Swansea City v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[weasel]

I don't get all the knocking of Piroe every time he plays a match and doesn't score. If he scores every other game then he gets 20+ goals for the season which is decent but he isn't going to score every match. I want Joseph to do well but until he can replicate his form against the kids of the world into the proper matches then Piroe has to start. Joseph's complete mess up of an open goal sums up his season for us so far. Piroe took his chances when he wasn't in the team, he came on and scored consistently. Joseph needs to do that and force Farke to have a proper decision to make.

[1964white]

I don't get all the knocking of Piroe every time he plays a match and doesn't score. If he scores every other game then he gets 20+ goals for the season which is decent but he isn't going to score every match. I want Joseph to do well but until he can replicate his form against the kids of the world into the proper matches then Piroe has to start. Joseph's complete mess up of an open goal sums up his season for us so far. Piroe took his chances when he wasn't in the team, he came on and scored consistently. Joseph needs to do that and force Farke to have a proper decision to make.

It was like playing with ten men this afternoon.

[weasel]

It was like playing with ten men this afternoon.

But the same can be said about most great goalscorers. Haaland hardly touches the ball, Ronaldo got booted out of MU by Ten Haag because all he did was score.

Even though, as you say, it may have been like playing with 10 men it does mean though that the opposition have to always keep an eye on him. If he isn't occupying their centrebacks then James especially isn't going to get the freedom he did in central areas. If for example at that point Piroe was playing deeper in midfield then the Swansea centrebacks can be keeping their eye on James.

I recall match (yes it is the Sunday League story time again - I know Jaydog loves these) where my main striker was having a sh*t match and being incredibly lazy. Normally he was quite lazy but a cracking striker. I had several on my players telling me to sub him but I could see that the opposition defenders were still almost doubling up on him because they knew what he was capable of (and opposition teams also knew he was mardy, lazy etc, but could suddenly belt the ball in from 30 yards). As it was he did nothing in the game but my other striker had more space and got the couple of goals that won us the match.

So what I am saying is that because Piroe doesn't run away and drop deep etc he is actually occupying the opposition centrebacks and making him their primary focus. It can give others a bit more space. A striker doesn't need to be invovled in the play to be a f*cking nuisance for defenders.

[1964white]

But the same can be said about most great goalscorers. Haaland hardly touches the ball, Ronaldo got booted out of MU by Ten Haag because all he did was score.

Even though, as you say, it may have been like playing with 10 men it does mean though that the opposition have to always keep an eye on him. If he isn't occupying their centrebacks then James especially isn't going to get the freedom he did in central areas. If for example at that point Piroe was playing deeper in midfield then the Swansea centrebacks can be keeping their eye on James.

I recall match (yes it is the Sunday League story time again - I know Jaydog loves these) where my main striker was having a sh*t match and being incredibly lazy. Normally he was quite lazy but a cracking striker. I had several on my players telling me to sub him but I could see that the opposition defenders were still almost doubling up on him because they knew what he was capable of (and opposition teams also knew he was mardy, lazy etc, but could suddenly belt the ball in from 30 yards). As it was he did nothing in the game but my other striker had more space and got the couple of goals that won us the match.

So what I am saying is that because Piroe doesn't run away and drop deep etc he is actually occupying the opposition centrebacks and making him their primary focus. It can give others a bit more space. A striker doesn't need to be invovled in the play to be a f*cking nuisance for defenders.

Joseph & Bamford seriously occupy centre-backs with their work rate.

Opposition CBs generally have an easy time when Piroe starts. 2 goals & 1 assist in 8 games when he's on from the kick-off.

Joseph 1 goal & 3 assists in eight starts

Poor from both our No.9s, imo!

[DDB220]

Tbf to Kamara he kept the ball better than Rothwell, his passing was more accurate and he was better at holding on to the ball and winning it back.

Was the absolute epitome of safety first though.

All things we know Farke loves hence why he liked the Gruev and Amps partnership and given what we know about him without those injuries we'd still probably be using Gruev and Amps now.

Will be interesting to see what we do if and when Amps or Gruev return.

But I don't think Rothwell or Tanaka are massively more creative in terms of final ball than Kamara was, bit braver when passing the ball but despite Rothwell taking all our set pieces we still only have 1 assist between Rothwell and Tanaka.

Kamara actually had 2 at this stage.

Farke's style doesn't encourage creativity and goals from midfield.

But Tanaka is better overall than Kamara imo.

The problem with Kamara is he would have a nose bleed whenever he got near the oppositions 18 yard box. Rothwell isn’t setting the world on fire, he is a steady squad player, who can inject pace into our play. But an able deputy in the middle in the absence of Amps. For me he is an improvement on Gruev.
Amps and Tanaka are our best midfield pairing in the squad by a long stretch, looking forward to see them play together.

[1964white]

I'll watch this game in full later today.

It shall be much more enjoyable second time around.

[Cjay]

But the same can be said about most great goalscorers. Haaland hardly touches the ball, Ronaldo got booted out of MU by Ten Haag because all he did was score.

Even though, as you say, it may have been like playing with 10 men it does mean though that the opposition have to always keep an eye on him. If he isn't occupying their centrebacks then James especially isn't going to get the freedom he did in central areas. If for example at that point Piroe was playing deeper in midfield then the Swansea centrebacks can be keeping their eye on James.

I recall match (yes it is the Sunday League story time again - I know Jaydog loves these) where my main striker was having a sh*t match and being incredibly lazy. Normally he was quite lazy but a cracking striker. I had several on my players telling me to sub him but I could see that the opposition defenders were still almost doubling up on him because they knew what he was capable of (and opposition teams also knew he was mardy, lazy etc, but could suddenly belt the ball in from 30 yards). As it was he did nothing in the game but my other striker had more space and got the couple of goals that won us the match.

So what I am saying is that because Piroe doesn't run away and drop deep etc he is actually occupying the opposition centrebacks and making him their primary focus. It can give others a bit more space. A striker doesn't need to be invovled in the play to be a f*cking nuisance for defenders.

Also look at who Piroe has started against

Swansea had only conceded 3 goals at home till yesterday

Wba have the 3rd best defence in the league

Sheffield United 2nd best and Sunderland 4th, Millwall 5th.

Say opposition cbs have an easier time vs Piroe, without his movement yesterday we don't score 2 of our goals.

The own goal obviously

But the 1st goal as well which will largely go unnoticed.

1st goal he was absolutely crucial, soon as Struijk received the ball he dropped off the cb (Darling) who naturally took a step or two forward, ball played in behind for James who crossed for Solomon to score.

Piroe not only moved the cb a few yards forward creating a gap for James (without Piroe moving that cb is a few yards deeper making James job harder) . But as soon as the cb he moved saw James go behind he raced back , the other cb then starts watching Piroe who ran towards the box but hung back,  this meant Solomon had a split second head start on that cb who was distracted by Piroe and by time he saw Solomon he was already ahead of him.

Piroe occupied the attention of two cbs without touching the ball.

You can clearly see it on the highlights, the 1 cb moving forward then the other cb watching Piroe before checking his shoulder for Solomon but too late by then.

A player doesn't have to be running around or even touching the ball to be effective.

I think because Piroe doesn't race about (all be it he does work hard) much of the intelligent play he does is unnoticed.

That is just one example

[Jaydog]

But the same can be said about most great goalscorers. Haaland hardly touches the ball, Ronaldo got booted out of MU by Ten Haag because all he did was score.

Even though, as you say, it may have been like playing with 10 men it does mean though that the opposition have to always keep an eye on him. If he isn't occupying their centrebacks then James especially isn't going to get the freedom he did in central areas. If for example at that point Piroe was playing deeper in midfield then the Swansea centrebacks can be keeping their eye on James.

I recall match (yes it is the Sunday League story time again - I know Jaydog loves these) where my main striker was having a sh*t match and being incredibly lazy. Normally he was quite lazy but a cracking striker. I had several on my players telling me to sub him but I could see that the opposition defenders were still almost doubling up on him because they knew what he was capable of (and opposition teams also knew he was mardy, lazy etc, but could suddenly belt the ball in from 30 yards). As it was he did nothing in the game but my other striker had more space and got the couple of goals that won us the match.

So what I am saying is that because Piroe doesn't run away and drop deep etc he is actually occupying the opposition centrebacks and making him their primary focus. It can give others a bit more space. A striker doesn't need to be invovled in the play to be a f*cking nuisance for defenders.

I do young man. I have your biography “Jumpers for goalposts” next to the two volumes of “Worlds greatest analogies” next to my bed.
Fantastico.

[1964white]

Swansea's first goal was clearly offside. VAR would have ruled that goal out.

[The Subhuman]

If VAR were around then we'd have had 2 or 3 ruled out in the past too. Swings and roundabouts and benefit of the doubt to the striker for me

[1964white]

The Swansea game reminded me of our 4-5 victory at Birmingham.

I was at St Andrews that day. I still have visions of Luke Ayling running behind the goal nets celebrating a goal.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Swansea's first goal was clearly offside. VAR would have ruled that goal out.



Screenshot 2024-11-25 18.14.22.png

I thought so at the time. Commentators said it wasn't. So I assumed it was just my Leeds bias.

[1964white]

I thought so at the time. Commentators said it wasn't. So I assumed it was just my Leeds bias.

I only noticed a Swansea player was offside on my rewatch today.

Looking at my screenshot, the linesman is dead in line with the play.

[1964white]

[Jammy 07]

I only noticed a Swansea player was offside on my rewatch today.

Looking at my screenshot, the linesman is dead in line with the play.

The goalscorer does look just about level though don't you think ?

[weasel]

I do young man. I have your biography “Jumpers for goalposts” next to the two volumes of “Worlds greatest anal orgies” next to my bed.
Fantastico.

FIxed your post.

[weasel]

1st goal he was absolutely crucial, soon as Struijk received the ball he dropped off the cb (Darling) who naturally took a step or two forward, ball played in behind for James who crossed for Solomon to score.

Piroe not only moved the cb a few yards forward creating a gap for James (without Piroe moving that cb is a few yards deeper making James job harder) . But as soon as the cb he moved saw James go behind he raced back , the other cb then starts watching Piroe who ran towards the box but hung back,  this meant Solomon had a split second head start on that cb who was distracted by Piroe and by time he saw Solomon he was already ahead of him.

Piroe occupied the attention of two cbs without touching the ball.

You can clearly see it on the highlights, the 1 cb moving forward then the other cb watching Piroe before checking his shoulder for Solomon but too late by then.

A player doesn't have to be running around or even touching the ball to be effective.

I think because Piroe doesn't race about (all be it he does work hard) much of the intelligent play he does is unnoticed.

Well put Cjay.

[John in Louisiana]

Swansea's first goal was clearly offside. VAR would have ruled that goal out.



Screenshot 2024-11-25 18.14.22.png

That's what I thought at the time.

[CUSSIE01]

I only noticed a Swansea player was offside on my rewatch today.

Looking at my screenshot, the linesman is dead in line with the play.

If the price of not having VAR is the odd wrong decision I’ll happily take it, we’ll lose some close decisions and win others over the season. VAR sucks the life out of the game with all their lines and angles and talking sh**e while the fans in the ground haven’t a Scooby what’s going on. Football needs to take a few lessons from Rugby Union, large screens around the ground and the referee explaining every step of his decision to the crowd and players who then accept the decision, walk away and get on with the game.
Why don’t we just do away with the human element and get rid of referees & linesmen and let AI and robots oversee the game, wouldn’t that be fun.

[The Subhuman]

That's what I thought at the time.

No point worrying about what VAR may or may not have done. You can concede it's very close (inches) and I do think the EFL have it right in benefit of the doubt to the attacker. We've benefited from that this season too

The ref was in error to give the FK being conned by the forward but I've no problems with the goal.