Good Morning. It's Wednesday 1st March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds dumped out of the Cup Leeds were unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup last night at the hands of Fulham, as the Cottagers eased their way to the last eight. Beating a diabolical Southampton side is one thing, but when up against a half decent outfit, Javi Gracia witnessed first hand the monumental challenge he faces, to paper over the cracks between now and the end of the season. The visitors more then held their own during the early encounters, and actually had the ball in the back of the net twice, before Palhinha opened the scoring on 21 minutes. Adams sold Roca short, as the Whites were looking to break quickly. The Portuguese International intercepted the ball, and struck a first time shot past a flat-footed Meslier from 30 yards. Leeds had several chances to equalise, but Rodak was more than equal to Roca's strike, and when he was beaten, the post came to his aid (from Rutter's headed effort just before half-time). The Whites started the second half brightly. Rodak again had to be on hand to deny Gnonto, and then Rutter; unfortunately neither effort seemed destined for the back of the net. Manor Soloman then gave Leeds a lesson in clinical finishing. With eight outfield players defending, the Israeli International let rip from the edge of the box. His bending effort swerved past the outstretched dive of Meslier, to put the hosts two up with little over 30 minutes remaining. It was a bridge too far for Gracia's side, who face another trip to West London in three days time. please log in to view this image Firing blanks has cost Leeds Sub standard finishing has cost Leeds dear this season, as last night once again proved. Leeds had enough chances to at least draw the game but were firing blanks in front of goal. They get themselves in good positions, but their efforts look to be routine saves for the opposition, at least at top flight level. Rutter has shown glimpses of brilliance, but not in front of goal, whilst Bamford looks a shadow of his former self. Both Gnonto and Summerville have looked a handful this season, but in front of goal, their efforts seem quite routine. Harrison's goals have all but dried up this term, and with Rodrigo sidelined for another month, after undergoing ankle surgery at the end of January, where are Leeds goals going to come from? please log in to view this image
Hope springs eternal - it is human nature always to find fresh cause for optimism but it’s the hope that kills you. That is this Leeds team all over this season.
Can you still call Fulham the cottagers, wouldn't people like Blair be upset about that word in today's society?.. Sorry, wrong thread.... Good morning all We started off well but lost the plot second half, same old **** ****ing about with the ball can't hit the target from two yards out and only Willy can pick a pass out, we can't keep saying "we matched them" and lose, it doesn't work like that.
Morning all. Pleasing performance on the eye for much of the game like the home game against scum, result the same, defeat. Stating the obvious but our finishing has been the problem for several seasons . Bielsa couldn't teach them how to kick a ball, Marsch couldn't and neither will Javi. Most of our lads have been getting top quality coaching for a decade or more and they can't take a corner, free or hit the target with anything other than a pass. Even our goal against Southampton was little more than a pass messed up by their keeper. If ability is not there, any amount of coaching won't suddenly fix it. It's like expecting anyone can become world class tennis players or golfers through the proper coaching. It'll only get you so far. We're going to need another 25 goals minimum to survive given that we won't have many or any clean sheets. Really difficult to see where they're going to come from
Would start Georgina’s over Bamford as poor old Paddy offers nothing and hasn’t even looked like getting on the end of things. Georginio for much of the first half was left on his own with nothing coming into him but he still scored and it shouldn’t have been chalked off. A makeshift defence too so no buggy and a midfield of Adams, McKennie and Roca looked solid mostly
Paddy was better when he was injured. At least he wasn't wasting a space on the pitch. Hopeless since he's returned from injury
Bamford actually created lots of space when he came on which caused a few opportunities and confused defenders. Rutter still isn’t quite up to speed but definitely promising signs. All attackers bar Rodrigo have let us down this season though as it’s not just up to the strikers. Got to say we played much better and had shape about us. If it wasn’t for wonder goals we wouldn’t have lost that and got unlucky with a disallowed goal and Rutters header goes in on another day. Definitely much better signs than when Marsch was in change for me.
What are peoples views on Firpo as I thought he was pretty good again last night and he poses a threat rampaging down the left, more so than Ayling. Nice to see Gnonto tracks back and assists in defence too
