Been thinking about the best Centre Mids I have seen recently in the Championship who have the ability to control and dominate a game. The ones that spring to mind are Shelvey, Mark Duffy, Ryan Woods and Aaron Mooy. Technically, I would say Saiz is as good as any of these. If only he could add a smattering of goals and release half of his passes seconds earlier (the ones that wrong foot defenders) he would be devastating in this division. Yes, that would make him too good for the Championship but so what, I think Mooy in particular always was. Oh, and I’ve just thought of one more, his name..... Izzie Brown. Exciting times ahead
Just looked at the last two seasons and if we could have turned half of our defeats into draws it would have been worth an extra 8 & 10 points respectively (would have given us a fourth place finish in 2017). That is why I am so delighted with yesterday and Swansea away, draws from losing positions from two very tough away games. Yes, it’s ifs and but’s, however there seems to be more mettle about Bielsa’s team.
We raise our game for every big match occasions not just Leeds. As it looks at the moment we won’t replicate last season’s good form but we should be clear of the relegation zone. How we never got a winner in injury time is typical of how things are going for us at the moment and the ref never gave us a thing, the lady lino was good though.
Nail biting stuff as all seemed lost until the last minute deserved equaliser from Harrison although we nearly blew it as Millwall could have scored three times in added on time. Great result when you consider we had a scratch team on the park at the end of the game, no striker, no Roofe, Hernandez, Berardi, Phillips, Klich five of our best players this season Positives We came back from what looked like a loss at MILLWALL with a scratch team. We'd have lost that game in previous seasons. We played the football with 63% of possession. We equalised with a scratch team & no striker. We deserved our equaliser. Lovely goal from Harrison Pontus & Cooper were giants at the back Saiz was sublime at times. Millwall bombarded us with corners & long throws but we coped very well until their goal. We showed a gritty side to our game. We are still top of the league with two home games to come at ER v two of the bottom four teams. We are the only unbeaten team in the championship. Negatives We really missed Hernandez & Roofe. No recognised championship striker Passing was poor (apart from Saiz), far too many errors. We didn't flow as we have done previously. We looked poorer at the back when Phillips was subbed. We played into Wall's hands giving them too many throw-ins in vital areas. 6 - Peacock-Farrell 8 - Jannson (joint MOTM) 7 - Phillips 8 - Cooper 7 - Ayling 6 - Douglas 7 - Harrison 6 - Klich 8 - Saiz (joint MOTM) 3 - Alioski 5 - Roberts Subs 5 - Baker 5 - Dallas 5 - Forshaw
I would add, another problem was a lack of instinctive understanding. Some of the passing in previous games between Sais, Roofe, Alioski, Pablo, Klich has been so rapid fire it come from working as a unit. It’s no criticism, but 2 new players did not always fit into that. I noticed times when they were getting in each other’s way, and it may also explain why Sais seemed to dwell on the ball. I know it’s a fault of his but it’s going to be worse if other players don’t go where he’s expecting. Think Bielsa has some way to go to have a completely ‘doubled up’ squad, which is what I believe he wants
Morning all. I just don't think Jansson gets the Bielsa playing out thing, still looks laboured, still prone to running into trouble rather than moving the ball quickly to midfield. He was great in the air as always, but Cooper and Berardi look more comfortable on the ball when being closed down.
For those who are interested in off the ball stuff (and especially our fighty Irish friend): https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...-for-dugout-scuffle-with-harris-1-9351558/amp Classy as always.
Bielsa may tell us he has every position covered however that is not true Roberts is a puppy compared to Roofe Pablo is different class to Harrison Lose Pontus/Jansson as we did at Swansea we have a lack of height & are likely to be bullied No cover should we lose Saiz Not the same team when Phillips isn't on the pitch
Narco’s mum is forever in that kitchen bless her, she’s just said she’s going to “bakey makey cakey for wakey”
Should have opened up his hand,to reveal the hand grenade he keeps,harris would have handed the bloody ball back then
