Good Morning. It's Monday 14th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Last gasp win could save Leeds season Elland Road was rocked to its very foundations deep into stoppage time, when Joe Gelhardt's deadly strike all but condemned Norwich City to Championship football next season; whilst the Whites clawed their way four points clear of the drop zone, with nine to play. A long hopeful ball from defence was flick on by Gelhardt towards Raphinha. The Brazilian beat his man, rounded the keeper, and cut the ball back from the byline. Cool as you like, Joffy blasted the ball first time into the roof of the net. Just moments earlier, Norwich Midfielder Kenny McLean had silenced the ER faithful, after slotting home Pukki's cross from close range. Flashbacks from the savage and brutal conditions outside the top flight, which had been blocked out for the last twenty months, reappeared as Leeds fans worst fears momentarily returned. The game burst into life on 14 minutes. Struijk delivered a long ball midway from his own half towards Bamford. Turkish defender Ozan Kabak got to the ball first, but his header was weak. Rodrigo picked up the loose ball on the edge of the 'D', took a touch before blasting the effort towards Tim Krul's goalmouth. The ball took a wicked deflection off a Norwich defender, sending it into the far corner of the net. Later replay would show that Bamford was offside during the build up, but with so many decisions going against Leeds this season, they were owed a bit of luck. Leeds gained confidence after taking the lead. A blend of last ditch defending, fine goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the scoreline the same, going in at half-time. It was the same story after the break. Leeds created lots of chances, but their final product was poor, but the visitors still looked dangerous on the break. Both sides rattled the woodwork, and referee Start Attwell reversed a Norwich City penalty decision, having watched a replay on VAR. On the balance of play, Leeds more than deserved their victory. and live to fight another day. If they show as much fight and determination as they did yesterday, they should steer clear of the bottom three; that's not to say there isn't major issues that need addressing in the Summer, but for now Premiership survival is the name of the game. please log in to view this image Injury concern for Rodrigo Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay has disclosed that there is a possible injury concern about Rodrigo. Leeds record signing was in fine form yesterday, finding the back of the net after only 14 minutes, and playing a pivotal role in creating chances. The 31yo was substituted after 60 minutes in favour of Jack Harrison. Many believed it was a tactical decision, but according to Hay, Rodrigo had a 'tight quad muscle' indicating a possible hamstring injury. According to Hay:- "Bamford is fine and the plan was always for him to have 45 minutes. They didn't want to push him further. He should be fine for Wolves. Rodrigo came off with a tight quad muscle". please log in to view this image Pundit applauds ER faithful Former player, now pundit Danny Murphy, has stated that the Leeds fans deserve enormous praise for the way they responded to the equaliser. The former Liverpool midfielder (like so many) was in awe of the Elland Road faithful for their unequivocal support and never giving up on the team. He told Match of the Day 2:- “I have to give the Leeds fans credit today because even at 1-1, they didn’t drop,” “They just kept going. It was unbelievable. They’re going to need that as well. There are going to be some tough games to come.” please log in to view this image
Right now we are averaging 0.9 points per game and if we continue with that we will secure 8 more points from the last 9 games which should be enough. This seems to be the more likely scenario because it would mean our form dropping off the scale to get any worse, and that would mean JM has taken us backwards but reality Marsch has registered a point per game so far… so an improvement
Morning all.. We played the bottom team, we were at home, many were saying if we don’t win we deserve to go down, it was an obstacle to overcome we did it but nothing to get excited about. The real test is our next three, even a draw against Wolves would be huge however it’s the two after that we must take maximum points from. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as pleased as anyone about the win but for me it was lose and we’re as sure as done and relegated, win we’re not safe, far from it, we just live to fight another day. I know we have zero influence over how it will all unfold, in my heart I want Everton relegated but with them playing both Watford and Burnley I just don’t know out the three who will be our biggest threat to remain in the division
Saddens me to see even on this board, there is some die hard Bielsa supporters, who are constantly nit picking at Marsch, I agree everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but to me he is like a breath of fresh air, just as Bielsa was when he first joined us. However after just three games in, I am beginning to see, some shoots of a revival, not only in performances, but effort & determination which had sadly deserted us at the tail end of the Bielsa era. I know we had a shocker in between the two extremely good performances against Villa, but that seems to have been more than addressed judging by the Norwich game, I now have renewed hope that we will now be ok, don’t get me wrong there is a long way to go, but three games in with the new regime, and I for one are happy with what I see, were still gonna struggle to score goals, but I am sure Jesse will address this in the summer. I have a premonition we will sign some relatively unknown yank striker, bit like back in the day when we signed that ausie striker, what’s his name, ah yes Mark Viduka. Onwards and upwards to the next game against Wolves and do you know what I am looking forward to it, and we will edge this one as well, my prediction 1-0 Leeds.
Positives from yesterday and ignoring any negatives: Raphinha was back to his best and will score goals again. He has hit the woodwork too many times recently, but he creates assists too. Rodrigo was many peoples MoM and sheer class yesterday Bamford will be firing for 90 minutes very soon Only square peg yesterday was Dan James, so we will see him replace Harrison shortly due to Paddy being back Ayling is better on the right with Rapha in front if him, not at CB More balance at the back with Dallas at LB Phillips and Cooper will be back fully after the break with Firpo and Roberts the only injuries Joffy
Always been glass half full type of guy. I think we reached the low point and cant fall lower in terms of form. Even if we dont improve on yesterday we will pick up points because we cant miss as many chances in 45 minutes again. We also should have had a deserved win against Leicester or at least a point, so form under JM isnt like the Villa debacle
Rodrigo had a massive strapping on his right thigh and it was this area he was holding when he came off. This along with the performance shows he’s fully committed and hopefully that’s an end to the constant criticism on here that he and Raphinha somehow don’t care. My take is that being South American they just have a different body language to what us Europeans are used to seeing.
i was excited when the winner went in seriously, it doesn't matter who its against, when you've lost 6 on the bounce a win is something to get excited about. We should go to wolves hoping to get something. They're really well organised under the current manager, so i'm not saying their league position flatters them, but it's based round being hard to beat, they're not regularly outplaying sides. We also owe them one. I feel like we've been at least equal if not the better side all 3 times we've played them since we got promoted and picked up just 1 point... needing an injury time equaliser to get that. Last year a speculative long range from oily guns hit the bar then the keeper's arse and went in. We must be due a bit of luck against them.
yeh that premier league survival bonus counts for something Seriously, I might not agree with all his transfers and policy, but you have to love his passion
Just when he gave the performance he is capable of and was my man of the match, hope it's not serious we need him for the run in, just our bloody luck though if it's more serious and he's out for a while.
Well have to say, Rod and Raph stepped up a few notches yesterday, happy. to see that. After JM's admission he and Rod had a good heart to heart, there was obviously problems, as most of us thought, something must have been resolved, very likely positional issues.
W What struck me at kick off was rodrigo not being asked to play lone striker. He is by his own admission not a striker.
