Thought it would end up 4-0 after that early goal.
Liverpool supporting friends/family messaging me saying they are shocked at how good Leeds are, I don’t know where these people have been, we’ve been playing like that for 2 years and playing much better to be fair, the CB pairing was not good enough for premier league. We need another one for when Cooper is injured.
comment by Wetherby White (U6810)
posted 1 minute ago
Thought it would end up 4-0 after that early goal.
Liverpool supporting friends/family messaging me saying they are shocked at how good Leeds are, I don’t know where these people have been, we’ve been playing like that for 2 years and playing much better to be fair, the CB pairing was not good enough for premier league. We need another one for when Cooper is injured.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly, felt like Barcelona Champions League match many moons ago, but all the people amazed at the Leeds performance clearly not watched us over last 2 years, not least that first half v Arsenal in FA Cup.
Have to say whilst I’m still heart broken and so proud to be a Leeds fan!
Said before the game let’s at least throw some shots at the heavy weight champ, stay on your feet and make it difficult for them.. bloody their nose and make em feel like they’ve been in a fight.
We did!! I could almost cry with pride!
Tbf, there’s probably not many PL team supporters who watch the championship, I certainly don’t have time for that! So I was pleasantly surprised, not necessarily at how well they played but their approach to the game. It made for one of the best games I’ve seen in quite a while and you couldn’t be blamed for being disappointed in not getting a draw. Though as you said, we did have a lot more attempts than yourselves.
Though I would have one concern, you basically scored with every shot on target and that obviously isn’t going to happen every game. Which means you will have to tighten it up at the back. I suspect some of it could of been nerves and the pressure of playing Liverpool first game, with Salah looking back to his best.
I think Costa looked your stand out player, looked very much in place at this level and caused us all sorts of problems. Hopefully he’ll help you when you inevitably come up against the less attacking sides....
I think your assessment of the game is largely how i saw it Jonty. I think we have to give a lot of slack to koch/struijk, they've barely met and struijk is so inexperienced. You don't get bigger on the 'baptism of fire' scale than meeting the liverpool front three. Both grew into the game and did some good stuff.
Not many people including Souness watch championship football. Squad size? Burn out? It's the discussion every year with Bielsa but we have fewer games this season (albeit, compressed to shorter season).
As for whether we played well or not? They press and harry like we do, so they made it difficult for us.
Biggest takeaways for me?
1. Positive? Good performances and goals for the front 3 - i didn't know where our goals would come from this season so to see 2 of them score and the other have a positive performance will do them all a power of good from a confidence perspective.
2. Set pieces. Not every side has Liverpool's quality of delivery or a lump like VVD to target but we were shambolic. Every other team will have watched with interest. We need to sort this out pronto because for all Liverpool's pretty play, the goals were all cheap and they could have had more from corners/free kicks.
The thing that struck me was just how much space we had to play in. Obviously so did Liverpool and they hurt us, but after 2 years of playing against packed defences, it was refreshing to see us have space to run into. A lot of the talk was about how Leeds' style would work in the PL but it actually could prove to be more effective as we won't come up against many sides just content to defend.
Another thing was the lack of cynical fouls. Maybe just the one off game as it does happen at this level too, but every time we counter attacked, I expected someone to swipe Klich or Costa's legs and take the yellow card.
Whatever happens, this is going to fun.
Well, in terms of this game making any contribution to the 40 points (min) we need to stay up this season, I didn't expect to get anything so no harm done there.
On the contrary, I strongly believe most of the players will have received such a confidence boost and I'm so proud of us this morning. Sure, Koch needs to settle in quickly and Rodrigo's demeanour says he doesn't yet feel part of the team - both issues eminently solvable - but I feel good about our chances to, at least, stay up this season. That will do for me first season back. 🏆💙
I was not surprised as I am a big Bielsa follower since the 90's from a coaching viewpoint.
His style of rotation, movement off the ball
creating numerical advantages in the centre area and on the flanks are his trademarks.
I thought we could have scored more if we made the right decisions. We didnt cut the passing lane to Philips who created the first goal with the long ball to Harrison.
A bit of context lads. That Liverpool team have played together for 3 years, our back 4 was put together at 48 hours notice. We will improve for sure. Probably highlighted the need for another CB in the squad though... if we can get a no10 in and get a solid defender too, we won’t have many issues.
Thought Leeds played well, however....here's a warning fellas. Don't judge how well leeds will play for the rest of the season against that one game. Our defence was absolutely woeful, I have no idea why TAA and VVD were so poor or the back line was so constantly out of shape, that is without doubt defensively the worst I have seen liverpool for about 2 years...and while I would like to say it was down to leeds I am afraid it wasn't, you made it hard for us yes and you played well yes; but we were awful defensively and I think this week Klopp wI'll be all about team shape and a straight back line.
Best of luck for the season and let's hope we both batter the mancs
Thought Struijk did quite well tbh. No excuses but context is needed. We’ve just started our first PL game for 16 years away at probably the best club in Europe who are invincible at home with a 20 year old in goal with half a season experience, a 20 year defender whose started about 3 games and a new lad whose nowhere near Bielsa educated.
Losing the captain was a huge blow.
Thought the full backs were good. My concern at left back is Dallas has to cut inside which can slow a move. Feel like we should have Ayling and Dallas fighting RB and a quality LB
Klich was superb. Was everywhere. Reminded me of his first half year under Bielsa
Wasn’t the sort of game for Pablo tbh. Costa and Bamford May surprise a few this season. Another year under Bielsa may work wonders for Costa who when he has the ball and is running at pace looks an absolute machine
H Costa shouldn't suprise anyone tbf, we all watched him play with Wolves and know what he can do. Pacy tricky player, should do well for you
Good analysis Jonty. Only thing I would add is that like last season we lost a bit of something when Bamford went off. Yes we still got the third goal (and what a goal too) from Klich but Rodrigo didn’t bring much to the party other than giving away that penalty.
However I expect he and Koch to get better as they settle in - plus we have our captain to come back.
Felt for Koch as the first penalty was wrongly awarded according to the rules. Sheet happens though but I thought VAR was supposed to eradicate ref mistakes?
Great game and I’m sure we can produce even more as the lads settle into the PL.
was it we lost something when bamford went off or when klich went off? Maybe both. It's not uncommon for us to lose direction after our subs but fatigue comes into it too i think - and in this case a quality opponent looking for a winner
I thought pascal, was good.
Koch was shocking first half, but he’s quicker than I thought he would be.
Overall, we played well, should have got something from the game but you can’t defend as bad as we did
Well, I am ecstatic this morning that this team has come away from Anfield on the opening day of the season not only not getting absolutely hammered but in fact giving a great account of ourselves in front of the world.
No points but the spirit with which we played the game has won nothing but applause.
Koch and Struijk did exceptionally well, under the circumstances. I thought Koch really showed enormous character - both the penalty and the VVD header could have sunk him but he gritted his teeth and held it together - we survived a lot of chances last night. Credit to Meslier too who couldn't have done anything about any of the goals, pulled off a wonderful save and generally looked quite solid.
Also credit to Bamford, Harrison and Klich who all scored beautiful goals.
Got to remember too that Salah is a truly brilliant striker who only scored one from open play, that VVD cost more than the entire Leeds team, and that Liverpool ran away with the title last season.
No points from this one - I wasn't expecting any - but we did ourselves proud last night. This story is just getting better and better.
We must beat Fulham next week
Thought we caught Liverpool flat footed. It felt like a pre season game where both sides look disjointed. Thought we looked perfectly at home against premier league opposition and im immensely proud of the team.
Criticism has to be aimed at recruitment once again. If we'd have had 2 more settled/experienced centre backs, we'd have won yesterday. Going into a game with 1 fot senior CB who hasn't played in a Leeds shirt before was pretty ridiculous, we had 8 weeks to sign a Tanzuabe, Holding, Foyth or a championship centre back for cover.
Must be Fulham now, no point playing well and making friends unless we beat our rival sides.
Wow where to start. What pleased me most was after a ropey first 5 minutes and the early penalty we settled into the game and started imposing our game on Liverpool taking advantage of their high line and at times casual defending.
We got punished on set pieces and a dominant VVD. A real baptism of fire for both centre backs. It was tough for them but they showed character to keep going and keep playing the ball out.
Klich was magnificent and just keeps on improving his game.
Costa was dangerous and thrived on some of the space he got and showed good quality with his final ball.
Bamford. He's another that is going to benefit from working with Bielsa for a third season. Shame he didn't take his shot early on the chance he missed but he learned form it and put away the chance later on. Made some excellent runs and made space. Bamford staked a great claim for keeping the no 9 shirt on this showing.
A difficult opener for Rodrigo and you could tell from his face he knew he had messed up on the penalty concession. I am sure he'll put that behind him and we may see him start vs Hull to get more valuable minutes under his belt.
Need to be tight at the back against Fulham and no free gifts but play with that same energy going forward and put away the chances when they come.
Let's also not forget we have not finished our recruitment and have some exciting under 23s who will want to get in on the act later in the season.
Got to take positives from the way we got to Liverpool I feel we will be able to protect the defence better than that against most opponents but need to work hard on eradicating some of the mistakes on set pieces.
very pleased this morning. had a little doubt before the game and after the penalty which i thought was fair, but we grew into the game and costa and harrison showed to me that they will be able to make the transition to the pl. bamford will need help but i always have faith in him. much better than a lot of our own fans think.
GB, taa and vvd had a tough game at times because we made it tough for them not because they had some fluke bad game.
i wont change my opinion on how we'll do this year based on one game, still think we can finish mid table.
it will be the same as with every team we'll have to get lucky with injuries. on to fulham who looked ok at times against arsenal yesterday despite losing 3-0.
Defence is a massive concern, going to get destroyed by a lot of teams.
comment by Lowfields73 (U21886)
posted 8 minutes ago
Defence is a massive concern, going to get destroyed by a lot of teams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
yeah because our first time duo at cb isn't going to improve. you do know we were playing last year's champions or did you only watch campionship.
Gutted to not take a point and while we played great we need to get points at Fulham on Saturday.
Overall, not sure what more messlier could have done on the penalties, shame really that for his first game in the premiershil he has four put past him.
Defense wise we missed cooper, however the new lads did well enough, being thrown into it against the best team in the league was never going to be easy. First penalty could have gone either way really, had it not been given people would be saying he couldn't move his hands out of the way so it shouldn't have been given. Ref has the ability to justify it either way but gave the penalty, no complaints about that really.
Ayling was ace, know he is knocking on 30 but if phillips deserves a call up then so does he.
Dallas was Dallas, can't say anything more than that, gteat player who has shown he can step up.
Phillips - what a ball for the first goal, anyone questioning why he was in the England setup should look at that and understand why now.
Two great goals from harrison and klitch. Both had great games to boot. Pablo didn't look 35 which is encouraging. Cant fault costa either, he looked great.
So glad bamford got a goal, he needed it and hopefully he can continue to score goals.
Feels odd to conceed four goals but then also see so many positives.
Also we had more possession then liverpool at their home ground, that in itself is a gteat stat
In all honesty who expected anything from this match? What we got was an energising, committed and entertaining performance which, shocked people who haven’t seen us. Yes, the defence was wobbly, but look at their front three, who are a different level. We would all love a bit more depth, but it’s not really Bielsa’s way. My gut feeling is we are going to be fine, some bumps on the way, but what a ride it’s going to be, not many will pack defences, so we will always be in there swinging. Bring on the next one!
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Thoughts from last night
Page 1 of 2
posted on 13/9/20
Thought it would end up 4-0 after that early goal.
Liverpool supporting friends/family messaging me saying they are shocked at how good Leeds are, I don’t know where these people have been, we’ve been playing like that for 2 years and playing much better to be fair, the CB pairing was not good enough for premier league. We need another one for when Cooper is injured.
posted on 13/9/20
comment by Wetherby White (U6810)
posted 1 minute ago
Thought it would end up 4-0 after that early goal.
Liverpool supporting friends/family messaging me saying they are shocked at how good Leeds are, I don’t know where these people have been, we’ve been playing like that for 2 years and playing much better to be fair, the CB pairing was not good enough for premier league. We need another one for when Cooper is injured.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly, felt like Barcelona Champions League match many moons ago, but all the people amazed at the Leeds performance clearly not watched us over last 2 years, not least that first half v Arsenal in FA Cup.
posted on 13/9/20
Have to say whilst I’m still heart broken and so proud to be a Leeds fan!
Said before the game let’s at least throw some shots at the heavy weight champ, stay on your feet and make it difficult for them.. bloody their nose and make em feel like they’ve been in a fight.
We did!! I could almost cry with pride!
posted on 13/9/20
Tbf, there’s probably not many PL team supporters who watch the championship, I certainly don’t have time for that! So I was pleasantly surprised, not necessarily at how well they played but their approach to the game. It made for one of the best games I’ve seen in quite a while and you couldn’t be blamed for being disappointed in not getting a draw. Though as you said, we did have a lot more attempts than yourselves.
Though I would have one concern, you basically scored with every shot on target and that obviously isn’t going to happen every game. Which means you will have to tighten it up at the back. I suspect some of it could of been nerves and the pressure of playing Liverpool first game, with Salah looking back to his best.
I think Costa looked your stand out player, looked very much in place at this level and caused us all sorts of problems. Hopefully he’ll help you when you inevitably come up against the less attacking sides....
posted on 13/9/20
I think your assessment of the game is largely how i saw it Jonty. I think we have to give a lot of slack to koch/struijk, they've barely met and struijk is so inexperienced. You don't get bigger on the 'baptism of fire' scale than meeting the liverpool front three. Both grew into the game and did some good stuff.
Not many people including Souness watch championship football. Squad size? Burn out? It's the discussion every year with Bielsa but we have fewer games this season (albeit, compressed to shorter season).
As for whether we played well or not? They press and harry like we do, so they made it difficult for us.
Biggest takeaways for me?
1. Positive? Good performances and goals for the front 3 - i didn't know where our goals would come from this season so to see 2 of them score and the other have a positive performance will do them all a power of good from a confidence perspective.
2. Set pieces. Not every side has Liverpool's quality of delivery or a lump like VVD to target but we were shambolic. Every other team will have watched with interest. We need to sort this out pronto because for all Liverpool's pretty play, the goals were all cheap and they could have had more from corners/free kicks.
posted on 13/9/20
The thing that struck me was just how much space we had to play in. Obviously so did Liverpool and they hurt us, but after 2 years of playing against packed defences, it was refreshing to see us have space to run into. A lot of the talk was about how Leeds' style would work in the PL but it actually could prove to be more effective as we won't come up against many sides just content to defend.
Another thing was the lack of cynical fouls. Maybe just the one off game as it does happen at this level too, but every time we counter attacked, I expected someone to swipe Klich or Costa's legs and take the yellow card.
Whatever happens, this is going to fun.
posted on 13/9/20
Well, in terms of this game making any contribution to the 40 points (min) we need to stay up this season, I didn't expect to get anything so no harm done there.
On the contrary, I strongly believe most of the players will have received such a confidence boost and I'm so proud of us this morning. Sure, Koch needs to settle in quickly and Rodrigo's demeanour says he doesn't yet feel part of the team - both issues eminently solvable - but I feel good about our chances to, at least, stay up this season. That will do for me first season back. 🏆💙
posted on 13/9/20
I was not surprised as I am a big Bielsa follower since the 90's from a coaching viewpoint.
His style of rotation, movement off the ball
creating numerical advantages in the centre area and on the flanks are his trademarks.
I thought we could have scored more if we made the right decisions. We didnt cut the passing lane to Philips who created the first goal with the long ball to Harrison.
posted on 13/9/20
A bit of context lads. That Liverpool team have played together for 3 years, our back 4 was put together at 48 hours notice. We will improve for sure. Probably highlighted the need for another CB in the squad though... if we can get a no10 in and get a solid defender too, we won’t have many issues.
posted on 13/9/20
Thought Leeds played well, however....here's a warning fellas. Don't judge how well leeds will play for the rest of the season against that one game. Our defence was absolutely woeful, I have no idea why TAA and VVD were so poor or the back line was so constantly out of shape, that is without doubt defensively the worst I have seen liverpool for about 2 years...and while I would like to say it was down to leeds I am afraid it wasn't, you made it hard for us yes and you played well yes; but we were awful defensively and I think this week Klopp wI'll be all about team shape and a straight back line.
Best of luck for the season and let's hope we both batter the mancs
posted on 13/9/20
Thought Struijk did quite well tbh. No excuses but context is needed. We’ve just started our first PL game for 16 years away at probably the best club in Europe who are invincible at home with a 20 year old in goal with half a season experience, a 20 year defender whose started about 3 games and a new lad whose nowhere near Bielsa educated.
Losing the captain was a huge blow.
Thought the full backs were good. My concern at left back is Dallas has to cut inside which can slow a move. Feel like we should have Ayling and Dallas fighting RB and a quality LB
Klich was superb. Was everywhere. Reminded me of his first half year under Bielsa
Wasn’t the sort of game for Pablo tbh. Costa and Bamford May surprise a few this season. Another year under Bielsa may work wonders for Costa who when he has the ball and is running at pace looks an absolute machine
posted on 13/9/20
H Costa shouldn't suprise anyone tbf, we all watched him play with Wolves and know what he can do. Pacy tricky player, should do well for you
posted on 13/9/20
Good analysis Jonty. Only thing I would add is that like last season we lost a bit of something when Bamford went off. Yes we still got the third goal (and what a goal too) from Klich but Rodrigo didn’t bring much to the party other than giving away that penalty.
However I expect he and Koch to get better as they settle in - plus we have our captain to come back.
Felt for Koch as the first penalty was wrongly awarded according to the rules. Sheet happens though but I thought VAR was supposed to eradicate ref mistakes?
Great game and I’m sure we can produce even more as the lads settle into the PL.
posted on 13/9/20
was it we lost something when bamford went off or when klich went off? Maybe both. It's not uncommon for us to lose direction after our subs but fatigue comes into it too i think - and in this case a quality opponent looking for a winner
posted on 13/9/20
I thought pascal, was good.
Koch was shocking first half, but he’s quicker than I thought he would be.
Overall, we played well, should have got something from the game but you can’t defend as bad as we did
posted on 13/9/20
Well, I am ecstatic this morning that this team has come away from Anfield on the opening day of the season not only not getting absolutely hammered but in fact giving a great account of ourselves in front of the world.
No points but the spirit with which we played the game has won nothing but applause.
Koch and Struijk did exceptionally well, under the circumstances. I thought Koch really showed enormous character - both the penalty and the VVD header could have sunk him but he gritted his teeth and held it together - we survived a lot of chances last night. Credit to Meslier too who couldn't have done anything about any of the goals, pulled off a wonderful save and generally looked quite solid.
Also credit to Bamford, Harrison and Klich who all scored beautiful goals.
Got to remember too that Salah is a truly brilliant striker who only scored one from open play, that VVD cost more than the entire Leeds team, and that Liverpool ran away with the title last season.
No points from this one - I wasn't expecting any - but we did ourselves proud last night. This story is just getting better and better.
posted on 13/9/20
We must beat Fulham next week
posted on 13/9/20
Thought we caught Liverpool flat footed. It felt like a pre season game where both sides look disjointed. Thought we looked perfectly at home against premier league opposition and im immensely proud of the team.
Criticism has to be aimed at recruitment once again. If we'd have had 2 more settled/experienced centre backs, we'd have won yesterday. Going into a game with 1 fot senior CB who hasn't played in a Leeds shirt before was pretty ridiculous, we had 8 weeks to sign a Tanzuabe, Holding, Foyth or a championship centre back for cover.
Must be Fulham now, no point playing well and making friends unless we beat our rival sides.
posted on 13/9/20
Wow where to start. What pleased me most was after a ropey first 5 minutes and the early penalty we settled into the game and started imposing our game on Liverpool taking advantage of their high line and at times casual defending.
We got punished on set pieces and a dominant VVD. A real baptism of fire for both centre backs. It was tough for them but they showed character to keep going and keep playing the ball out.
Klich was magnificent and just keeps on improving his game.
Costa was dangerous and thrived on some of the space he got and showed good quality with his final ball.
Bamford. He's another that is going to benefit from working with Bielsa for a third season. Shame he didn't take his shot early on the chance he missed but he learned form it and put away the chance later on. Made some excellent runs and made space. Bamford staked a great claim for keeping the no 9 shirt on this showing.
A difficult opener for Rodrigo and you could tell from his face he knew he had messed up on the penalty concession. I am sure he'll put that behind him and we may see him start vs Hull to get more valuable minutes under his belt.
Need to be tight at the back against Fulham and no free gifts but play with that same energy going forward and put away the chances when they come.
Let's also not forget we have not finished our recruitment and have some exciting under 23s who will want to get in on the act later in the season.
Got to take positives from the way we got to Liverpool I feel we will be able to protect the defence better than that against most opponents but need to work hard on eradicating some of the mistakes on set pieces.
posted on 13/9/20
very pleased this morning. had a little doubt before the game and after the penalty which i thought was fair, but we grew into the game and costa and harrison showed to me that they will be able to make the transition to the pl. bamford will need help but i always have faith in him. much better than a lot of our own fans think.
GB, taa and vvd had a tough game at times because we made it tough for them not because they had some fluke bad game.
i wont change my opinion on how we'll do this year based on one game, still think we can finish mid table.
it will be the same as with every team we'll have to get lucky with injuries. on to fulham who looked ok at times against arsenal yesterday despite losing 3-0.
posted on 13/9/20
Defence is a massive concern, going to get destroyed by a lot of teams.
posted on 13/9/20
comment by Lowfields73 (U21886)
posted 8 minutes ago
Defence is a massive concern, going to get destroyed by a lot of teams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
yeah because our first time duo at cb isn't going to improve. you do know we were playing last year's champions or did you only watch campionship.
posted on 13/9/20
*championship.
posted on 13/9/20
Gutted to not take a point and while we played great we need to get points at Fulham on Saturday.
Overall, not sure what more messlier could have done on the penalties, shame really that for his first game in the premiershil he has four put past him.
Defense wise we missed cooper, however the new lads did well enough, being thrown into it against the best team in the league was never going to be easy. First penalty could have gone either way really, had it not been given people would be saying he couldn't move his hands out of the way so it shouldn't have been given. Ref has the ability to justify it either way but gave the penalty, no complaints about that really.
Ayling was ace, know he is knocking on 30 but if phillips deserves a call up then so does he.
Dallas was Dallas, can't say anything more than that, gteat player who has shown he can step up.
Phillips - what a ball for the first goal, anyone questioning why he was in the England setup should look at that and understand why now.
Two great goals from harrison and klitch. Both had great games to boot. Pablo didn't look 35 which is encouraging. Cant fault costa either, he looked great.
So glad bamford got a goal, he needed it and hopefully he can continue to score goals.
Feels odd to conceed four goals but then also see so many positives.
Also we had more possession then liverpool at their home ground, that in itself is a gteat stat
posted on 13/9/20
In all honesty who expected anything from this match? What we got was an energising, committed and entertaining performance which, shocked people who haven’t seen us. Yes, the defence was wobbly, but look at their front three, who are a different level. We would all love a bit more depth, but it’s not really Bielsa’s way. My gut feeling is we are going to be fine, some bumps on the way, but what a ride it’s going to be, not many will pack defences, so we will always be in there swinging. Bring on the next one!
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