Disappointing result on Saturday. It's still a point but the obvious gulf in class between the two sides would have suggested that three points should have been nailed on.
Last season disappeared down the plug hole due to fatigue, a loss of confidence, defensive lapses, missed chances and injuries that were bound to have an impact on a small squad.
The first two games have highlighted that we continue to have defensive problems. KC and his sunshine band of defenders are, in my opinion, good enough to do the job required. If they can eliminate the unforced errors plus Ayling getting back into the side then we gave a great base to build upon.
The midfield continues to dominate as before but I felt the service into the box wasn't as good as it could have been against Forest.
We continue to miss chances but I thought Bamford put in a good shift on Saturday and was in the right place to latch on to opportunities he either created or were created for him. He's certainly working harder.
We're not stronger than last season but watching other games at this level I don't think that's going to be our undoing this time around. As always the only team that's going to cause Leeds United problems is Leeds United.
I've no idea what Bielsa's game plan is for cup games particularly for those against seemingly weaker opposition. Salford City is another Histon/Sutton/Newport waiting to happen. We should be putting out as strong a team as possible. A clean sheet, a hatful of goals and a professional performance will boost confidence throughout the team.
Another season of twists and turns beckons!!
Two games in.....
posted on 12/8/19
comment by The Spanish Italians (U21595)
posted 5 hours, 1 minute ago
I think now the season's started, its probably time to stop beetling on about Kinnear and Orta... and start talking about footballers... you're boring the holy hell out of me, that's for sure
back to the football then- Promotion totally agree.. in the cold light of day I can't help but feel disappointed still.. I spoke to a Forrest fan this morning at work, even he said we were totally robbed, just like many games last season where we dominate the game, the stats, but don't take all 3 points..
I guess if you are going to draw, you'd prefer to play well..
I felt sorry for Bamford, the chances weren't sitters, and a confident player scores them.. and (with the lob) he created that himself with a first touch as good as anything we see in the prem.. I'm hoping he bags a hat full, he really could do some confidence.
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i hope bamford starts putting them away more consistently but right now he needs a little luck also.
when he hit the crossbar he actually keep the ball down.
posted on 12/8/19
I was thinking about starting a new thread but I think its a waste of space so I'll say it here instead!..
People were saying not to long back that they don't want the team to start off to strongly like they did last year and fade out again like they did last time out!..
They wanted to start slower and wait for the run in and play catch up, a dangerous game!,,
So, now that we've got 4 points from a possible 6, I hope the moaners ain't any off those that didn't want us to have a flying start, I mean, if they are than what grounds have they to moan?..
I'd think a flying start is better than a steady start any day, but, if anyone here wants a slow start than so be it, points in the bag are always better than catch up, but, Bielsa ain't got a clue!..
Eh?.
posted on 13/8/19
2 points per game will win most leagues (not the PL with City and Liverpool around obviously). If we could keep that consistency throughout the season then we would all be very happy. The post Christmas drop off which we seem to have suffered from for the last several years (way before MB) is the problem. Someone on here said our form from January on was 17th in the league last season. I don't know what the answer is maybe one factor is our reluctance to spend in January. When other sides buy the players they need to get them over the line and freshen things, we say "January is a bad time to buy" or "We only buy players who will be better than what we have" or "we are happy with the squad as it is".
I hope and pray MB and the owners have figured out what needs to be done to fix this. Another agonising collapse at the end of this season and just missing out on promotion would be too much to bear
posted on 13/8/19
I was one who said I’d rather we peaked end of season than get off to another fast start.
Teams top in August/September rarely maintain it.
Problem last season was not converting possession into enough points, Forest game an epitome of that.
At present I don’t see what’s different in our setup to last season to see us change that except some players have more experience of Bielsa now, will that be enough?
posted on 13/8/19
to be fair Jonty had a point, Norwich last season started off very shakey.. but picked up and finished strongly.
ideally, we'd make a fast start, and maintain it.. how possible is that?
posted on 13/8/19
Tslufc has hit the nail on the head with the January window strategy we should see it as an opportunity but have tended to let rivals steal a march on us.
posted on 13/8/19
Problem with a slow start is there is no guarantee you will get the points the second half off the season, if a team gets the points at the start it has to keep the momentum going in the second half, that way it should do well!..
Bielsa's teams are known for going great guns and fading, that's what happened last time out, but this time we have a team that are in their second season with him, they're you could say are hardened Bielsa players, they know him, they know his style and they know his expectations!..
The team did great with the tempo they had to put up with to get as far as they did, it was a few dumbass mistakes by a few players that let us down!..
If a team can start off strongly than its up to that team to find that catch up mentality that they need in the second half off the season and use it to keep those points coming!..
Starting slowly and playing catch up is a very very dangerous game that also doesn't guarantee promotion!..
But, as always, January will play a big part, and the club has to use it this time!..
posted on 13/8/19
It’s great to get points in the bag but points earns in April are worth same as points in September, and every season we fall short second half, we have to change that.
Im not assuming that we will do any impactful business in jan, there is no track record from these owners to support that we will change strategy and bring in players in jan who make the difference for the rest of the season.
posted on 13/8/19
We need points at all times of the season.
I don't tend to listen to Kinnear. He's a mouthpiece for the hierarchy, unlikely to say anything off message and as others have said, what he does say will have an element of spin to it.
We aren't stronger and I'd be surprised on closer inspection if we are maintaining the status quo. We were better than most teams last season, we just defeated ourselves.
If we can maintain form throughout the season, cut out the unenforced errors and convert more chances we'll definitely avoid relegation.....
😉
posted on 13/8/19
2 games on, won one away convincingly, draw at home, could be worse, we could have lost both. So we're fine, beat Salford tonight, and away we go. We are learning every day.