please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Nottingham Forest Tuesday 4th April@19:45hrs | Elland Road Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest are the visitors to Elland Road on Tuesday evening, with much more at stake than bragging rights. One point and two places (in Forests favour) currently separate the duo, as they fight desperately, for Premier League survival. The pair last played each other just four weeks ago, when Brennan Johnson's 14th minute volley spelt the end of Jesse Marsch's tenure, after eleven months in charge. Since then, with four losses and three draws, the tricky trees have plummeted to the foot of the form guide. Leeds have fared slightly better, averaging a point a game over their last seven outings. Max Wober and Wilfred Gnonto are likely to miss the midweek game, with Gracia stating (during his Arsenal pre-match presser) that the duo will be out for a week or two, though apparently much will depend on evolution. Let's hope he means evaluation! Tyler Adams, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas are all long term absentees, and are unlikely to play again this season. It has been suggested that Liam Cooper and Rodrigo will return to action Tuesday evening. They were rested at the weekend, as Gracia didn't want them playing three games in a week. Struijk and Sinisterra are likely to drop to the bench. Forest have an injury crisis of their own with nine players out. Former Leeds front man Chris Wood has undergone surgery on a thigh injury he picked up whilst on International Duty with New Zealand which has ended his season. Willy Bolly, Dean Henderson, Scott McKenna (all thigh injuries), Serge Aurier (knock), Gustavo Scarpa (ankle), Omar Richards (heel/shin), Giulian Biancone (knee) and Ryan Yates (shoulder) are also rules out.
Maybe they are being fed genetically modified steroids, in the hope that Willy grows a third leg (ooooer missus in my best Frankie Howard impression ) so he can run and dribble even better, or that Wober grows a second head, like Zaphod Beeblebrox, that way he will win twice as many headers as he currently does, because we all know two heads are better than one. Now for my admission of guilt, having not heard Gracia's press conference, when I read the above I thought wtf are you on about Elland, you have done another classic, surely you mean evaluation, only to be instantly corrected by the man himself. So apologies Ell for doubting your typing prowess on this occasion, however, I am sure everything will be back to normal soon
If we don't beat these at home we deserve to go down. Stop Brennan Johnson and you stop Forest. Simples
So here we go then against the worst away team in the League and no excuses as their form now is just as bad as when the fixture originally should have taken place. In theory we should dominate the game, whilst Forest will look to quickly counter attack, or pinch a goal from a set piece just as they did at the City ground. Let's be honest here in that we're Leeds, so anyone hoping for a comfortable victory can probably think again. No idea what the line up will be as Javi plays his card close to his chest. All of Cooper, McKennie, Bamford, Rodrigo could come in but then again he may choose to stick with the lads from Saturday to begin with. What we do know is that we simply must all perform and cut out any costly mistakes which lead to cheap concessions. Gut feeling is we'll either nick a hard fought win, or it will be a draw.
As Emu says, stop the kid Johnson and we will be ok. However who is going to cover Firpo as he will get a torrid time on his own which will mean he won’t be flying up the left as much if Johnson get a lot of the ball
Predicting it to be a dour encounter, Forest easily the most boring watch in the PL, they'll come to frustrate and try and nick a goal, God help us if they take the lead.
Don't know why but have a feeling it will be a frustrating draw. 10 games to go, City defeat, 9 draws from the rest may see us over the line
Struijk virtually man marked Johnson at the City Ground and it would have worked if we could defend a basic set piece. Let's see what happens tonight as Javi may see it differently to how Marsche did.
Easy nights work tonight. Grab a drink, grab a snack, get comfortable and put on Ell TV. If we have our shooting boots on I can see us getting four or five tonight.
I always feel more comfortable at home. But for Aylings silly peno giveaway the result at Arsenal could have been different. We can beat these, but I think it'll be tight, as Gessa says they'll come for a draw..
They came for a draw at their place! Strange game that looking back. Their home form has been decent, and they often look to get on the front foot… but the whole match was played in their half. They score with their only foray into our half, familiar story. Even their manager admitted to being non-plussed and decided to just park a second bus in the second half. Javi lets the opposition play more which may open the game up a bit more for us. They’re the worst team in the league, certainly away from home, so we need to see (ideally) a dominant performance, but more importantly 3 points however we play.
It's on Matt tv. Channel yet They're the worst team in the league yet currently ahead of us. Hmm, that's an interesting one
