What to make of today?
Thought we passed the ball around really well today, Watford were really poor, but for all that possession we didnt have a lot of clear cut chances, especially second half, when Watford should have been chasing the game.
Shackleton looked completely at home, good at the back, good going forwards, Cooper and Llorente rarely troubled and Firpo looked better, I think the think with Firpo, or should I say Junior Firpo, for seems obligatory to have to say both, is that he's not quite there with the pass and move style further up the pitch.
Philips was ok by his usually high standards, but I miss his long incisive passes, Dallas was ok but Klich had a great game today, back to his old self, except for his shooting.
In fact everyone's shooting was shocking today as were many finals balls, it was almost as if there was a new game involving completely throwing away the final ball. Commentators said Leeds decision making was poor and that they were totally wasteful, they were right!
James was involved a lot, but are we using him correctly ie his pace? Too often trying t go past a man which I dont think is his forte and his final ball was poor. But, he draws a lot of fouls and I think we need to work on set piece routines. One thing I did liek about him today, no dramas when going down, he's a get back up and not roll around sort of player, respect.
Raphinha was great, but again faded for last 30 minutes, and Rodrigo, well to be honest, was a disappointment, heavy first tough, sluggish looking and not looking good value at all today.
One nil should not have felt like enough but Watford were so poor that wasn't too worried by the end, but against such a poor team we have to be creating more clearcut chances.
Having said all that, I'll take the 3 points thanks!
Thoughts from today
posted on 2/10/21
Llorente is a class above. Hope we keep him
posted on 2/10/21
Agree Llorente was and is massive. And there's the frustration with him. He's so crucial but often injured.
Damn shame. Shackleton was excellent too.
And agree on Tyler. Hell of a cameo. That volley was
a piece of technical beauty. If that'd gone in we'd be
talking about it for years. Fantastic shift.
Thought James had a great game too. As did Raph.
But we just expect that from him now. Unreal player.
posted on 2/10/21
Shackleton, has had niggly injury after injury, and i think manager really rates him.
He’s quicker than you think, rapid, played really well today. Guy next to me said, just wish he was taller, and whilst size isn’t everything, I know what he means.
Thinks are looking good.
posted on 3/10/21
A win, yes, but against the poorest side we will play this season. Watford were wretched. And anyone who thinks that was a good performance needs to stop taking those purple pills, because it was a total Nigel no nuts. What’s happened to Dallas’ gentle probing and KP’s thrusting balls through the midfield? Where are the breathtaking runs into the opposition box, and the pulsing drives through hapless opposition defenses? Where is the penetration? Where is the climax to our tantalizing build up play? Honestly, this lot couldn’t score in a brothel.
posted on 3/10/21
comment by All the Bielsa ringing (U19827)
posted 20 minutes ago
A win, yes, but against the poorest side we will play this season. Watford were wretched. And anyone who thinks that was a good performance needs to stop taking those purple pills, because it was a total Nigel no nuts. What’s happened to Dallas’ gentle probing and KP’s thrusting balls through the midfield? Where are the breathtaking runs into the opposition box, and the pulsing drives through hapless opposition defenses? Where is the penetration? Where is the climax to our tantalizing build up play? Honestly, this lot couldn’t score in a brothel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if was that bad but I would say it flattered to deceive and something has changed since last season.
Just not as free flowing or fast in transition, remember those goals that took 10 seconds from Meslier to their net?
I saw the same re Phillips, missing his distribution.
Was expecting us to build on great achievements of last season which had felt like building own the previous seasons, but lost our way a little bit so far this season.
Lets just get some points to ease the concerns, all teh time Shackleton and Rodrigo get more first team minutes and hope they find a way to see if Gelhardt can cut it at this level.
posted on 3/10/21
Of course I was working and missed the game yesterday but it's a great relief to take three points at last and keep a clean sheet. Sounds like we should've hammered them - is the mojo returning at last? Great to hear James is turning it on but it sounds like everybody had a pretty good game yesterday.
Maybe the players are just going through some sort of collective pain barrier? Must be really difficult physically and mentally keeping up with those gruelling training sessions over the long term.
posted on 3/10/21
Guy next to me said, just wish he was taller, and whilst size isn’t everything, I know what he means.
——
Only problem with him defence is he won’t win a single header, they played that ball out to the left wing a lot second half. Would be tempted to see him swap with Dallas.
posted on 3/10/21
In boxing terms leeds to me are a lovely competent boxer with no knockout punch and a glass jaw.
We create so many half chances but very few golden opportunities for various reasons
Examples -
Rodrigo poor touch in box lost us a golden chance
Poor decision making - Firpo great half chance on edge of box and passed to James who shot from a much worse position.
Poor final ball. Crossing yesterday just didn’t go anywhere near our players in the box. At times we get plenty of players forward but rarely do we get more than 1-2 in the box for crosses during open play.
posted on 3/10/21
Well it cost their manager his job.
posted on 3/10/21
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 2 hours, 16 minutes ago
In boxing terms leeds to me are a lovely competent boxer with no knockout punch and a glass jaw.
We create so many half chances but very few golden opportunities for various reasons
Examples -
Rodrigo poor touch in box lost us a golden chance
Poor decision making - Firpo great half chance on edge of box and passed to James who shot from a much worse position.
Poor final ball. Crossing yesterday just didn’t go anywhere near our players in the box. At times we get plenty of players forward but rarely do we get more than 1-2 in the box for crosses during open play.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair analogy. We’re Amir Khan