Good Morning. It's Monday 30th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Whites on course for 98 points after Ram raid Leeds United concluded the year on a high note with victory over a determined Derby County side, igniting a renewed sense of anticipation and optimism going into 2025. Brendan Aaronson's decisive 79th-minute goal, his seventh of the campaign, ensured the Whites secured top spot, and puts them on track to achieve a projected 98 points tally come May. After keeping Leeds at bay during the opening half, Derby emerged with a sense of vigour and confidence. Only three weeks ago (after the two sides had met), Rams Manager Paul Warne had described his squad as a "League One team with a bit of sugar on top", but roared on by their biggest gate of the season, the hosts gave it their all. Although a far more open second half, the Leeds defence held firm. Rams shot-stopper Zetterstrom denied efforts from Aaronson and Ramazani, whilst at the other end Meslier pulled off a good save from Nelson. With 20 minutes left on the clock, Farke (finally) made the changes every Leeds fan had been screaming for, and it completely changed the game. Within minutes of coming on, James was denied by the outstretched legs of Zetterstrom after a peach of a cross from Solomon; but was powerless to deny Aaronson minutes later, after a well constructed opening involving Byram and Solomon, Piroe delivered a perfectly weighted ball for Aaronson to run on to, and smash past the keeper from 12 yards, ending any hopes of Derby getting anything from the game. please log in to view this image Unforced changes raise eyebrows The four unforced changes Daniel Farke made to the starting line-up yesterday proved ineffective, and puzzled many fans. Whilst the efforts of Gnonto, Ramazani and Joseph won't go unnoticed, their contributions were far from influential. It wasn't until Messrs Solomon, James and Piroe came on, that Leeds came alive. £10m Summer signing Largie Ramazani was particularly disappointing. The 23yo had little influence during the game, and Gnonto was not much better. There's a case that the former Manchester Utd apprentice is still a little ring rusty following his ankle injury sustained during the 2-1 win against Watford in October. He's been back in the Leeds squad for over a month now, but has been consigned cameo roles up until last night. The decision to rest four key players (Piroe, Solomon, James and Rothwell) ultimately hindered the team's initial performance and could have very easily upset the apple cart. please log in to view this image
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Farke was heavily criticised last season, especially in the run in, for sticking with the same 11 more or less each game, even though some of the team were misfiring. With the run of 4 games we're coming out of, it made perfect sense to rotate, only criticism from me is, he could and probably should have made the substitutions earlier. If there are any suiters still willing to pay £25m plus for Gnonto, I'd take it, as long as it bought us another striker and keeper, any other funds to be spent on a full back, I've been impressed with Byram's performances this season but it's unlikely he can play every game, Farke doesn't seem to have any confidence in Schmidt, Wober and Firpo are sicknotes and are both possibly out the door in January.
Overall I thought we played really well last night. passing was slick and we played with a swagger like we knew we were the better team. even the last ball at times was quite good only thing I'm disappointed with was the finishing we really should of had more goals and it wasn't down to being unlucky. Mateo Joseph did ok as a team player but his finishing "in which its his job" was woeful. Again Aaronson played well. top effort again with his energy his movement he always finds space and always gets in the right positions but the lad can't strike a ball clean. Dan James had a great season had a 1 n 1 with the keeper and the only place you didn't want him to shoot at was the place he did and it was straight at the keeper anything left or right of him would surely of been a goal. Bamford also had a 1n1. Ok Maybe I'm being a bit picky but there was 2-3-4 goals in that game for us and again we weren't clinical enough thankfully we got one but we could of quite easily left that game 0-0 scratching our heads.. But I think this is going to happen all season because we create so many goal scoring opportunities you aint going to score them all just some of them you shake your head at and go how? Why? Think Farke did the right choice you got to keep players happy you can't just change a team after a loss or bad result its a team game they were fresh and deserved a start you got to keep them ticking over. Ramy is a great player he didn't play that bad he just needs game time I remember a month or so ago people wanted Soloman back at Spuds we are now seeing more of the real deal I still don't think we have seen the best of him yet either. Big ups to Amps last night also thought he was back to his best. infact everyone played quite well Rodon bossed it Bogle again a Duracell bunny Byram the 50/50 ball cruncher. Loved it well done lads onto Blackburn who we owe a hammering awful club with cheating players I really hope we tank them New Years day.
Very quiet on here given we are top. Away form has righted itself with 2 away wins. Rotation has resulted in successive wins whilst maintaining fitness. Farke getting his subs right. Other teams dropping points. What's wrong? Nothing to moan about?
Well we got the precious 3pts but we have to punish teams like that, we could have gone down the Blackburn and Preston route and we nearly did. I know I am not a Meslier fan but there is good reason and it’s every game that basic goalkeeping is not applied!! When there CH won the header and was going in just under the crossbar that should of been tipped over the bar, Meslier decides to flap at it and palm it back into the middle of the penalty area, IF we get promotion and he does that with PL teams do you think he shall get away with it??? It has to be addressed and soon.
Afternoon all Gessa sums up my feelings exactly, apart from Gnonto, I would prefer to keep him for the remainder of the season, for me it is about a settled squad
Reading some comments on the Leeds v Derby match thread, you'd think Leeds players were blind in front of goal Many posters talked about Joseph and Aaronson missing "sitters" I'm not sure what match they were watching but I didn't see anything that could be described as a "sitter" It's true that both had shooting chances and missed the target, but they were difficult and crucially on the players' weaker left side. I thought we looked good and managed to unpick the Derby defence to win the game. As Bill Shankly said of Roger Hunt "Yes he misses some chances, but he gets in the right place to miss them".
From memory Aaronson scored a great goal, he also sent a good chance a mile over the bar and I think he should have scored the one the keeper saved at the start of the second half. Joseph should have at least hit the target from the Gnonto cross and sent another a mile over the bar when 1 v 1. Dan James missed another when clean through. Amps missed a great chance with a very poor header. Whilst I agree that they were not sitters, they were very good scoring opportunities (no doubt the xg expert on here will let us know where they rank with that ), all of which could have come back to bite us on the arse.
Just off subject…. That little Manc twat Littler is not having it all his own way, he’s shaking his head atm, his opponent is a geordie, maybe an omen!!!
