please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Sheffield Wednesday Saturday 13th April at 5.30pm Streaming links to follow Hi Folks The Wendies are the visitors to Elland Road on Saturday for an early evening kick off. With 5 games left and only a point separating West and South Yorkshire's finest, will the blue side of Sheffield want to do the Blades a favour? Leeds have no new injury worries. Alioski and Jansson both picked up superficial battle wounds in their 2-0 win at Deepdale in midweek, but not enough to keep either off the field of play for more than a moment! Expect to see Bamford spearhead Leeds attack following his goal brace. This will mean that Roofe will have to make do with a place on the bench! The Owls currently occupy 10th place in the championship, six points from the play offs. If they stand any hope of the top six, they will have to try to topple Leeds!
Bruce hates Leeds, so will do all he can to derail us. Think MB will start with the same 11, which unfortunately means Harrison keeping his place. Would like to see Berardi start at LB and Alio replacing Harrison. First goal will be vital.
With both Norwich and Blades drawing, that leaves us in 2nd with the Psychological advantage over them both. I had a sneaky feeling Reading and Brum could sneak draws. Norwich will now be worried, and nervous about dropping further points, so will the Blades. I suspect there may be a bit of caution in their play. Lower teams have everything to play for to try and avoid the relegation zone. Millwall are capable of beating the Blades, or drawing. Wigan, want to avoid the drop, so can upset Norwich, or force a draw. Still twists and turns to come. Our destiny is in our hands.
Gessa, much as I love Berra, I don't think he's capable of doing the Alioski/Harrison interchangeable thing, which has been a very effective tactic for us this season. Speaking of Harrison, I heard Andrew Hughes do his commentary punter the other night, & he was impressed by Harrison. The most impressive aspect for him was his off the ball work, which he said wasn't visible on the telly & certainly not in radio commentary. Have to be honest & say it's not something I've picked up on myself, to my shame. I've watched Alioski doing huge (unrecognised) work off the ball when playing on the wing, even during the spell when he was being slaughtered by 'experts' aka 'supporters' (social media generalisation, btw, not aimed at anyone here in particular). I'm beginning to wonder if I've been overly harh in my Harrison assessments if I've missed this important aspect of his play. Still rubbish at end product, right enough, but so is most of our crossing.
I’m pleased we won 2-0 but Bamfords goals will have kept him in the team, I hope Bielsa resists the temptation to put Roofe in at 10 I still think Bamford is a better impact sub.
You and me can do off the ball work. They’re footballers and supposed to be able to do things with a football. Harrison can’t
Would certainly take some pressure off Saturday evening if blunts could slip up again. We’ve two hugely difficult games in our run in. Wednesday and villa who have now won seven in a row
Not sure what Hughes sees tbh but other than Baker, Harrison has consistently been our worst player this season, 2 decent halves is about it. As with the interchanging, Alio keeps his end of the bargain by getting up but how often have we seen him exposed trying to get back chasing a player who has plenty of space because Harrison hasn't covered his run, also most often Cooper being dragged over to the left to cover the huge space left on our left side, which I feel as aided to Cooper's game being off these last few weeks, and exposes us in the centre.I've felt these last few weeks we'd be better playing 3 at the back, at least there'd be more cohesion. Berra is the best full back at the club and no hasn't got the legs of Alio but neither has Douglas and Berra could easily do what he's done this season but defend better. All opinions I know but mine says we carry Harrison, what's the point in having a winger who can't beat a man, who runs into brick walls and can't cross a ball, watching the other night my son said," he's as bad as Sacko and i never thought I'd say that about another Leeds player".
Bamford isn't consistent, he lacks pace and is too easily shoved off ball. Bielsa is loyal, and prone to picking the same team. I said after first half with PNE that Bamford should be replaced by Roof, on that occasion it turned out well in our favour, and glad it did, but can we afford to, at this late stage, wait for Bamford to hit a vein of form untill last game is over. Bamford was a hero for a day, based on his goals, deservedly, but rest of his game was below par for a striker, and has been for the last 4 or 5 games. I agree with Gessa, Berardi back in at LB, and Alioski back on wing. Ayling too needs to watch his going forward, he doesn't get back quick enough to cover his position, which is why Cooper is trying to cover for him. Then again, why isn't Phillips reading the game and covering for Ayling when he pushes forward. I suspect Alioski may have been given allowances to roam occasionally.
Not exactly true. He obviously can if we've paid good cash money for his services - we just haven't see any evidence of it, that's all!
Have to be clear on this - I'm not defending Harrison. Just reporting that Hughesy has spotted something that I missed completely. Unless, of course (just thought of this!), that this was the first & only time he's seen Harrison in the flesh, so to speak. I personally have been very disappointed in him this season & sincerely hope he's back off to Manc in the summer. If he's struggling in the Championship, what's he going to be like in the PL?
Have to comment on the remarks about our FBs 'not getting back in time'. That's out game plan. Risk, risk, risk. Attack! Attack! Attack! If it causes a few goals - even defeats, I don't care. I love it! Show me the last season where we were so entertaining - and successful with it!
Brentford away is the most difficult game in my opinion. Bruce has got Wednesday well organised, it’s a derby, but they’re not all that. Villa have the players, but they’re Fragile and riding their luck. They were on a great run when we won at their place... admittedly we left the comeback late!
The best thing for us is,Wednesday need to win if they have any chance of play offs, meaning they have to come out and play, which suits us better than the teams that come with 10 men behind the ball.
