Ironically I’m off to Leeds in the morning as my daughter is having a look at the university open day. Bloody typical we’d play on the Friday. Wouldn’t have mattered, she hates football.
My daughter has always played basketball but has had leeds stuff (from me) all her life, but she never really got into football. Until, she went to Leeds uni, she now works at ER on matchdays and loves it.
Meslier - 7. Decent first game after the "sprinkler" thing. Will have built a bit of confidence back. A very easy evening really. Bogle - 7. Got a bit of stick from the away end but was very safe at the back and won more than his fair share in the air. Put a belter of a tackle in too first half. Rodon - 8. Shaky start but soon got to grips with Moore and popped him in his pocket for the rest of the game. Struijk - 9. Sounds strange but he looks like the boss out there. Big, imposing, strong, vocal and just seems to have time in abundance. I know he has had plenty of years here but it feels like he has stepped up a level. Scored from a corner. Firpo - 8. Defensively solid is a phrase I never thought I'd type for him but there you go. Offensively decent as always. Tanaka - 9. Man of the match. Had my doubts about him but he looks like he can play higher than championship level already. Rothwell - 8. Worked really hard. Very smart on the ball. Won alot of second balls in midfield. Assist. Aaronson - 7. A little scrappy at times but can be excused given his travel this week. Very energetic but made the wrong choice on occasion. Tired before subbed off. Gnonto - 8. Never really got a clear run but occupied the defence full time and defended really well from the front. Ramazani - 8. Found more space 2nd half and looked threatening without really creating solid chances. Piroe - 7. Never really had a sniff at goal but worked hard. Gave the ball away a few times but found Joseph for the goal with a lovely weighted pass. Subs. Dan James - 6. Looked a little rusty but good minutes. Manor Solomon - 6. Same as James. Good minutes. Mateo Joseph - 8. Proved a point. Was really busy. Scored. Byram - n/a Bamford - n/a Farke - 9. Pretty much nailed this one. Outcoached Wilder. Subs were fantastic.
Bloody hell that was good. Too pissed to type last night. thought at the start they were well organised and we might not score (plus always chance of conceding one) but it gradually got better and better. In this league we are one of the best, clearly, and the two so called stand ins in midfield were excellent. biggest positive was Mr Bamford playing 3 minutes injury free, what a star. just need Brentford to do what is right at the old Toilet today and it will be a perfect footballing weekend.
I know that not all of the fans on here are keen on statistical analysis and that games are won on the grass and not in a classroom. However, ALL professional teams worldwide recognise the importance of data in the modern game. That leads me on to something that Chris Wilder said in his post match presser. I'm not gonna quote the entire thing but he alluded to Leeds being a "different animal" and "by far the best team we've played" so far. He knew what they were up against before the match by "what they had seen" and "by the analysis done". It meant he had to change formation because he knew they would be overrun if he stuck to his guns. He alluded to "anyone finishing above Leeds, and I'm not sure anyone will, will win the league" and everyone knows this. He also praised the ambition of the club with Leeds having the highest wage bill in Championship history and it shows with the quality and depth of the squad. He also suggested that the ER crowd and atmosphere might have impacted his young players as not many have experienced that before. I just thought I'd throw this out there as there have been a few grumblings about our play style and investment from owners. Even our biggest critic Wilder has praised our club, owners, fans and confirmed that the stats AND eye test (by professionals within the game) say we are head and shoulders the best team, squad, investors in this division. Throw in the fact that we could be getting an extra 20k seats in the ground and we are in an incredibly strong position as a club. These should be the good times that we have been waiting for. They should be enjoyed.
I also know some people don’t like sites like transfermkt but, FWIW, our squad valuation is twice that of Sheffields. Slightly worrying is Burnley’s is higher than ours. On paper it should be us two at the end of the season. but human willpower, input and effort can sometimes confound the statisticians interesting season
Well we all know my thoughts on statistical analysis, its a pile of twaddle Click bate social media is the future
Highest wage bill in Championship history yet asset stripping was thrown around a little over a month ago
Yep. If the likes of Chris Wilder are saying everything from the eye test, statistics, financial spending and home advantage take some stopping then there must be something there. He isn't the first manager to say this stuff this season.
What a result last night. I thought every player put in a shift. Rothwell was exciting to watch and the Jap lad what a bargain he's looking.
Had my doubts about Rothwell but made me eat my words last night was like a terrier chased and won balls he shouldn't of just with commitment. When he had the chance to go forward with the ball he did with aplome. very very good performance lad. Thought the whole team did well we gave them nowt at the back and persistence paid off at the business end. same team Tuesday pls if all fit well done lads
3 day weekend for me and last nights win kicked it off. Today wakey trinity going for the treble in the play off final on home soil. Tomorrow wakefield AFC take on north shields in the clubs first ever FA Vase first round proper game.
