Leeds Utd v Middlesbrough (Carabao Cup) - Match Thread

[The Subhuman]

Perhaps

But Boro made 7 changes as well, The difference was vast.

Throwing money at the squad is needed but it shouldn't be that much difference between our squad players and Boro.

Oh not disputing that bit. I didn't think managers knew the oppositions line up til they announced their own so he couldn't have know that Boro were making 7 changes. Think Howson was unfit for the opener so probably counts as a starter.

[DDB220]

He looked injured a lot last season.

Towards the end of games he would often be stretching and visibly struggling.

Same vs Portsmouth.

Don't know if anyone saw it tonight if he did it? But he's looked iffy fitness wise a number of times before.

I was going to mention this against Pompey, but I am not making any posts during games and forgot to mention it afterwards.
He has lost at least a yard over 30 meters.

That is a major concern for me defensively.
I also agree it was apparent towards the end of last season, but it looks more acute in the last two games.

[Cjay]

Oh not disputing that bit. I didn't think managers knew the oppositions line up til they announced their own so he couldn't have know that Boro were making 7 changes. Think Howson was unfit for the opener so probably counts as a starter.

Depends how you look at it I suppose.

Summerville, Gray and Kamara replaced by Wober, Rothwell and Aaronson.

It's not like he used the squad much last season so be a bit daft for him to be sending messages about players he barely used all season.

[The Subhuman]

He looked injured a lot last season.

Towards the end of games he would often be stretching and visibly struggling.

Same vs Portsmouth.

Don't know if anyone saw it tonight if he did it? But he's looked iffy fitness wise a number of times before.

Probably shouldn't be playing if he's carrying an injury, certainly seems to be missing that lauded pace he had last season and is getting turned very easily... Don't really have a second right sided CB though

[Cjay]

I was going to mention this against Pompey, but I am not making any posts during games and forgot to mention it afterwards.
He has lost at least a yard over 30 meters.

That is a major concern for me defensively.
I also agree it was apparent towards the end of last season, but it looks more acute in the last two games.

Maybe he's just paying tribute to Liam Cooper now he's taken his shirt?


Sorry Liam

He doesn't look right I agree, maybe he played through the pain barrier last season and it's catching up with him?

[Cjay]

Probably shouldn't be playing if he's carrying an injury, certainly seems to be missing that lauded pace he had last season and is getting turned very easily... Don't really have a second right sided CB though

Not the first time we've played injured players tbf.

He does look iffy but as I say it's not the first time he's looked to he struggling even last season.

If he's carrying an injury and Farke and the recruitment team know and decided to not really make a contingency then that's on them.

[malcolmw]

Neither do I as our first 11 is as good as anyone ..but warning signs. We need players in.

Agree Sub. Just thought tonight how much were (already) missing Archie and Crys. Maybe a bit simplistic, but players like Aaronson and maybe Rothwell don't seem anywhere that level. Hopefully they get better as the season gets going.

We definitely need a couple of talented and in form new arrivals.

[YorkshireSquare]

Sounds more of a coaching thing than a player one . . .

Completely agree!

[YorkshireSquare]

It wasn't lack of pace, although that might be an issue, particularly with Wober. it was more an issue of organization and positioning

Certainly a factor, but a lot of times we couldn’t take advantage of situations due to pedestrian passing.

[Jammy 07]

Was at the game tonight and just to add some common sense perspective nearly all our starting eleven needed minutes tonight. The exceptions were Rodon, Ampedu & Firpo. With that in mind up until the opening goal on 50 mins things were absolutely even with nothing much in the game from either side.

Of course once Boro scored it totally changed the tie and then we were unable to respond and suffered a heavy but deserved defeat. No reason to throw the baby with the bathwater though as it's a Mickey Mouse cup competition which we were never going to win.

Time now to take a deep breath or two and support both our manager and the players.

[YorkshireSquare]

Was at the game tonight and just to add some common sense perspective nearly all our starting eleven needed minutes tonight. The exceptions were Rodon, Ampedu & Firpo. With that in mind up until the opening goal on 50 mins things were absolutely even with nothing much in the game from either side.

Of course once Boro scored it totally changed the tie and then we were unable to respond and suffered a heavy but deserved defeat. No reason to throw the baby with the bathwater though as it's a Mickey Mouse cup competition which we were never going to win.

Time now to take a deep breath or two and support both our manager and the players.

We had the vast majority of posession in the first half but created nothing. My main problem with the result is that Carrick absolutely did Farke in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Farke again relied upon individuals to try to change things but it was too late by then.

[ElKapitan]

We had the vast majority of posession in the first half but created nothing. My main problem with the result is that Carrick absolutely did Farke in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Farke again relied upon individuals to try to change things but it was too late by then.

Agree with this, Farke is similar to Bielsa in that if plan A doesn't work then plan B is is to do plan A better.

I think the game has moved on tactically and there is a lot more evolution/fluidity within the 90 minutes than in previous years? McKenna, Carrick etc they seem to adapt to the situation and style of teams especially at half time.

Farke is a good manager but his time in the prem proves to me that he finds it difficult to adapt his style to fit the situation. Last season at the end teams really shut down Summerville as our patterns of play in transition were predictable IMO..... Same with Rutter who most of our good stuff went through mid season. Crowded both out and closed down space centrally to run into/passing lanes for both and got men behind the ball to hit us on the counter...

This season we seem to be attempting the same, but with Gnonto not being a shadow of Summerville with less impact/quality in key moments its not as effective. Pompey hit us a couple of times on the break, today they tore us apart by it.

[Kennyb41]

Well..... Well... Well...

Impact of Orta is still being felt.

Hammer, nail head Captain

Let's bring in the next lamb to the slaughter.

[lufc1304]

Not bothered about going out of the cup, but the manner of the defeat is a worry. No pace, no creativity, no organisation; once Boro scored, the writing was on the wall. I think our first 11 (currently) is a match for any in the league, but we have very little depth. You cannot sustain a challenge in a 46 game league with 15/16 players, and that appears all we have of the requisite standard. 1 or 2 injuries, or sales, and we are fucked! Hopefully a wake-up call last night.

[Musicman1965]

A few days ago I posted a thread about tactics and how important it is to approach each game to get the result. The Boro game is a great example on why DF is not doing his job with the assets he has at his disposal. The performance last night was a disgrace and we can all make excuses but in the end the manager decides the formation and player positions. Bamford was a ghost, Aronnson was a pub player on the wing where he has the pace of tortoise with a limp. The midfield was a sleep and the defence was owned by the opposition. It could have been 7 goals and we did nothing to change the game. Ok its a cup game and we made changes, but the Boro did the same and the players we brought in are still good quality players that should be able to do a job. The fact is our whole side was a mess in every department and thats down to DF. We have WBA on Saturday and do you think this is going to be an easy game? No chance, its an important league game where tactics do play a part to play to our strengths. At this moment Leeds are in trouble in my opinion, 6 goals conceded in 2 games is not what you want to see. Championship contenders, not on this form...

[Jammy 07]

Right just about to start watching the full 90 mins again...

Anyone in ?