The Super(ish) Leeds United Thread

[seafoid]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/15/leeds-finally-united-harmony-final-push-return-premier-league/

Leeds entered the hiatus unbeaten in six games and with five successive victories and clean sheets. This revival, following four defeats in five games, built up a convincing momentum with increasingly fluent performances and some correction in the 4-0 win at Hull to the over-reliance on the industrious but erratic Patrick Bamford to finish off the copious chances "Bielsaball" creates. In their final nine games they have only Fulham, in third and seven points behind, in the top six to play and enjoy the most favourable fixture list of the remaining contenders.

[Rufus T Firefly]

I'm afraid the Leeds' fan in me is seeing doubts everywhere. Yes, we were on fire before the pandemic took hold, but will the break prove to be a disruption? Talk of five substitutes per team - will that mitigate against Leeds' high pressing style and relatively small squad? And of course, it's Leeds - if anyone can fook it up from here, Leeds can.

On the plus side, we normally start the season like a house on fire, so the big gap in terms of time should hopefully be in our favour, but I envisage nothing but a nerve shredding few weeks, with calamity the normal go to scenario!
 

[lurganblue]

I see the break playing right into the hands of Leeds.  It is the rest that Bielsa's style does not normally allow for.

[Mourne Rover]

Leeds were marginally the better of two ordinary sides today but conceded two poor goals and never really looked capable of getting back into the game. It was alarming how flat we were without Hernandez and we have to hope he is back for what is going to be a crunch match against Fulham. The inexperience of Meslier in nets is also a concern, as he was beaten twice at his near post by what were admittedly a couple of decent strikes after pretty dreadful losses of possession further out. The result was a big wake up call for those who have assumed that promotion was almost in the bag, but most of us know that Leeds never do anything the easy way.

[dublin7]

Leeds were marginally the better of two ordinary sides today but conceded two poor goals and never really looked capable of getting back into the game. It was alarming how flat we were without Hernandez and we have to hope he is back for what is going to be a crunch match against Fulham. The inexperience of Meslier in nets is also a concern, as he was beaten twice at his near post by what were admittedly a couple of decent strikes after pretty dreadful losses of possession further out. The result was a big wake up call for those who have assumed that promotion was almost in the bag, but most of us know that Leeds never do anything the easy way.

Bamford is a donkey and a waste of space up front. Doesn't offer any threat.

Can't blame either goal on the keeper. Centre half backed off and backed off the cardiff player and just let him shoot for the 1st. 2nd was an excellent finish drilled into the bottom corner off the inside of the post. No one stops that. The defender giving the ball away was at fault.

Do Leeds still have that French lad on loan? If so pick him up front instead of Bamford

[Mourne Rover]

Meslier faced two shots on target during the entire game and was beaten by both of them at his near post. Both were well struck but an experienced keeper would have saved at least one of them. While Bamford gets a lot of stick, he leads the line effectively and suits Bielsa's style of play well. He is clearly not a brilliant finisher but Leeds have not got many goals from their wide players or midfielders either. Augustin, the French striker, has had fitness issues and may not be back in a white shirt. Bielsa favours a tight squad but he can be legitimately criticised for not ensuring we have options up front. However, if the players can deal with the pressure of the closing straight, which has been a huge problem in the past, Leeds are still in a strong position. Fulham will be a massive game.

[dublin7]

Meslier faced two shots on target during the entire game and was beaten by both of them at his near post. Both were well struck but an experienced keeper would have saved at least one of them. While Bamford gets a lot of stick, he leads the line effectively and suits Bielsa's style of play well. He is clearly not a brilliant finisher but Leeds have not got many goals from their wide players or midfielders either. Augustin, the French striker, has had fitness issues and may not be back in a white shirt. Bielsa favours a tight squad but he can be legitimately criticised for not ensuring we have options up front. However, if the players can deal with the pressure of the closing straight, which has been a huge problem in the past, Leeds are still in a strong position. Fulham will be a massive game.

There's a reason Leeds fans have been on Bamford's back this year. He's not good enough and this showed again yesterday. Several times his touch/control let him down when he had a chance to get in on goal. Leeds dominated possession but apart from one shot that Bamford accidentally blocked they were toothless offered little threat

Whatever about the 1st goal, but the 2nd goal was a quality finish. Id love to know what keeper you think would have stopped that half volley into the bottom corner.

Leeds high energy style isn't suited to these Covid games. Lack of preparation and 5 subs available to the opposition

[Rufus T Firefly]

Meslier faced two shots on target during the entire game and was beaten by both of them at his near post.

That is harsh in the extreme. Technically both could be considered 'near post' shots, but the shots themselves were both from central positions, which were reflected in the keeper's positioning. Of more immediate concern for me would be how two of our more revered figures were not able to complete a straightforward pass under no pressure. Such weaknesses will be increasingly found out in our determination to play the ball out on the ground at all times. Both will get the benefit of the doubt of course whilst Bamford is singled out by most for the severest of criticism. Bamford was not good but I thought Costa, and Harrison in particular, were terrible.  Phillips remains a central player but our captain gets a free pass more often than not, as was evidenced in the post mortem for the Derby defeat at home in the play offs.

[Mourne Rover]

In fairness to Meslier, he has only turned 20 and kept clear sheets in his two previous games. The frustration is that, while no one played particularly well against Cardiff, Leeds had more than enough possession and chances to win the game. Phillips and Harrison have been excellent all season but were among the main underperformers on the day. They rarely have two poor matches in a row so they can hopefully bounce back against Fulham.

[seafoid]

WBA lost last night
Leeds 1 nil up at half time

[Mourne Rover]

Throughout this season, Leeds have regularly controlled games and dominated possession before conceding sloppy goals. It happened in reverse yesterday, and the element of luck which we were overdue produced a crucial result. Bielsa also offered a coaching masterclass, taking off Bamford and Costa at half time after they had combined for the first goal and completing reshaping his midfield. Alioski came off the bench and Harrison switched wings with both scoring, leaving an eight point gap over Brentford in third with seven games left. Four wins will almost certainly get us over the line, but Leeds seldom take the predictable route.

[Rufus T Firefly]

The Fulham victory was a huge hurdle to overcome and as Mourne Rover said a rare moment when the luck was definitely on our side. The final scoreline flattered us but underlined the importance of Pablo Hernandez to the team. This was reflected in the fact that he was subbed on and with the result guaranteed, then subbed off again.

The remaining fixtures now appear to be - on paper - somewhat easier, but of course it does not take into account the fact that several of these teams are fighting for their Championship lives. The match tonight being a case in point. Luton drew at home to Preston and won at Swansea, in their last two games, which shows that they cannot be taken lightly.

The ghosts from the home fixture to Wigan on Good Friday last year still haunt me!!

[ONeill]

Brentford and Fulham are away tonight if that means anything atm. If Leeds win tonight and they both drop points you'll not be caught.

[seafoid]

Brentford may be dark horses for automatic promotion.

One interesting thing about Leeds/WBA is that whenever Leeds slip up so do WBA.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Brentford and Fulham are away tonight if that means anything atm. If Leeds win tonight and they both drop points you'll not be caught.

That's difficult to argue with and yet as a Leeds fan the number one rule is to express no signs of hope.

Fulham were unlucky to get chinned late on by Brentford and on another day they would not have lost that game against us. However back-to-back defeats is bound to have rocked their confidence and the three game ban handed to Mitrovic is a body blow to them. He is a goal machine at this level.

Brentford on the other hand have had two brilliant wins against what were two of the top three. I'm working on the assumption they are going to win everything from here on in, but of course the Championship is notorious for not following to script, so hope springs eternal. 

Brentford may be dark horses for automatic promotion.

One interesting thing about Leeds/WBA is that whenever Leeds slip up so do WBA.

Brentford do look strong and have the momentum behind them. I could curse the amount of needless points Leeds have thrown away and which would have had them ten points clear at this stage, but of course that is with my Leeds' hat on - I'd say West Brom supporters would have similar laments.

Leeds look to be in a very strong position - but Leeds, and the Championship are so unpredictable. Nothing can be taken for granted.