It's fascinating to see us facing quality football teams week-in, week-out. When we are on form, we are a delight to watch but we are awful on days like today. Some observations about our play so far:
1) It's not the quantity of games that matters, it's the quality of the opposition. Yes, we are fit and run further than the rest, but Brighton showed a maturity in their game today that we do not have yet.
2) Decision making - when to run with the ball, when to pass, when to hold on to it - let us down today. By contrast, Brighton were much more efficient and on another day, could have been out of sight by half-time.
3) Fact. Premier league players simply play with more intelligence and speed of thought than Championship players. We are still catching up.
4) Our marquis signings have not delivered yet, but it is too early to write them off. Rodrigo has had Covid, our defenders have not had a look-in due to injury, and Raph needs to play in the one position with the same players around him, to show us what he's got.
5) The Elland Road pitch does not suit the type of team we have. If we had Allerdyce as manager, he would be thrilled with it.
6) It takes time to build Premier League squad, time for Championship players to build their skills for this division, and time for new players to bed in. No wonder so many promoted teams go straight back down after promotion!
7) Without KP we are relegation material.
Additional thoughts?
Lessons from the Premier League.
posted on 17/1/21
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 11 hours, 9 minutes ago
Brighton are awful and didnt impress me at all. Barnsley could have beaten us today.
We were the cause of our own downfall
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At our best, we're comfortable top 10 in this league.
At our worst (yesterday and v Burnley) we're the worst team in the league. Sheff Utd would have beaten us yesterday for sure. Need to wake the f up
posted on 17/1/21
comment by Shaun M - Raphina de vi la loca (U9955)
posted 53 minutes ago
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 11 hours, 9 minutes ago
Brighton are awful and didnt impress me at all. Barnsley could have beaten us today.
We were the cause of our own downfall
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At our best, we're comfortable top 10 in this league.
At our worst (yesterday and v Burnley) we're the worst team in the league. Sheff Utd would have beaten us yesterday for sure. Need to wake the f up
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Can’t disagree with that!
posted on 17/1/21
Decision making is the big one. Vs Spurs you played with bravery and purpose but you put the balk at risk sooo many times it just played into our hands.
Decision making and game management are big things. With these youd instantly be a better team without adding more quality. Add both and you could easy be higher end of the mid table.
posted on 17/1/21
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 8 minutes ago
Decision making is the big one. Vs Spurs you played with bravery and purpose but you put the balk at risk sooo many times it just played into our hands.
Decision making and game management are big things. With these youd instantly be a better team without adding more quality. Add both and you could easy be higher end of the mid table.
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Good insight and much appreciated Devonshire. Now can you go and tell that to our manager please?
posted on 17/1/21
Our manager is too far the other way.
posted on 17/1/21
I think realistically whether we like it or not:
- We can't do anything about the pitch this season and just hope we get a break in the weather so at least it isn't like a marshland.
- secondly and many won't like this I don't see us bringing in any players whatsoever in this window despite the issues in centre midfield and left back.Now if that is the club being cautious after spending £100m in the summer and covid19 curtailing revenues I can accept that.
One thing that we can do though from now until the end of the season providing we don't get players injured all in the same position is play people in their natural positions to help the balance of the team and give us more chance.That is something simple we could do that may make the difference.
posted on 17/1/21
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 16 hours, 17 minutes ago
Disagree with 2. Other than the one goal they didn’t threaten our goal all game. The bar was a deflected cross. Think they only had one other decent chance all game that went over. We had the Rodrigo chance when a shearer would have put the ball, defender and keeper into the net to score. Brighton certainly the played the better football first half and then defended the lead. They deserved the 0-1 win only,
7/ all teams have injuries. In fact Brighton were missing loads today. We haven’t really had anywhere near our best 11 starting all season though and we don’t have the depth of like for like replacements, all too often one injury causing a complete restructure of side.
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We each had 9 shots in total, Kebab, despite us having twice as much possession. This is what I mean by football intelligence - getting more value out of your time in possession.
I agree with your second point, though. Too often, players are played out of position and it does throw the balance of the team. I am sure it affects team morale too, and may explain why our football lacks its normal positive energy. And of course, the pitch doesn't help.
posted on 17/1/21
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 19 hours, 28 minutes ago
H as vent sen you for ages Jonny, hope all is ok.
I think the condensed end of last season lack of preseason, relentless prem games schedule and internationals for Dallas, Cooper, alioski, klich, Rodrigo, and Philips Has left them drained.
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Hi Jonty. Sadly, my Mom passed away in Johannesburg last Wednesday so I’m still sitting Shivah in LA. Not Covid related, she died peacefully but the last few years, especially following the loss of my Dad in 2015, her constant companion for 67 years, were not very good. Nevertheless, she lived a good 93 years and was able to live comfortably and in dignity for the last few years.
She was a very vibrant, dynamic and straightforward woman whose personality made her many friends and admirers and those who confided in her seeking advice and counsel. She really made an impact on those fortunate to get to know her.
The current state of the world and especially USA has left me somewhat drained and thus contributing less here. I still read from time to time and of course watch every game.
I hope you are all doing well. 👍🏻
posted on 17/1/21
Your Mum sounds like a fantastic woman JLA. I can only imagine the frustrations and challenges you are facing with not being able to get back to sit shivah with your family, and dealing with Covid in the USA. Good to see you back on the board. I wish you a long life.
posted on 17/1/21
comment by All the Bielsa ringing (U19827)
posted 9 minutes ago
Your Mum sounds like a fantastic woman JLA. I can only imagine the frustrations and challenges you are facing with not being able to get back to sit shivah with your family, and dealing with Covid in the USA. Good to see you back on the board. I wish you a long life.
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Thank you, greatly appreciated. Yes it is difficult but it’s also provided me with an opportunity to really honor my Mom and Dad. More on that another time.