Far too many changes for my liking, Firpo, Llorente, Striuijk change of position and Rasmus back along with Robles is recipe for mixups.
Would have started with Rodrigo up top but at least Gelhardt gets minutes, surprised Arronson retained and bench looks devoid of experience/leadership.
We started ok, Gnonto and Summerville link up well, Gnonto always posing threats.
Gyabi looks a little bit off the pace for me, Greenwood anonymous except for corners.
I think Firpo was struggling to make any challenges and Llorente and Struijk were looking really shaky at the back.
Struijk then gives ball away and then gets caught out completely unaware and Cardiff take 1-0 lead.
I think Struijk is overhyped and today was good example of how poor he can be. With new contracts for Lllorente and Struijk these players need to be going us a whole lot better.
And that, was all is took to knock the fight outside of us.
Passing was awful, no shots on target and Cardiff carve through us to make it 2 nil
Gnonto seems the only one taking it to Cardiff. Aaronson looks like he's going backwards, really ineffective.
Rasmus was getting shown up and at half time we looked really really listless.
No changes at half time showed a confidence in the existing side which I thought was completely misplaced.
I said give it 10 mins to make changes things hen and wanted to see leaders like Ayling and Harrison, but Wober comes on (for Gyabi who was inefefctive and liked very slow), a defender into midfield. Gelhardt, a player whom it feels as if Marsch had taken backwards comes off for Rodrigo who should have started and Drameh comes on for Rasmus (what does this say to Ayling, who surely will be soon out of Elland Road if this is what Marsch thinks of him).
Rodrigo pretty quickly makes an impact, it just shows what having a proper striker played up top does.
Joseph comes on, gets a good chance from great Rodrigo pull back, but cant get it on target, much more energy and effort from Leeds now.
We get a penalty from a blatant handle that was definitely going in. Would love to see goal given for that situation in future (would need VAR). reminded me of Suarez in World Cup, blatant hand ball, and red card, but opponents miss penalty and Uruguay win.
Thought it wasn't a bad penalty, great reactions from keeper and it feels like its not quite our day.
Clock is ticking down, Cardiff still getting forward despite being down to 10 men, but then the chance comes.
No surprise it's Gnonto's efforts that creates, again, getting to byline with great pullback, Perkins poaches and we get a draw we hardly deserved.
This must not paper over the cracks,
This team selection was not taking the task seriously, too many changes, to little leadership, too little strength on bench. Marsch has to take ownership for this.
Marsch also has to take credit for subs, but lets face it, it was sheer desperation and he needs to not think this is the way to manage matches, making substitutions with 2 minutes to go....
With zero shots on target one wonders what our tactics actually are. Hall;and scores shedloads because he's a great payer, but also because he is provided quality ball after quality ball into the box and we're not doing that at all, we seem to play far to narrowly.
If we win replay, we have an in theory very easy game the next round, we have to do all we can to win this replay.
And please Marsch, take some responsibility instead of throwing players under the bus.
Thoughts from today
posted on 8/1/23
comment by Leeds in the Blood (U21544)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 19 minutes ago
I think JM is drinking in the last chance saloon tonight.
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How I wish that were true, but unfortunately I think JM’s position is rock solid with the clubs ownership, for so many reasons, mostly financial.
In any real world situation he would have gone by now.
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He is secure, board are completely behind him, he has until at least this summer.
posted on 8/1/23
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Leeds in the Blood (U21544)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 19 minutes ago
I think JM is drinking in the last chance saloon tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How I wish that were true, but unfortunately I think JM’s position is rock solid with the clubs ownership, for so many reasons, mostly financial.
In any real world situation he would have gone by now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is secure, board are completely behind him, he has until at least this summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree, but not for purely football reasons. Getting rid of JM now would be financially problematic and reputationally damaging to AR.
This is the unfortunate truth we are being held ransom to. I don’t think there are many Leeds fans left, who feel JM has earned his continued employment.
posted on 8/1/23
But what if we do poorly in the next 3 or 4 games and the crowd's overwhelming disapproval will surely seal Marsch's exit?
posted on 8/1/23
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 2 minutes ago
But what if we do poorly in the next 3 or 4 games and the crowd's overwhelming disapproval will surely seal Marsch's exit?
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I think team selection and first half did a lot of damage to Marsch's credibility in fans eyes.
I coach a very close family friend and she says he says that he has full backing of club.
They wouldn't be buying his old players this window if not prepared to stick with him.
And we all know AR and Kinnear dont give a fig as to what the fans think.
posted on 9/1/23
We pick a team like that against Boreham Wood / Accrington we can probably add that to our Histon and Crawley scrapbook collection......
posted on 9/1/23
Just looking back at the match and Bagan who gave away penalty could just as easily have headed that out instead of using hand.
Do that and there is no penalty and more importantly no red card.
Sliding door moment for Marsch.
posted on 9/1/23
Regarding Struijk, looking around social media I can't believe how many are making excuses for him.
Many times this season when I've heard the "sign a left-back & put Struijk in the middle" talk I've asked when he has ever been a commanding centre-half.
He's not & hopefully he doesn't play there again. Same obviously goes for Llorente, still baffled by that new contract.
posted on 9/1/23
comment by White as Snow (U22893)
posted 15 minutes ago
Regarding Struijk, looking around social media I can't believe how many are making excuses for him.
Many times this season when I've heard the "sign a left-back & put Struijk in the middle" talk I've asked when he has ever been a commanding centre-half.
He's not & hopefully he doesn't play there again. Same obviously goes for Llorente, still baffled by that new contract.
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Ive always felt that he's been overrated. The number of times watching a goal being replayed and seeing Struijk having been caught out, wrong side of player etc.
But I feel yesterdays that maybe being handed captaincy affected his performance and so that was poor decision by Marsch.
Doesnt help that Marsch then mentions him making an unnecessary pass and that being a turning point.
Getting tired of Marsch blaming everyone and never taking any responsibility.
Poles apart from Bielsa who would always say it must be his fault if something went wrong.
posted on 9/1/23
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 46 minutes ago
comment by White as Snow (U22893)
posted 15 minutes ago
Regarding Struijk, looking around social media I can't believe how many are making excuses for him.
Many times this season when I've heard the "sign a left-back & put Struijk in the middle" talk I've asked when he has ever been a commanding centre-half.
He's not & hopefully he doesn't play there again. Same obviously goes for Llorente, still baffled by that new contract.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ive always felt that he's been overrated. The number of times watching a goal being replayed and seeing Struijk having been caught out, wrong side of player etc.
But I feel yesterdays that maybe being handed captaincy affected his performance and so that was poor decision by Marsch.
Doesnt help that Marsch then mentions him making an unnecessary pass and that being a turning point.
Getting tired of Marsch blaming everyone and never taking any responsibility.
Poles apart from Bielsa who would always say it must be his fault if something went wrong.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Surely being handed the captaincy is a good thing though? It says his manager has faith in him to be his leader on the field.
posted on 9/1/23
comment by White as Snow (U22893)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 46 minutes ago
comment by White as Snow (U22893)
posted 15 minutes ago
Regarding Struijk, looking around social media I can't believe how many are making excuses for him.
Many times this season when I've heard the "sign a left-back & put Struijk in the middle" talk I've asked when he has ever been a commanding centre-half.
He's not & hopefully he doesn't play there again. Same obviously goes for Llorente, still baffled by that new contract.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ive always felt that he's been overrated. The number of times watching a goal being replayed and seeing Struijk having been caught out, wrong side of player etc.
But I feel yesterdays that maybe being handed captaincy affected his performance and so that was poor decision by Marsch.
Doesnt help that Marsch then mentions him making an unnecessary pass and that being a turning point.
Getting tired of Marsch blaming everyone and never taking any responsibility.
Poles apart from Bielsa who would always say it must be his fault if something went wrong.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Surely being handed the captaincy is a good thing though? It says his manager has faith in him to be his leader on the field.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It says a lot of things.
It says that he doesnt have faith in Llorente whom is more senior and just been handed long term contract.
It says that he doesnt really see the need for a more experienced in there for that game.
It says that he's comfortable with letting public know that he doesnt feel Struijk is player he should be (yet).
It shows that he doesnt think Struijk is ready yet but hopefully this gets him more ready.
I think you pick Ayling instead of RK then you have captain issue solved and that captaincy passes to Rod later if you need to bring Ayling off.