Felt a bit better for Schmidt today he played much better but still think Farkeball has our full backs too high at times leaving us wide open for counter attacks Anton Stach is a beast and MoM today satisfactory close season except for Harrison Why did Perri come off
Player Ratings. (Everyone starts with a 5). Perri - 6. Big, strong, imposing but showed he is prone to the odd mistake. Good long throw out could be an asset. Distribution with his feet needs attention. Good to see a keeper catch a cross. Schmidt - 3. A constant weak link and Milan targeted him from the off. Never really got to grips with his positioning and his defending makes Firpo look like prime Maldini. Some useful touches going forward but shouldn't feature for Leeds in the PL. Rodon - 7. Up against it alongside Schmidt but provided some cover for the right back. Not at his best but still had a decent enough game. Needs a more reliable full back alongside him. Struijk - 7. Ticked along without having too much to do. Moved the ball well. Gudmundsson - 7. Another impressive showing at left back. Good in defence and offers support in attack. He's not Firpo going forward but he's not Firpo at the back either. Ampadu - 7. No doubts that he will remain captain and will start every game if he is fit. 1st name on the team sheet. Dependable on the ball and outstanding in the holding role. Stach - 9. All action display. We need this from him every week this season if we are to be successful. Will have to take set pieces despite being a giant. Already concerned that we might lose him next summer. Tanaka - 7. I really like the Longstaff signing but on the face of pre season it's probably Tanaka who should start against Everton next Monday. Gnonto - 6. Not bad but doesn't offer the 'stardust' that's needed in the PL. Some nice runs and nice touches but never really looked like the player to turn the game in our favour. Appears to do more than he actually does. James - 5. Looks short of his best. Huffed and puffed but never really beat his man. Looked to have tweaked his injury late on. Maybe someone at the stadium could confirm? Piroe - 7. Decent build up play, strong, had a couple of snatch shots but never stretched Milan or looked to be a 'constant' threat. Looks a better bet than Nmecha for Monday. Subs. Darlow - 5. Had nothing to do but still managed to have a brain fart. Distribution was good though. Byram - 6. Did the basics and was much much safer than Schmidt. Has to have secured the right back birth for Everton if Bogle is unfit. Bijol - 7. Strong and steady. (I could probably copy and paste that for every week this season.) Ramazani - 6. Not much time but he was direct and brave with the ball. Made a bit of a difference for the last 10. Gruev - 6. A great option this season to come on and do the basics. Longstaff - 6. Solid enough, overhit a simple pass to Nmecha which could have created a shooting chance. Longstaff will just always quietly go about his business. Nmecha - 6. Looked a bit sluggish up top but suddenly burst in to life down the right wing and got a cross in. I think there is a player in there but I always want a bit more from him when I've seen him so far. He wont get 5 league goals for us this season if anyone fancies an avatar bet? Aaronson - 6. Buzzed about. Harrison - 6. Booed with every touch. Did well though and was neat and tidy.
I'm with Davy having a pint with him lads he sends his best regards to one and all he's in fine fettle
Few points from today’s game. Dan James was clearly rusty and was lost without Bogle on same wing. Schmidt struggled there. Perri is some unit and incredible distribution. His throws land ded well in oppositions and flew like missiles. Stach looks a terrific buy. Good at dead ball Situations. Pity he has to take them as he’d be a huge target in the box. The extra height in defence has us looking very comfortable defending corners. Harrison’s treatment by the travelling UK Leeds supporters was disappointing. They booed him every time he touched the ball. How they think that will improve a players performance is beyond me. Luckily they were drowned out many times by the applause from the Irish se tons. Gnonto was brilliant for the hour he played. Tracked back on numerous occasiins. Overall we’re not far off being a decent side and I’d be more confident of getting enough results to survive this season especially if we can land those special couple of signings
Well, I have to say, that is a brilliant write up. Maybe you should try beer for breakfast, you are so much more fun
I never managed a beer all day. Pubs were all too packed and didn’t even get to see Davy Olof or Heidi
