a much better team performance. Since coming back from International Duty, Leeds have have looked disjointed and unorganised; but with Easter now out of the way (rarely a favourable time for the Whites), they can hopefully rediscover their form. The last time Leeds beat the Sky Blues (February 2011), David Somma scored the only goal of the match, completing the double having won a five goal thriller at the Ricoh Arena three months previously. Since then, the two clubs have only met three times, including a 1-1 draw at Elland Road mid December, a game which Leeds failed to capitalise on, having peppered their goal mouth with twenty shots Coventry's erratic form this year has seen them slip four points out of the play off zone to seventh place. They beat Leicester City 3-1 in January, but have since lost home games to Preston, and more recently (Monday) to Cardiff City. Ilia Gruev has been rated doubtful, having injured his ankle on International Duty with Bulgaria. His presence was missed during the Watford and Hull games, especially with Glen Kamara being ill (and playing anyway). Wilfred Gnonto (hamstring) and Connor Roberts (groin) are also nursing injuries picked up during the international break. Jamie Shackleton has also picked up a groin injury that will see him sidelined for several weeks. Charlie Crew, who has made the bench in the last couple of games is also unlikely to make the trip to the West Midlands having limped off during the U18's 4-3 win against Millwall on Thursday evening. Sam Byram and Joe Rodon are carrying knocks but both are expected to make the trip. Rodon has had pain killing injections over the last couple of games. Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Japanese winger Sakamoto (back injury) and Jamie Allen (calf) are definitely out for Mark Robins side whilst Matty Godden (ankle) is doubtful.
There was no reason for Leeds to disclose that Rodon has been having pain-killing injections to get him through games. He’s a Tottenham player and they may not like the fact he’s playing and risking a long term injury. Hopefully there’s no clause in the loan agreement that allows them to recall him for treatment. He’s a valuable asset to them and they’ll want him protected. Sometimes, compared to other clubs, Leeds are just too open and honest.
But whether we disclosed it publicly or not, we would still have had to tell Spurs of the issue, as they would have had to agree to the treatment etc. So keeping quiet wouldn't have helped in that respect. Maybe Farke thought it was better to tell the fans why we aren't playing as fluid as maybe we and he would like and that this outweighed any negativity from his point of view of making this information public
Looking back at the run in about 5 games back, for some reason this was the one I was concerned about, just a gut feeling but not got great vibes about it.
They have a couple of quality players but then again we have more than a couple of top quality players throughout the side. Should beat these. Early goal would help. Then pick them off on the counter.
6 games to go and 6 wins is still my focus. We can beat anyone in this division so lets keep the positivity. One good thing about playing sides like this they need the 3 points as much as us so they won't be parking any buses. which will suit us down to the ground. Yes It's all on the day but if I was a betting man "which I am" If I had a free £100 bet I would always throw my money on Leeds winning this Cov are a decent side but we are a better one fact. ALAW MOT.
Last couple of games it’s difficult to judge whether the poor performances are due to absences, illness, tiredness/lack of preparation(due to the international break). This game will hopefully be an opportunity to find out if the fluency is back with the team. Imo we badly missed what Gnonto and Gruev give the team, the former going forward, the latter keeping things ticking over as well as cover for the CB. That combined with Rutter unable to influence the game for long periods definitely made life difficult. It’s all about results, so although I’m hoping for a good watch this afternoon, just bag the 3 pts and move on.
Think you’re fretting over nothing. He won’t be at Tottenham next season, he’ll stay with us if we go up or be at a palace/forest type of club if we don’t. He definitely won’t be recalled outside of the transfer window and not sure he could be.
Whatever the recent results, Coventry’s form over last 6 games gives them 9 points so not bad. Still a chance of playoffs so won’t be an easy one for us. Norwich in good form (12 points from last 6) so as a local derby will be interesting v bloody Ipswich - are they ever going to lose a game? Their form is even better btw, 15 from last 6. the other 2 ought to win really, but will keep hoping.
Leicester will get their season back on track today with a resounding victory over a struggling Brum, they have by far the easier run in, so expect them to be top when it's all over. We really need Ipswich to slip up today.
We need to just worry about ourselves, been very lucky to get four points from the performances in the last two games. Coventry is by no means a gimme, we could easily get turned over here.
My post half way up the page shows I have a bad feeling about today and if we do slip up then we have to hope Ipswich do too, they win, we lose then I think we'd have to settle for 3rd, will be a tough ask to gain 4 points over them with only 5 games left but you never know, nerves and excitement. Whether we get autos or not, I'd like it to at least go to the last day of the season if we have a chance, of course unless it's us that have a 4 point cushion on the final day.
Good afternoon everyone 0-0 Norwich v Ipswich after 20 min 50/50 possession, of course this means nowt till the 98th minute when the ref blows.
