Leeds United v Rotherham 10th February 2024 at Elland Road please log in to view this image I think the long journey to Plymouth caught up with me today as fatigue set in meaning it took longer to set off to the game than intended and a stop at Birstall on the way home. Had swollen legs ever since then too which although were a side effect of my medication, means I’ve decided to wear flight socks for the rest of the longer games as well as taking a pillow. Wednesday saw our Personal Goals reunion with LUFC Fitness/Leeds United Foundation with the first group I joined. It was lovely to be joined by both Karl Darlow and Dani van den Heuvel who were a credit to the club. Thursday saw my yearly review after my hip operation which typically was at the same time as the snow started. Luckily with grips on my boots and walking poles I managed the round trip of 6.38km plus I managed to help a couple with three young children get out of harm’s way on the hill. I certainly made the right decision to walk and did manage that okay. The good news is that the specialist was really pleased with how the operation and my recovery have gone and I don’t need to see him again. The only advice I was given was that I must make sure I don’t fall! Team: Meslier, Ampadu, Gray, Firpo, Kamara, Bamford, Summerville, Gnonto, Gruev, Rodon, Rutter. Subs: Piroe for Summerville (63), Byram for Firpo (63), Joseph for Bamford (75), Connor Roberts making his debut for Gruev (75), Cresswell for Kamara (84). Subs not used: Klaesson, Cooper, Anthony, Gelhardt. Leeds won the game 3-0 with Bamford (10) and a brace from Summerville (52, 60 penalty). Attendance: 35,261 with approximately 650 Rotherham fans due to their club not accepting reciprocal pricing. Referee: Andrew Madley. Booked: None from Leeds. Overall, this was a very one-sided game with Leeds having lots of possession and scoring an early goal from Bamford after a run down the wing from Firpo. With many of the Rotherham players including their keeper surrounding the referee, no end of them would have seen a blue card for harassing him. Apparently, a blue card will be introduced as a sin-bin trial at some point for cynical fouls and harassing the referee. No doubt just like VAR, it won’t have the desired effect but cause more issues if it goes ahead. With Leeds attacking constantly, Summerville saw his powerful shot go over the bar and Gray had a shot pushed away by their keeper as well as Gnonto. Despite the possession we had, there was only one goal between us going in at the break. Leeds carried on where they left off and Bamford saw his shot canon off the crossbar after a deflection. Leeds got a second goal shortly afterwards when Rutter provided a through ball after some great work once again, for Summerville to run onto and put past their keeper to give us some breathing space. When Summerville was brought down in the box after Gnonto’s pass, the referee pointed to the spot. Bamford got hold of the ball once again even though I knew he wasn’t taking it before passing it to Summerville. He duly chipped a great penalty into the net to give us that third goal. Rotherham put Leeds under pressure for the first time in the latter stages of the game when Meslier was forced to make a couple of saves to keep them out. In reality this was a comfortable win for Leeds even if it didn’t feel that way at times although the game passed by very quickly. Tuesday sees us head to Swansea before the long trip back to Plymouth for our league game next week. See you there, LUFC – Marching on Together! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Glad to hear you got the thumbs up from the Doc, Heidi. Might be looking for some tips before the year is out, as I'm about to get physio to delay the replacement. Scary.
