Was happy with the team selection and was keen to see how we fared against a Prem side.
Wow, what a start, dominated every single aspect of the game in the first half, won almost every second ball, great movement, superb passing and numerous chances and shots on goal.
Incredible distribution from Meslier who took a while before he got first touch of teh ball, but then it felt that the team believed in him.
Hard to see Gotts at times because he just fitted in seamlessly.
Defence were outstanding, Phillips was immense, Harrison looked good, but I always feel there isn't quite the right end product, Alioski was great but frustrating when offside. Thought Douglas had a good game but offensively, his delivery just has not lived up to expectation whatsoever.
I thought Bamford did well, but he's not getting clear cut chances.
Then half time came, unfortunately Arsenal stepped up a gear and we got left behind.
Defending was still good, midfield tired and were ineffective second half and Bamford completely isolated.
I thought Meslier was superb, coming out at right moments, staying back at right moments and very nearly prevented the goal.
Stevens looked good coming on and Costa's pace nearly set him free but for a cynical pull back.
And on to the referee. I like a ref to let a game flow, but, he let too much go and then was giving cards for nothing and not penalising repeat offenders and how that kick out from Lacazette was it escaped punishment is beyond me, it was a deliberate kicking of opponent. If you're going to delay the game using VAR then for goodness sake get the decisions right.
Very proud of first half performance, a little disappointed we were so overwhelmed second half and hope we have no injuries after that.
Have full confidence in Meslier now, and Gotts now has broken his duck and played.
However, we must sign some some backup, we simply must sign a quality, fit striker this Jan.
Thoughts from tonight
posted on 6/1/20
comment by 🏆 🏆 🏆 Keep It Greasy 🏆 🏆 🏆So It'll Go Down Easy (U1396)
posted 6 minutes ago
You play like that when you're back in the prem and you'll beat a surprisingly high number of teams
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like liverpool?
posted on 6/1/20
As Beckford said it is a blessing in disguise that we lost, back to unfinished business in the Championship, no worries about future FA cup games. 1st half we looked like a prem. side and Arsenal like a 2nd tier side ! - 2nd half we faded away, the Gunners made it hard for us - I must agree with some of you that Meslier was really calm, and I would trust him, his passing, distribution was amazing and he made a couple of good saves too, I would not worry if Casilla is out for a while.
posted on 6/1/20
comment by Ellando (U12745)
posted 5 minutes ago
As Beckford said it is a blessing in disguise that we lost, back to unfinished business in the Championship, no worries about future FA cup games. 1st half we looked like a prem. side and Arsenal like a 2nd tier side ! - 2nd half we faded away, the Gunners made it hard for us - I must agree with some of you that Meslier was really calm, and I would trust him, his passing, distribution was amazing and he made a couple of good saves too, I would not worry if Casilla is out for a while.
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good news ellando, so now all we need is a backup striker and cb.
posted on 6/1/20
We'd have won that game today if we still had Roofe.
He's the kind of striker who had that sixth-sense to get into the right position to finish.
We have to find a similar player this window or we're going to fade away as usual in the rest of the season.
posted on 6/1/20
comment by Jaz63 (U8369)
posted 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
Agree with all of that even though I only got to see the second half and missed the best bit!
How the ref could've booked Klich is beyond me.
At least now we know we can mix it up with a PL club.
Nonetheless, I feel extremely proud of that performance!
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Jaz - if you felt proud of the second half, you'll burst with pride when you watch the first. We bossed them for the full 45.
posted on 6/1/20
Overall a good performance by Leeds losing to a fairly lucky goal.
Big positive - we played well and took 8,000 fans and the team played the game in the right spirit
Big positive was Meslier. Excellent kicking and decision making.
Big negative was Gotts. Simply not at the races. Too slow in feet and thought and surprised he wasnt taken off at half time. Stevens came on and nearly gave a goal away with his first touch. No wonder Bielsa rarely brings them off the bench!!
Big negative potential injury to Ayling - hopefully tightness rather than a tear.
Big negative - VAR. How can they send Son off 2 weeks ago for a similar type of strength kick and then Lacazette goes unpunished.
Big negative - Xhaka and the refs love for him. 4 incidents he could have been booked for and then bought 3 free-kicks by going down easily. Incredible. No wonder the Arsenal fans boo him!
posted on 6/1/20
My big takeaway from today is immense pride in our club. I've felt and said at times, Messiah is as stubborn as a mule. But, you know what, he's fooking amazing.
Truly brilliant manager, teacher and leader. Can't believe he's in charge of us. Fantastic period for LUFC.
Do wish we'd won. But big picture here for me is the style of football we play I wouldn't swap for anything.
Meslier looks like a ruddy find. Bamford, all is forgiven.
You are a hardworking player. Looking forward to getting Pablo back and hopefully seeing Tyler back.
Over to AR & Orta to get us over the top in the window.
posted on 7/1/20
Thought we were excellent, especially first half where we gave them a footballing lesson, just very disappointing that we didn't score and kill the game off first half. Plenty of positives from the game. The brightest point of the night was just how well the club was represented, the team, the manager, the brand of football and the fans. Proud to be a Leeds fan even more than normal tonight.
Over to Radz and Orta.
posted on 7/1/20
" Alexandre Lacazette told BBC One:"The manager shouted a lot. He was not happy because we knew they'd play like this and we didn't respect what he had said."
Exactly what I thought. Arsenal thought they'd play an average championship side. But Arteta knew better. Being an admirer of Bielsa for many years.
posted on 7/1/20
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