Leeds Utd v Hull City Match Thread

[Genghers]

Top of the table and a single defeat after a run of seven wins in a row; and it seems we are a team lacking in quality, in depth and riddled with weaknesses according to some. How bad is everyone else?

We have conceded too many goals in our last three games and have paid the price in this match. That happens, those three don't change how well we have done so far this season.

Most rational post so far.

If you watch the highlights we had loads of chances, with 2 or 3 blocked on the line or just in front. It seemed like they were dropping two men and the keeper onto the line when we came forward late on and it stopped us.

It's a disappointing end to a really great run of form, but fortunately it's not been capitalised on by our closest competition. Would rather have dropped points v Hull than Villa...

This run of games was always going to be a challenge with our lack of depth/injury problems and we've coped really well in general. We are still dominating the stats and even though we didn't score, there are only so many games that you create 20+ chances with 8 on target that you don't score in...

Defensively we clearly have problems at the moment and I think that's mainly down to Phillips tbh. I know people are being a bit critical of Douglas and Ayling - and they've not been at their best since coming back - but a proper CB gets rid for that first goal, and there have been a few shakey moments from Kalvin in this run where he's shown a lack of awareness/composure for the position.

Not sure if there was much BPF could do today, but other teams are having much more joy at converting chances to goals, and for me that's a bigger worry than us not putting our chances away. You can't lose if you don't concede etc.

Bielsa is quite pragmatic with his use of youth players and clearly worries about the impact of them playing 90 mins and I do tend to agree that we should be starting the likes of Ayling (vice captain, specialist right-back and one of our more consistent performers early on) over Shackleton (youth CM refashioned as an RB). I think there's an element of grass being greener a lot of the time with these youth players/any player not currently playing, and we need to trust in the team that Bielsa puts out rather than bemoan his choices.

I think we will see a couple of signings next month and I don't think they'll be filler/loans. Kinnear has spoken about the need to bring in quality and I think it's clear where we need to do that. I know January signings don't always work out, but if we work shrewdly then it could be the edge we need for the run-in...

[hector]

You are joking, right? Roofe is in his best form for Leeds now he's playing up front on his own and you're saying he's not a striker?! Just look at the types of goals he's scoring - tap-ins, headers, volleys coming from deep and beating men on the edge if the box... He has a knack of being in the right place - showing excellent positioning and decision making for the role.

He's our top scorer and one of the two proper goal threats we have available currently. Bamford will be an option once fit, but right now it's Kemar or Roberts and I know who is rather have starting.

Ditto

[rab_rant]

Look!!! way back in this thread a wrote a generic complaint post.
I thought that would cover all the gripes that would surface once
we lost a game, but apparently a loss turns this forum into a wailing wall.

Bielsa after the game
1) 3 times more chances than the opponents
2) We attacked well and dominated many aspects of the game
3) We should have made more mid distance shots
4) no lack of precision in passing when attacking
5) We should have played and passed faster
6) We neutralised the wingers by doubling up on them and it was effective until the 2nd goal
7) We had 8-9 chances to score which is not enough counting the amount of possession we had
8) Opponents attacked in big spaces. We attacked in small spaces because of 2 lines of 4 in defence.
9) Harrison did good things in 1st half... it is good he shares the game with Jack Clarke
10) Players have been fine with many games over the christmas period, but the 4th game will be the most difficult.
11) Championship is intense. All the teams seem to be on an equal level

[The Subhuman]

If Roofe isn't a striker then what is he?

[gessa]

I'd like to add, I didn't think we looked tired yesterday, we kept going at them right to the end, I think this is a myth, an excuse. Hull's game plan worked well for them, 2 defensive errors gifting them goals, some poor finishing by us and the little bit of luck evading us.

[gessa]

Off topic but reading some local press, Gary Monk is slaming Maupay of Brentford for play acting, trying to get players sent off and the team of time wasting, Gary Gary, take a look back at your tactics against us. Pot kettle black.

[The Subhuman]

I'd like to add, I didn't think we looked tired yesterday, we kept going at them right to the end, I think this is a myth, an excuse. Hull's game plan worked well for them, 2 defensive errors gifting them goals, some poor finishing by us and the little bit of luck evading us.

Agreed we lost that defensively yesterday. There wasn't a lot wrong with the rest of the game.

[Cjay]

You are joking, right? Roofe is in his best form for Leeds now he's playing up front on his own and you're saying he's not a striker?! Just look at the types of goals he's scoring - tap-ins, headers, volleys coming from deep and beating men on the edge if the box... He has a knack of being in the right place - showing excellent positioning and decision making for the role.

He's our top scorer and one of the two proper goal threats we have available currently. Bamford will be an option once fit, but right now it's Kemar or Roberts and I know who is rather have starting.

No i understand all that, he has done very well, his movement and intelligence is very good, but I've always thought of him as a number 10, thats where he made his name at Oxford.

He isnt a poacher like Sharp and Pukki or an all rounder like Abraham.

Its not like I'm saying he isnt good enough, but his record compared to player who imo are natural strikers shows the difference.

Natural goalscorers like Gayle, Grabban, Sharp, Pukki, Marriott, all more clinical and accurate, requiring far less chances to score.

I think Bamford is a striker, i think Roofe would be better in a pair or as a number 10.

[Cjay]

If Roofe isn't a striker then what is he?

Number 10 imo

Always thought that, his intelligence and movement is perfect for that role.

Its where he made his name to.

[1964white]

did he need to be fit??

after all it's not as though we were playing Man Citeh or Liverpool is it??

[1964white]

If you watch the highlights we had loads of chances, with 2 or 3 blocked on the line or just in front. It seemed like they were dropping two men and the keeper onto the line when we came forward late on and it stopped us.

I wouldn't say we had loads of chances Tom. Hull played 4-4-2 with two banks of four in their back line.

I thought they defended exceptionally well whereas we were wide open & vulnerable to their counter attacks, we were really poor in midfield & at the back.

We didn't look like breaking Hull's defence down for long periods of the game & as I posted in my match report a comeback was never on the cards yesterday. The best defensive performance I've seen from the opposition at ER this season

Defensively we clearly have problems at the moment and I think that's mainly down to Phillips tbh. I know people are being a bit critical of Douglas and Ayling - and they've not been at their best since coming back - but a proper CB gets rid for that first goal, and there have been a few shakey moments from Kalvin in this run where he's shown a lack of awareness/composure for the position

I'll defend KP here even though he was culpable for Hull's first goal, his first costly error in a long time. Although Phillips made that mistake he was still our best defender on the day whilst the likes of Ayling, Douglas, Forshaw, Klich & Harrison were woeful. Kalvin was superb with 9/10 performances at Villa & v Blackburn. After saying that I still want to see KP playing as our DM protecting our two CB's

[BGwhite]

Would love to see Roofe linking up with Bamford .He's got the energy and nous to create and also track back when required . If only the others could regain their early season scoring form to shoulder some of the pressure because at the moment Roofe knows it's down to him or Pablo which creates a lot of pressure on both of them. Defensively they've lapsed lately but yesterdays defeat will wake them up again I'm sure and Cooper will be back soon so nearly back to full strength. Half term report; performed excellently so far with few blips but must maintain this as a bare minimum to go up automatically.

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[The Subhuman]

Number 10 imo

Always thought that, his intelligence and movement is perfect for that role.

Its where he made his name to.

Don't think so, he could maybe do ok there but he's an off the ball player at his best.

[The Subhuman]

Would love to see Roofe linking up with Bamford .He's got the energy and nous to create and also track back when required . If only the others could regain their early season scoring form to shoulder some of the pressure because at the moment Roofe knows it's down to him or Pablo which creates a lot of pressure on both of them. Defensively they've lapsed lately but yesterdays defeat will wake them up again I'm sure and Cooper will be back soon so nearly back to full strength. Half term report; performed excellently so far with few blips but must maintain this as a bare minimum to go up automatically.

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We're never going back to 442 so where would you play Roofe?

[SG90]

We're never going back to 442 so where would you play Roofe?

I wouldn't mind seeing something like this:
Clarke---------Bamford---------------Hernandez
--------------------Roofe--------------------------------

We need to utilise both Roofe AND Bamford. Not bring on Bamford with 20 mins left if we're not winning.

[The Subhuman]

Is Bamford creative enough for the creative mid role

[SG90]

Is Bamford creative enough for the creative mid role

He played as a 10 at Derby and Boro, plus Hernandez and Clarke would also create from the wings.

[Cjay]

Don't think so, he could maybe do ok there but he's an off the ball player at his best.

Some of the best number 10s do a lot of there best work off the ball, Messi spends most of the game walking, on his own, but when turnover happens he is away, free and ready.

Intelligence to pick up good positions is a key ingredient for a number 10 imo.