Chelsea 1-0 Leeds - Post Match Debate

[Kennyb41]

Good point. Might be tempted to see how Gnonto did on the right. It then gives the opportunity of them swapping wings as well and whoever does worse gets subbed for Summerville.

Yeah i wouldn't mind seeing Gnonto tried on the other wing coz i've a feeling he's gonna lose his place on the left.

[Kennyb41]

I'd go with that but with Harrison instead of Summerville. In terms of getting Gracia's system working well I think Harrison is more likely to grasp it than Summerville. Also got a feeling Harrison is about to hit one of his purple patches of form.

If he can drum some sense into Firpo, him and Jack might be able to strike something up down that left side, but he's got to get better at defending and some.

[BGwhite]

Well f**k me...you've let the cat out the bag now Kenny boy. The last time I was this excited I was a window cleaner at the anti-natal clinic !!


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[JoeDenver]

Sorry, I have duplicated the match thread

I thought I was losing it for a second.

@Mods, is there a way we can merge the two threads?

[weasel]

Well i've waited and waited for someone to mention what happened during the Fulham game but nobody has, i think Weasel touched on it in relation to Les Mes and i know he knows.

We kept the ball on the deck my friends, we tried to play football, we tried to escape trouble by playing our way out of it, it showed me what my mate Javi's prepared to try, we hit long range when it was the thing to do and it wasn't hoofball, it was trying to make the right pass forward long range coz someone was free.

Now what and how he decides is going to be the best way to try and beat Chelsea is mega interesting to me, strings to his bow you might say and how many he has, we pulled out a decent win in his first game ( shows some nous huh) nowt special, but we saw his influence.

Against Fulham, a huge influence of Javi's - he had 100% told them he wanted the ball on the deck, we got severely punished but it showed me a lot.

So what's he gonna do v Chelsea ?

They're learning to play it out for Potter themselves and keep coming unstuck, so how do we beat them and indeed play against them?

I think more of a Jesse game might suit us better atm coz it's more what they're used to and the Fulham game exposed some flaws coz it's early days of trying to instil what he wants.

Big call for Javi, and i'm itching to see what he does, he needs time that we don't have, but i'm hoping he gets 'it' good enough to perform against the lesser teams.

Also against him are going to be those that are fcking useless at 'it' of which i think Wober's gonna be one., and Firpo ? Jeez don't get me started ...We had a master at 'it' ...i'm now praying to God Javi's got 'it' in his locker.

I hope i'm wrong, but you know i never am

'It' could be on 'it's' way guys n gals

The concern would be that although we beat them with the high press on a day when everything went for us they were managed by Tuchel then rather than Potter. Potter has shown, especially from his Brighton days, that he is very flexible tactically. Without having seen much of Chelsea's way of playing under Potter from what I have read he has tried to get Chelsea to be flexible but they seem unable to change from one way to another. I do think if we'd have been playing them second time round with Marsch in charge then Potter would have got the better of us because he does seem to be good at neutralising other team's tactics and our 'tactics' were very easy to take advantage of if you were a manager that was prepared to change tactics.

So for me it is going to be an interesting game. Gracia has shown tactical flexibility already and does seem to be able to shift our formation during the match and have it so that we aren't one dimensional and switch the way we probe. Chelsea for whatever reason aren't gelling but they have too many good players and a decent manager, and at some point it will click, hopefully though not this Saturday.

If we could take a point it would be a great point, 3 would be amazing. I think we are capable of nicking something but Chelsea are a far better team than their results suggest.

[weasel]

If he can drum some sense into Firpo, him and Jack might be able to strike something up down that left side, but he's got to get better at defending and some.

Harrison is extremely used to the Barry White style of football and that seems a lot closer to the way Gracia wants us to play than how Marsch had us playing which is why I think Harrison is a potentially better fit. I'm not worried about him looking out of sorts as that is just the way he is at times. If he hits a purple patch for 5 or 6 games he could almost singlehandedly keep us up. All it needs is for one of our forward players, Harrison, Gnonto, Summerville, Bamford, Rutter, Sinisterra or Aaronsen to hit a run of form and it could make us a very good team. If just one of thoe players listed hits a purple patch then I wouldn't be surprised if others start finding their scoring boots too.

[Kennyb41]

The concern would be that although we beat them with the high press on a day when everything went for us they were managed by Tuchel then rather than Potter. Potter has shown, especially from his Brighton days, that he is very flexible tactically. Without having seen much of Chelsea's way of playing under Potter from what I have read he has tried to get Chelsea to be flexible but they seem unable to change from one way to another. I do think if we'd have been playing them second time round with Marsch in charge then Potter would have got the better of us because he does seem to be good at neutralising other team's tactics and our 'tactics' were very easy to take advantage of if you were a manager that was prepared to change tactics.

So for me it is going to be an interesting game. Gracia has shown tactical flexibility already and does seem to be able to shift our formation during the match and have it so that we aren't one dimensional and switch the way we probe. Chelsea for whatever reason aren't gelling but they have too many good players and a decent manager, and at some point it will click, hopefully though not this Saturday.

If we could take a point it would be a great point, 3 would be amazing. I think we are capable of nicking something but Chelsea are a far better team than their results suggest.

Gonna be an interesting challenge for Javi for sure and should tell us a lot about him going forward.

Like you say we don't Know which Chelsea is gonna turn up, i definitely think he's gonna play it out and i can't wait to see what we do when they do.

We don't know which Leeds team are gonna show up or how they'll respond to Chelsea playing it out, Javi tried something different v Fulham that's for sure, was he testing the water ? I think he was, but he's now had more time with them and we're not privy to training sessions, they've obviously got the more expensive and talented players, but can Javi outwit him ?

More of the same we had v Soton ?
More the same v Fulham ?

Or a mixture of both ?

Imo - we'll need Cooper in to start playing anything possession based, and there were too many flaws v Fulham and he'll stick to rigid defending to suit Wober who he'll probably have to play, so catch them on the break could be the answer of the day, it's also perhaps too early to go from bennyhillball to trying to play possession based.

I really wouldn't worry too much mental if we get beat, it's how we get beat if we do and Javi's reactions to it on the day and going forward.

In Javi i trust, i hope

I'm currently quietly confident and quietly scared in equal measure.

[Kennyb41]

Javi Gracia says his Leeds players are "good students" who are learning quickly, but says his side must start converting more of their chances in front of goal.

Leeds had six shots on target in their FA Cup loss to Fulham on Wednesday but failed to find the back of the net, though they had two goals from Georginio Rutter and Wilfried Gnonto ruled out.

Gracia said: "What you have to do is try to finish well. It’s true we have a young team and we have to improve.

"The only way you can improve is having more chances and live that experience. We have to improve because we need the goals.

"In the last game we had 16 shots, 12 of them were inside the box. The other team with only six and three in the box, but scored two goals.

"The stats are clear, but football is not stats. You have to improve the chances you have and it's something we have to work on. It depends on us.

"They are good students. They learn very fast. Not only good players, but they have a good attitude. They have commitment and I believe in these players."

You paying attention Cjay ? ^

[Kennyb41]

Well f**k me...you've let the cat out the bag now Kenny boy. The last time I was this excited I was a window cleaner at the anti-natal clinic !!


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Well thee wouldn't have noticed in a month of Sundays chap, it's bloody annoying that i have ta point it out ta thi,

Shows what we're up against Open thine eyes this Satdi BG, i'll teach ya summert else aftert game

No need buddy

[Kennyb41]

Leeds United head coach Javier Gracia has been speaking ahead of the Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

Here is the best of what he has had to say:

Gracia was tight-lipped over injuries. He says Max Wober, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk - who all missed the trip to Fulham - are "in good hands" with the medical staff but he does not wish to discuss injuries as it provides information for opponents.

Sam Greenwood is available after being suspended for the FA Cup defeat at Fulham.

Gracia is considering going with two up front by giving Georginio Rutter his first Premier League start alongside Patrick Bamford, stating: "It's an option, a real option".

The Spaniard believes finishing is something he can coach the players to do better with support and by instilling confidence in a squad who he describes as "good students" as they are quick to learn.

In explaining how he coaches players, he said: "All the exercises are prepared with one objective -to try and feel in the next game what they are going to live. To try and anticipate."

Gracia stressed Leeds' players know "the importance" of points given their league position.

He has fond memories of his first Premier League win over Chelsea with Watford in 2018: "I remember perfectly. It was my second Premier League game. We won and I hope this game will be the same. It was a very tough game."

Gracia said there is no use worrying about a points tally needed for survival because "that doesn't help us do our work better".

He praised his players for being "generous and very brave" but said "they are very young and sometimes we need the experience they don't have".

[Kennyb41]

Jeez Watford had so much of a revolving door re managers i'm struggling to remember what they were like under Javi, but i do remember them hitting a purple patch with one guy which made me sit up and take notice with what the manager was doing.

I just can't remember who it was and i'm hoping it's Javi.

[Kennyb41]

Chelsea have won their past five Premier League home games against Leeds and are unbeaten in their past six against them at Stamford Bridge (D1) since a 2-0 defeat in December 1999.

Following their 3-0 win at Elland Road in August, Leeds are looking to complete their first league double over Chelsea since their title winning campaign of 1991-92, when they won 3-0 at home and 1-0 away.

Chelsea have scored just 23 goals in their 24 Premier League games this season, their lowest at this stage of a campaign since 1993-94 (22). With 25 goals conceded, this is the latest into a campaign the Blues have a negative goal difference since 2015-16 (-2 after 25 games).

This is Javier Gracia's second Premier League game in charge as Leeds boss. His second game in the competition as Watford manager was also against Chelsea, with the Spaniard beating the Blues 4-1 at Vicarage Road.

This type of win ^ would've made my eyes open so i'm hoping it's him.

[Kennyb41]

How Gracia is helping Leeds find a 'happy medium'
published at 19:00 1 March
19:00 1 March
Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams has been speaking to BBC Radio Leeds about the impact new head coach Javi Gracia has had on the team.

The United States international discusses the "balanced approach" the Spaniard has brought into their play while still ensuring they are "being brave and taking risks".

This ^ is exactly what we need gaffer, pick the best of Berts and some of the madness of Jesse, add some of your own and we might be batting

[Scoobychief]

IF Gracia is having a good effect on the whole squad it will be shown thorugh results thats all we can hope for at the moment that results start to improve and we pick up points that keeps us if a little at least away from the bottom three. thats how he will be judged and i for one really hope he can turn those turnips around and helps us to stay in the premier league he can only do so much, the rest is up the the individual 11 he select for matches, its up to them to keep the ship afloat in this league.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

How Gracia is helping Leeds find a 'happy medium'
published at 19:00 1 March
19:00 1 March
Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams has been speaking to BBC Radio Leeds about the impact new head coach Javi Gracia has had on the team.

The United States international discusses the "balanced approach" the Spaniard has brought into their play while still ensuring they are "being brave and taking risks".

This ^ is exactly what we need gaffer, pick the best of Berts and some of the madness of Jesse, add some of your own and we might be batting

In truth both Bielsa and Marsch were extreme in their tactics - it was an all out pressing, high defensive line with both. They just pressed in a different way, and Marsch went for zonal rather than man marking. Both were found out.

Hopefully we will have a more pragmatic, less dogmatic and more flexible approach now - mixing up tactics.

[Kennyb41]

In truth both Bielsa and Marsch were extreme in their tactics - it was an all out pressing, high defensive line with both. They just pressed in a different way, and Marsch went for zonal rather than man marking. Both were found out.

Hopefully we will have a more pragmatic, less dogmatic and more flexible approach now - mixing up tactics.

Bollocks.

And wtf would you know about them ?

[Kennyb41]

IF Gracia is having a good effect on the whole squad it will be shown thorugh results thats all we can hope for at the moment that results start to improve and we pick up points that keeps us if a little at least away from the bottom three. thats how he will be judged and i for one really hope he can turn those turnips around and helps us to stay in the premier league he can only do so much, the rest is up the the individual 11 he select for matches, its up to them to keep the ship afloat in this league.

In relation to the 'whole squad' there's now way any manager can work with every single player he's been handed, that's impossible even for the best in the world, so it's fingers crossed for us he can find a team out of the shite mish mash Orta and Jesse have handed him along with Berts Dan James.

Yet again he's got his work cut out to say the least, can Jesse's lot actually play football ? Which of them can only huff n puff ? And which have a mixture of both ? And which of Orta's new recruits the same.

Worrying times indeed.

Are the signs there he can pull Orta and Radz out the shite again, watch out for white smoke i'd say.

[Cjay]

With Chelsea using a 4-2-3-1 usually I'd stick with 4-3-3.

I'd keep it narrow out of possession in midfield and force them to go down the flanks where our narrow 3 could quickly snap into action if they come inside.

Think dominating midfield is important.

The crowd are very nervous and the players must be to at Chelsea.

So I think we should start on the front foot with lots of pace and energy and pressing.

Take the game to them early and play on the nerves in the crowd

If they withstand say a fast 15minute barrage then drop off and try and frustrate them whilst hitting on the break.

I would keep the attacking 3 as it was vs Fulham, I think those 3 with there pace and direct running would be very useful.

I'd also bring in Aaronson for Roca.

He has looked brighter recently and has a bit of attacking thrust the other 3 lack as well as being full of running.

And hopefully the USA factor and familiarity with eachother could help the 3 of them.

Wober back in to partner Koch as well.

So I'd go

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meslier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ayling . . . .Koch . . . . . . . . Wober. . . . . . .Firpo

. . . . . McKennie. . . Adams . . . .Aaronson. . . . .

Summerville. . . . . . . . Rutter. . . . . . . . . .Gnonto.

Plenty of pace and energy for pressing and transition.

Can crowd Chelsea out in attacking areas.

The option to switch formation to match Chelsea in a 4-2-3-1 if needed.

Or even go 4-4-2.

For me that is our best bet.

[Irish Ian]

[BGwhite]

For me they can play any formation and apply any tactics they want/need, unfortunately if we concede we are unlikely to come away with anything at all because we currently have no one available to take advantage of any chances that we create. For us to stay up this has to change regardless of anything else.

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