Leeds Utd v Watford Match Thread

[BlackHillsPaul]

These are the segments of the season that win you promotion. We will need to grind out a few wins like we did today. So I say well done lads!! And on to the next one.

A couple of thoughts about todays match. First, I thought Tanaka and Aaronson were very good. Maybe our two best players today. And the two that had the most travel over the international break.

Lets hope Ramazani's injury isn't too bad. He brings something different to the left side of the pitch. And his willingness to try shots is much needed in this side.

[1964white]

The hornets are a big physical side, that's an understatement, Watford got away with the dirty stuff at times.

[Morpheus]

Still optimistic after that?

No i’m a realist. The amnesia of our fans never ceases to amaze me.

If we’re ever going to get out of this damned league we need to be comfortably shutting the door after taking an early lead in these type of matches we can bank.

This should have been a chance to take respite and allow fringe substitutes to come on at 2-0 to see the game out.

Instead it was frantic and frenetic until the 100th minute. This takes it’s toll long term. In April as we saw last season when our key players looked absolutely dead on their feet in the final 10 games.

It staggers me how fans set the bar so low.

[weasel]

I think Cleverley had a very good game plan which they stuck to, but it was too late after the early lapses - if it had been 0-0 after 20 minutes I think their power and strength would have been enough.

We have more technical ability and create more, but don't convert as many as we should.

What was Cleverley's game plan? Even after we went 2-0 up we still murdered them in terms of decent chances created. Forget the first 7 minutes and we were still more likely to win that match given the chances created after that point. If you give Cleverley credit then Farke would surely deserve credit for the many matches last year when we dominated possession but didn't look like scoring. We had 24 shots to their 9 and midway throught the first half it was just 4-1 to us in terms of shots. We had 33 touches in their box, they had 13 in ours.

As it is I think if we hadn't got the 2-0 lead I think it would have simply followed the pattern of most of our matches and we'd have dominated possession but struggled to break them down, likely they'd have simply played counter attacking against us.

[DDB220]

The hornets are a big physical side, that's an understatement, Watford got away with the dirty stuff at times.

Par for the course in this league. Junior got isolated a few times because of their pace. As you saw we cannot let that happen often.

[1964white]

These are the segments of the season that win you promotion. We will need to grind out a few wins like we did today. So I say well done lads!! And on to the next one.

A couple of thoughts about todays match. First, I thought Tanaka and Aaronson were very good. Maybe our two best players today. And the two that had the most travel over the international break.

Lets hope Ramazani's injury isn't too bad. He brings something different to the left side of the pitch. And his willingness to try shots is much needed in this side.

Agree Paul

Tanaka is a quality footballer, & Aaronson was all over the park, he's like a jack russell dog snapping at the opposition's ankles, Brenden showed some classy touches & took his goal well.

We seem to lose our way a bit once Ramazani left the pitch after an impressive opening ten minutes.

Largie looking more the part than Soloman imo!

[1964white]

We controlled the Blunts game, certainly wasn't the case tonight.

I posted on another thread we won't lose ten games this season, of course we'll lose a few. Our return game at Vicarage Road could be one of those defeats.

[Carrick Dave]

What was Cleverley's game plan? Even after we went 2-0 up we still murdered them in terms of decent chances created. Forget the first 7 minutes and we were still more likely to win that match given the chances created after that point. If you give Cleverley credit then Farke would surely deserve credit for the many matches last year when we dominated possession but didn't look like scoring. We had 24 shots to their 9 and midway throught the first half it was just 4-1 to us in terms of shots. We had 33 touches in their box, they had 13 in ours.

As it is I think if we hadn't got the 2-0 lead I think it would have simply followed the pattern of most of our matches and we'd have dominated possession but struggled to break them down, likely they'd have simply played counter attacking against us.

They came onto us instead of sitting deep like we like to do to others, looking to disrupt our rhythm in midfield and afford them chances on the break. They came to bully us, safe in the knowledge that the ref wouldn’t protect skilful players against grizzled Championship hackers, and it might have worked if we hadn’t had a 2 goal start.

As I said, we create more but don’t convert the number of chances we should.

Happy with the 3 points but it was a grind, with a fair slice of luck to give us the edge.

[1964white]

Par for the course in this league. Junior got isolated a few times because of their pace. As you saw we cannot let that happen often.

Gnonto works his socks off to help Bogle, unsure who was covering Junior's back.

Another rugby tackle for Junior's 5th yellow of the season.

[1964white]

One thing about his tenure so far has been the unity of the squad. That seems to be one of his strengths.

Indeed Ian

Let the Farke knockers have their moments.

Blimey! we are top of the league.

[1964white]

We were all over them after the goals, after Ramazani went off it all changed.

It certainly did, not only does the little fella possesses quality, he works hard for his teammates.

If Largie is unfit for the Bristol game, James on the right with Gnonto on the left, hopefully.

[Cjay]

Indeed Ian

Let the Farke knockers have their moments.

Blimey! we are top of the league.

Here we go again

Did you ever check the Leicester forum last season?

Even when they were absolutely miles ahead of everyone many of them criticised Maresca.

Farke has had a very easy and understanding ride here.

[1964white]

8 minutes!!!!!!

I called the added-time correctly

[Carrick Dave]

Here we go again

Did you ever check the Leicester forum last season?

Even when they were absolutely miles ahead of everyone many of them criticised Maresca.

Farke has had a very easy and understanding ride here.

Maybe something to do with being a very steady and capable manager?

[BlackHillsPaul]

Agree Paul

Tanaka is a quality footballer, & Aaronson was all over the park, he's like a jack russell dog snapping at the opposition's ankles, Brenden showed some classy touches & took his goal well.

We seem to lose our way a bit once Ramazani left the pitch after an impressive opening ten minutes.

Largie looking more the part than Soloman imo!

I agree!! Which is not a knock against Soloman. He's a very good player. But Ramazani is OUR player! And he's a couple years younger with a lot more upside for LUFC.

[Cjay]

Maybe something to do with being a very steady and capable manager?

He's got to get us promoted first.

Point being the "poor Daniel" stuff is overplayed.

Maresca had to defend himself publicly from the fans in interviews when top of the league by about 10 points.

Every manager gets criticised, it's part of football, far more successful managers than Farke (Pep got hammered by City fans even though they beat Wolves eventually).

[1964white]

Here we go again

Did you ever check the Leicester forum last season?

Even when they were absolutely miles ahead of everyone many of them criticised Maresca.

Farke has had a very easy and understanding ride here.

And so he should have an easy ride, he's doing a good job at Leeds.

Leicester fans should hang their heads in shame as the foxes walked the league. Maresca is doing a fair job at Chelsea this season.

[Cjay]

And so he should have an easy ride, he's doing a good job at Leeds.

Leicester fans should hang their heads in shame as the foxes walked the league. Maresca is doing a fair job at Chelsea this season.

He's doing alright, but until he gets us promoted he's achieved nothing.

We are now at the 2ppg mark, the usual benchmark for automatic.

So he's doing his job.

Point was this anti Farke how dare anyone ever criticise him what awful fans they are that starts on here is daft.

Every manager gets criticised, the Maresca tactics thread on Leicester forum was almost exclusively people wanting him sacked for the entire season.

Arteta got hammered for being so defensive the other night.

Even Pep being hammered for his tactics on City forum after Wolves

It happens to every manager from every fanbase.

[1964white]

I've been moaning about them all night.

Who were they?

My commentary was Bryn Law & Tony Dorigo.

[1964white]

Lucky today, our worst performance and Watford our toughest opponent so far. We really struggled with their physicality. Aaronson MOTM for me. One of a few who stood up to their physicality and didn't go into hiding.

Yes, Watford caused us problems with their physicality more than any of the other clubs we've faced this season. Not exactly a cultured team, though.

Aaronson & Tanaka were superb!