After the heroics of the weekend, that was always going to be a hard act to follow, but we showed magnificent character and passion tonight. Much has been said about the players, but the one individual who deserves so much praise is Farke.
His interview was a flawless performance in which he acknowledged the opposition and accepted defeat honorably. His response to Bryn's question about extra time (at 2.30) is all about his love of football. Of course he wanted it, of course the players wanted it! This is what they play the game for. Forget the money and the strategy, what really matters is winning games and giving the fans great memories.
For all the nostalgia of the 'rivalry' between these two clubs, the result is not going to count, or be remembered , in the way the Leicester game will be. But Joseph's arrival into the team and Farke's interview were the highlights for me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYqKql8C82k&ab_channel=LeedsUnitedOfficial
Highlights from tonight
posted on 29/2/24
Grugh - thick head this morning!
Can only agree regarding Daniel Farke - what a bloke, honestly! I'm feeling very confident in his leadership both on and off the field.
Mateo Joseph also gave a good interview. Don't know that much about him but he knows where the net is and is now pushing Bamford and Piroe, which will be good for them too.
Conor Roberts did well from the sound of things, which frees up the amazing Archie Gray to play more in midfield - although this means more rotation for Kamara and Gruev.
Not that bothered about the Cup, although it bugs me like hell that it had to be Gallagher/Chelsea. We acquitted ourselves admirably so there was no check on our momentum last night, despite a defeat.
That was a bit fantasy football last night - back to the sharp end of the business on Saturday lunchtime, huh?
posted on 29/2/24
Looked the better team most of the game.
Pretty comfortable evening.
posted on 29/2/24
comment by montleeds (U18330)
posted 18 minutes ago
Looked the better team most of the game.
Pretty comfortable evening.
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Looked at a lot of the nationals, they agree Mont.
My views are that we were playing with ten men again and regardless of whether we go up or not we've got to dump the god awful Piroe.
The first goal was collective errors and entirely avoidable, given away initially by the aforementioned hapless Piroe, then woefully defended by a Firpo/Cooper combo and finally it perhaps should have been saved by Meslier.
From that point on, I felt Chelsea edged the first half and probably deserved to be in front. The second goal was slick, showed their class and we can attach no blame to any of our players.
From the start of the 2nd half we were comfortably the better team, the ITV commentary teams, completely missed this fact, they were oozing on about this Chelsea player and that Chelsea player and failed to see the fact we were out passing them and were sharper to the ball and tackle. Their research was so poor that they said at one point Joseph was brought up in England, he wasn't (by the way don't trust wiki for your research on this either, it says his mother is Spanish and father English of Trinidadian descent at one point and then later says his father is Spanish and mother English, very confusing for the boy).
Meslier had little to do in the 2nd half with Sanchez the busier keeper, until the goal that is.
I thought, like others, Archie, Mateo and Jaidon had good games. I understand the subs but I felt they upset the rhythm of the team and were unnecessary.
One more point is, I wonder whether Cree needs to rest he hasn't look the same player to me over the last few games, he has played a lot of minutes.
posted on 29/2/24
One more point is, I wonder whether Cree needs to rest he hasn't look the same player to me over the last few games, he has played a lot of minutes.
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Which games ??
Looked lively when he came on last night, never got a pass in Leicester game.
We played better last night than we did against Leicester.
Points for me.
Piroe can never be played up front, Joseph showed more as a number 9 than Piroe has ever showed. Still got a part to play though, goals are in him.
Gray got to be played in centre midfield soon.
Squad has real quailty and depth. Perfect size
Rodon came back to his very best.
posted on 29/2/24
I thought the whole team did their job last night, they showed that they can mix it, and showed why they're up there with the top teams in our division!..
Gray, its been said lots of times so once more won't hurt, what a feckin player!..
Joseph, another gem, another we have to be careful with because you've seen how he's played in the few minutes he's had with us, but he got what he's come close to getting a few times in those game, he got on the score sheet, well done and well played!..
James, if he'd got that volly what he sent into the Emirates right what a goal that would have been, how did he miss that, to young and inexperienced?..
Or to old and slow?.
All in all, a great game and nothing to cry over, we can watch and hopefully make it right in the upcoming fixtures!..
posted on 29/2/24
Which games ??
Looked lively when he came on last night, never got a pass in Leicester game.
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Plymouth wasn't his best game then hardly in the game at all against Leicester, as you say, does he need to receive a pass to be influential or does he need to get himself involved.
Did you notice him running with the ball straight into the middle of a lot of defenders.
Personally, I think his form just seems to have dipped a bit. Not as influential.
All players have the occasional dip in form he has set a high bar this season and it's a busy schedule.
posted on 29/2/24
Archie has done well at RB, but this lad is a creative midfielder.
Thought Anthony was a handful going forward.
I had the strange feeling of being upbeat despite the loss.
posted on 29/2/24
I had the strange feeling of being upbeat despite the loss.
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You're not alone!
posted on 29/2/24
With the exception of the Chelsea web-site everywhere I've read says we were the better side. Even the normally Londoncentric and partisan Evening Standard said we bossed the second half.
That must have a positive impact on team morale despite the loss.
posted on 29/2/24
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 5 hours, 38 minutes ago
I had the strange feeling of being upbeat despite the loss.
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You're not alone!
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Same here...