please log in to view this image please log in to view this image With results going the way they did yesterday, I wouldn’t have expected anything else in reality. To get our destiny back in our own hands we had to win today but as we all know, we couldn’t even do that despite going a goal up. To see our second-hand performance today being a repeat of games recently under both Marsch and Gracia, it felt like nothing had changed. Our fitness levels are atrocious if we can’t come out and perform in the second half. We cannot wait for the last five minutes of the game before putting up a fight. I wasn’t as upset as I thought I’d be at the end of the game because I was resigned to relegation but regardless of any results next week, overall, we are not good enough. Leeds could prove me wrong next week, but things need to change at the club in a big way regardless as well as having better ambitions than aiming for 17th in the table and having a relegation battle! After another busy week in my personal life, at least it stopped me fretting about the game today. As I’ve said before by wearing my Leeds colours everywhere, it’s surprising how many people start talking to me about football. Thanks for the feedback for my blog which is appreciated and getting the royalty treatment whilst crossing the road. After speaking to a Sheffield Wednesday fan of 60 years who couldn’t face their second play-off game after being 4-0 down in the first leg, it shows that miracles can happen. Whether that comes our way or not we will soon know. Team: Robles, Ayling, Wöber, Koch, Struijk, Kristensen, McKennie, Bamford, Rodrigo, Harrison, Forshaw. Subs: Gnonto for Bamford (34 hamstring injury), Summerville for Harrison (62), Aaronson for Forshaw (62), Roca for McKennie (84), Greenwood for Struijk (84). Subs not used: Meslier, Cooper, Rutter, Mullen. Leeds lost the game 3-1 with Rodrigo putting Leeds ahead on the 17th minute. Attendance: 62,478 with 3,000 Leeds fans. Referee: Peter Bankes. Booked: Summerville, Rodrigo. When the teams came out to “Forever Blowing Bubbles”, I sang the Leeds version that used to be prominent on the terraces in the seventies. Not that it did us any good after the opening minutes of the game though. Leeds had a lot of the play at that time with Harrison bringing a save out of their keeper. We looked to be getting to the far end very easily, but we needed to make the chances count and it was good to see us take an early lead. After a McKennie throw, Rodrigo got onto the end of the ball in the box to volley it into the net. At that moment we looked up for the fight which was good to see. Instead of protecting the lead and trying to score more, we started to let West Ham into the game as they started to pressurise us. We looked vulnerable at corners as West Ham had players around the goal line putting pressure on Robles. Robles did make a good save to keep them out but when we didn’t clear the ball and the ball was sent to the far side of the box where their player was in acres of space, West Ham equalised. Bamford who had been on the receiving end of a bad foul was then subbed with a hamstring injury, so his season is over. With Leeds seeing a Koch header saved by their keeper and a West Ham shot hit over the bar, we went into the break on level terms. I thought we started off strongly before letting West Ham get on top for a while but at least we looked up for the fight at that time. The second half sadly saw history repeat itself as we looked to be looking to limit West Ham scoring more goals against us. With their continuous attacks and Leeds looking like they’d gone to sleep, the signs were on the wall with Robles making a couple of saves. Although it took them until the 72nd minute to get the second goal, it was no surprise they went into the lead. At that point we had been leaving wide open spaces for West Ham to attack us as we didn’t leave anyone back and had to chase back to try and cover. We only started to attack again in the last few minutes but then West Ham got a third goal and despite the latter two having VAR checks for offside, it was no surprise that the goals were given. At the end of the game, many of the players just stood there staring at the Leeds fans but Ayling, Kristensen, Wöber and Robles handed their shirts to fans at the front of the stand. There were only a few boos at the end plus some fans at the front of the stand clapped the players, but I just sat there. Barring a miracle next week, we are as good as relegated, but it isn’t over until it’s over. See what happens next week and no doubt, the air may turn blue but realistically, things aren’t going to be pretty on the pitch or the terraces if that is the case. See you then. LUFC – Marching on Together! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
A tough read Heidi and Sundays not going to be easy. Who knows where this Leeds journey will take us next. Doesn’t look good know but this time next year we could be planning a trip to the play off final or better like Burnley did. Big big summer ahead
Well so far it’s taken us back to square one. Disgusting how the foundations that Bielsa built have been destroyed. It’s almost as if his tenure never happened. He had set things up so that his replacement would continue his style of play, his philosophy. A seamless transition. Even if relegated last season it was a path that the club should have followed. What a waste.
