I honestly hoped Rutter would offer more today. He was the worse player on the pitch, no lack of effort but hardly anything is coming off. That pass to (…cannot recall, but the runner had three defenders around him) when Rutter had acres of space to run into was just symptomatic of a player with zero confidence. On this form and it is hard to imagine he is going to turn this around for the next game, he does not deserve a place in the starting 11.
Last edited by DDB220 on Sun May 12, 2024 1:41 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Definitely plaudits to DF for shoring up the midfield and defence. We'd conceded seven in our previous two matches, so that had to stop or we were already done.
Still very much in the tie, and he needs to go with a more positive and attacking approach at ER.
Joseph, or Piroe need to start. Maybe both, but that won't happen.
If he goes to just play safe then Norwich could easily nick it from a set piece, or on the counter.
So, go forward playing quick, incisive footy and we could have a comfortable win.
Depends how brave Daniel is?
Piroe will be disappointed he didn’t get a start today after a good performance v Southampton, hopefully lit a fire in him for the home game.
“ If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don’t even start “ Charles Bukowski.
Definitely plaudits to DF for shoring up the midfield and defence. We'd conceded seven in our previous two matches, so that had to stop or we were already done.
Still very much in the tie, and he needs to go with a more positive and attacking approach at ER.
Joseph, or Piroe need to start. Maybe both, but that won't happen.
If he goes to just play safe then Norwich could easily nick it from a set piece, or on the counter.
So, go forward playing quick, incisive footy and we could have a comfortable win.
Depends how brave Daniel is?
Was thinking something similar. Probably Piroe if he sticks with a 4-3-3? And then open things up in the second half. Rutter looks shot…sadly. Super sub at best.
But I’ll give credit to DF for making a change…it’s about damn time!! The formation change was overdue.
Not sure if anyone noticed this, but we grew in confidence in the match…just because we didn’t give up a a goal. That’s very encouraging and that was a necessary step in building the confidence back. I’m not willing to count our chickens, but necessary, positive building blocks. And if we some somehow make it the final, the added formation is a nice wrinkle for our opponents to consider. Pleased to see some progress.
DDB220 wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 1:40 pm
I honestly hoped Rutter would offer more today. He was the worse player on the pitch, no lack of effort but hardly anything is coming off. That pass to (…cannot recall, but the runner had three defenders around him) when Rutter had acres of space to run into was just symptomatic of a player with zero confidence. On this form and it is hard to imagine he is going to turn this around for the next game, he does not deserve a place in the starting 11.
He isn't a 9 tbf.
For all the criticism Piroe gets Georgie is worse in that role.
He looks absolutely shot to pieces.
Nothing is coming off as you say.
But can't see Farke dropping him? He's basically untouchable.
Leeds1000 wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 1:29 pm
Simply as this for me. We will get ABSOLUTELY SPANKED in the PL if by some miracle we go up. I don't know how much we would be allowed to spend if we did manage to scrape up but it won't be enough. Boing Boing.
Simple. Break the rules, spend spend spend, get top half, six point deduction.....easy peasy. Others have done it so why can't we?
Farke's here now - feeling?
When you play first leg, away draw, clean sheet, difficult ground, always solid result. Happy with the performance and the result. Last games in the season were not great in results and conceded too many goals after many clean sheets. Away games conceded too many. Wanted to be solid today against the ball. Didn't allow them one chance from open play. Good effort from my lads and the longer the game went the more control,and confidence we had. Second half especially. They defended really well. No clear cut chances. Felt like a goal was coming, but had to make sure we were not over-enthusiastic.
Some decision making could have been better around the box, but have to say I am happy overall. Massive game on Thursday. Half-t
Set-up and line-up
One reason: we conceded too many goals and we know we have creative players, but wanted to use Archie's ability to cover ground and uis strength n duels with his discipline against the all. Due to their strength in the centre of the park. Some problems in their second game against us. Allowed their midfielders too much space then and wanted to calm that down today. In this set-up we dealt with it well.
Many reasons we chose this to regain out solidity. Had confidence and stability back to control the game more and more.
Expect Rutter to stretch more instead of dropping deep?
He has many strengths. Wanted him to stretch and play like a false nine to create gaps for the wingers to explore the space. Could have done this more. Earnt their spot in the half-final. Don't want to be too greedy. Have to be happy with this in the first leg.
First leg is always tight. Overall we can be pleased. Make sure we play with the same focus on Thursday.
Penalty and offside
During the game I was convinced it was a penalty, but replay shows me it started outside the box for a free-kick. Still annoyed with the offside. Sky showed a picture that proved offside, but everyone should look at the scouting feed for a proper feed. It's not offside. The officials have a rule to go in favour of the attackers when it's marginal. I am annoyed they have not followed this.
Everyone speaks about Wembley and a £100m game, but at this level every decision needs to be spot on. If you are in doubt you should favour the attacker. I expect myself to be spot on, my players too, but then the officials should feel the same pressure.
Feel you have the momentum?
No, everything is possible. We would rather play at home, but everything is possible, just see the second legs in the Champions League. Supoot from the home fans does not make you voer-motivated. Do not be too greedy or open too many spaces. Have to find a good margin. Very good home record, but still 50-50. Pleased with the performance today and result, but nothing is done. Still a tight game
Attackers, form and confidence
If I could paint a picture I would be rock solid at the back and scoring goals for fun at the other end. Decisions were not perfect. Offensive players had to play their part in being rock solid. Four goals at Boro and everyone praised our attack, QPR no goal and today was being rock solid. Cannot be naive. Focus more on it. Prefer to be there with the right decisions.
Your confidence comes back with the basics and they did that today, You cannot press a button and make the attack a firework. Perhaps a deflection goes in. Then you get that confidence back from nothing.
Gnonto coming off?
No problem. Some bruises and blood, but they need to be fresh on Thursday, our attackers. Willy was booked. Once incident you could sense Sainz fouled him, pretended to get a hit, you could sense a second yellow might come. Young 20-year-old we can provoke. Did not want to take this risk.
He played quite well, but after 70 minutes, in these conditions, it was the right choice to take him off.
First-half fluidity?
Wanted to be like this. Rutter at false nine. Use our mobility and pace to get a big back four moving around. I liked the second half a lot, even more if we has scored, but the approach was good in the second half.
VAR in semis if it's in the final?
If we are fortunate enough to go to Wembley, I know if I ask for VAR, it will not be in our favour in the final. That's karma. If we had VAR we would be automatically promoted already. We would not be in the play-offs. If we do not have VAR we have to make sure the referees are even better.
Cjay wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 1:36 pm
Was a sensible setup.
Boring for the fans but fair play, it worked aslong as we win otherwise people will say it was to safe.
Would expect a much braver setup 2nd leg.
The longer it is 0-0 nerves will grow and not sure these players or manager cope with a nervous or frustrated Elland Road.
Need an early goal.
But hope we still see Archie allowed to get forward.
Piroe or Joseph up front though, can argue about Piroe dropping or whatever but Rutter was far deeper
Well they've gotta come back for the ball if nobody brings it forward, or passes forward
Agree that an early goal will settle the nerves. We definitely don't need any more clangers from Meslier, or the defence, as that was our undoing against Derby when we were 2-0 up on aggregate.
It will be tense as hell if they score first, or it's 0-0 for a long time.
The way we have been playing the priority for today was a clean sheet to steady the ship, you could see the confidence coming back to the team in the second half - drab it may have been but from our perspective It was necessary- bet Wagner will be more than happy with penalties on Thursday given his Huddersfield team didn’t score a single goal in the playoffs last time and still went up.
CUSSIE01 wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 1:40 pm
Piroe will be disappointed he didn’t get a start today after a good performance v Southampton, hopefully lit a fire in him for the home game.
He's a guy that can score, and that will worry Norwich, same applies to Joseph.
JoeDenver wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 1:28 pm
He also was seemingly everywhere today…both sides and in the middle. Would love to see his heat map for this one. He showed his experience in that he “found the space”…where the ball was going in order intercept the ball, but also being wide open in order to receive the ball. He also was looking to make the dangerous forward through ball via one-touch play. Was our most dangerous threat offensively. Also, some of his dribbles had Geo vibes. MOTM for me today.
I agree, he was the only player attempting probing passes on the edge of the box second half. He also played a sweet diagonal for Byram/Anthony at one point.
I’m always worried about how clean his kit stays though, Piroe too.
On to Thursday, the result was all that mattered today, and for all the tub-thumping not trailing ahead of the second leg will hopefully do.
Bielsa made the mistake of going all out in the first leg and therefore we had nothing left in the second leg. If we're not going to win, then at least don't go behind and certainly don't leave yourselves open for the counter. Thought Farke got it right today, even his subs and the timing were good.
JoeDenver wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 1:41 pm
Was thinking something similar. Probably Piroe if he sticks with a 4-3-3? And then open things up in the second half. Rutter looks shot…sadly. Super sub at best.
But I’ll give credit to DF for making a change…it’s about damn time!! The formation change was overdue.
Not sure if anyone noticed this, but we grew in confidence in the match…just because we didn’t give up a a goal. That’s very encouraging and that was a necessary step in building the confidence back. I’m not willing to count our chickens, but necessary, positive building blocks. And if we some somehow make it the final, the added formation is a nice wrinkle for our opponents to consider. Pleased to see some progress.
Well Daniel did say in the pre match presser that we're not predictable, and managed to keep a straight face
I just think Rutter's injury has not been managed properly. Needed more rest and recuperation after the operation, but Daniel loves flogging people to death regardless of form, or fitness.
And TBF he's not the only coach that does that
Very good point Joe, about building confidence again
They have looked mentally shot to pieces since the international break. So this is a start, with a pretty solid clean sheet.
Hopefully we are braver at ER and get a comfortable win and move on to the final with confidence.
Nerves and fear would be the factor that would beat us, more than Norwich, as we know from the Derby second leg.
I'm cautiously hopeful about the second leg. But these guys and Farke need to be brave and bold and not retreat into their shells.
Carrick Dave wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 2:19 pm
I agree, he was the only player attempting probing passes on the edge of the box second half. He also played a sweet diagonal for Byram/Anthony at one point.
I’m always worried about how clean his kit stays though, Piroe too.
On to Thursday, the result was all that mattered today, and for all the tub-thumping not trailing ahead of the second leg will hopefully do.
Kamara had a decent game but he gets a nose bleed as he approaches the opposition’s 18 yard box. I just wish he would try a give and go rather than entering what seems like a force field of uncertainty.
DDB220 wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 2:43 pm
Kamara had a decent game but he gets a nose bleed as he approaches the opposition’s 18 yard box. I just wish he would try a give and go rather than entering what seems like a force field of uncertainty.
Sounds like he regrets not having a go. Next match a possibility.
WhiteRose wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 2:14 pm
The way we have been playing the priority for today was a clean sheet to steady the ship, you could see the confidence coming back to the team in the second half - drab it may have been but from our perspective It was necessary- bet Wagner will be more than happy with penalties on Thursday given his Huddersfield team didn’t score a single goal in the playoffs last time and still went up.
I think this was partly to do with Norwich deciding to hold onto a draw, they went route one and lost the ability to play out as we were higher and pressed them more effectively.
I looked at the match comments regarding the Mes hospital pass to Gruev- which had some posters falling over themselves to give him a rollicking. I think it was naive of Mes to pass to Gruev in the first place ( initial mistake) who came towards him wanting the ball, watch the replay. Mes did not pass it accurately enough for Gruev to pass it straight back at him and that was his second mistake. But Gruev’s first touch was a shocker.
The guy can play when we start to get on top but he needs to grow a pair and show some balls when we need an outlet. He has to be braver and occupy the spaces that are around him and demand the ball off the centre backs. So many times I noticed that if he was not seeking to occupy acres of space which would have let him be an outlet.
