Leeds Utd v Aston Villa Match Thread

[rab_rant]

I am furious that Dean Smith is taking the credit saying that he was the one
who asked Bielsa to give them the equalising goal... we all know it was
John Terry's idea.

[1964white]

A fair analysis from a Villa fan

Thug said:
It’s so strange to see such a varied analysis of what to make of the game today, and I can actually agree with nearly every account I’m reading.

I can see how despite having the majority of the possession, they didn’t really have any clear cut opportunities to score, so I get it when some on here feel like today was a job well done, and feel there is nothing to fear from them.

Personally, I am actually less confident after today’s game. I think our game plan pretty much relies on controlling the game, and up until today, I can’t remember where we’ve not dominated possession and territorial advantage, let alone be dominated in those areas.

I don’t remember a game where Grealish and McGinn have been so creatively nullified.

Now its one thing to smother those two out the game, but another to manage to do it and still dominate possession. Most teams have had to double or triple up on Grealish.. they didn’t need to. Yes it wasn’t exactly a gentlemanly way to deal with him, but by hook or by crook they got the job done, and at the end of the day no one will remember how the job got done.

We weren’t helped at all by the fact there was no one holding the ball up top, and have to admit I was bitterly disappointed by JK’s performance today. I know that’s not what his game is about, but when he did get the opportunities to use his strengths, he didn’t manage that either. We desperately need Tammy fit, and if not, I’d have to say that i’d prefer Davis as the lone man up front, just to hold the thing up there for long enough for us to keep possession - especially against more astute opposition like this lot.

Our defence is stellar. And the turn around from the beginning of the season is nothing short of miraculous. But I worry that the number of shots we allowed today, and the territorial advantage we conceded means it is only a quality strike away from conceding what may well be the only goal of the game against opposition like this. We were very restricted in our own attacking opportunities, and if they are given an opportunity to shut up shop - I think they’d be very effective at doing so.

In conclusion, I think they are by far the most competent team we wave played so far, and I am loathed to admit that my supreme confidence in walking the play offs has taken admire ran a small dent after today.

Yes it takes a Villa fan to call it, Phillips dominated the supposedly best midfielder in the championship

[The Subhuman]

I thought Grealish played it all wrong, going down at the slightest contact and trying to get the ref to win the game for them. That's fear of us as a team. Should have taken a leaf from Che Adams book who left Phillips for dead most of the time and dominated us.

[1964white]

So we were the best team by far !

The actual result is a mockery going by those stats

Screenshot 2019-04-29 at 10.22.13.png (53.72 KiB) Viewed 3407 times

[YorkshireSquare]

Key again is shorts on target 5-4

We had 40% more possession and twice as many shots but only mange one more on target.

[1964white]

I thought Grealish played it all wrong, going down at the slightest contact and trying to get the ref to win the game for them. That's fear of us as a team. Should have taken a leaf from Che Adams book who left Phillips for dead most of the time and dominated us.

Grealish knew exactly what he was doing & is a typical modern-day footballer who cheats to gain an advantage. Hit these players players hard & they become the soft-bellied/whinging footballers that grace football these days

[1964white]

Key again is shorts on target 5-4

We had 40% more possession and twice as many shots but only mange one more on target.

Indeed Adam

Had we resolved this glaring problem we'd now be champions & looking forward to premiership football

[Mick Jones shoulder]

Much improved yesterday but the amount times reasonable crosses were played in and we had no one prepared to gambled either across the front man or arriving a the back post baffles me. You have got gamble all the best strikers do to get goals. Simple.

[mothbanquet]

I think the important thing to remember, for all this game's theatrics, that it was a zero-stakes game for which both sides fully prepared and nether willing to treat it as such. It was an important reminder that we play well as a rule against 'good' teams, that is to say teams who don't just put 10 men behind the ball and play on the counter.

It's eased my nerves greatly going into the playoffs and one would suspect that extends to the team as well. A solid, clean win would've been nice but we still stopped one of the most impressive winning streaks of the season, which defensively makes me feel more confident going forward.

[leedsmad]

So we were the best team by far !

The actual result is a mockery going by those stats


Screenshot 2019-04-29 at 10.22.13.png

It's been the story of our Season and Biesla has said it himself, with decent strikers and decent goal ratio we would of won this league by a good 6-10 points.
We have relied to much on our midfielders to get the goals and if we didn't have Pablo Hernandez we'd probably struggle to make the play off's his 12 goals for the season has been vital to where we are.

There can't be any argument that Biesla has worked wonders with basically the same squad as last year to get us where we are, the question is has he squeezed the last drop of juice from the lemon or is there one final squeeze?
Regardless it's been an unbelievable season to even be in play off's and the excitement of the games ahead is pulsating, just can't help thinking that had we brought the investment required in January we may have been up already.... Golden opportunity missed.

[Mick Jones shoulder]

It's been the story of our Season and Biesla has said it himself, with decent strikers and decent goal ratio we would of won this league by a good 6-10 points.
We have relied to much on our midfielders to get the goals and if we didn't have Pablo Hernandez we'd probably struggle to make the play off's his 12 goals for the season has been vital to where we are.

There can't be any argument that Biesla has worked wonders with basically the same squad as last year to get us where we are, the question is has he squeezed the last drop of juice from the lemon or is there one final squeeze?
Regardless it's been an unbelievable season to even be in play off's and the excitement of the games ahead is pulsating, just can't help thinking that had we brought the investment required in January we may have been up already.... Golden opportunity missed.

Should have brought in goals in the Jan window but evidence suggests the cupboard is bare I

[1964white]

Should have brought in goals in the Jan window but evidence suggests the cupboard is bare I

We must be the only club with either Italian or Arab owners who have no money

Why purchase a football club if you haven't the clout to invest ?

[Mick Jones shoulder]

We must be the club with either Italian or Arab owners who have no money

Why purchase a football club if you haven't the clout to invest ?

I agree. Look at prem football which I try not to half full stadia could you see that at Elland Road

[BGwhite]

Should have brought in goals in the Jan window but evidence suggests the cupboard is bare I

It was clear that Vile offer much more in attack than Leeds who are not a real goal threat at all imo . The last 5 mins Leeds piled on the pressure and their keeper made a superb save from Pablo in the top corner but generally I don't see Leeds as having a dangerous attack . The crosses are very poor and rarely find our own players because we have a height deficiency against most teams and as soon as we get in area on the deck the opposition generally load the goal line with players making it difficult to score anyway. One player who I think deserves a mention is Roberts who seems to be growing into his midfield role carrying and distributing very well in the main and was unlucky not to score , he also has a presence about him and I hope he's around next season to continue his good progress. Overall if Leeds are to succeed in the playoffs they really have to convert the obvious chances and have a little bit of luck with the half chances otherwise it's Vile or Baggies to go up. A positive from the farce the other day is that Leeds looked up for it and showed all the signs of a team who are ready for the playoffs despite the recent demoralising performances.

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[Mick Jones shoulder]

Agree with most of that. Roberts played some decent quality balls in second half unfortunately we have no one prepared to gamble either across the front man or late to the back post as I said on another thread. Confident strikers make those runs. Some of the other crossing this season has been dire from Harrison, Alioski etc I'd say we're guilty of trying to walk it in. It can only get better, been a great season though in all honesty.

[BGwhite]

You're right , Roberts put in 3 - if I remember right - excellent crosses to the far post and no one got on the end of any one. You could actually see the disbelief in Roberts as he turned away looking so frustrated. Our forwards need to get switched on and start playing with their brains for once.

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