Unlike so many of our other big letdowns, when I woke up this morning, I didn’t have that sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. This was because I’ve finally reached an age where my sense of expectation has become so low that I really didn’t allow myself to think that a win was likely. It’s a fact that come the big occasion, more often than not, we fail.
These days, it’s not the failure to get in the Prem that hurts the most, it’s knowing that once more, we’ve failed to fulfill our potential - simply put, we are a Prem club, with non-Prem players.
Despite all this, I do feel confident of going up as champions next year. Whether this is with Farke or not, I believe we’ve now got backers who’ll invest in a decent squad pre-season, with the nightmare of Victor Orta just a distant memory. Hold on to your hats, next season will be one to remember, and one that will wash away the pain of yesterday.
The morning after…
posted on 27/5/24
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
Struijk is a good player highly unrated by a lot of fans. Would have been better at set pieces with him there for a start. Also we wouldn't have had to move Ampadu from midfield. I think a lot are forgetting how good he was in midfield.
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I recall that Pascall scored a few headers back in the day but I also recall a time when we used to get the ball past the first man from corners, hard to believe I know.
posted on 27/5/24
Ayling signed for Boro, 2 year deal. Good for all parties.
posted on 27/5/24
comment by Fred: Mamba Worships at the Altar of Winston (U3979)
posted 4 hours, 59 minutes ago
comment by kammys left foot / mbe (U21862)
posted 8 minutes ago
we just lacked that spark up front, hindsight should've brought joseph & anthony on much earlier
regarding struijk, for me was not that much of a miss, up until that f3cking international break, we were had 1 of the best defences in europe
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In Europe
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statistically
posted on 27/5/24
comment by House (U17162)
posted 5 hours, 3 minutes ago
No you are a championship club
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wow, your intelligence knows no bounds
posted on 27/5/24
...I've got a hangover from hell.
I have a massive feeling of meh. Deep down I knew
we were going to lose. Tried being positive by lying
to myself. I knew it though. We can't have nice things.
Like a few others, will probably take a few weeks off
from here and LUFC in general. Unless something
massive happens. Not holding my breath.
posted on 27/5/24
Absolutely gutted. Even though my early season prediction was for us to miss out on promotion, we still nonetheless had a chance to do it. We imploded after the international break and never recovered. Whether that was down to luck (player injuries), DF ferrucking up, bad January transfer window … I don’t know and most likely never will. Can’t think of next season for a while now. Need a break from all the shiiite.
I’m genuinely sorry for those fans who spent huge amounts of money to be at Wembley (I tried my best too) only for it to finish like this. Yep, got a ferrucking huge hangover today too …
posted on 27/5/24
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 2 hours, 28 minutes ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
Yes good comments Lorra and I too think we can bounce back next season and will be shocked if the 3 promoted clubs survive and maybe as cruel and gutting as defeat was yesterday another season for some of our young players to develop will serve us well into comfortably surviving and consolidating when we do eventually get promoted
Just on the atmosphere, where I was sat, club wembley Bobby Moore stand, corner flag side onto all the Leeds fans behind the east
stand the atmosphere for two thirds of the match was one of the best I've experienced. The lead up to the game, the players coming out the noise was deafening but yes when Southampton scored even my optimistic nature was effected and I think we all sensed it probably wasn't going to be our day.
When Farke finally made a change and brought James on the energy was ramped right up and I think had that shot of James not hit the bar and we'd equalised the roof would have blown off and the aftershock and fervent, wild, raucous passionate Leeds support would have lifted the Leeds players to great heights and score a winner shortly after... I'm almost certain it would have been similar to when we equalised against Leicester at Elland Road.
After reflecting on all of yesterday's events I've come to the conclusion that with the squad of players DF had at his disposal and allowing for the chaotic nature of August last year 90 points is a very good return..... however I think had Martin, McKenna and the Leicester boss had the same players and circumstances to deal with, they would all have got 100 points and that sadly is where Farke stands in this season's campaign.... he was the 4th best manager in the Championship and you could argue the new Shef Wed boss, Rossenior and Robins at Coventry are equal if not better than Farke.
Therefore my conclusion is DF is a very good Championship manager but I think he is limited in many aspects regarding his tactical nous and team selection so if I was the owner this morning I'd seriously consider whether DF is the answer and has a longterm future with Leeds United or do we reset and go again with a McKenna type coach who has massive potential to not only get us promoted but be with us for years to come in the Premier league... Another Wilko or Revie would be ideal but unfortunately they are not easy to come across, Potter you'd think would be snapped up by a EPL club but if not he'd certainly fit the criteria but if not then almost by default possibly Farke will be given until November at least to put a new team together... we shall see.
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the fans hardly came across on tv at all, it gave a very different impression.
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That doesn't surprise me as there were one or two very loud choruses of Sky TV are effing Shyttte and so I think the broadcasting authorities would have been instructed to nullify/mute the Leeds fans but I can honestly say yesterday was one of my most enjoyable experiences as a Leeds supporter despite the result and was very proud the way the fans conducted themselves, gallows humour but no trouble whatsoever.
Also to Rev's point about the American owners being ruthless... yes absolutely and that's why I think it's 50/50 whether Farke is sacked. Leicester and Ipswich seeking new young managers so the likes of Rosenior and
Edwards likely to be snapped leaving The 49ers with not many options and that's why I think unless they could persuade Potter I think the odds are Farke will survive for the time being.
posted on 27/5/24
Gutted but not too disheartened. I knew how Southampton would play if they got in front. Strong defence and took no prisoners when they needed to.
That’s three times they’ve out fought us and it shows that we have some players who cannot handle being pushed about. Gnonto was one that stuck out yesterday. He looked like he wanted subbing as soon as he got his first knock.
I think the big mistake yesterday was not to play three in midfield because the gaps we leave were exploited easily by the Saints.
Evidently they are the possession kings in Europe this season but were prepared to let us have the ball until they found the pass that split us open.
If we can keep our best players and add a couple then I think we will be up there again next season.
posted on 27/5/24
Taking Kamara off was puzzling because as Stoopo has said it was pretty clear after Southampton's goal we needed 3 in midfield and as usual Farke waited far too long to make a change and should have kept Kamara on alongside Gruev and pushed Archie into the middle after Roberts came on with James wide left for Gnonto and Summerville again was another strange sub as it sent out the wrong message to Southampton that our best player and player of the championship was no longer something for them to worry about and psychologically that boosted the opposition and Piroe should have been subbed for Joseph no later than 60 mins but apart from James's effort and one half decent save from the Saints keeper we hardly layed a glove on them.
posted on 27/5/24
comment by A14... 152-0 T20 + Tea was fantastic پا... (U2805)
posted 5 hours, 15 minutes ago
Don’t get all the talk about next season and how we’ll magically go up…..
Whatever team we put out won’t be better than this one. We lost points to the bottom 7 sides when it mattered most - what’s going to change that? We beat Leicester and Ipswich 4 times. The other sheeeets that raise their game against us will still happen.
Must admit I’m not as optimistic as some on here
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Its not about magically going up. Everyone saying they're optimistic provides the caveat of having a decent summer. You say the team won't possibly be better and then highlight that it absolutely could have been.
Reality is that this season has been freakish, unlike most championship seasons ever. Southampton would have been top 2 a fair few seasons, but finished 4th. Us not getting promoted hurts, but it isn't relegation, and there are absolutely things we can build on for next time.
You want ways we can improve? How about having a defence of players playing in their natural positions. At times, Rodon has been the only player in the back four playing where he should be. Shouldn't be that tough to improve on that, I think. Midfield will be fine for next year staying as is, which it almost certainly will.
Attack is a concern, but that's why the caveat of a decent summer is there. Got to back the 49ers to refresh and replace. The transfer success last window was good, so I trust them to get it sorted this time, too.