Another match on whilst on court, another recording, but could I avoid the score and get home to watch the recording?
All the usual pre match hype about rivalry and then Eddie and Chopper with the most un-illuminating piece, a forewarning of the really poor itv coverage to come.
We were expecting changes but it showed the strength in the depth that apart from Joseph up top the team looked pretty strong.
Intelligent changes, Roberts Right Back, Cooper's experience at this level allows Ampadu into midfield and Gray playing in more natural position.
Gifted an early goal, but we had been pressuring them, intelligent press to get the chance and Joseph slots that away as cool as you like.
James was hassling them, Anthony grew into game and Ampadu was immense from the start.
Rodon looks assured, Firpo still worries, but start of show from start to finish was Archie Gray.
He was everywhere and pretty much doing everything right every time.
Despite our showing, you always worry that Chelsea will wake up, some quality will show and then they equalise after not having posed too much threat and then going 2-1 down after the commentators going on and on about Mudryk, you feel it might be little too big a job for us.
But Gray became even more influential, Firpo was really positive and Anthony became more and more dangerous.
Joseph was a willing runner and pops up again, right man, right place and suddenly he's just as strong as the rest of this team, he's come of age.
A little bit of luck could have seen him on a hat trick, and maybe some earlier subs and composure could have seen us take the lead but we fell to a sucker punch at the end, just as was looking forward to extra time.
I thought Piroe was a bit of a passenger yesterday and he has to be offering more but otherwise I think Farke got his selection and tactics spot on, I think the players did us all proud and compare this to Cup match v Arsenal a few years ago, this was a more solid and convincing performance.
The only downside (except for defeat) was they disgraceful post match coverage. A lengthy interview with Pochetino, not talking about this match whatsoever, but just about Chelsea this and Chelsea that. Interview with Galllacgher was similar. No interview with Farke, no discussion of the match or Leeds, possibly the worst post match coverage I have ever seen.
Many of us mourn for the Bielsa years and style of play, but I think we have something just as good right now.
We have manager who has brought what he said he will, unity and who is getting something out of the players.
We have players delivering and the style of football is effective, good to watch and you can see that they're enjoying it.
We no longer have these incredibly lengthy injuries that crucified us.
We have some depth in strength that allows us to have great options on the bench.
On a side note, Rutter didnt play and we missed that. He had an awful start to his career at Leeds and I dont think he is worth the 35m yet BUT, he is the most willing of workers, he seems honest, he doesnt go down like an Aaronson and he is always smiling and happy to credit others.
I think he might, just might, go on to be something a bit special for us over the year because of all these attributes.
And finally, was shocking to see the fan fall from the stands, I hope to G-d he's/she's ok.
Thoughts from last night
posted on 1/3/24
Finally, I think, we have moved on from Bielsa. If we get promoted this season, wouldn't it be wonderful to invite Bielsa back to share the moment, so the fans could say a proper farewell to him?
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We’ve moved on but you want to being him back for the party 🙈
posted on 1/3/24
comment by LIW We’re Going Up As f@ck@ing Champions (U8453)
posted 24 minutes ago
Finally, I think, we have moved on from Bielsa. If we get promoted this season, wouldn't it be wonderful to invite Bielsa back to share the moment, so the fans could say a proper farewell to him?
—————————————————
We’ve moved on but you want to being him back for the party 🙈
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe he has just phrased that in an awkward way.
Many fans feel they were never given the opportunity to say goodbye to the man in a way that reflected all that he'd helped the team achieve.
Most of us still love the guy.
The club has moved on but we need to recognise that without the groundwork put in place by Bielsa we wouldn't be where are today, in terms of playing staff but primarily in terms of infrastructure and ethos.
He could be invited back on the basis of those
things, a recognition of what he helped us achieve, the things he put in place to get where we are today, the fact that none of us were given the opportunity to properly say goodbye and the fact he is still loved by so many.
I see no contradiction in that.
Whether he would accept such an invite, I doubt it, like us, he to has moved on.
posted on 1/3/24
comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 13 hours, 19 minutes ago
comment by LeedsMRU (U22367)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Byram is better than Firpo...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting point that, I think Byram is certainly a better defender than Firpo but going forward Firpo is much better and is left footed so that gives him an advantage. We look much better as an attacking force with Firpo on the pitch.
That's why people say Firpo is a Championship level defender because he isn't really called upon to defend much.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree that being left footed is an advantage for Firpo and that he is good going forward. As we are playing just now he does not have a lot of defending to do so his defensive weakness is somewhat hidden.
Byram is a better defender but he is so injury prone he cannot be relied on week in week out.
Maybe use them in a horses for courses way, against better sides use Byram for his defensive capabilities and against weaker sides and at home Firpo.
The best solution would of course be to buy a good quality LB capable of performing top end Championship/PL but how long have we been saying this....
posted on 1/3/24
A thing with inviting Bielsa back, what would Farke think, I'm sure you's doing your jobs wouldn't be to happy about your boss inviting someone before you back for putting in place a better workplace for you!..
It would be nice to invite him back, but it'd be up to Farke to invite him or it might spoil his celebrations!..
posted on 1/3/24
... or make it even more joyous for all the fans who never got to say goodbye to him. Something like a cameo appearance from El Loco, a passing on of the baton, and a farewell.
posted on 1/3/24
comment by tslufc (U12903)
posted 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 13 hours, 19 minutes ago
comment by LeedsMRU (U22367)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Byram is better than Firpo...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting point that, I think Byram is certainly a better defender than Firpo but going forward Firpo is much better and is left footed so that gives him an advantage. We look much better as an attacking force with Firpo on the pitch.
That's why people say Firpo is a Championship level defender because he isn't really called upon to defend much.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree that being left footed is an advantage for Firpo and that he is good going forward. As we are playing just now he does not have a lot of defending to do so his defensive weakness is somewhat hidden.
Byram is a better defender but he is so injury prone he cannot be relied on week in week out.
Maybe use them in a horses for courses way, against better sides use Byram for his defensive capabilities and against weaker sides and at home Firpo.
The best solution would of course be to buy a good quality LB capable of performing top end Championship/PL but how long have we been saying this....
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Leif Davis anyone?
posted on 1/3/24
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by tslufc (U12903)
posted 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 13 hours, 19 minutes ago
comment by LeedsMRU (U22367)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Byram is better than Firpo...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting point that, I think Byram is certainly a better defender than Firpo but going forward Firpo is much better and is left footed so that gives him an advantage. We look much better as an attacking force with Firpo on the pitch.
That's why people say Firpo is a Championship level defender because he isn't really called upon to defend much.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree that being left footed is an advantage for Firpo and that he is good going forward. As we are playing just now he does not have a lot of defending to do so his defensive weakness is somewhat hidden.
Byram is a better defender but he is so injury prone he cannot be relied on week in week out.
Maybe use them in a horses for courses way, against better sides use Byram for his defensive capabilities and against weaker sides and at home Firpo.
The best solution would of course be to buy a good quality LB capable of performing top end Championship/PL but how long have we been saying this....
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Leif Davis anyone?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My only question on him would be….. seen him deliver very well when attacking, but a firpo too ain’t been that bad going forwards.
But I haven’t really seen any evidence Davis is a good left back defender? Anyone else seen this??
posted on 1/3/24
Plenty of Bielsa widows still out there.
posted on 2/3/24
Oh, come on Kebab, just imagine Farke and Bielsa on top of the bus, holding the trophy together. It doesn't get better than that, does it?
posted on 2/3/24
I think we all know Marcelo's modus operandi and it will be 100% Uruguay focused and absolutely nothing else.