Sheffield Utd v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[1964white]

Interestingly we have gained more points in our second set of 10 fixtures than we did in the opening 10. We gained 19 points from our first 10 matches and have gained 20 from the last 10 (total of 39pts from the 20 played). Despite the injuries we have statistically outperformed the free scoring early Leeds. A contradictory stat though is that we were plus 12 goals from our first 10 matches but only plus 4 from the last 10 which shows that whilst we are not destroying teams we have been able to find ways to win which is a good trait to have.

We have to take in account we lost Hernandez & Roofe to injury in our final four games of the first batch of ten which ruin our rhythm after a scintillating start to the season.

You could arguably say we had a tougher set of matches in the first batch of ten

I believe we have found a way of winning scruffily in our final ten games

Also the nature of the championship is a learning process for Bielsa himself as well as his young players

[1964white]

A massive 9 points clear of TC's good start last season, though TC wins the next 4

Three of those four victories were unconvincing & a bit fortunate last season

I expect us to win at least three of our next four games

[SG90]

This week has shown a completely different side to us. We can play the Bielsaball attacking flair, but we can grind out big results and show mettle needed to get you through. I thought we were the team who looked most likely to win and on the balance of the play, we deserved to. They were up for it 20 mins in, but after that they weren't a threat. I think they only had two chances in the second half, the mistake from Halme and the overhead right at the end. I have to laugh at Wilder claiming the ref was poor for both, they got away with murder and should have had 3 red cards, we didn't have any players get away with reds. He sounded very bitter at the end and a sore loser, especially the attack he had on Jansson and Phillips. Makes me glad even more we have Bielsa, who is a gentleman and humble and gracious always.

[1964white]

villa will be a big danger. look a big strong unit.

We'll stunt their run '63

[1964white]

This week has shown a completely different side to us. We can play the Bielsaball attacking flair, but we can grind out big results and show mettle needed to get you through. I thought we were the team who looked most likely to win and on the balance of the play, we deserved to. They were up for it 20 mins in, but after that they weren't a threat. I think they only had two chances in the second half, the mistake from Halme and the overhead right at the end. I have to laugh at Wilder claiming the ref was poor for both, they got away with murder and should have had 3 red cards, we didn't have any players get away with reds. He sounded very bitter at the end and a sore loser, especially the attack he had on Jansson and Phillips. Makes me glad even more we have Bielsa, who is a gentleman and humble and gracious always.

Correct we showed resilience, discipline & patience today

I saw part of Wilder's interview.....the man is having a laugh. What crap did he come up with about Pontus & Phillips ?

[SG90]

Correct we showed resilience, discipline & patience today

I saw part of Wilder's interview.....the man is having a laugh. What crap did he come up with about Pontus & Phillips ?

He was defending his players fouls today and whinging that we asked why Stevens wasn't sent off. He said his players don't do all that and then said we don't complain when Jansson and Phillips are fouling every game, even though none of them has tried to break someone's leg and neither committed a foul today.

[SG90]

Dean Smith has Improved them very quickly in the short time he’s been there.
If anyone finishes above them come the end of the season then I think they’ll be going up.

Their defence is poor though. They try to play out from the back and get caught out every time. I think that could play into our hands.

[1964white]

He was defending his players fouls today and whinging that we asked why Stevens wasn't sent off. He said his players don't do all that and then said we don't complain when Jansson and Phillips are fouling every game, even though none of them has tried to break someone's leg and neither committed a foul today.

Obviously he was watching the game through rose-tinted spectacles

[Muppet the Cat]

Their defence is poor though. They try to play out from the back and get caught out every time. I think that could play into our hands.

Agreed SG90, our stats this season adequately confirm our defensive superiority. However, Villa do seem to scoring for fun at the moment, but I’m sure MB will have something up his sleeve for them

[danhirons]

Three of those four victories were unconvincing & a bit fortunate last season

I expect us to win at least three of our next four games

The recent results have been great but very unconvincing. Today was a total fluke.

[leic white 63]

We'll stunt their run '63

i actually fancy us at villa park to get at least a draw. they don't look as strong at home as they do away from home at the moment.
i do feel tho they will be in the top 3 come april/may .

[1964white]

The recent results have been great but very unconvincing. Today was a total fluke.

Have to admit a draw was on the cards

Typical Bielsa-style pressing in the 82nd minute caused the error from the Blunts back line

After all the Blunts dirty play with the referee constantly turning a blind eye it was refreshing we came out the winners

[SG90]

The recent results have been great but very unconvincing. Today was a total fluke.

And if we had a fair ref, they'd have had 8 men and we'd have had two blatant penalties. So swings and roundabouts.

[1964white]

And if we had a fair ref, they'd have had 8 men and we'd have had two blatant penalties. So swings and roundabouts.

And our goal average would have been significantly better

I wonder what the FL have in store for our forthcoming games to halt our progress of winning the league in a canter

[rab_rant]

Makes me glad even more we have Bielsa, who is a gentleman and humble and gracious always.

That is so refreshing that he does not trash the opposition or their managers.
He finds good things to say about their play or style, win or loose.
He always defends defends the referee even though they may have had a nightmare
game making many bad decisions. He realises that everyone can make mistakes.
And as for his own team there is never any condemnation. Players of the bench
are just as important as those on the field. Substitutions get made for tactical reasons
and not because of a players performance. He seems to turn everything on its head
and give it a positive spin... something the diehard fans would do well to learn.

I have heard his favourite tune to whistle is Monty Python's "Always look on the bright side of life"

[NorfolkWhite]

Watched the game in the pub yesterday so bit distracted at times but that has to be one of the worst reffing performances I’ve ever seen, so many bad bad decisions it was untrue and the vast majority against us.

Thought it was a massive performance though full of character from us, sort of performance that gives you hope it might just be our year. Big respect to the two youngsters who put in fantastic displays well above their experience in a really difficult fixture.

Best wishes to Coops, our injury woes continue, not sure what he’s done but looked a bad one - get well soon.

[SG90]

Opposition fans, managers and the press are always talking us down and taking pot shots. It must really rile them to see us doing well and playing with style and grace, so they can't make excuses and call us "dirty". Long may it continue.

[weasel]

He always defends defends the referee even though they may have had a nightmare
game making many bad decisions. [/b]

Being in charge of Leeds his resolve will be seriously tested as we get cr*p ref after crap ref - at some point he just might crack.

[whiteswan]

And if we had a fair ref, they'd have had 8 men and we'd have had two blatant penalties. So swings and roundabouts.

Absolutely!

[1964white]

Photos courtesy of Heidi

Pontus gearing himself up for his usual banter with the fans