A bit of a conundrum tonight.
Great pressing, great closing, great energy and really putting pressure on Fulham yielded a few chances which if it weren't for offsides would have seen us in very comfortable position.
Was worried when Bamford was limping, was impressed initially by Struijk, but things changed.
Good creativity from Harrison and Raphinha, Ayling always surging forwards and nice interplay and then great strike from Bamford.
He really has blossomed into someone who can take these chances. He hasn't looked so effective in some recent matches but that is due to service, give him the service and he's delivering.
And then the conundrum. Lot\s of hard work to give us a lead and threw that away with no real effort required by Fulham. We had Meslier to thank for not going in behind at half time, our defence was almost non existent and you know the moment that Sky showed the stats on set piece goals you just knew Leeds would concede one.
I would suggest that we HAVE to look at a different system for defending set pieces, this man to man system in those situations is just not working and Struijk looked really shaky at times.
Raphinha sharpness restores the lead for us after really quick thinking free kick from Ayling on our goalie and we then started to take more control and could have extended that lead.
Apart from defence, just one gripe.....how often does Tyler Roberts stray offside? Cost us Aylingheader, if Dallas on target could have cost us that, far too casual in those situations, but otherwise he is growing in capability.
Good to see Berardi on the bench.
I thought Scott Parker was a but off saying we were so dominant, Fulham had run of our penalty area at times and some different luck could have seen us lose that, but, I think the result of a Leeds win was right and we've finally won a match in London!
Thoughts from tonight
posted on 20/3/21
comment by steross17 (U6898)
posted 3 hours, 32 minutes ago
Offside - Determine by feet unless the offside part of body scores a goal.
Celebrating - Celebrate like Ayling...it got ruled out but he entertained...that’s what it’s all about.
Bamford - Don’t know how Watkins is called up ahead of him, if Rashford is injured then surely Bamford is due a call.
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I agree on Bamford but we would have pulled him out anyway so it’s all hypothetical now.
Keep going and he might make the Euros.
On Sky Fantasy Football he’s 5th best in the league. Only Kane above him striker wise on points. Good job I picked him
posted on 20/3/21
Your assessment again seems a bit glass half empty, Jonty.
I thought we did exceptionally well to come away from London with the three points last night.
Ayling's goal should have stood and their goal should have been disallowed for the foul on Ayling by the goalscorer.
Bearing in mind they were fighting to stay up, I thought we looked quite comfortable.
What's more, Bamford showed Southgate that he has made a stupid selection error - like Watkins has anywhere near as much to offer. His goal was a peach.
Phillips and Meslier were giants, Roberts had another good game, and even Robin Koch got a few minutes.
That substitution seems to show Bielsa will consider trying to shut out the opposition using defence rather than attack in the last ten minutes, to defend a one-goal lead.
It was vital we took all three points last night because we don't want to be looking over our shoulders for three weeks, do we?
WE ARE SAFE, and still with quite a few games to come. That is a real result. I'm still predicting 9th. That would be fantastic. Feel really great this morning thinking about next season. Things are unfolding very nicely for us.
Gotta say it - Bielsa for World President!
posted on 20/3/21
Some good discussion on this thread
One thing that I think Bielsa might be looking at. Struijk and Llorente seem to have struck up a solid partnership at CB. Koch played DM for the U23s earlier in the week and may do again on Monday's U23 match.
Dallas has been great in midfield but we look a bit vulnerable at LB with Alioski. So he could be looking at Koch to come into midfield instead of Dallas and switch him to left back. Might be something he is considering.
That would also give us additional height in the team for defending and attacking set pieces.
For a team as intensely drilled as ours tearing up the script on defending set pieces- man for man is a challenge but you could have say a couple of players like Struijk and Koch attacking the ball (bit like Jansson used to do)and drop the man for man. Maybe one for pre season to look at.
posted on 20/3/21
alioski had me screaming at the tv yesterday. from sublime to ridiculous. his attempted pass to meslier from the throw in was insane. think we need to upgrade on lb but gjanni is entertaining for sure.
posted on 20/3/21
Alioski is a likeable clown, but a dangerous one. When I think of the games he cost us back in the Championship (although, to be fair, that could be said of most of our players), he's lived a charmed life to still be in this team. But as well as being prone to errors, he's generally too lightweight for the Prem, so if Bielsa sees what most of us see, Alioski will be gone in summer.
posted on 20/3/21
Jaz, genuine question, where is the glass half empty?
I start off with this "Great pressing, great closing, great energy and really putting pressure " "Good creativity from Harrison and Raphinha" etc and talk about suspect defence.
Not sure where you're coming from here.
posted on 20/3/21
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 10 minutes ago
Jaz, genuine question, where is the glass half empty?
I start off with this "Great pressing, great closing, great energy and really putting pressure " "Good creativity from Harrison and Raphinha" etc and talk about suspect defence.
Not sure where you're coming from here.
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I didn't think you were being half empty either, Jonty. Constructive criticism is good criticism.
posted on 20/3/21
Well, it's true I only read it once...and, reading it again, I can see you are projecting a reasonably balanced view. I guess I am on a high after that win and feeling nothing but positive. It's also true that Meslier kept us in it just before HT. I'm just chuffed to bits we took the three points.
posted on 20/3/21
Thoughts from yesterday.
Overall it was a good win and really happy to finally sort out the London curse.
Still think its amazing we paid a total of £22 mill for both Mes and Raph, how amazing a bit of business is that.
Roberts had another good game and you can see why he is getting a run in the team, is this now his best run in the side? Cause he has really been stop start in his time here so its great to finally see him getting a good solid run of games.
One thing I really did take note of yesterday was even a scrappy win like this where I dont think we were at our best, we are still great to watch even when its not all there.
I think there are a couple of things we need to work on, but honestly I really don't want to say anything negative about that performance today so I'll leave it at that
posted on 20/3/21
Yesterday was a good win. It’s an away game against a side who are improving and had a lot to play for. It’s also London!!
My views are similar to other games over recent weeks:
-Raphinha is our creative outlet
-Llorente has improved the defence but can have iffy moments
-We are a disaster at set pieces
-Ayling and Dallas look shattered. Their quality, dependability and flexibility is a great credit to them but they look as if they need a rest
-Klich seems to be struggling still
-Keeper is going to be some player
-Bamford back to his best tonight
In addition. Some good moments again from Roberts. He has quality and potential and seems to be showing more of that now. However, I don’t see him as a 10. What we desperately need is the 10 who is like Pablo was (the Ozil or Erikson type). It’s a huge issue for us. We lose so much without that type of player. Roberts I can’t see being that intricate and observant