This was a game of 2 halves for both Leeds and Arsenal. First half we were all over Arsenal, they didn't really seem to have any answers to football that we know we can, and did play. Based on our first half performance, some (including Oscar) are saying we can hold our own in Prem, yes and no on the first half performance. Despite all the good attacking football we played, we couldn't put the ball in onion bag, there's the flaw in what was a good first half of football from Leeds. So, based on our first half football, yes we can hold our own football wise. Based on our finishing during first, and second halves, no we won't hold our own. I'm sure I'll cop the usual flack for those comments, and the "why don't you shut the fuk up" comments from the minnows in cheap seats, but when all's said and done, the facts are we seriously lack strike power from Bamfords position. We can play all the great passing football all we want, if we can't take our chances and score goals then basically, our performance/s are overshadowed by our lack of scoring power up front. Harrison had a good game down right side, saw very little of his greed, he needs to learn how to shoot properly though. Douglas played a good game at LB, his corners and free kicks were a step up from Phillips. Klich played a great game as our playmaker up front, certainly didn't play like he was tired. Second half saw Arteta give his players bloody hard GBH of the lug'ole, and they came out and upped their play by 2 gears. Leeds didn't really have a response to Arsenals improved performance, we ourselves went down a gear as Arsenal began putting us on back foot, Leeds didn't really have any answers despite a couple of good counter attacks. Arsenal came at us in second half, Leeds didn't know how to counter. Arsenal bossed the middle of park, pressed and pushed us back, stopped us playing our style of passing football, and it paid off for them..........Arsenal came out with a plan B, Leeds didn't. Mielsa had a good game throughout and will be a good stand for Kijko if he gets banned. If the FA rely on a lip reader, which is illegal, then I can see Leeds taking to court.....hopefully. Alioski was subbed in second half, Costa went onto the right and Harrison moved over to left side, soon as that happened Harrison reverted back to his greedy self by trying to dribble round everyone. Unfortunately Costa was fouled a few times on our counter attacks, and who knows what could have happened if he'd got away from his man. I don't think Costa created the impact down right Bielsa needed. All up it was a good game to watch, and certainly created a force of fans willing our players on during second half. For me personally, we lost the game, Arsenal didn't win it. This team as is in prem, not going to happen. When / if we get promoted, Radz and Co are going to have to invest heavily if we are to compete and not come straight back down again. The prem is a whole different ball game. Enjoy. Ext highlights Bielsa post match Arteta post match Beckford and Co post match. Oscar post match. Douglas post match
Pundits saying well grace the premiership if we can get a goalscorer. Stating the obvious but it needs repeating
Go on then I'll through this one out there for ridicule. In a Bielsa team players with the exception of the goalkeeper, but even then they play as a sweeper, have to be able to play more than one position, attackers defend, defenders attack etc so why is necessary to identify Bamford as the only reason we are lacking goals. Yes, it is his primary function to score and he has scored quite a few but he also does quite a lot of other stuff. So whilst I would have wanted him to have scored more surely in the Bielsa philosophy of total football if you are in the right position I guess you are a striker? So what I'm getting at is perhaps our lack of goals isn't just down to Bamford not being as accurate or as accomplished as we would all like but the team not putting chances away when they are in a striking position.
What? The ****ers trying to jinx again like they did with the Bielsa 'manager of the month'. Stick a fiver on a Luke Ayling OG this weekend
Well done! Exactly what I've been trying (and failing, clearly) to articulate. I was going to start a thread to invite our resident experts to name a Bamford replacement who could perform as excellently as he does, but stick more goals away (I take the inference that 20 is not enough - 50 or 60 seems to be the expectation of some!). I struggled to think of one that doesn't cost less than £100m. Perhaps one of our resident experts could suggest such an elusive name to me? As a prompt, I'm giving the link to last season's leading goalscorers below. Having gone through the list, I must confess that I'm struggling to remember who exactly played up front on his own, and even those I did identify, I can't remember what their defensive capabilities were. I confess to bias, but I challenge anyone to select someone from this list (or any other affordable striker) that could out perform Bamford in every respect (or even match him & score loads more goals). I suspect our resident experts might fail here & overwhelm us with the sound of silence (or in some cases, another comedy routine). https://www.eurosport.com/football/championship/2018-2019/standingperson.shtml
Sorry I don't read every post so what can I say, great minds? For the price I can't really think of a player who could do much more than Bamford does for the team in the role he is asked to play. It wont stop me wishing he had gone to spec-savers occasionally though. If pressed I would probably buy Bowen as an all round player and goalscorer.
I don't claim to be an expert but I do make observations. I do in fact agree that it is a team responsibly to score in order to win. And it is clear that we need to score more in order to do that if we go up. This will obviously come at a price but no harm in dreaming.
I agree with both you and Eric but my concern is how many good chances Bamford actually misses. I don’t believe previous strikers had as many good scoring opportunities as Bamford, we create more chances now. Replacing him with one who could put those chances away more often? I also agree it would cost the earth, we do need someone to replace him though should he get injured
Bamford... as a striker, compared to the list of other strikers: - work rate - above average - holding ball up/ linking play - above average - heading - below average, especially for his size - finishing below average 3 of the 4 above are subjective though there will be stats to give credence to some, the finishing, whether you look at shots to goals or xg are undeniable. i’d expect bielsa to demand the work rate from anyone... do it’s a straight hold up, general play benefits v finishing debate. I see both sides of the bamford arguments. Of the strikers in the list Mcburnie might be the most similar attribute wise. the blunts paid 20m for him but he’s not a regular starter I believe at the moment
Accurate Id say. Unfortunately as we've said on numerous occasions, a striker with all four assets wouldn't be plying his trade in the Championship so best we can probably hope for is another Bamford for backup for when he inevitable will pick up some sort of injury
Only seen him live once playing for Barnsley against us... other than that just highlights... he was a handful that game
It might be Bielsa expects more from the attackers in behind him as Eric and WJ pointed out, maybe Bamford has been told he has as much responsibility to bring others into play and hold the ball up as he has poach goals. It doesn’t excuse some of the terrible misses but who knows what Bielsa has instructed and what he expects
