On my entrance, the steward on the inside is sitting reading a book each game. Not checking any of them.
Hopefully, I loathe to praise them but Leeds appear to have done us a favour with both Gelhardt (no loan fee) and Gyabi (free transfer) with our current transfer restrictions when they probably could have got fees for both players.
Pandur was spending a long time on the ball because of what Portsmouth were doing. They were letting him have it and marking everyone else. It was a good thing that he didn't rush to boot it before anything was on. The first big delay with the ball at his feet ended with him finding Destan's head who flicked on for Gelhardt, creating one of the best chances of the game. Sergei mentioned that they knew Portsmouth would press in this way and that's part of why Destan was picked, for that pass in exactly that scenario. I think Pandur struggles more when he is pressed and is forced to kick it quickly under pressure, like Preston did to him.
First goal came from Pandur’s really bizarre decision to punch a free kick away acrobatically when he was the ball was head height and no one was within 2 foot of him. Couldn’t do anything about the deflection though and we should have defended the ball onto the box better. Second goal was a fantastic cross but alphabet got fouled in the build up. Didn’t even look like a soft one that could have gone either way. Just looked like your run of the mill free kick 99 times out of 100
I found it a bit of a strange game, with very little rhythm to it. Nevertheless, again we found a way to win, and as it was the 3rd game in a week, I guess it was always destined to be that sort of a game. I thought Slater was good throughout, Hughes is starting to get back to his best. I thought Destan has a good full debut, and took his goal really well. Great to see Joseph get his goal, and Gelhardt is just a class act. Amir generally had a good game, but has to learn you don't get as much time on the ball in the Championship. To be in the top 6 at this stage of the season with all the key injuries we have suffered is great credit to the boys and all the coaching staff. Some tough game coming up after the break against Ipswich and Stoke, so here's hoping we can get Belloumi and Olli back as well as Lundstram..
As for their goalie being "injured" - I reckon that's just a ploy and they probably do it every away game so the manager can get fresh messages to his players depending on how the game is going. Absolutely nothing wrong with the keeper.
Was in west upper yesterday. Not even sure there are stewards up there. Halfway through the first half a guy walked in with a full tray of pints - all the way up the stairs, along his row. Again, no-one said anything but presumably the club could get a slap on wrist or more for allowing it to happen if reported.