Shame ratings doesn't begin with L or there would have been some nice alliteration there, eh? Anyways, away from my (questionably) pithy observations, lets move on to the game. Quick word for the ESL beforehand; its a bad idea and hopefully it doesn't happen. That being said, if it does then this was a big game for our top 4 push. Who'd have thought we'd be saying that toward the end of our first season back
Illan Meslier - 6.5 - Hard really. The two moments that stick in the mind are him being caught in no man's land for the goal, and a poor pass out to Dallas that led to them getting a chance. My stream did go down for a while, and they were showing a replay of him clawing something over the bar when it came on, so the context of that may improve him? Unfortunately, I don't know. Still solid, and think he's a top talent.
Luke Ayling - 7 - Thought he was as dependable tonight as he usually is. His linkup play with Poveda in the second half was very good. Didn't seem to get exploited down his side nearly as much as the other.
Diego Llorente - 7 - Actually thought it was probably his worst game for us today. Still did a lot of the defensive stuff well, but not so great in possession. A few slack passes, and one where he absolutely hammered it into Kalvin sticks in the mind. Still, a Leeds goal celebrated by the whole footballing world doesn't happen often, so some plaudits must go for that.
Pascal Struijk - 7.5 - Will have to disagree with certain other people saying Struijk had a poor game today, as thought he was fantastic. Defensively, he's very astute, some good positioning, and nice use of his physique, but on the ball he looks excellent, with some beautiful long distribution. Reckon we have a proper talent here, and my choice for MotM today. Not bad against the reigning champions with less than 30 senior games under your belt.
Ezgjan Alioski - 6.5 - The thing with Gjanni today is that I thought there were some real positives. He made some really good, important tackles, and his offensive linkup play in the second half was great, but he undermines this with the same standard of errors. He's pulled way too far out of position for the goal. A proper defender lets the man go after a certain extent, and keeps his ground, whereas he left us exposed. Not the first time this season, so have to mark him down for it.
Kalvin Phillips - 6.5 - Not much to say here. Solid enough, did his job quietly and understated. Looked cagey in possession in the first half, but better in the second, which is true for almost everyone.
Stuart Dallas - 7 - As busy as usual, covering every blade of grass. Again, some loose possesion in the first half, but did his job without fuss, got about it, as we have come to expect.
Helder Costa - 6.5 - Actually thought Costa did okay when we got the ball into him. Looked lively, and keen to have a go at Robertson, but we seemed to be favouring the left side and trying to get in behind Alexander-Arnold, so his involvement was limited. Don't think he had a bad game, though.
Tyler Roberts - 6 - Frustrating game for Tyler, I suspect. Some good, some bad. His feet for the Harrison chance are great, and that's the sort of thing he's capable of, but he needs to show more confidence for his own chance. Take it a second early and blast it in near post. Gets caught in two minds as where to place it, I think, and ends up putting it straight at the keeper.
Jack Harrison - 7.5 - Thought Harrison was lively today. First off, its a good delivery for Llorente, so lets acknowledge that, but also he was just constantly wanting to have a go at TAA, and got the better of him a couple of times. Unlucky with his chance, as its a good save from Allison, and felt there was one in the first half where he should just have had a go and instead tries to pull it back, but kept us going on the front foot second half and was unlucky not to score.
Patrick Bamford - 6.5 - Lively and energetic, but still slightly off his best game in my view. Not sure he has ever quite recovered from that injury, but today was a bit better second half. His touch for his chance is exquisite, and he's very unlucky not to score. His touch for the one in the first half not so much. Let's hope he gets a goal soon to get his eye back in for the end of the season run-in.
Ian Poveda - 7 - Excellent off the bench. Really changed the game for us. Looked lively and pressed well, getting involved physically. His ball into Roberts was superb.
Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez - 6 - Running out of characters! Thought both struggled to properly impact the game, but good to see them get some minutes.
Very happy with 4 points from these games. Here's to making it 7 from 3 this weekend! MOT ALAW
Lubo's Leeds Ratings vs Liverpool
posted on 20/4/21
Wasn't Harrison at fault for their goal?
posted on 20/4/21
comment by 2020VisionofLeeds (U15914)
posted 10 minutes ago
Wasn't Harrison at fault for their goal?
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Personally think the fault is more the LB being pulled out of position more than the LW not necessarily covering as effectively. Must be a nightmare defending in front of Alioski, because he is easily drawn out.
posted on 20/4/21
I've seen a few journo ratings for our lads, yours, and then
instant reaction on the matchday thread, plus my own.
Tyler got bashed in some. Lauded in others.
But almost everyone had Pascal & Llorente rated high.
I too thought both played well again together. Llorente
has been good a few games now. No shock there.
He's a Spanish international. Really like him.
But Pascal has been a revelation this season. He's 21.
Crazy how cool that head is on those shoulders. Ratings
aside, I'm really positive about the team and the football
we play. As we all keep saying, three really good additions
in the summer and we could be flying.
posted on 20/4/21
A word on Poveda, you thought he was a game changer, my thought was that, on occasion, he showed he could take it past people but then just ran into a brick wall. Not sure whether that's because he hasn't got that final ball in his locker or that he isn't thinking ahead or that others are just not on the same wavelength as him so are not giving him options. I think the last one and his team mates have to try and help him out a little.
posted on 20/4/21
Meslier - Yes could have stayed on his line for their goal. But that could have led to a goal too and we would all be saying he should have come. Was a tough call that in hindsight he got wrong but not much of the blame for the goal lies with him. When your stream cut off Meslier was too eager to make up for his dodgy pass and came for a ball he didn't get anywhere near. Inexperience showing as expected.
Llorente - Think he had a good game again. But worry about him defensively. He's too keen to win the ball back at times and over commits. Can leave him making rash challenges, not dangerous to the player, but dangerous to leaving us exposed. Interestingly Cooper seems to get a lot of criticism for this on here, yet it's Llorente who's much much worse for it.
Alioski - Don't think he was at fault for the goal. Our man marking system means he is instructed to leave his zone, in fact his zone doesn't exist. As on the analysis you could blame Ayling, Llorente, & Harrison. And if you don't think they are to blame then I think you should blame the system. Bielsa himself might blame his system for that goal tbh. We know he acknowledges faults in the man marking system that he wishes he could resolve. This was one of them for me.
Roberts - I agree, it's obvious he has some incredibly talent and can do things no one else can for us. I really like him and his potential is exciting. but he does need to improve composure and decision making. I'm sure it's in there. Remember West Brom chip or goal against Hull? If he can add this to his game then he will be a very good player for us. I just don't understand how people can't see it.
Poveda - Yeah he's produce some real moment of quality and they obviously didn't like him running at them. Does need to work on his ball striking though, he doesn't strike shots, crosses or passes cleanly enough to be reliable once he has created a chance with trickery.
posted on 20/4/21
comment by Elsbels - Just Some Guy (U21658)
posted 35 minutes ago
A word on Poveda, you thought he was a game changer, my thought was that, on occasion, he showed he could take it past people but then just ran into a brick wall. Not sure whether that's because he hasn't got that final ball in his locker or that he isn't thinking ahead or that others are just not on the same wavelength as him so are not giving him options. I think the last one and his team mates have to try and help him out a little.
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Think it improved slightly for yesterday's game. As I said, the ball into Roberts is sumptuous, and he is unlucky not to get an assist from it. Bit more composure and he would have. What I also liked about his game is that he was smart enough to put himself between the man and the ball on a number of occassions to win back possession and win a free kick.
He seems like a really nice lad, so I want it to work out for him, and thought yesterday was a promising performance, but I agree that the end product could be more present.
posted on 20/4/21
Lubo, I like Poveda and he clearly has bags of ability, the bench was somewhat limited due to injuries and suspensions but that said, at the moment, against that opposition, he was Bielsa's first choice change which says something.
I recall one mazy run where he took it past a couple of Liverpool defenders but then seemed to turn back on himself, ran into a brick wall and lost possession. I don't think there was a pass on for him. I think this happens a lot, I think it's almost like a chess game when you play like that, good players can see what they want to achieve several moves ahead.
posted on 20/4/21
Definitely a few players at fault for the goal
Ayling not tight enough
Harrison goes to sleep
Llorente goes to sleep
No fault on Alioski who is simply following orders of marking his man
Harsh to blame the keeper as he is not a million miles away from getting to the ball first.
As for ratings
Meslier 7
Ayling 8
Llorente 6
Strujik 6
Alioksi 7
Phillips 7
Costa 7
Harrison 7
Bamford 7
Roberts 7
Dallas 9
Thought out left side defensively was very poor first half. Numerous times they almost got through. Strujik looks promising but thought he was really poor first half, improved a lot scored half. Llorente would have been a 4 or 5 if he hadn’t scored - poor defensively through entire 90 for me. Distribution of both cbs in first half was poor although appreciate they pressed well first half. Harrison our best attacking player but marked down for the goal