Bristol City v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[The Subhuman]

3 points from the last three away games ...

[JoeDenver]

American pundit says we're so frustrating. We've got James, Gnonto, Aaronson, but no cutting edge up front

Troy Deeney follows with why don't we use Bamford more?

Think we’re in agreement. Wasn’t the tactical set up to start out with Piroe, which I feel is the real culprit for this result. Late subs compounded things and rhyme with last season’s mishaps.

[60sUnited]

Totally uninspiring display....last 20 minutes alot of our lads looked knackered but does Farke react......nooo !

[Finnatic]

Meh

A game we've seen before, too much safety first, a noticeable drop in Rothwell and Tanaka passing forward (DF working his magic).

A lack of quality.

If everyone is static in front of of them, what can they do?
Gnonto had a poor game by his standards and James didn’t make many runs in behind for Tanaka and Rothwell to find them, plus Bristol stayed compact and then the subs did sod all apart from Bamford who made the runs that Piroe failed to do.
It’s not always the manager who’s at fault.

[ElKapitan]

Honestly..... If we're looking to go up automatically its worrying in some ways. Opportunities to win these games that we don't take will come back to bite us like last season if we're not careful.

Same as last game (after first 10), Sunderland and Burnley we look capable but pretty average in final third. We do not take chances and seem intent on making meals of the simple stuff that at this level and supposed quality of player we possess should be a given (Lazy under hit passes behind players etc).

Gnonto for me flatters to deceive, a lot of promise not realised at present all that often. Aarronsson drifts in and out of games (but a big fan of the improvement he's made overall) and if Solomon doesn't improve during the few months he'll be fit for us, then I'm unsure he's worth the wage (I know he's coming back from injury but that's par for the course with him).

Saying that Bristol are in good form at home and a points better than a loss especially with the injuries we've took. Just that with a game in hand for those above are we genuinely "now" a nailed on top two side as the bookies say? After 8 games and injuries to key players its debatable.

[JoeDenver]

Joseph has been much worse, anonymous

Agreed. Just think the late sub dynamic didn’t give him enough time to get into the game, which was a fear of mine.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Not a good result, IMHO. Don’t want to hear the “it was a good point” rhetoric from Farke. Think he erred in starting Piroe as we clearly lost some attacking nous with Largie and Firpo being out. He needed to compensate with a more dynamic player at the 9. Then he compounded that mistake with the last season dynamic of late subs (71st minute?? Really?!?!). Fine margins, I know, but those tactical decisions had consequences. As AJS said, two players out should not have such a dramatic impact on our performance.

Fair play to Bristol for squeezing out a result.

That's why we have 4 quality wingers

3 strikers that would be starting for most championship clubs

4 full backs (Schmidt and Byram in reserve)

We have more than enough quality to be winning these games

[Barlow Boy]

But 23 from 12 is below par

2 points a game is generally considered promotion form, we’re only a point off Andrew.

[White Riot]

Hello, where’ve you been for the last couple of hours ?

Working overtime OB, much more rewarding than watching these guys and their lack of penetration.

[ElKapitan]

If everyone is static in front of of them, what can they do?
Gnonto had a poor game by his standards and James didn’t make many runs in behind for Tanaka and Rothwell to find them, plus Bristol stayed compact and then the subs did sod all apart from Bamford who made the runs that Piroe failed to do.
It’s not always the manager who’s at fault.

I agree there was a lack of movement today (looked a bit flat from the off, end result of so many games recently?) but there were quite a few opportunities for them to break the lines with a central through ball (which they saw) as Gnonto drifted into central positions late on especially. They seemed intent on playing it wide that Bristol were quite happy with.

I would also say (and omg I can't believe I'm saying it) we missed Firpo. Byram was "uncomfortable" going forwards for me. Not bad but no overlaps and preferred to pass back to struijk. Very negative though solid defensively.

[Cjay]

If everyone is static in front of of them, what can they do?
Gnonto had a poor game by his standards and James didn’t make many runs in behind for Tanaka and Rothwell to find them, plus Bristol stayed compact and then the subs did sod all apart from Bamford who made the runs that Piroe failed to do.
It’s not always the manager who’s at fault.

They weren't static, not all in great game form but I watched the front 4 they pointed for a ball in behind numerous times especially first half.

Never came.

The one time we went long over the top Tanaka to Byram we got a chance.

This was a return to very safe passing today, even turning down Aaronso when he was showing in space centre of the pitch between defence and midfield the ball went back most of the time.

[Cjay]

Agreed. Just think the late sub dynamic didn’t give him enough time to get into the game, which was a fear of mine.

I just think it was too safe.

Will watch the game again but even Bamford was making runs late on and the ball wasn't coming.

Rothwell I think it was turned back and Bamford was visibly frustrated.

[mentalcase]

2 points dropped against a very poor bristol team at home, couldv'e laked another hour and we wouldn't have scored.
Still on target for 2 points a game like.
2Home games now, really really ought to be 6 points, but it is LUFC we are talking about.

[ElKapitan]

2 points a game is generally considered promotion form, we’re only a point off Andrew.

The 2 points a game is based on historical averages I think.

Unfortunately we are seeing the gulf in quality that exists in the prem start to extend to the championship in recent seasons.

I.e. last season we would have been promoted in all but 1 season in the last 25 years I think the stat was.

Those being relegated are head and shoulders above the mid table champ sides now and the points tallies needed for top 2 are starting to show it.

[The Subhuman]

2 points a game is generally considered promotion form, we’re only a point off Andrew.

Comparative league table (Played - Won - Drawn - Lost - GF - GD - PTS)

Leeds 24/5 - 12 - 6 - 5 - 1 - 19 - 8 - 23
Leeds 23/4 - 12 - 6 - 4 - 2 - 20 - 13 - 22

We started poorly last season (We get 9 from the next 12 over the next 4 games)

[Cjay]

Comparative league table (Played - Won - Drawn - Lost - GF - GD - PTS)

Leeds 24/5 - 12 - 6 - 5 - 1 - 19 - 8 - 23
Leeds 23/4 - 12 - 6 - 4 - 2 - 20 - 13 - 22

We started poorly last season (We get 9 from the next 12 over the next 4 games)

eek-chrissy.gif (467.24 KiB) Viewed 1473 times

[Finnatic]

They weren't static, not all in great game form but I watched the front 4 they pointed for a ball in behind numerous times especially first half.

Never came.

The one time we went long over the top Tanaka to Byram we got a chance.

This was a return to very safe passing today, even turning down Aaronso when he was showing in space centre of the pitch between defence and midfield the ball went back most of the time.

I missed the beginning so only going on what I saw and that was what I saw with Piroe being the main culprit - when the camera is so high it’s easier to spot where and what players should or shouldn’t be doing.

[The Subhuman]

eek-chrissy.gif

It was the mantra here.. next game we can extend it (as we lost game 13 to Stoke last season) but you look ahead at that stunning post new year run with 13 wins and a draw in 14 or something and that will be difficult to replicate and right now I'm struggling to see how we don't run out of steam again relying on the same 13/14 players...

[CUSSIE01]

I agree there was a lack of movement today (looked a bit flat from the off, end result of so many games recently?) but there were quite a few opportunities for them to break the lines with a central through ball (which they saw) as Gnonto drifted into central positions late on especially. They seemed intent on playing it wide that Bristol were quite happy with.

I would also say (and omg I can't believe I'm saying it) we missed Firpo. Byram was "uncomfortable" going forwards for me. Not bad but no overlaps and preferred to pass back to struijk. Very negative though solid defensively.

Love the way people can watch a game & see things differently, IMHO Byram never missed a tackle, positioning was excellent especially when BC we’re putting us under pressure in the 1st half & created 2 of our best chances for Bogle’s & Joseph’s headers. Swings & roundabouts with him & Firpo, Firpo (may) get more assists but will cost us goals whereas Byram is way & above the better defender. I know which one I’d want in my team in the Premiership.
Not saying you’re wrong El just the way I saw it.

[ElKapitan]

Comparative league table (Played - Won - Drawn - Lost - GF - GD - PTS)

Leeds 24/5 - 12 - 6 - 5 - 1 - 19 - 8 - 23
Leeds 23/4 - 12 - 6 - 4 - 2 - 20 - 13 - 22

We started poorly last season (We get 9 from the next 12 over the next 4 games)

Last but 1 stat is important.

We do look a bit more settled defensively this year even after losing Ampadu and Gruev. Like I don't really feel we let many big opportunities come a teams way.

I do worry about creativity centrally as we are heavily reliant on the wings and pretty one dimensional in attack (struggle to break teams down if they sit back).

Overall though, its not bad..... I just don't see us going on a winning run. No really terrifying forwards this year after losing Rutter and Summerville (Players who can single handedly change a game).