Good Morning. It's 31st March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds are falling apart again A familiar unease culminated around Elland Road upon the final whistle, with more than a smattering of boo's from the Elland Road faithful, as Swansea came back twice to grab a share of the spoils. It was nothing more than they deserved, bossing the midfield for large periods of the game, and never giving up. The afternoon began so well for the hosts. After a series of poor results, Brenden Aaronson provided the shot in the arm that Daniel Farke's squad desperately needed, after capitalising on a mix up in the Swansea defence. He stabbed the ball home from close range after just 50 seconds, settling the nerves among his team-mates, after what has been a turbulent month for the Whites. However, what was soon to transpire was far from convincing. Leeds lived a charmed life in the opening 45 minutes. Meslier brilliant denied Tymon's spot kick from twelve yards, after Rodon was adjudged to have bought down O'Brien on the edge of the box. The Frenchman was equally appreciative minutes later when Cabango got on the end of Tymon's free kick, only for his effort to hit the inside of the post and roll precariously across the goal line, and into his grateful hands. Despite Swansea equalising on 64 minutes when Meslier fumbled, Leeds seemed to have found their groove after the interval. Despite being outworked in midfield, the Whites created the better opportunities. Wilfried Gnonto, introduced from the bench, injected instant energy and precision. Elland Road erupted with four minutes remaining when the plucky Italian smashed the ball through a crowd of players after Vigouroux could only palm away Struijk's headed effort. Relief and elation momentarily washed over Elland Road, as the pressure cauldron exploded, but football, as it so often does, had another twist in store. With nothing to lose, Swansea surged forward. A loose touch from Mateo Joseph gifted possession back to the visitors. Vipotnik's low, angled shot squirmed agonizingly under Meslier and into the net. Leeds now find themselves two points adrift of the top spot and only clinging to second place on goal difference from Burnley. The momentum has undeniably shifted, but not in Leeds favour. One win in five represents a significant downturn at the most critical juncture of the season, but can Farke turn it around? please log in to view this image The Blame Game: More Than Just Meslier at Fault Meslier has undoubtedly cost Leeds points this season, but to lay blame solely at his door is to ignore a much broader, more systemic issue plaguing the team. Because make no mistake, as a collective, Leeds were simply awful. Look beyond the goals conceded, and you see a team riddled with individual errors and questionable decisions. In his present condition, Ethan Ampadu should be nowhere near the team sheet. Surgery has been replaced by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections (to try and manage his cartilage damage) between now and the rest of the season - It reeks of desperation from a club now regretting the opportunity to strengthen when given the chance! Defensively, even usually reliable figures faltered. Joe Rodon, typically composed and assured, was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession. Squandered possession 15 times in a single game? That level of wastefulness is criminal at this level. Add to that 14 misplaced passes, and you start to see a picture of a team unraveling, player by player. Further up the field, the issues persist. Rothwell, brought in as a squad player, looks exactly that – distinctly average. He doesn't possess the quality to consistently impact games at the sharp end of the Championship. And then there’s the worrying state of Messrs. Solomon and James. These are players seemingly running on fumes, victims of mismanaged game time. They look leggy, their spark extinguished, while on the other side of the coin, players like Ramazani and Mateo Joseph are clearly lacking match sharpness, starved of the minutes needed to find their rhythm. For Leeds fans, all of this smacks of a painful familiarity. This isn't just a bad patch of form; it's a creeping sense of déjà vu. The ghosts of promotions past haunt Elland Road – the near misses, the spectacular collapses, the agonising play-off heartbreaks. WHY DON'T WE LEARN BY OUR MISTAKES? please log in to view this image
Morning. Meslier has to be dropped now its a step to far even for Farke to defend him. Im sure if it was the tother way around and that was Darlow he would be out the team a long time ago. I understand you have to stick by your men but im sorry that was a routine catch evrn the opposition now know by hanging a player infront of him. He aint thr only onr to blame saturday though it was a shyte show from 1min. The team need a boost that was not the Leeds United that played the first 30 games. Im a bit worried today as the shyte is hitting the fan again.
I agree with all of the morning post. Simply dropping Meslier wont solve the bigger problem. With 6 points from 15 now this team is done. Most scored 4 out of 10 for their efforts on Saturday. Are they men or mice? Answer is simple after blowing it two seasons running. Burnley and Blunts fans must be having a right laugh. By the time they meet it'll probably be irrelevant
Right now it’s difficult to see a positive in the position we’re in, based on the level of our last 4 or 5 results, and performances. I’m no wrist slasher but that’s how it now feels to me. Luton becomes our most important game of the season. We know they’ll scrap for their lives, and every cross or corner will be swung under our crossbar. Not gonna be pretty. Im not gonna suggest a line up, because chances are it’ll be rinse and repeat, but I’d like to see Gnonto given a start.
Last time we wanted fat Frank's lot to do us a favour v blunts they did what we do....bottled it! Will they do any better v the clarets or won't it matter if our spineless mob can't overcome another team who are fighting for their championship lives...said after the game on Saturday darlow should be asking questions as too how does he get a chance in the nets if after another clanger from our No1 he's still sat on his arse...and Mateo is getting to the same stage of contributing the square root of f.a. bring in Vinnie Jones as an 'ear bending specialist ' for the remaining fixtures
Very harsh on Rothwell. He spent most of Saturday covering for a clearly unfit Ampadu. He’s more than good enough at this level and he’d be a definite starter for both Sheffield United and Burnley.
Morning all I read an article yesterday (think it was written by Beren Cross) stating Paragg was seen on his own pacing about with his phone to his ear after the final whistle, it was also stated that he had a meeting in January with Farke as Leeds were offered a PL keeper on loan but Farke turned the option down, the suggestion was that Paraag wanted to take the keeper. I am hoping the week now between games will get any jet lag out the legs and we will see a different Leeds team against Luton On a positive, we are still in an automatic spot, Sheffield and Burnley need to play each other The ball is still in our own court at the moment, I am glad our next two games are away as I think home pressure is getting to the players. We need 6 points on the board from our two away games then our next home game will feel different Farke won't drop Meslier, I think we are seeing the same limitations to Farke as those we saw last year, easy to bury when you are 5 points clear, not so easy when we start to crumble. Let's get promoted this year with a good finish then replace Farke before preparation for the PL begins
I agree. He's been fairly good and he was keep an eye on Ampadu as he wasn't getting about the pitch like he normally does.
Looking forward to Farke pre match interview before Luton match,he has to surely drop Meslier now, IF he’s doesn’t then we shall end up in the play offs and you know all about what happens there, I can see it now, Sunderland in the playoff and we all know what happened last time we played them in the capital, well l do I was there. Solomon has to stop sulking when subbed, if not gtf back to the Spuds, I think Ramazani is as good if not better. Why on earth was Ampadou even on the pitch, Farke to blame for that, but he has never come out publicly and said it was a mistake to play him, unlike Bielsa, be used to put his hand up.
Zero chance well win next two away. Usual crap excuses for Luton. Early start in London blah blah. Maybe Farke was offered a keeper but as he was a no2 or 3 at a PL club was he any good.
Who in their right mind would want to watch that. Saturday was bad enough live when we didn't know the result
