Good Morning. It's Monday 6th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Weary Leeds lose to Saints Leeds slipped to their fourth defeat in six games, as Daniel Farke's battered and bruised side limped over the line in third place, setting up a tense play off semi final with Norwich City! Expectations were high. Leeds home record was second to none, and Southampton had lost three on the trot conceding eight times in the process. As the game progressed, an eerie realisation that promotion had slipped through their fingers, swept through Elland Road, silencing the Elland Road faithful. There were no such problems 100 miles down the road at the King Power Stadium, with Leicester and Blackburn Rover's fans united as one, singing their heart's out 'Leeds, Leeds are falling apart....again'!!!! Three goals in the opening half saw Southampton end their season on a high. Leeds went behind on 18 minutes after failing to clear their lines following a well executed corner. Adams found Armstrong in acres of space at the far post, and slotted the ball past Meslier from 12 yards. Leeds response was instantaneous. Harwood-Bellis' uncharacteristic error saw the ball fall kindly for Piroe, who blasted the ball past the despairing dive of McCarthy. Any vein hope of a Leeds revival were soon put to bed when Smallbone tapped home Walker-Peters cross from close range leaving Whites fans fuming at Junior Firpo, who had thought the ball had gone out of play! It was no more than what the visitors deserved. They had been unfortunate not to have taken the lead minutes before, from another corner; when Firpo's goal-line clearance spared Meslier's blushes! please log in to view this image Is it too late to make changes With four losses in their last six, Leeds are showing relegation form (22nd, joint with Rotherham). Saturday had given Daniel Farke an opportunity to rest key players, experiment with the side, and give fringe players the chance to impress ahead of the play-offs, but alas he did not take it! The Leeds tank is on empty, and the players are running on fumes. Not utilising his squad and keeping them fresh, has cost Farke dear. Some players will break through the 5000 minute barrier should they make the play-off finals, which is far, far too much for any professional footballer. Just like the QPR game, Southampton were given free reign to dominate midfield. They must find a way to bring Ampadu back to midfield, shore up their defence, and freshen up the team; but has the gaffer left it too late to bring players in from the cold? please log in to view this image Leeds will be happy with Canaries tie Given the choice, the Whites will be happy with being drawn against the Canaries in the play-offs. They've beaten them both home and away this season, and the Daniel Farke factor also works in Leeds favour. The 47yo bought a huge amount of success to Carrow Road during his four year tenure. The psychological impact this could have, may give Leeds the edge. It would be like Leeds coming up against a Bielsa side! Similarly, Leeds have managed to dodge West Brom and Carlos Corberan, who beat the Whites at the Hawthorns, and drew (1-1) at Elland Road. please log in to view this image
I think we have to make changes. Things have obviously been crap the last 6 or so games and we don't seem to have solved any of the problems, infact against Soton it looked worse. So for me something has to change fro Norwich we have to be more compact and solid, We need to make a few changes as it's not going to resolve itself with sticking with what we've got. So I'm ready for the pelters but here goes bring Cooper back in, he's the only leader we have, if he'd have played the last few weeks as badly as Ampadu as, he'd have been chastised all over, I'd drop Rutter for the away leg at least, I'd say half or more of the opposition attacks are from him losing the ball and he's not creating enough to balance it out, The forwards aren't getting back to help out when we lose possession, not at any great speed anyway. I know he won't change his formation but personally I'd go something like this. We've got to stop the way teams are cutting through us with such ease Meslier Roberts...Rodon...Cooper.....Byram Gray....Gruev...Ampadu Gnonto.....Bamford....Summerville
If we can beat Norwich, I'd prefer Albion I the final. I know they took 4 points off us but they were very fortunate both games. The handball goal at ER and the obvious penalty not given at their place. Soton have played us off the park both games.
Morning all. Farke has found a way to freshen some of them up. Anthony and Kamara spotted at LBA yesterday evening boarding a flight for Malaga. Can only hope hope they've been sent to bring Pablo home
Morning all Despite who we’d start with against Norwich, we all know it’s going to be a basic 11 from 12 and we know how we’re going to set out. Sadly that means Norwich will have had 8 days to prepare for this too. I’d really shake it up and go Gnonto on the left and I’d have Rutter and Summerville on the bench and coming on for the very start of the second half
I’d get Bamford and James back in the team if fit. Would be tempted by Cooper at the back to push Ampadu into the middle and for some experience which we seem to be massively lacking. Also be tempted by moving Rutter wide or starting Anthony as I think Summerville has been selfish and needs a reality check. Really questioning Summervilles and Gnotos team ethic at the moment, is it a team or the Summerville/Gnoto show which it feels at time.
Becchio was signing autographs in the Moot Hall yesterday. Wonder did he bring his boots for the upcoming weekend
I was there in the Moot yesterday. Couldn't be arsed about him, the same way he wasn't arsed in his final game.
Normally its the team that finished the highest in the league. That's how it was about 10 years ago, so no idea if they have changed that or not
It's amazing how so many Championship teams love singing Leeds have fallen apart again, even when they're not playing us. It proves (as if proof were needed) that we're the biggest club in this division. When Sheff Utd got promoted instead of us a few years back, the Premier League darts were on in Sheffield and the whole place was singing that poxy song. They seem to take more pleasure in Leeds not going up than they do in their own promotion. Farke won't change things, you might as well dream here as in bed. He will play Bamford instead of Piroe. Roberts or Archie at RB and that'll be it. I wasn't surprised by the second half display against Southampton, why risk injury or a booking when the league positions were already done! Boro were in this position last season, finished third but had a lousy end to the season. They didn't even make the final. We're a better side than they were, we're a better team than Norwich and I expect us to get through to the final.
Only way to prove we're better is to win those games. This thing about biggest club in division currently is nonsense in my opinion. We were once upon a time and we have to go and earn that title again and that can only be done on the playing pitch. We might have biggest fanbase especially overseas in the division but that seems to be only putting added pressure on players
Lost 2-1 at Oldham. Lost 1-0 at Charlton. Lost 2-1 to Charlton in the replay. Lost 3-0 to Watford at Cardiff. Lost 2-1 to Carlisle at ER. Lost 1-0 to Doncaster at Wembley. Lost 1-0 at Millwall. Lost 4-2 to Derby at home. That's 8. I know you've a good few more fingers left over as you're from Wakefield.
I agree, the only way to shut them up is to win those games. And you may not think we're the biggest club in the division but most other clubs do. They don't all sing about Leicester or Southampton, they don't even raise their game for those teams. For whatever reason, it's different when they play Leeds.
