Always best after a defeat to avoid knee jerk heat of the moment reactions, so Ive waited till this morning to comment on last nights game and the season so far. First half last night was fine, played decent football and a well worked goal, second half was more about us being basically bullied all over the field. Full marks to Rotherham, thats their style, pressure game and clearly our lot didn't cope with it in the second half and our passing game got lost in the battle. Despite that, on another day, Adryan could have nicked a couple and once again the opposing keeper made some good stops. It amazes me though that people can't see the stark improvements from previous seasons. Last year after xmas we were hammered in most games, beaten out of sight with an awful hoofball game. We had a squad and subs bench littered with misfits that resembled a non league outfit. Our football is immeasurably better, still not creating enough but the talent is there now. We've probably one of the strongest squads in this division with strength in depth and the excellent youngsters Cook, Mowatt and Adryan making the breakthrough. Adryan showed enough last night to suggest he could yet be the revelation we had all hoped he would be. There will be more disappointments inevitably but I think we've a hell of a lot of good stuff to come from this present crop
Whilst we spend so long passing the ball square and backwards we won't create enough chances to consistently win games. I am not advocating a return to hoofball just more pace and forward direction when in possession. Not convinced Mowatt is ready!
I read the other day that our British based players were surprised that they were leaving training sessions not feeling shattered. The new coach spends a lot more time on tactics and technique than he does on fitness. He is more continental in his approach, I guess it doesn't matter when you are Barcelona or Madrid, I just hope we don't start running out of steam and allowing teams to bully us around with better fitness levels, I was surprised at how easy Rotherham coped with us and how they gave us no time to do anything but a sidewards pass. They will not be the last team to take this approach against us and we had no answer to it this time, they had also done their homework in trying to wind up a few players like Bianchi. I must question the "It amazes me though that people can't see the stark improvements" comment as I haven't seen anyone complaining we have gone backwards but then maybe I am not on here enough lately to have seen them. There is no doubt we have some great young talent rising up, I don't believe Mowatt will be one of those but who knows, rather him in the team than Norris or Tonge.
I disagree a little, we had lots of possession first half but did nothing much with it. Once we passed the half way line we were lost barring the goal. All our possession and good football was in our own half. We lack both width and pace and all our attacks are though the middle, so so predictable. The diamond is the worst formation ever. We may have a better squad but they are still much to similar. Only Adryan on the bench offered anything different. Rotherham played a league one/two style of football and we couldn't cope with it. Milanic did nothing to try and stop the crosses coming in, very poor tactically when the chips were down. Like for like subs although Adryan did show he has talent. Weird decision to drop him just before the start of the game and why bring Morison on with a minute or two to go. I think Byram is a better right back than Berardi, he's quicker and better at getting forward. Doukara is just another clumsy Becchio type but without the heading ability. I agree we have some good young players coming through and hopefully we will in time get better. I'm still not sure about Milanic but think he should be given a decent amount of time to prove himself. I see hope for the future but we have got to change the system we play or we wil never get anywhere. I'll keep saying it, the diamond formation is ****e personified.
That refers Ristac to general comments Ive read on twitter, Facebook etc and elsewhere from Leeds fans, not this site. Beieve it or not, there have been quite a few
LeedsinYork - I don't believe we will ever change the diamond formation because Cellino is the one insisting on it. You just have to look at the players he has signed and at how all 4 coaches under him have persisted in playing it. Agree totally with Milanic being given a lot more time but it felt like McDermott was in charge yesterday.
I actually think we have the makings of a great team, and the squad looks very strong. Rotherham just played out of their skins 2nd half and would have beaten most bottom half PL teams playing like that. I've no doubt we will secure a top half finish this season, and with a couple of quality additions will go up as champions next season. I also think Milanic is the man to do it.
Forza I agree we have the makings of a great team and a decent squad but I don't think we have the options to change a game. No point Cellino buying players to play a diamond only, we need players to give us something different when the need arises.
Milanic will not be given time 2 points from 12 is relegation stuff, what a shame we didnt stick with redfearn we would be in the top 3 by now, sorry but i deal in facts not fantasy !
The simply reason wht we lost last night was we defended too deep thus allowing the opposition to attack our goal without ant resistance we must defend further up the pitch not allowing this to happen Wed saw this weakness and Evans did as well I thought Adryan should have been brought on earlier Cooper should have played instead of Pearce and Doukara should have been replaced before the game for Sharp I still are not sure about Mowatt sorry Because we defende deep I thought that Silvestri had his worste game yet for us and I wish they would stop thgois shport passing at dead balls we aren't skilled enough Should have at least drawn so lets see what happens at Norwich
this is the 'reasons to be positive thread' and the positives for me are that we've young players like Cook, Adryan, Mowatt, Dawson and Montenegro who by all accounts is as good as Adryan and can offer width. These players are already quality and will get even better. Plus Byram is as good as any RB in this division even though he's not yet back to his best. Berardi is sound when played at LB, and another quality youngster Charlie Taylor will be great cover when he returns from injury. All of the above doesn't mention the stand out performers this season Silvestri and Antenucci, and Bellusci is an inspirational leader in the making. Pearce needs to go, Cooper looks an adequate replacement, and Doukara may not unfortunately be the answer alongside Antenucci, but with Adyran/Dawson providing creativity in the no.10 role, and maybe Montenegro providing some width, we have the basis for a bright future. Whether that's with Milanic or Redfearn or whoever remains to be seen.
Apart from 2 from 12 being relegation form, could you please point out any of the other facts in this post ?
well you had the Friday match and once again I had the opportunity to watch the mighty Leeds v Rotherham, good first half second half you were shyte, dunno what your manager is up to, he will be sacked in 2 weeks imo
Excellent post Eire, some astute comments from others as well ... FACT: we were better than both Owls and Millers and should have had six points not one ... FACT: Pearce is a weak link both as defender and leader, bring in Cooper and give Captaincy to Bellusci ... FACT: Mowatt and Austin are simply not good enough, and it is alarming to see how Mowatt has fallen away ... FACT: Doukara was very poor, and he doesn't use his strength and power effectively, defenders should be bouncing off him a la Jimmy Floyd and Yeboah, may well not crack it although lack of service may be to blame for him drifting aimlessly last night ... FACT: our midfield lacked creativity, and Adryan is a must in the 10 role now, he runs at defenders and helps cause panic, the kid can play ... Milanic has made progress, the team set up well but we lack quality and creativity, and we definitely need a Beckford type striker who is an out and out scorer, so this Chris Woods from Leicester on loan sounds a good shout ... Norwich I would consider this line up: Silvestri Byram Bellusci Cooper Warnock Bianchi Cook Murphy Adryan Montenegro Antenucci Yes, stick Brian up front with Mirco, that will give us a lot of movement with Adryan running into spaces from deep ... the midfield will be competitive and there will be a go forward ball all the time to create pressure ... key thing is not to panic, but Mowatt and Austin were very weak in the second half, and their passing left a lot to be desired Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
not sure why he changed the left and right backs for this game thought they did well against Wednesday,and thought Warnock was rubbish yesterday.
I agree Warnock never had his best game but did he play worse than Mowatt, Pearce or Doukara, he does get a raw deal with the fans and I can't understand why he is so disliked, Berardi who I like was no better than Warnock yesterday. The first goal they scored was the keepers fault, he parried it back into play, the guy who took the initial shot ghosted passed a very stationery Mowatt. The second goal Mowatt under hit a pass to Bianchi so neither goal was anything to do with Warnock.
