Meslier - 6. Nothing to do. One thing I noted is that he hesitated far too often when he could easily come off his line and clear. I've no confidence in him. Bogle - 7. A strong showing, worked hard and covered alot of ground. Made a couple of wrong choices but overall was very good at breaking the lines either with his movement or his passing. Rodon - 8. Really strong performance and scored the opener after missing a similar chance earlier. Defensively brilliant. Struijk - 7. Overshadowed by the impressive Rodon but played his part in restricting Derby to the odd punt in our direction. Firpo - n/a. Off injured and didn't look like he was fit to start with. Tanaka - 9. Bossed it yet again. Had a 10 minute spell in the 2nd half where he looked absolutely world class and just took the game by the scruff of the neck. Rothwell - 9. Drove us forward, tackled hard, worked his socks off and got an assist from his corner. Might be his best performance in a Leeds shirt. Man of the match. Aaronson - 7. Flashes of his ability but dithered a bit too much at important moments. Failed to make the most of the space created by Piroe. Solomon - 7. Some very good stuff and some pretty average stuff. By no means a bad game but Ramazani and Gnonto have a right to question Farke if he is selected in front of them on Tuesday. James - 8. The usual workrate and pacey appearance. Some lovely crosses in to good areas. Piroe - 7. Crowded out by the defenders and strangely Aaronson. Still came to retrieve the ball and linked play really well. Workrate has improved. Great finish thwarted by the save of the season in the 2nd half. Subs. Wober - 8. Impressive performance at left back. Defensively sound and was effective going forward in a bull in a China shop kinda way. Gnonto - 6. Never really got going but still pushed Derby back in to their own third. Joseph - 7. Badly needs a goal or two. Everything else is in place for him. Has a lovely touches, links up well, presses well, can pass and is strong at holding the ball up. Guilavogui - 7. Decent. His experience just saw out the game. Ramazani - 7. Another impressive cameo. Has to be close to a start. Farke - 8. Probably shouldn't have started Firpo but otherwise was about as standard a win as you can get. A note on the ref. Best I've seen this season. Very fair.
Thought Meslier distribution was excellent today. He even pinged a couple of 50 yard clearance to our attackers and was unlucky not to set up a goal. Tanaka brilliant. Real class. Word of caution though. Before the predictions start agin that we’re world beaters, Derby were shocking. I liked the way we fought for everything though up until last minute. Derby fans helped create a great atmosphere until we scored. They were like mice for last hour
from watching on the telly I’d agree on rothwell as mom, thought aaronson showed both his good and his infuriating, didn’t think this was the ideal game for DJ… He’s more suited to games where sides give him chances in transition - ie I’d start him Tues - thought he still got in decent positions but picked the wrong ball or miss-hit the right one. Thought piroe was largely anonymous, but I tend to think that most games. As you say took a great save to stop him scoring though. Not much to argue with the scores as usual though fella
From my view, Piroe always had two men on him. He would drop short and play wall passes and try and manoeuvre the defenders away from central areas. This is where Aaronson frustrates because there were pockets of space for a 10 to operate in but he just never really tried to get in them. He kind of followed Piroe which made things even more dense in that centre section of the pitch.
fair enough bud… I think positional movements are always easier to pick up live than on tv… where the cameras follow the ball
He did big time. Was blown away by the difference in live atmosphere and what he’s used to on tv. Only snag he wants to bring a couple of his mates next time. He hasn’t quite got the hang of Eire having a limited budget
So when he looks in your eyes and says… ‘but that man cave can’t have been cheap’ do you have a response other than ‘yeh that’s why I can’t afford to take your mates’
On reflection - you can just send a budget to their parents, including a reasonable 25% mark up on all costs and your day care rate.
Now 2-1 Sheff Utd. 2 goals in a minute after being outplayed for the 1st 30 minutes. That's how you win titles.
