We have talked a lot about our versatility and pace up front, and the control of Gruev and Kamara in midfield, but yesterday belonged to our back four. Plymouth had scored in every home game since October and Whittaker had 17 goals and 7 assists up till yesterday.
After a dominant half hour, Plymouth came back into it and for 30 minutes on either side of half-time, they took the game to us without creating any clear-cut opportunities. I never thought the words ‘Firpo’ and ‘magnificent’ would ever appear in the same sentence in my lifetime, but his positional play was in that bracket and nothing got past him. As for Archie Gray, the way he controlled that space down their left flank was outstanding. I think they managed one dangerous cross in 90 minutes from that side.
This was a tricky fixture for a lot of reasons - the pitch, the weather, the final match in a fixture pile-up (thanks to the oxymoron that is Sky Sports), the pace, and the determination of a Plymouth team to exact some revenge on us. But we came through with an outstanding defensive performance when, understandably, not all of our players were at their best. Our full-backs, unreservedly, were.
If we get automatic promotion this season, we may look back on this unspectacular win as a display that was as satisfying as any we have achieved so far.
Tight at the back
posted on 18/2/24
Yep that pairing of Rodon and Ampadu is proving a real success. It leaves us a bit short of midfield options and Coops can’t get a look in, but whilst we’re winning, long may it continue (as well as hopefully keeping Rodon, Amps, Gruev and Kamara injury free).
posted on 18/2/24
Thought Rodon had a few difficult moments yesterday, once took the ball way up the pitch and lost it in a position that Plymouth could have developed better and the yellow card was from an error. Has had better games.
Reminded me that he is the only outfield player to see red for us this season, though I didn't think there would be a recurrence.
Will need to be better against Leicester.
posted on 18/2/24
Excellent article Farkeness!
A 5 from me!
posted on 18/2/24
I thought probably like most Leeds fans when Struiyk got injured we'd hopefully be able to manage for a game or two but was worried that if it was anymore than that we'd struggle without a new CB signing in January.
The improvement though since Ampedu and Rodon have been paired together is an absolute revelation and I'd go as far and say it has changed the team's and Ampedu's destiny for the better.
Ampedu for me is at his best at CB now and Leeds already have got a defence that wouldn't look out of place in the EPL even with Firpo who has to be the biggest surprise of all in his improvement this season which has been helped with more regular game time so his match sharpness and fitness are up to scratch and he now looks undroppable at LB and at least at this level he's redeemed some of his very battered reputation.
Then we have to acknowledge the importance of Gruev sitting in front of the defence tidying and breaking everything up, he is another gem in the Farke catalogue of genius finds that none of us knew anything about.
It's easy to get carried away and I accept we are only excelling in the 2nd tier so let's see when we play Chelsea in the cup how good we really are against Premier league opposition and then if we do alright against them then we can get excited.
13 games to go and the business end of the season is upon us when the cream rises to the top and we are in a very strong position to finish the job and get out of this league at the first attempt which we all hoped for but probably most of us expected us to have to be content with a play off place at best.
Farke has put the fun factor back into following Leeds again which although under Bielsa we experienced some beautiful moments for 3 seasons, I think the side Farke has assembled is undoubtedly superior defensively and must be very close to being superior in midfield and attack which bodes well for our return to the EPL which I and many Leeds fans believe will happen this season.
posted on 18/2/24
Agree with this. Rodon & Ampadu have been
outstanding together. I really like Struijk. And he's
improved under Farke. But, can't see him getting
back in first team ATM.
Archie continues to be mental good. Way beyond
his years on the pitch. When he's ready, he looks
to be tailor-made for anchoring our future midfield.
But for now, he's first choice RB.
Biggest surprise for me at least is Firpo. He used
to over commit to attacks leaving us wide open
down the flank. Which also exposed his defending.
I have to give Farke a ton of credit here (coaching)
and Firpo himself: he looks really good now. Calm
as you like in attack and in defensive duties.
Add in Meslier and it's hard to argue that our back
line isn't the best in the division right now.
Then drop in Gruev for good measure, who has
been a revelation in front of our backline. Hope we
avoid any major injury setbacks for all six of them.
If we do, look out Leicester.
Farke remains our best signing. He's done a really
top job bringing the team along. Wish we'd added
more in the window. However, DF seems just fine
about things. So, who the fck am I to grumble.
posted on 18/2/24
Just to add to Batty's and Macca's points, here is Gnonto after yesterday's game. Looks like he is enjoying his football again.
https://video.leedsunited.com/video/dm9kJTdDMF85M3QybnB1aSU3QyUyRnBhZ2UlM0ZzbHVnJTNEaG9tZSU3Q2hvbWUlMkZmZWVk
I have to agree with your comments about Rodon and Ampadu. While those two are fit, our defence is going to be a fortress. They sit in behind Firpo and Archie and cover for any players that get through. They form a bridge with Gruev and Kamara which stifles opposition midfield play, while allowing us to free up our creative players. Gruev-Gray-Gnonto and Firpo-Kamara-Summerville played fast passing triangles through the Plymouth midfield, allowing us to get to their byline with relative ease. Yes, we have pace to burn, but we are also effective in how we use it. And as the two previous posters pointed out, it is Ampadu and Rodon who make that possilbe.
posted on 19/2/24
🤣
posted on 19/2/24
totally agree with this article
posted on 20/2/24
not conceding is the only way forward
in other words clean sheets mean guarantee 1 point
always said clean sheets means positivity from back to front
........or in my wifes words, clean sheets means rumpy pumpy
posted on 20/2/24
comment by kammys left foot / mbe (U21862)
posted 24 minutes ago
not conceding is the only way forward
in other words clean sheets mean guarantee 1 point
always said clean sheets means positivity from back to front
........or in my wifes words, clean sheets means rumpy pumpy
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👍😂