Hope you all had a great Christmas and Welcome back to the Matchday Thread, World Cup and Winter Break out of the way it's time to (hopefully) get back to winning ways very tough game to start back with but as thgey say "Footballs a funny old game " 🤔
Venue...Elland Road...Date...28th Dec...Kick Off...2000hrs
Team News
Leeds United
Leeds are hopeful that goalkeeper Illan Meslier will be able to maintain his ever-present record this season despite a recent bout of glandular fever.
Tyler Adams is suspended after his red card against Spurs before the World Cup break.
Man City
Manchester City are without Ruben Dias for a month due to a hamstring injury, while Kalvin Phillips will not feature due to eating all the pies .
Julian Alvarez has been given time off after Argentina's World Cup victory.
Links
Amazon Prime....................................
All usual streaming sites seem to have been disabled
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester City scored 11 goals without reply against Leeds last season, winning 7-0 at home and 4-0 at Elland Road.
City can win three consecutive league matches versus Leeds for the first time since a run of four from 1980 to 1983.
Leeds United
Leeds United's final two league games before the World Cup were a 4-3 home win against Bournemouth and a 4-3 defeat at Tottenham. They came back from 3-1 down versus the Cherries and were ahead three times at Spurs before losing.
The Whites are one short of equalling the club Premier League record for most goals conceded in a calendar year: 70 in 2003.
Jesse Marsch's side have won three of their seven home league fixtures this season, only one fewer than their total number of victories at Elland Road last term.
Their most recent Premier League home win against the reigning champions was 1-0 versus Arsenal in May 1999.
Rodrigo and Crysencio Summerville both scored in each of Leeds' final four league matches before the World Cup. It was the first time a pair of team-mates had netted in four successive Premier League games.
Manchester City
Manchester City are the only side in the last 13 seasons to not be top on Christmas Day but still go on to lift the title, having done so on three occasions in 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2020-21.
They are aiming to avoid losing consecutive league games for the first time since December 2018.
Pep Guardiola's side have not scored from open play in any of their last four away matches in all competitions.
Guardiola has lost eight Premier League matches as a manager in December, at least twice as many as in any other month.
There we have it, probably one of the toughest games we've got this season and only a complete idiot would predict owt but a win for the visitors but that never stopped me before 2-1 Scoreline with Rodders getting both for us 🤪 (even the underdog can bite )
Over to You.............................Predictions etc..................................
Come Onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds!!!
MOT
Can we go Live Please Admins
Leeds Utd v Man City Matchday Thread
posted on 28/12/22
Just looking at all the smiles and laughs at the end, like we won the fcuking game. Poor game management from Jesse with no subs until it was done and dusted, and as usual, a couple of extremely soft goals.
Mes and Gnonto looked like they were up for it, but we just couldn’t keep hold of the ball long enough to offer a threat.
posted on 28/12/22
Did you guys see Pep kicked a water bottle at the Leeds dugout/bench?
Hands to head "What have I done?" Lol
posted on 28/12/22
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 6 minutes ago
Pretty much what most of us expected especially without Adams so it really was a damage limitation exercise.
City were a class above but at least our goal difference hasn't taken a battering and we can hopefully nick a result on Saturday with Summerville and TA back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with TA and Jimmy back, Macca, we haven’t got a defence. Coops and Struik were poor today. Without Rasmus, it would have been five or six.
One year on, does anyone know what our best eleven looks like?
posted on 28/12/22
comment by My favorite Marschian (U19827)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 6 minutes ago
Pretty much what most of us expected especially without Adams so it really was a damage limitation exercise.
City were a class above but at least our goal difference hasn't taken a battering and we can hopefully nick a result on Saturday with Summerville and TA back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with TA and Jimmy back, Macca, we haven’t got a defence. Coops and Struik were poor today. Without Rasmus, it would have been five or six.
One year on, does anyone know what our best eleven looks like?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coops is always an accident waiting to happen and once again he gifted the opposition a goal. Sadly, we haven’t got anyone better and won’t have till at least summer.
posted on 28/12/22
Yes defensively we regularly look quite fragile and Cooper was shown up a couple of times even before his error for the 2nd goal so not one of his best days, but hey the opposition tonight was exceptional and this result will not define our season nor our following fixture iether but West Ham Villa Forest and Brentford needs to be where we pick up 8 points.
Hopefully a new defender will give us the fans less heart stopping moments when the opposition pressurises us and Adams calmness and leadership in the middle and Gnonto and Summerville up front I think will be enough... just, to keep us up for a third season.
There seems to be some credence to the rumours of Radz selling up so if we do get The 49ers in total charge probably starting next season then let's hope they will be able to raise the bar a little higher investment wise and ensure our dalliance with the lower reaches of the EPL, last season and this, is a thing of the past.
posted on 28/12/22
comment by Lorralorimer (U18994)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by My favorite Marschian (U19827)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 6 minutes ago
Pretty much what most of us expected especially without Adams so it really was a damage limitation exercise.
City were a class above but at least our goal difference hasn't taken a battering and we can hopefully nick a result on Saturday with Summerville and TA back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with TA and Jimmy back, Macca, we haven’t got a defence. Coops and Struik were poor today. Without Rasmus, it would have been five or six.
One year on, does anyone know what our best eleven looks like?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coops is always an accident waiting to happen and once again he gifted the opposition a goal. Sadly, we haven’t got anyone better and won’t have till at least summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He didn’t gift it . Koch did. Many on here have it in for Cooper so even where it’s not his error, he get blamed.
Yes, he needs to be replaced with better defenders. But also Koch and Llorente (and Ayling too). And a left back, although for a young kid Struijk out of his natural position is doing as well as might be expected. firpo ain’t got it, so there’s another. Rasmussen ain’t good enough either.
So before we even start talking about the midfield and attack, we need to spend £200-300m we ain’t got ….yet.
Our challenge is to try and stay in the EPL over the next 5 years, cos that’s how long we need to even start that type of transition.
I’ve said it many times … there so many on here who have expectations beyond reality, unless the 49ers get outbid by an oil shiek when AR sells up
posted on 28/12/22
comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Lorralorimer (U18994)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by My favorite Marschian (U19827)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 6 minutes ago
Pretty much what most of us expected especially without Adams so it really was a damage limitation exercise.
City were a class above but at least our goal difference hasn't taken a battering and we can hopefully nick a result on Saturday with Summerville and TA back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with TA and Jimmy back, Macca, we haven’t got a defence. Coops and Struik were poor today. Without Rasmus, it would have been five or six.
One year on, does anyone know what our best eleven looks like?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coops is always an accident waiting to happen and once again he gifted the opposition a goal. Sadly, we haven’t got anyone better and won’t have till at least summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He didn’t gift it . Koch did. Many on here have it in for Cooper so even where it’s not his error, he get blamed.
Yes, he needs to be replaced with better defenders. But also Koch and Llorente (and Ayling too). And a left back, although for a young kid Struijk out of his natural position is doing as well as might be expected. firpo ain’t got it, so there’s another. Rasmussen ain’t good enough either.
So before we even start talking about the midfield and attack, we need to spend £200-300m we ain’t got ….yet.
Our challenge is to try and stay in the EPL over the next 5 years, cos that’s how long we need to even start that type of transition.
I’ve said it many times … there so many on here who have expectations beyond reality, unless the 49ers get outbid by an oil shiek when AR sells up
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sure, Koch was caught ball watching but a mindless decision to attempt a weak pass to the last man, who was also heavily marked. Legend he may be but this has got to be Cooper’s last season for us.
posted on 29/12/22
comment by Lorralorimer (U18994)
posted about 2 hours ago
comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Lorralorimer (U18994)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by My favorite Marschian (U19827)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca: Emily Bronte's lovechild (U8194)
posted 6 minutes ago
Pretty much what most of us expected especially without Adams so it really was a damage limitation exercise.
City were a class above but at least our goal difference hasn't taken a battering and we can hopefully nick a result on Saturday with Summerville and TA back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with TA and Jimmy back, Macca, we haven’t got a defence. Coops and Struik were poor today. Without Rasmus, it would have been five or six.
One year on, does anyone know what our best eleven looks like?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coops is always an accident waiting to happen and once again he gifted the opposition a goal. Sadly, we haven’t got anyone better and won’t have till at least summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He didn’t gift it . Koch did. Many on here have it in for Cooper so even where it’s not his error, he get blamed.
Yes, he needs to be replaced with better defenders. But also Koch and Llorente (and Ayling too). And a left back, although for a young kid Struijk out of his natural position is doing as well as might be expected. firpo ain’t got it, so there’s another. Rasmussen ain’t good enough either.
So before we even start talking about the midfield and attack, we need to spend £200-300m we ain’t got ….yet.
Our challenge is to try and stay in the EPL over the next 5 years, cos that’s how long we need to even start that type of transition.
I’ve said it many times … there so many on here who have expectations beyond reality, unless the 49ers get outbid by an oil shiek when AR sells up
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sure, Koch was caught ball watching but a mindless decision to attempt a weak pass to the last man, who was also heavily marked. Legend he may be but this has got to be Cooper’s last season for us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But you look at the replay and it bleed in’ obvious it wasn’t a weak pass at all….
Another ‘it’s cooper, it’s his fault” comment’ ….
…. Why do so many on this forum spout meaningless carp ?
It’s like they’re 13 years old 🤷♂️
Strange
posted on 29/12/22
comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 3 hours, 20 minutes ago
Coops is always an accident waiting to happen and once again he gifted the opposition a goal. Sadly, we haven’t got anyone better and won’t have till at least summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He didn’t gift it . Koch did. Many on here have it in for Cooper so even where it’s not his error, he get blamed.
Yes, he needs to be replaced with better defenders. But also Koch and Llorente (and Ayling too). And a left back, although for a young kid Struijk out of his natural position is doing as well as might be expected. firpo ain’t got it, so there’s another. Rasmussen ain’t good enough either.
So before we even start talking about the midfield and attack, we need to spend £200-300m we ain’t got ….yet.
Our challenge is to try and stay in the EPL over the next 5 years, cos that’s how long we need to even start that type of transition.
I’ve said it many times … there so many on here who have expectations beyond reality, unless the 49ers get outbid by an oil shiek when AR sells up
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sure, Koch was caught ball watching but a mindless decision to attempt a weak pass to the last man, who was also heavily marked. Legend he may be but this has got to be Cooper’s last season for us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But you look at the replay and it bleed in’ obvious it wasn’t a weak pass at all….
Another ‘it’s cooper, it’s his fault” comment’ ….
…. Why do so many on this forum spout meaningless carp ?
It’s like they’re 13 years old 🤷♂️
Strange
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Watching it live on television, I thought to myself that this was a 65/35 blame ratio - Cooper should never have tried it but Koch waited for it flat-footed!
posted on 29/12/22
I think Johnny sums up the culpability for the second goal to a Tee and I wasn't personally trying to slag off Cooper for the sake of it as we have conceded less with him at the back than Lorente but we still look weak in that area.
I watched Man U easily dismantle Forest the night before last with Luke Shaw playing a composed and assured role in the centre of defence and I thought he looked better their than his usual left back position.
All this got me thinking of Firpo and could he be employed in the centre of defence? If not then he surely must be moved on ASAP.
If this new defender we're supposedly on the verge of getting slots in at Left back then Struiyk will surely revert to his preferred position alongside Koch and then Cooper and Lorente in reserve with Cresswell and Hjelda being their potential replacements.
Sort the defence out and we're not a bad side!