Watched Leicester come from behind to comfortable 3-1 win, then a great match between Southampton And Ipswich with Ipswich winning it with the last kick, was wondering what we could deliver.
Very messy start, poor passing, standing off and yet we go 1-0 up after defensive sloppiness from Hull allowing quick reactions from Byram to capitalise.
Rutter really set that up with a good run but after that he was really quiet in this match.
Meslier was taking a lot of time on the ball and was worrying and hull had more and more possession, we were really standing off them.
Kamara wasn't effective at breaking up play and didnt offer a lot going forward.
'
Bamford put himself about but wasn't getting great service, but when he did, had an awful miss just a couple of feet out.
If Hull had a striker on pitch they could have grabbed a few goals, but they had to make do with one goal where they were sharper in our box and the amount of possession they were having, we were lucky they didn't have that striker on pitch.
Firpo was exposed a lot defensively today, Rodon usual solid self, Ampadu was ok, I think it was lightweight midfield that put them under so much pressure.
Was crying out for change at half time but the bench didnt offer a lot of alternatives, but I would have brought Joseph on for Bamford at half time. He didnt come on till 70th minute or so, but nearly grabbed a goal, hitting the post and we needed his hunger it just spurred us on enough to try and get back into this match.
Summerville wasn't that effective, until the end, his typical run into box, drew a foul and ref, who had got it right all night, got it right with this one, penalty.
Was sure it was going to be Piroe taking that and was worried with teh arguing then who would take it.
Cool as you like under pressure, Summerville rolls it in, a lead where it seemed highly unlikely a few minutes before and surely we can hold on.
With 7 additional minutes we were hanging on with a minute to go, but hull just lacked clinical touch and then with their keeper committed, m ball released to James and oh my G-d what a brilliantly taken long range strike from a player who must really be enjoying this season after some ups and downs with us. I think of a lot of us, myself included felt he didn't have the technique, the end product if you like, well off me he showed he has it tonight!
Dan James very humble post match but he's been as much of a reason as anyone as to why we are right at top of league.
A lot of people slated Cooper as reason for our poor showing at Watford, but it wasnt that dissimilar tonight, we didnt look like we wanted it, stood off, forward line not effective, it's not down to Cooper.
Many cited gruels absence being the reason, I'm not sure, we certainly didnt have anyone tackling like him in teh middle but for me, the big difference in last 2 matches was the lack of contribution from Rutter.
He was magical in build up for our first goal but did little else and I think we're really missing the amount of contribution he makes.
Make no mistake, we played poorly, really poorly and maybe got something we didn't necessarily deserve, we have to step up the performances now and who knows maybe those late 2 goals might be crucial if we're going to goal difference.
Finally, well done referee Josh Martin for allowing a pause in game to allow tribute to be paid to Chris and Kev.
Thoughts from tonight
posted on 4/4/24
On another topic - how are Leicester not on a points penalty by now? Their losses are horrendous and in my opinion penalties should carry over to whatever league a team is in. They lost £89m last season so have obviously benefitted from that in the Championship. They simply have better players due to their overspending.
posted on 4/4/24
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 2 hours, 46 minutes ago
comment by The heart of Farkeness (U19827)
posted 2 days, 1 hour ago
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 4 hours, 12 minutes ago
Just watched brief highlights. Yes Bamford’s miss was poor from him but Joseph’s miss was just as poor.
As for “lightweight midfield” do you see anything in Gruv yet? Just wondered since he’s been out the last two games and our midfield has been second best for large parts of both games.
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How can you say that, Stoopo? That ball was on a plat for Bamford. He was two yards out, unchallenged, and he put it over the bar. Joseph actually checked his run to make himself available for the pass. There were two players on him and he was unlucky to hit the post.
Chalk and cheese, Stoopo, one of them is a striker and the other one is Bamford.
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A decent striker, on a good day, scores with both those chances 9 times out of 10.
Coming on with 10/15 minutes left when their defenders are starting to tire is much easier for any striker worth his salt.
It’s obvious I’m a Bamford fan and I look at his game quite a lot. His movement is usually excellent and he creates spaces for others to score. He chases down defenders and that goes a long way to tiring them over 90 mins.
For me he is probably just about past his best now and I’d have no issues with trying Joseph - but I think Farke will stick with PB because he knows how much work he does for the team. Plus, to be fair, our run since the New Year has coincided with Bamford coming back into the team - as well as Gruev replacing our new left sided centre back, Ampadu.
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One day I hope to wake up to the News that Bamford has left the club and the club is showing more ambition to sign a more dynamic goal scoring striker.
Bamford in my opinion is a bang average player, too much indulged in and much high maintenance.
To read the above comments you would think Bamford had taken out a patent on creating space, chases down defenders and tiring them out, makes chances for others, WOW
Shouldn’t that be the least he should be doing?
Every player in the team should be making space for their teammates….personally I expect much more from a striker playing for Leeds!
Bamford is one of the least conspicuous strikers I’ve ever seen play for Leeds….he lacks aggression (he’s no Joe Jordan, Mark Viduka, Alan Smith or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is he!,)
He’s never been value for money, prone to injuries and missing chances that other players make for him…I think Leeds fans are far too indulgent with this guy, to me it shows a lack of ambition for the club….other brands are available, as they say.
I don’t know if Joseph will succeed in making 1st choice striker…he reminds me of Joe Jordan at this early stage of his career….when he came on against Hull the difference to plodder Bamford was apparent to me…speed and aggression, at last!
I hope this young guy is given a chance to succeed.
posted on 4/4/24
"I hope this young guy is given a chance to succeed."
For me Joseph should be starting the next game, he started and showed against Chelsea what he can, and the shot onto the post last game was very unlucky!..
We have a lot of youngsters in the team that have been given their chance and are doing great, no reason why he couldn't do the same if given the chance!..
posted on 4/4/24
Agree 100% NJS.
posted on 4/4/24
I do agree with Farke that on balance I wouldn't start
Joseph over Bamford. Too much pressure on a young player. However, this shows how pi zz poor our striker
recruitment's been that we still have to start Bamford.
posted on 4/4/24
If you're good enough, you're old enough, so they say!..
Milner scored oddly enough for us also against Chelsea but on his debut, he was 16!..
Gray started at 17 and is 3yrs younger than Joseph!..
Our all time top scorer started when he was 15!..
I know what the pressure is, but I've seen no signs of it when Joseph plays!..
posted on 5/4/24
So Farke starts Joseph and we lose against Coventry?
Farke gets blamed for changing a team that hasn’t lost this year (with Bamford in it).
Fickle fans then slag off Farke and Joseph (and some will still find a way to blame PB 😏).
Hypothetical but you get my drift.
posted on 5/4/24
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
So Farke starts Joseph and we lose against Coventry?
Farke gets blamed for changing a team that hasn’t lost this year (with Bamford in it).
Fickle fans then slag off Farke and Joseph (and some will still find a way to blame PB 😏).
Hypothetical but you get my drift.
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Thank you Nostadramus ….no I really do not get your drift!
posted on 5/4/24
comment by NJS (U8272)
posted 4 hours, 23 minutes ago
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
So Farke starts Joseph and we lose against Coventry?
Farke gets blamed for changing a team that hasn’t lost this year (with Bamford in it).
Fickle fans then slag off Farke and Joseph (and some will still find a way to blame PB 😏).
Hypothetical but you get my drift.
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Thank you Nostadramus ….no I really do not get your drift!
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The drift is that the negative fans (and you know who they are) will always find someone.to blame when we lose.
Usually it’s Bamford or Cooper and will definitely be Farke if he gets it wriong!
posted on 5/4/24
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by NJS (U8272)
posted 4 hours, 23 minutes ago
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
So Farke starts Joseph and we lose against Coventry?
Farke gets blamed for changing a team that hasn’t lost this year (with Bamford in it).
Fickle fans then slag off Farke and Joseph (and some will still find a way to blame PB 😏).
Hypothetical but you get my drift.
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Thank you Nostadramus ….no I really do not get your drift!
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The drift is that the negative fans (and you know who they are) will always find someone.to blame when we lose.
Usually it’s Bamford or Cooper and will definitely be Farke if he gets it wriong!
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Ultimately it's DF who sees them training, views who is best to fit the formation he's using - not done bad with it, including PB, since the new year. Who he decides to start with I'll leave to him. I actually would go with MJ myself, I get the notion some have about him getting the start.
But PB does a lot off the ball that helps the side. He missed a howler for sure, i actually thought he had a pretty poor game against Hull. I also tend to agree he's maybe on borrowed time, we certainly need an upgrade if/when promoted.
I think the side has been off it the last 2 matches, but that's because of issues across the team, not just individuals. Still unbeaten. Happy days.
Need a good performance tomorrow again, Coventry won't be easy.