Wife forgot to record the match, so only got to see the last 20 minutes and listened to some before.
Observations, it was clear Meslier was going to play again, got the clean sheet needed withy not much to do.
Ampadu looks completely at home in back four, I personally feel more confident with him there than Struijk. BTW with Struck out, who is penalty taker, Piroe?
Solomon surely proving to be a great signing, just has a little bit of class above the level of this league.
Tanaka great goal, but was exactly where Joseph should be. I think teh success of teh team is to a degree carrying Joseph, I wonder how much accommodation he would get from fans if we weren't top of table. I think we get through this season but then would not be surprised if he goes out on loan.
Focussing on Tanaka, both him and Rothwell highlight for me how unprogressive and ineffective Gruev is.
Two instances stood out for me re grieve....first was his sliding tackle on Paterson where he was nowhere near the ball, he completely misjudged it. And then a pattern of play where he was near centre line, 3 times he received the ball, three times he passed it backwards.
Ramizzani's goal gave us a scoreline that didn't reflect the match overall, and had a late cross that Wednesday player could easily have nodded in, gone in, we could have dropped points.
I hope that our strength of squad will see us through, we did exactly what was needed this weekend in the shadow of a little bit of scoreboard pressure and Wednesday night could set up really nicely for our next real test.
Some short thoughts from today....
posted on 20/1/25
comment by milkyboy (U12731)
posted 17 minutes ago
As others have said, Joseph works defenders and presses in ways Piroe can't. Piroe generally looks better coming on when the game has slowed down.
Gruev was brought on to close the game out and does what a dm is paid to do. Rothwell isn't a dm so their games are different. Who'd have thought it.
Part of the ball retention game of possession teams is to pass back to draw forwards on to create space behind them. They all do it. They're taught to do it. Sure Rodri pings a few 40 yard forward passes, but no-one is saying gruev is Rodri. Farke likes him because he does retain possession, he receives the ball in difficult positions and is comfortable doing it. And he breaks up play.
When Rothwell and Tanaka came into the team after injuries Farke said he'd added ballers at the expense of the defensive attributes of Gruev and Ampadu. The fans were all happy, because we like ballers, but as Kebab says they don't have the same defensive instincts. Love Tanaka as a footballer, but he hasn't learnt how to mark yet in English football, especially at set pieces.
I think we should appreciate that we have 4 very different midfielders, all good, all who have different attributes. No point in bitching that an orange isnt an apple.
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I know Rothwell and Gruev different players, my point is we look so much better with progressive players in the team and I think Gruev adds very little, if anything to the team.
posted on 20/1/25
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
comment by milkyboy (U12731)
posted 17 minutes ago
As others have said, Joseph works defenders and presses in ways Piroe can't. Piroe generally looks better coming on when the game has slowed down.
Gruev was brought on to close the game out and does what a dm is paid to do. Rothwell isn't a dm so their games are different. Who'd have thought it.
Part of the ball retention game of possession teams is to pass back to draw forwards on to create space behind them. They all do it. They're taught to do it. Sure Rodri pings a few 40 yard forward passes, but no-one is saying gruev is Rodri. Farke likes him because he does retain possession, he receives the ball in difficult positions and is comfortable doing it. And he breaks up play.
When Rothwell and Tanaka came into the team after injuries Farke said he'd added ballers at the expense of the defensive attributes of Gruev and Ampadu. The fans were all happy, because we like ballers, but as Kebab says they don't have the same defensive instincts. Love Tanaka as a footballer, but he hasn't learnt how to mark yet in English football, especially at set pieces.
I think we should appreciate that we have 4 very different midfielders, all good, all who have different attributes. No point in bitching that an orange isnt an apple.
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I know Rothwell and Gruev different players, my point is we look so much better with progressive players in the team and I think Gruev adds very little, if anything to the team.
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Maybe just as well you aren’t the manager then.
Farke obviously trusts Gruev to do what he wants him to do. From what I see he does it well.
We have options and that bodes well for any team.
posted on 20/1/25
Different fans will always see players from different perspectives, especially those not seen as the "better" ones.
Gruev fits that category for me. Integral (in my view) to a promotion capable squad. Is he Rodri, no. But then we'd not afford him - and he'd not be at ER - if he was.
We've a really good squad, I'm pleased with what we're doing so far this season. Top, what's not to love? Clearly will need changes (and improvements) if/when we go up. Some won't cut it in the prem, so will.
posted on 20/1/25
Maybe just as well you aren’t the manager then.
Farke obviously trusts Gruev to do what he wants him to do. From what I see he does it well.
We have options and that bodes well for any team.
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Ha, the old, your not the manager jibe.
Might has well shut this site down, if Manager knows best.
I dont rate him, because he has alot of elements I dont like.
Slow
Not a particularly tackler
10 yard side or backwards easy balls constantly.
Slows the side down, with them passers.
Dont think it helps, that he runs like he’s got a massive Dilldo hanging out of back of him
posted on 20/1/25
comment by LIW 100 Points, champions, Lose two games only (U8453)
posted 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
Dont think it helps, that he runs like he’s got a massive Dilldo hanging out of back of him
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Sounds like the voice of experience
posted on 20/1/25
Different subject but thought you’d all like to know JonnyLosAngeles has been in touch and he’s sent an update which is on the JA606 Leeds Membership page https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/465881
posted on 20/1/25
Cheers for that Light. Stressful times in LA.
And cheers to LIW for making me laugh out loud at work.
posted on 20/1/25
And cheers to LIW for making me laugh out loud at work.
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Got to be honest, me too👍😂 … also makes me think about a classic comment on here (my apologies, can’t remember who) that Gruev runs like John Inman 🤣 … now that is highly likely to get me into trouble too … ).
posted on 21/1/25
comment by The Light Brigade (U22847)
posted 15 hours, 59 minutes ago
And cheers to LIW for making me laugh out loud at work.
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Got to be honest, me too👍😂 … also makes me think about a classic comment on here (my apologies, can’t remember who) that Gruev runs like John Inman 🤣 … now that is highly likely to get me into trouble too … ).
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bang on with that one!
posted on 21/1/25
Gruev runs like John Inman
^^^
Same author