5 new signings made their full debuts yesterday, as well as a full debut for Shackleton, and the first chance for us to see Pearce this season.
Jamal Blackman - Tall, imposing keeper, came out confidently to catch the ball a few times. Didn't have too much to do apart from the goal. Spilled the ball once that could have cost us. The shirt is BPF's to lose.
Shackleton - Really impressive for a young player. Got beaten a few times but recovered really well and won the ball back. Got forward well at times. Another good prospect.
Pearce - picked up where he left off last season. Few decent crosses in, comfortable on the ball.
Lewis Baker - most impressive of the new players for me. Very tidy on the ball, and can run with it as shown for Saiz's goal. Got some pace when he gets going. Good option to have in midfield.
Harrison - frustrating but promising. Had loads of the ball, but just his end product was missing. A bit slower than I was expecting which is disappointing.
Tyler Roberts - never really got in the game at all, hard to make any judgement on that showing.
Bamford - lively player, drops deep looking for the ball a bit more than Roofe has been (although maybe Bielsa will change that). Not scared to have a shot, can see he's hungry for goals. Great finish for his goal, could have had another one in the first half.
For all the talk about strength in depth, this was a team with 8 changes and looked more than capable at this level.
How did the new signings get on?
posted on 15/8/18
I think Bolton had 2 players that started their first game and one player who started their last game playing last night. We had three guys who have started all three games (ayling, phillips and saiz).
Whilst it's good we won and the team put in a decent half, the game was largely their second eleven against ours.
Not sure how much we can take from this game.
posted on 15/8/18
We can only play what’s put in front of us.
However I take your point.
But...... we will not be playing that team in the league and what we can take from it is that the odd player who has to come in for whatever reason should be able to slot into the team without much trouble.
posted on 15/8/18
comment by Best Fans - Leeds are falling apart again (U2196)
posted 22 minutes ago
With Forshaw to come back and Baker, do we still need another CM to replace RV? I'm not too sure, now Klich has stepped up.
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id like a good alternative to Phillips.
but yeah agree klich showing hes half useful has helped us out
posted on 15/8/18
comment by Elsbels (U21658)
posted 2 minutes ago
I think Bolton had 2 players that started their first game and one player who started their last game playing last night. We had three guys who have started all three games (ayling, phillips and saiz).
Whilst it's good we won and the team put in a decent half, the game was largely their second eleven against ours.
Not sure how much we can take from this game.
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Agree. I am just happy to win the game. One game nearer Wembley, another opportunity of making some revenue.
posted on 15/8/18
Best, agree on Lewis Baker. I thought he looked very composed. There was a nice moment during second half I think. WE had a corner and Lewis came over to take it.
The crowd erupted in applause for him and he looked a bit taken aback by it. He gave the crowd a 'cheers' thumbs up. Thought that moment said it all about his night. Looks to be a good signing.
Saying that, does there appear to be a bad signing?
I can't see one yet.
posted on 15/8/18
I thought Lewis Baker looked very good.
Hard to fault any of the new guys, all looked like they need a bit more game time.
Roberts I just think is still finding his feet after a bad injury. Looked off the pace and held his leg a couple of times..... still a bit apprehensive maybe?
posted on 15/8/18
Roberts needs plenty of game time before we see anything, been out for a long long time, hopefully more cup games for him.
posted on 15/8/18
Blackman, Shackleton, Pearce - excellent, can't fault them
Harrison - thought he was brilliant, never stopped trying to do things even after they hadn't previously come off. Reminded me of how O'Leary let the boys get on with attacking the opposition and not worry about losing the ball. Looked pretty quick to me.
Baker - very impressed, constant movement, always looking for space.
Bamford - great goal but very disappointed in his movement. Very vertical, nothing horizontal about his movement, and always looking to run direct at goal expecting a direct wonder-ball dropping over the defender from someone 50 yards away central in their own half. Never gong to happen, especially as he couldn't even connect to the sublime back-spun chip from Samu from 15 yards away. Left wondering if our current style can work for him - not sure what style he is suited to
Roberts - some good stuff and hoping to see much more of him, looked a little rusty but never gave up
posted on 16/8/18
I thought Bamford was ok.
He seems to have a wicked left boot on him. Obviously behind Roofe at the moment due to Roofe's form but I think he will be our top goal scorer by seasons end
posted on 16/8/18
Wasn't that convinced by Blackman, yet had been impressed at Oxford by reassuring presence.
Can see potential in Bamford, but doesn't look like he really fits into Bielsa system at present.