Window closed, as full a squad as we're going to get and a home match that we hope to take 3 points from.
Injury to James gives a chance for Solomon to start.
To be honest was a forgettable fist half.
No real threat up top from us, Joseph getting very little service, Aaronson looking lightweight, Gnonto busy with little end product and Ampadu having to work hard, we laboured to look cohesive and Liam Miler's name seemed to be the one we heard the most.
Meslier looks very shaky this season, poor pass out putting Ampadu under pressure, but also looks really sharp, great coming out to snuff out attack, but overall seem to lack a feeling of confidence back there.
Second half, everything seemed to flow a bit more and some more incisive passing.
Solomon had looked busy on the left and after a poor imitation of Summerville then delivers the perfect cross for Joseph to make it 1-0, great way to debut for the club and great for Joseph to get off the mark.
Joseph has pace and awareness, but not quite holding the ball up enough so far, hope this is a catalyst to elevate game now.
Gnonto was seeing more of the ball too and a couple of times received great passed from Aarsonson for example, but was offside, but the potential is there and some of the counter attacking build up was promising.
Hull felt like they could threaten, but never really did, and after Piroe and Largie came on, we looked a bit more threatening and then nice work out of defence sees brilliant ball from Firpo reminiscent of Bielsa days to set up Piroe who wont miss from set ups like that.
Byram on for Bogle, who is very workmanlike and Rothwell on for 5 minutes, but the three points were in the bag, game time for Solomon, Largie and Tanaka was valuable and 3 points where I had started to worry that we would just get 1 made me think of days when we vied with Norwich for promotion and they were always matching our results late on, perhaps this is a Farke trademark, laboured first half, always wining it in second half...I can live with that as we move up to 4th.
Thoughts from today
posted on 1/9/24
I share your view on Meslier, Dennis.
At some point soon, we'll need a proper upgrade at GK.
We've done it at the #9.
posted on 1/9/24
comment by Dennis. (U23086)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by LeedsFanFor50Years (U6871)
posted 16 hours, 4 minutes ago
I’ve got a generally dim view of Meslier, but (ignoring the two dodgy passes) I thought he had his best game for ages today. Incredible reactions and a strong hand for the save of the powerful shot early on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
the problem is that people make assessments on saves, yes he made one save but the rest of his all round play was awful. Try to look deeper, look at his distribution, his ball to feet, look at his command of the area, look at his relationship with the rest of the defensive group, look at how his mistakes impact those around him and how they respond to him, Ampadu and Rodon were both screaming at him yesterday, Rodon makes errors because he doesn't trust him. Too many basic issues and he never irons them out.
A goalkeeper's role isn't just about making saves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not gonna say you're wrong, cos those comments are clearly what YOU see.
Have to say I, personally, don't see the same.
I see that he probably saved 2 goals.
He wasn't perfect for the rest of the game, agree, but neither was the defence collectively.
But those imperfections collectively didnt look like creating a two goal risk level, nothing near it.
Thats why some comments appear to someone with my perception, as being of a negative personal bias, irrespective of performances like yesterday.
posted on 1/9/24
Looking at Meslier's girlfriend I suspect his mind is on other things....Lucky blighter!
posted on 1/9/24
And although some people don't like these Xg stats, as a general measure it's interesting that Leeds have faced just 0.94 xG in open play in the Championship in four games this season, the fewest of any EFL side so far in 2024-25.
And, Leeds have more league clean sheets than any other EFL side in 2024-25 (three in four games).
So, irrespective of what we individually think of Meslier, Rodon, Strujk, Bogle or Firpo, from a defensive perspective, they must be doing something right ....
.
.
.
.....so far 😬
posted on 1/9/24
So, irrespective of what we individually think of Meslier, Rodon, Strujk, Bogle or Firpo, from a defensive perspective, they must be doing something right ....
^^^
Yep.
However,
I think it's more about...
Rodon, Strujk, Bogle and Firpo
than it is Meslier.
So
well done
Rodon, Strujk, Bogle and Firpo
posted on 1/9/24
comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 4 hours, 58 minutes ago
comment by Dennis. (U23086)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by LeedsFanFor50Years (U6871)
posted 16 hours, 4 minutes ago
I’ve got a generally dim view of Meslier, but (ignoring the two dodgy passes) I thought he had his best game for ages today. Incredible reactions and a strong hand for the save of the powerful shot early on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
the problem is that people make assessments on saves, yes he made one save but the rest of his all round play was awful. Try to look deeper, look at his distribution, his ball to feet, look at his command of the area, look at his relationship with the rest of the defensive group, look at how his mistakes impact those around him and how they respond to him, Ampadu and Rodon were both screaming at him yesterday, Rodon makes errors because he doesn't trust him. Too many basic issues and he never irons them out.
A goalkeeper's role isn't just about making saves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not gonna say you're wrong, cos those comments are clearly what YOU see.
Have to say I, personally, don't see the same.
I see that he probably saved 2 goals.
He wasn't perfect for the rest of the game, agree, but neither was the defence collectively.
But those imperfections collectively didnt look like creating a two goal risk level, nothing near it.
Thats why some comments appear to someone with my perception, as being of a negative personal bias, irrespective of performances like yesterday.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not just my perspective but the stats back me up. Goals conceded are one thing and his defence bailed him out big time last season, but he rates 33rd of all keepers used last season.
I'm not sure what other people are seeing.
https://fbref.com/en/comps/10/2023-2024/keepers/2023-2024-Championship-Stats
posted on 1/9/24
Dennis
When you try to be clever and start using stats, to back up your view, its a good idea to actually understand stats, you absolute melt.
He’s 33 on that list because its in alphabetical order 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈ðŸ˜ðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ™ˆðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦ðŸ¤¦
posted on 2/9/24
Ooops.
Maybe this might help
https://everybodysoccer.com/even-the-goalkeepers-like-to/2021/1/9/the-worlds-top-24-goalkeepers-under-24
posted on 2/9/24
comment by Batty (U4664)
posted 21 hours, 7 minutes ago
So, irrespective of what we individually think of Meslier, Rodon, Strujk, Bogle or Firpo, from a defensive perspective, they must be doing something right ....
^^^
Yep.
However,
I think it's more about...
Rodon, Strujk, Bogle and Firpo
than it is Meslier.
So
well done
Rodon, Strujk, Bogle and Firpo
----------------------------------------------------------------------
None of those made that fabulous save first half.
posted on 2/9/24
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by Batty (U4664)
posted 21 hours, 7 minutes ago
So, irrespective of what we individually think of Meslier, Rodon, Strujk, Bogle or Firpo, from a defensive perspective, they must be doing something right ....
^^^
Yep.
However,
I think it's more about...
Rodon, Strujk, Bogle and Firpo
than it is Meslier.
So
well done
Rodon, Strujk, Bogle and Firpo
----------------------------------------------------------------------
None of those made that fabulous save first half.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Was a nice save…but what about the no call by the ref for the foul on Rodon. Decisions like that can change the course of the game, so even more important Meslier saves it.