Totally agree, Byram is a big weak link at the moment and who would have believed that at the start of the season.
He seems to win a lot of arial battles without really competing which I find odd. He'll stand in the way of the defender and win a throw or a corner, did it countless times. He competes when he believes he can find a team mate with his head or he can bring it down (which he does well when he does it). I actually don't mind him winning throws the way he does though.
Because hes a right back played out of position? Or not even a decent right back? Aidy white syndrome springs to mind Good p,ayer so chuck him all over the park, He's a right back end of.
Watched the highlights earlier & noticed a couple of things I missed during the match proper. I have to apologise to Wood. I ranted on here about him missing an easy header to score. I was obviously kicking the cat or something, 'cos I missed the replay which clearly showed their CB getting a fair contact on the ball, altering it's course enough to make Wood look silly. My apologies, big man! Second thing I noticed was his running style - he has a fairly low knee lift & seems to be splay-footed, so not only looks slow when he runs, but silly too! I think it may just be deceptive that he seems slow. Tell you another thing I noticed. When we scored the first, Wood was technically offside, but pulled back to be onside in case there was a 'second phase' opportunity, & was in a great position to nick something. We had 6 just outside the box, & only 2 in it. Not sure if that was intentional as a tactic. Incidentally, thay had 7 in the box, & 3 covering just outside the box. Whilst I'm on a roll, I'll tell you something else I noticed about their goal. For the second match running, Cooper was on the spot, 1 on 1 with a striker, resulting in 2 goals. On BOTH occasions, Bamba could have intervened, but sat back with no other striker in sight. I'm not criticising either of them individually, as both goals were good goals, tbf, however I wonder if Bamba is more comfortable playing on the left, with Bellusci (or anyone else for that matter) on the right. I just get the feeling that he does things automatically in his natural left CB berth, but is found wanting at times playing as a right CB.
Wood is fcuking quality ... cannot believe the criticism aimed at him ... only thing I can think of is some people actually haven't got a clue about the game ... I can only imagine how much abuse Viduka would have received on here for being "slow" and "overweight" ... Wood hasn't played for a while, and had Leicester actually given him a run of 15 games he'd still be there ... he is very capable of getting 15-plus goals this season, and for me he will be key to any play-off ambitions ... he works the defence all the time, he is very capable at bringing midfielders onto the ball and he has that natural killer instinct ... like any striker he needs a long run and Rosler will give it to him ... another young 'un who will just get better and better, and his stated desire to become a Leeds legend shows he has a great attitude ... I am very thankful he's at our club even if others are not Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Disagree with this. He doesn't have the time to cover and Cooper should be looking at holding him up. First of all, that is absolutely terrible defending from a Centre back from Cooper. If I did that I would get a right bollocking from the coach and I'd expect it too. The player has received the ball in a position where he is facing away from goal and Cooper is tight on his back. There is just no way in the world he should be allowed to turn and have a shot at goal but Cooper makes it easy for him by committing to his left. Absolutely shocking defending there and its inexcusable. You can perhaps say the defence in the build up wasn't the best but that for me is 100% Cooper's fault, no doubt about it. Last week's was a good goal and probably harsh on Cooper to blame him but he coulda done better, this week that was all on him.
A better game than the last one with some mediocre improvements, but not edge of your seat stuff untill the last 15 to 20 minutes when both teams realised "bloody Nora, not another draw". Cook came back into team after a 3 game lay off and carried on where he left off, this time Cook decided to go for the other end of the Torso with a very high, studs showing kick which resulted in the player getting bandaged; very lucky not to get yellow carded imo. I pity the player who gets it in the gangoolies from Cooks next attempt. I know Rosler said he should play a more attacking role, but it seems Cook misunderstood. A very good, but luck added goal from Wood with the help of the ref and post. In another match the ref would've blown for the foul beforehand. All the same it was a well taken goal by a striker who for me did very little during rest of match. Wood is reminding me of Sharp, no particular impact but pops up occasionally with a goal. His performances have not been brilliant and 3 goals in 5 doesn't justify his mediocre performances during the whole game. We need strikers to hit the ground running from the kick off, we had 13 attempts at goal and only 2 on target resulting in goals, this is not good enough by miles. Having said that, once again our midfield were very slack in providing the required service to our strikers, which seems to be a continual problem. Game started off with Leeds having the upper hand for the first 20 to 25 minutes or so, then Derby began slowly cranking it up a gear and began to show some threatening moves and put pressure on our defence. Once in a higher gear Derby seemed to move more easily through our midfield, Adeyemi seemed to be the only midfielder who brought his boots and abilities to the game. Adeyemi's goal was well taken and well placed from a spot on, and well judged pass/cross from Dallas and again, he's going to be a good asset for us if he keeps up, and improves his form. Dallas didn't have a brilliant game, but did conjure up some flashes of his former form, but he needs to improve big time. I'm not sure that Dallas, or the whole team are suited to playing with a loan striker, despite Leeds having a 5 man midfield compared to Derby's 3 man midfield, Derby seemed to be able to go through our midfield with ease. First half saw Leeds having the better of Derby despite Derby eventually cranking it up a gear, thanks to an Adeyemi/Dallas combination goal we went into the break 1-0 up. Question now was, and I'm sure many fans said it or thought it, will we allow the other team back in game fairly quickly? the answer was not long in coming. Derby came out after the break a better performing team, as expected, after cranking it up a gear in the latter half of the first half Derby seemed to have cranked it up another gear at the start of the second. Derby came out showing their intentions and it wasn't long before most fans question was answered, Derby equalised not long into second half. I swear I could hear "I told you so, I knew it, had to happen" comments after the Derby equaliser. Derby had the better of the second half and were putting it on display for all see but, thanks to our defence Derby didn't seem to be able to break down our defensive wall despite having several potshots at goal, and missing. Last 15 to 20 minutes or so saw the game turn into a "who wants to win it the most" scenario, Derby certainly looked like they did, and Leeds showed they wanted it too; just when it looked like another draw for both teams, up popped Leeds and Wood to grab the winner with a well taken goal. Here's what I liked about Woods goal, we actually passed it on ground through the Derby players, and it resulted in a goal. I've said it numerous times, we need to learn how to pass the ball to our strikers on the ground, and through opposing defenders for them to run onto. We were resorting to a lot of Ariel ping pong again which seems to be becoming Uncle Norm in second half, we have to try and refrain from doing that, irrespective of score line. Having said that, long high crosses are part of game occasionally, but shouldn't be a last ditch effort. Leeds won the game with a 2-1 scoreline, it was a win that not only did we need, but was a long time coming. Based on our performances this season so far, I don't think playing with a loan striker is our forte, we seem to be better suited with 2 strikers, and a better midfield who can feed'em properly. Silvestri didn't have a lot to do, but when called upon made a couple of good goal threatening saves. Defence was fairly solid and played well throughout the game. Bamba misses Bellusci imo, they work well together, better than Bamba and Cooper. Taylor, not a bad game but you could see his legs were going in second half. My suggestion would be Cooper at LB and move Taylor up to LM so his legs don't have as distance to cover, after all, it's a big ask in asking defenders to also be wingers at same, and expect them to get back in defence, everytime, after an attack on their goal. Midfield, apart from Adeyemi, there was not a lot there. Byram's going down hill fast, Mowatt is following, Cook creates no impact and loses balls, tackles, and his passes resulted in very little, Dallas wasn't brilliant either, Murphy didn't do a lot when he came on either; this our biggest problem area in my opinion. Strikers, Wood never looked like scoring throughout the game, his performance wasn't the best either, he needs to be a bigger impact on game. Game seemed to changed Leeds momentum after Antenucci came, which is what we need to see from subs. While I like Dallas at moment, I can't see the reason he was picked above Antenucci. When we talk about strikers, we have to include our midfield too as they are the ones who're suppose to feed our strikers. When the midfield flounders they make our strikers look unfairly mediocre, and judged. I think Rosler is playing favourites at moment, Antenucci seems to be the better goal threat through out the game despite Woods 3 goals, and the midfield needs a major overhaul. All up, not a bad game which became slightly edge of your seat stuff during last 15 to 20 minutes. Chippy, are those words you're eating tasting alright......
LL, I always find myself disagreeing with you. Cook was phenomenal, he was the difference for me. Exactly what we've been lacking in the last 3 games. To be honest, I think your playing favourites, not Rosler.
Jesus, LL, what match were you watching? You've really got it in for Cook. I have not seen anyone corroborate your assessment of his performance. Au contraire, many considered him to be the MOTM, including myself! I also invite you to look at the head kick again. First of all, he did nothing wrong. He didn't have a high boot, and had his back to the Derby guy, so could not see him coming in with his head ducked down to waist level. I don't even think it was a foul, far less a yellow card. I see you've still got this bee in your bonnet re. Cooper playing LB & Taylor playing LW. As I've asked you before, do you really thing an inexperienced LB like Taylor is better as a winger than Dallas is? You won't find many that agree with you there. I also disagre about Wood. I think he was more involved today that he has been to date. The team are finally learning how to play with him as they grow more accustomed to this new system we're playing. And I have no idea where you get the idea that he never looked like scoring. He had a number of attempts, and on another day ....
I've never been coached, Josh, so can't challenge you on the tchnicalities. However, for a captain to stand off when he's got no-one to mark is hugey questionable IMO. They're supposed to be a partnership. I saw 2 individuals for both those goals. Would probably have been goals on both occasions anyway, but some support might have helped team spirit. That's what captains are for. Could you ever see the Chief standing by like that?
I don't have it in for Cook Jock, despite your allegations, he can play football just like any other player in team, but imo I can't see what impact he brings to midfield, what is it exactly does he create in team. Maybe you haven't noticed, but our midfield are allowing opposing teams to walk through'em too easy imo, there's 5 players in midfield Like many, I wasn't caught up in the "he's only 17yrs old" emotional circus after Redders kept playing him. I look at ability and what a player brings to team that help and contribute to the team playing good enough football, and consistently performing well enough to get us out of this league; If I remember rightly, isn't that what every Leeds fan wants, despite differing opinions and, aren't some fans, on here included, calling for our midfield to be strengthened? I also mentioned Mowatt and Byram didn't play well, does that mean I have it in for them too? I mentioned I didn't think Wood looked like scoring all through game, which he didn't, do I have it in for him too? I mentioned at beginning of season that I suspect our midfielders won't be picked/playing every game now that Redders has gone. This season is a whole new ball game, imo we have problems in midfield, it's part of the stitching that links our strikers and defenders that's come undone and is frayed. You, like other fans have your favourite player/s, do you see me having a go at you cos you like them, no, it's every fans prerogative to favour who they want without malice, it's called a God given right; there's this Scottish lad who makes allegations against me, do I have it in for him, no, of course not. Cooks boot was up with studs showing, I saw it too, it's called dangerous play when a player makes a tackle, single or double footed with studs up and showing, been around for decades has that rule, in another match a ref may well have given a yellow card for dangerous play. If a players head is on ground and you tackle him with studs up, it's still dangerous play. What the hell are you drinking up there....
Short highlights of the game, draw your own conclusions. For those who want to relive the glory, or didn't get to see the match.
Sorry son but I believe Dallas is far more effective on the RW he is a natural right footer so we need LW
I really believe yesterday could be the spring board for this season we now have had our first win at the home of the second favourites for promotion I said we would have 14 pts after 7 games the anti Christ said 3 I know who is going to be nearest but then he's just as bad a tipping horses Yesterdays result reminded me of the win under Revie at Swansea that was the turning point for the young Leeds team that day and look what they achieved after that game I think that this one could have the exact same effect now wouldn't that be nice MOT
Can I just remind everyone that we won ONE game yesterday. We sit tenth in the table. For fuxake let's not get carried away. If we can get another 4 or 6 points in the home games against Brentford and Ipswich then we might have something to get really excited about. Paul hart is great news. The ex Brugges winger looks a quality addition. It's getting to the point where we need to sell Byram as he won't fit into the team.
Morning troops. A very good result yesterday. Real pity we're not playing next Saturday to help keep the run going. 3pts off 2nd. So a good start all round. Before thinking about where we're going to end up, let's take a considered view after 10 games. They still need to work on the style we're going to adopt & who our starting XI should be when everyone's available. We have a decent level of cover for all positions. But what worries me is when everyone's available, who pushes Adeyemi for the DM slot if he were to pick up an injury or be banned?
Completely agree, still think we can enjoy it though. I said it when the season starts but wait 10 games. Whether its looking positive or negative, don't judge until 10 games has passed. Also am starting to agree regarding Byram. To me, if we sign another winger or 2 who fits in then he won't be playing. Berardi has that RB slot nailed dow. Byram would still be handy to have in the squad for impact/injuries and that could be how it pans out for him this season if he doesn't lift his game.
I think Phillips is Adeyemi's natural replacement. I've only seen him play a couple times though and I'm not entirely sure he's good enough with the ball at his feet, covers a lot of ground and stuff you more than likely wouldn't notice (especially on the tele) but needs to improve in the tackle and with the ball at his feet. Still young and will improve but to me not ready yet, he's probably the only one who can push Adeyemi.
I've been coached at what i would like to think is quite high levels (and still am). I'm not a defender but if I did that in the centre of the park the manager would go mental at me. Maybe Bamba could've covered him better but ultimately its Cooper's job to not let him turn, if he does for **** sake don't let him get a shot away. Having said that other than that incident and where Bamba tried to get to the ball first on the edge of the area and completely missed the two central defenders were solid.
