Bolton v Leeds - Team/Reports/Ratings

[YorkshireSquare]

Thats us in the drop zone. A points a point i guess thoughh.

21st in the table, Millwall and Wigan lost again. Blackpool won though.

[Dons Legends]

Happy with a point away from home, we have Birmingham at home next, which we need to win, we can't keep not winning our games at home, especially against average sides.

[Brader]

Just getting back from the game, had to sit in the Bolton end. Wanted to have my shirt off by half time.
Were a noisy bunch aren't we !! Best support in the league, makes you even prouder when you're listening to the support in a different stand.

Here's my thoughts, Taylor is a fantastic left back, thought he had a great game and looking a brilliant prospect. Murphy and Austin again had a great game, cook tailed off alittle for me but mowatt added much needed focus for the mid. Morrison had a decent first half and credit for his little flick headers over, had the body language of balotelli in the last 20 or so though, lack of fitness maybe? Would have loved to have seen billy on as there was a mistake waiting to happen in their back 4 and I feel chasing the game is one of sharpes best qualitys.

Berardi also solid for me today, last ball lacking though. And if byram can stay on his feet he can make a decent switch to RW instead of RB.

Writing on intermittent 3G on a phone screen so excuse the poorly written sentences and spelling mistakes if any

X

[dezzy]

Nice point, good to see players rested too, anntenuci will benifit from the rest, billy sharp will be gone by the end of the month surely, sadly.

[ldsutd]

A good point away from home against a club on the rise with a decent manager. I think that's the end of Morrisons chances with Leeds, I cant help but think today was a test for Morrison to see if he will score for us and it also put him in the shop window.
I am glad we played Byram further up field because I think he will eventually be playing there if not for us but for another club in the future and I am pleased we packed the midfield more and only played one up front after all we was away from home and on poor form.

Onwards and upwards.

[alessio89]

unfortunately is a bad moment and the three points are a far memories, but at Bolton in this moment is not easy also for the top team of Championship because Lennon is doing a good job.

the line-up of yesterday was very unusual compared last matches and i'm happy for a advanced position of Sam (for me is the right role him, because as pure right back had more difficult and in advanced position can play with more liberty)

[weasel]

An interesting and brave selection given the amount of stick he (Redfearn) would have got if it went wrong. Hopefully the kick up the ar$e that some players needed, the rest that others needed, and the chance that others needed.

I fully expect us to go on a decent run now taking 18-22 points out of the next 24. Play-offs here we come!

[1964white]

Returned home from the game feeling under the weather from the very chilly snow-blown Macron stadium, thankfully i was well wrapped up keeping me sufficiently warm to enjoy an absorbing game. So pleased Redfern selected the midfield i hoped for although Byram to the flank was a welcomed addition to the four i predicted. As soon i saw the squirt of a ref i knew we'd have something go against us & true to form it took only a few minutes for the man in green to make his first clanger after young Cook had slipped Byram through in the box with Lonegan bringing Sam down. No red card not even a yellow the idiot & his lineman went on to make one or two questionable decisions. Ditching the diamond system & going with a 4-5-1 formation & playing a team of players with height gave us much more muscle & guile to press the opposition & defend set-pieces more competently even though it was a bit frantic at times. Tbh i find it hard to believe Bolton had picked up 16 of their last 18 points even though they had more quality on the ball they were nothing special as we restricted them to two shots on target, the penalty & one shot straight at Silvestri, apart from a couple of free-headers in in our box & a last-ditch tackle from Taylor (one of the best bits of defending i've witnessed this season) i cannot recall much more from the Wanderers ataack. Heskey is total lump now !
Generally we defended very well which is a plus, overall the quality wasn't great nevertheless i enjoyed the game. Although we could probably have won the game with a bit more attacking purpose, a point away from home is always a good point. Three points v Birmingham next Saturday is essential, we need to get our home form back on track

Silvestri - 6 apart from the pen not alot to do
Berardi - 8 his best game for Leeds, linked up well with Byram
Bellusci - 6 some nice mixed with some horror moments
Cooper - 8 commanding at the back
Taylor - 8 looks the part, one goal-stopping tackle, great prospect
Byram - 8 our best attacking outlet, unlucky not to score what would have been a great goal
Austin - 7 more disciplined especially with Cook playing a more forward role
Murphy - 9 thought Luke was the major difference, always available in the middle & worked hard defensively & in our forward moves. My MOTM for the second match running. I'll take back my thoughts on this lad even though is early season form was woeful !
Sloth - 7 goes about his business in a neat & tidy way
Cook - 7 played much further forward tucked between the middle four & Morison, made the pass for the penalty, ran his socks off
Morison - 7 - won alot of headers, should have scored from a header

Sub : Mowatt

Leeds fans - 10 once again made a library into a cauldrum of noise

"we scored a goal...we scored a goal...how sh*t must you be we scored a goal" :clapshout: followed up by "we all hate Leeds scum" as the Bolton fans looked on baffled

[eastyorkshirewhite]

Would normally say a point way from home is a good result but this was a game that could have been easily won if Redfern had not been stuborn in making changes.Bolton were poor and I am sure if he had gone for it in the last 20 min 3pts would have been in the bag.As it was with the other results we slipped another place down nearer the bottom three.

[1964white]

Would normally say a point way from home is a good result but this was a game that could have been easily won if Redfern had not been stuborn in making changes.Bolton were poor and I am sure if he had gone for it in the last 20 min 3pts would have been in the bag.As it was with the other results we slipped another place down nearer the bottom three.

I still think we'll be alright with Millwall & Rotherham still to come at ER & away games at Wigan & Blackpool. Essential we beat the clubs around us !

[paddy parrott]

Thanks for the opinions both and report ,nobody should be down with a draw.
Personally from here I expected just that. Ok we once more let it slip.
On a more positive note I think this defence can steady up things.I look at it this way they want the Leeds shirt let them prove it.
Murphy has a golden chance so on a more cheery note..it all kicks off next Saturday. MOT

[Martyn]

I still think we'll be alright with Millwall & Rotherham still to come at ER & away games at Wigan & Blackpool. Essential we beat the clubs around us !

Like we did with Fulham and Wigan? The problem is we have beaten good sides but we lose to the bad ones in the relegation mix with us.

[paddy parrott]

Martyn let's look forward from now and not what could've been.

[Martyn]

I'm looking forward paddy, and League 1 is beckoning

[paddy parrott]

I know! I know Martyn it ain't easy.Being a Leeds Utd fan is like this in some ways.
I for one don't. need a league table to understand the situation.
But let's just say for once anyway my glass is half full.Also I'm currently following Barcelona from the Camp Nou and let's dream just a bit.

[1964white]

Like we did with Fulham and Wigan? The problem is we have beaten good sides but we lose to the bad ones in the relegation mix with us.

I know Martyn, they were two disappointing results especially as there wasn't much between the two teams in either match but i'm still convinced we can get a few wins under our belts in the coming weeks !

[The Subhuman]

I'm looking forward paddy, and League 1 is beckoning

it's beckoning but we've told it to f**k off

[Martyn]

it's beckoning but we've told it to f**k off

I hope that's still funny in May mate.

[Charity Shield 69]

A change of year, change of formation and we are showing clear signs of playing more effective football, both in terms of looking more solid as a defensive unit plus being able to threaten our opponent's defence.
However we are going to need to actually put our opponents to the sword by getting goals when good opportunities are created if we are going to ease Martyn's (and others') genuine concerns about relegation.
Regardless of the clear positives coming from the 2nd half v Sunderland and v Bolton the Head Coach needs to tinker with the personnel in the 4-2-3-1 set up to ensure this occurs.
In reality our lineup v BWFC was not laden with goals and as indicated elsewhere NR may have missed a trick by not at least getting another goalscorer (or more accurately a goalscorer ) onto the pitch for the final 10-15 minutes last Saturday.
So while the 4-2-3-1 set up shows considerably more potential than the diamond it is vital to get the right people in the right spots to realise this potential.
In that regard I would be interested to hear opinions about the deployment of our players.
For example could Antenucci play one of the attacking 4 options in the system eg. lone striker or CM? Is there are role for Sharpe? Where would Mowatt best fit?

Cheers,
CS69

[paddy parrott]

Ok the way I see it. Diamond system no good we aren't ready.
Early last season we couldn't play 352. Weren't good enough.
So teams and systems change ...we are still looking.For me Alex should be a second half player.why? He is terrific but gets read to easily.Cookie for me there.Antenucci's goals count over and above so he needs service and I'd haveAdryan the supplier in a wider role.Murphy needs to get the foot in Soto speak and I still think Rudi's the partner to do this.