Blog and all photos can be viewed on the following link http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/qpr-v-leeds-united-26th-february-2019-at-loftus-road As Leeds headed to QPR for the re-arranged game, I tried to ignore all the stats coming out about their recent bad run of defeats. Having followed Leeds for so long, I know the form books go out of the window when they play us but for once I was hoping we would have the impetus. I would much rather play games on the said day and get the points rather than have a game in hand. Time would tell how that would pan out. I want to say a big thank you to my friend Sue for being a shoulder to cry on. The team: Casilla, Ayling, Cooper, Jansson, Bamford, Hernandez, Phillips, Alioski, Roberts, Klich and Harrison. Subs: Douglas for Phillips (65), Dallas for Ayling (73) and Brown for Alioski (81). Leeds lost the game 1-0. Attendance was 14,763 with 3,105 Leeds fans. Leeds came out on the attack but the final ball was wide. Their goalie made a great save to deny us a goal from Phillip’s header from another attack. The closest we came to scoring was when the ball went across the penalty area and when it looked like Bamford was going to score; unfortunately he missed connecting with it. I wasn’t sure if he’d taken his eyes off the ball or whether it was just too far in front of him, as it was hard to say at the time. The saying that you have to take your chances when they are there comes to mind. QPR had been time wasting from the off but were continuing to frustrate Leeds by always trying to get the ball back off us. Roberts kept winning the ball but then lost it or gave it away and there were a lot of show boating flicks from a few players, that didn’t come to anything as QPR won it back. Despite us not scoring, the Leeds fans in the stand had been fantastic with constant singing and putting on a great atmosphere. This always lifts the mood for me as I love the singing. Leeds continued to have a lot of possession but were constantly passing the ball back to Casilla. He made one great save to keep out QPR and another one when he put his head on the line so to speak. We do seem to be passing the ball back a lot at the moment though and should remember the best form of defence is attack. Liam Cooper went off with a head injury that needed stitching just before half time. You could see Leeds just wanted to contain QPR to ensure they didn’t score until he came back on the pitch just before the whistle blew. At half time I was talking to some fans who said it had been rubbish so far. I didn’t think it had been too bad as we’d been attacking, but got that familiar sinking feeling in my stomach. QPR took the lead in the first few minutes of the second half which came from us not keeping possession. Our passing hadn’t been crisp, were short, and QPR took advantage to fight for the ball putting our players under pressure. As we lost the ball in the far right hand corner from us, the ball flew across the penalty area and their man was behind our players to put the ball into the net from close range. I’d no idea where Casilla was at this stage and will need to see what happened. The mistake of losing the ball at the back had cost us dearly. QPR went on the attack and Casilla was forced into making a couple of good saves to keep them out. Alioski brought out a great save from their keeper as he crossed the ball from the left when it looked ready to dip under the bar. When Phillips was subbed I was mystified because there were plenty of other players I would have brought off before him. I had to hope that Bielsa knew what he was doing. Douglas had a fantastic chance to score only to blast the ball high into the stand. It should have been on target at least. Frustrations were creeping in amongst the support with the miss although the fans were still getting behind the team. We had another great chance to equalise but the ball wouldn’t go in after first Dallas, then Bamford had their goalie making the saves and living a charmed life. I felt if we could get one goal then we’d get another but the longer the game went on, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. Izzy Brown came on for his debut; many Leeds fans think he is going to make a difference to us. My first impressions of him weren’t great, because his first tackle could have had him seeing red as soon as he got on the pitch. I would have taken a draw but the loss saw Leeds stay in third place on goal difference. Scoring is an issue at the moment that’s for sure despite all the possession we are having. Knowing how demoralised I felt at the end of the game, I could empathise with Bielsa after seeing the photo of him on social media, slumped on his haunches. We have to “Keep Fighting” every game and still get as many points as possible as it is not over yet. Please don’t put us through the horrors of the play offs Leeds, we need to aspire to automatic promotion and it isn’t over until the fat lady sings so they say! Keep the faith Leeds fans, as always we will have our ups and downs as we keep Marching on Together! For those fans who had to endure the normalities of motorway closures on an away day which meant some of our northern contingent didn’t get home until 4am, I hope the players appreciate what our supporters do to follow their team. West Bromwich Albion at home is going to be another key game this week so see you there, LUFC - Marching on Together. Heidi Haigh – A fanatical Leeds United supporter of over 50 years Author of the following books: Follow Me and Leeds United Once a Leeds fan, Always a Leeds fan Co-author with Andrew Dalton of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Leeds United The Sleeping Giant Awakens, Leeds United 2016-17 OUT NOW! Back to Reality, Leeds United 2017-18
Tell yer what Heidi, it would be amazing to get the Stats man himself (Andrew) signed up to not606!!! Another amazing review!!!
Many thanks for your review...it's always important to get direct feedback from someone in attendance. The fact you have had so many years of experiencing both the good and bad makes your assessments especially interesting. This one read particularly well as I could sense both the love you have for our club and the anguish at not getting the hoped for result. Personally I think we were unlucky and on another day could have won the match. Unfortunately that wasn't to be, so we move swiftly on with our hopes and dreams intact.
Leeds United and the Football Association are investigating after a fan was filmed allegedly using racist language and gestures towards QPR supporters on Tuesday. Another dumb clown giving the FA and the rest, a chance to have another go at LUFC. For Gods sake grow up.
I saw this news item and after thinking the same as yourself I asked my self the question could he/she have been a FA/EFL plant.
I like reading reviews but at the end of the day it is someone's point of view......I prefer not to take any notice of stats as everyone can beat anyone on the day as we have seen many many times. Leeds must hold their nerve at this stage of the season and play every game now as if it was a cup final and never underestimate anyone because for different reasons clubs will up their game whether you are at the top, in the middle trying for a playoff place or down the bottom who will be desperate for points to stay up......Leeds and a few others at the top have it in their own hands and only 2 can get Automatic and 1 through the lottery of the playoffs....A few at the top are going to be disappointed and i hope Leeds wont be one of them.....My own worthless prediction for promotion are...Norwich and Leeds for auto and WBA winners of the playoffs.....But it is still all to play for......Good luck dont blow it....
That's accepted as the norm in London,being a millwall fan you know that,happens every game at the den.
Doesn't happen often but when it does we get crucified, someone dropped their pukka pie against Birmingham a few seasons back which landed close to the linesman and people were shouting to close us down
I don't know why they don't leave the windrush generation alone, they're doing a good job of getting rid of each other anyway
They're not doing a good enough job, the lumbering entity Diane Abbott still walks among us And David Lammy
I've seen the linesman hit before now and nothing gets done,your stewards even let the home fans take bottles in,I know as 2 out of the last 3 times I've been has been in the home section,and QPR stewards obviously allowed the same,both clubs you and them,shouldn't even give fans bottles in the first place,so if anyone should get done,it should be them supplying the ammo.
Erm ..... Leeds sell bottles all over the place. Plastic, right enough, but no differentiation as far as the beaks & most certainly the media, are concerned. A bottle is a bottle as far as they're concerned.
I was gonna bring that racist **** up earlier, him and that fat **** Abbott are professional niggaz who hate Honkies
There's even vending machines selling coke & water bottles! No kidding. Bought quite a number over the years. In Scotland, no bottles of any kind allowed - on paper cups!
Maybe in the family stand.No beer bottles where I go and wasn't in North east corner last season either.
