Leeds Utd 2-2 Newcastle Utd - Post Match Debate.

[Ellandback1]

Saturday 13th May 12.30pm | Elland Road


Newcastle and Leeds battle it out for three points on Saturday lunchtime knowing, whatever the result, it could have a massive impact on both their futures, for very different reasons. Leeds could go three places, and a point clear of the drop zone (depending other results go their way), whilst the Geordies would go five points clear (at least temporarily) of Manchester Utd in fourth place.

The two teams last met on New Year's Eve, where Leeds earnt a respectable 0-0 draw at St James' Park (one of only five clean sheets all season). With thirteen goals from their previous four games, Newcastle have found their striking boots at the worst possible time for Leeds. Ironically, it was Newcastle that saved Leeds skin on the final day of last season by beating Burnley 2-1, at Turf Moor. Sam Allardyce will hope to build on the positives seen in the second half of Leeds United’s defeat at Manchester City.

I saw fight, determination and the ability to improve our performance overall [in the second] compared to what they produced in the first 45 minutes. Considering how many we have been conceding, I thought keeping Manchester City down to two in the end was not too bad. We scored a goal and with a bit of work on attacking and defending with the players this week, hopefully that improves their level of performance to get to a higher standard than on Saturday against a Newcastle side that play in a completely different way. So, we have to work out how to defend against their strengths and try to exploit their weaknesses.

Leeds will be without captain Liam Cooper again because of a hip injury, but he could return for the final two matches. Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Stuart Dallas are longer term absentees.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be without midfielder Sean Longstaff once again as the Magpies look to edge closer to a top-four finish. Longstaff is carrying a foot problem which may mean he does not play again this season, while winger Matt Ritchie (knee) has joined skipper Jamaal Lascelles (calf) on the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign.



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[JoeDenver]

My lineup choice:

Robles
Ayling
Koch (if fit, otherwise Rasmus)
Wober
Firpo
McKennie
Forshaw
Greenwood
Harrison
Gnonto
Rodrigo

First sub on is Summerville…

[Barlow Boy]

8.30am set off to Elland Road on Saturday, pub open from 9am, Leeds Win, Back home for more beers in the sunshine in the afternoon and evening.

Perfect

[Kennyb41]

Dreading it.

[Cjay]

Must win game

No escaping it.

Have to hope that we keep up our 100% win record when in the relegation zone this season

[Barlow Boy]

Must win game

No escaping it.

Have to hope that we keep up our 100% win record when in the relegation zone this season

Big Sam seemed to be suggesting ‘must not lose’ rather than ‘must win’.

We will need a win somewhere along the line now, that is for sure.

[Cjay]

Big Sam seemed to be suggesting ‘must not lose’ rather than ‘must win’.

We will need a win somewhere along the line now, that is for sure.

Yeah read that, hopefully just a way of trying to take the pressure off the players.

In reality imo we are past the point of a good point.

We've had to many of those that we dismissed as good points.

We need to win.

Forest could easily beat a flakey Chelsea side.

And OK Everton have City next but they have the easiest last 2 fixtures, Wolves away and Bournemouth home.

Playing 1st we need to put pressure on them, point doesn't really do that

[DDB220]

We will need two wins minimum to stay up. The Everton win was a complete aberration because it also gave them +4 GD on us. Ofc if City batter them and destroy that differential we may get away with a win and two drawers, but I think we need 6 points.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Rodrigo has 14 goals in the league. Bamford has 4. You do the f**king math....

[andrewjohnsmith]

Rodrigo has 14 goals in the league. Bamford has 4. You do the f**king math....

Agree. And I'm sure there's a much wider gulf in the goals to chances ratio.

[andrewjohnsmith]

My lineup choice:

Robles
Ayling
Koch (if fit, otherwise Rasmus)
Wober
Firpo
McKennie
Forshaw
Greenwood
Harrison
Gnonto
Rodrigo

First sub on is Summerville…

Almost impossible to guess what Sam's selection will look like, Threw a couple of surprises out last week. And that was a game when he admitted he'd be winging it. THis week will be the first real Sam selection.

One thing he alluded to in his presser was that his formation was 4-3-3 in attack and 4-5-1 in defence.

I do like Greenwood in midfield. Someone on one of my podcasts referred to him as "legs in midfield." Not to mention a set piece specialist which must be up Big Sam's alley.

And agree with Rodrigo up front - see Paul's reasoning above

[1964white]

Dreading it.

I thought I would be dreading it.

I'm just numb by it all now.

[VinnysTattoo]

Let's face it, if the barcodes are on it we could get another drubbing.

I just hope Big Sam has had enough time to get a semblance of order to our midfield and defence.

Right now I would take a draw.

[BradWhite]

Rodrigo has 14 goals in the league. Bamford has 4. You do the f**king math....

Absolutely.

Rodrigo seems to be one of the few that can play with aggression, i just hope he doesn't get sent off.

[WhiteRose]

There’s no chance we get anything here, we are worse than when we played Newcastle earlier in the season and that was a very one sided nil nil. The negative match summary for Leeds from that game pretty much summarises us under Marsch

Were poor at finishing
Were aggressive
Lost possession often
Gave away a lot of free-kicks around the box

Hopefully the other 3 lose and we move on to the two games where a win is not completely impossible.

[airedale]

Nothing wrong with a bit of aggression as long as its controlled.

[DDB220]

Agree. And I'm sure there's a much wider gulf in the goals to chances ratio.

In a situation where either are required to play, quite often with their back to the opposition goal to hold up play they are similarly ineffective. But on finishing alone it has to be Rodrigo. I cannot see much pressing under Sam, it is more about defensive structure and containment, so a big part of Bamford’s game is not utilised.

I will be very surprised if he starts.

[Irish Ian]

Must win game

No escaping it.

Have to hope that we keep up our 100% win record when in the relegation zone this season

Allardyce disagrees.

He would be happy with a point by the sound of things

[Kennyb41]

Rodrigo has 14 goals in the league. Bamford has 4. You do the f**king math....

He shouldn't be playing PB now.

Rodrigo's the better finisher atm with a point to prove.

He's gotta go 4-5-1, God knows who he'll stick in defence but he's gotta go flat out with those 5, some playground stuff might work, just let the fckers loose, tell Gnonto and others to wreak havoc everywhere they can and arrive in the box anywhere.

I'd be saying " Come on Jack, tell me where your happiest, how do i get the best game from you"

And let him have that position, same with Gnonto, Weston etc, " there you go, that's what you want...NOW FCKING DAMN WELL SHOW ME WHAT YOU CAN DO !! "

With someone like PB on the bench he should be eager for 25-30 mins flat out when others have given their all.

[Kennyb41]

Allardyce disagrees.

He would be happy with a point by the sound of things

I hope the dumb fcker doesn't play for a point, they haven't a cat in hells chance, go down fighting ffs and give it your best shot, and i'll tell you now - Your best shot IS NOT PARKING THE FCKING BUS SAM.