Diary of a Leeds Fan (1/10-14/10/16)

Saturday 1/10

Leeds United vs Barnsley

Team: Green, Ayling, Bartley(c), Jansson, Taylor, Phillips, O'Kane, Sacko, Hernandez, Dallas, Wood.

One change on the bench, Vieira replaces Grimes.

Pre Game: A minute's applause was held for Duncan Revie, son of the great Don Revie. The popular businessman passed away yesterday. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

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The Game: Leeds registered their fourth win in five games in a end to end contest at Elland Road. Goals from Bartley and Hernandez giving the hosts a 2-0 lead before a Taylor own goal gave Barnsley a hope of getting a draw.

Barnsley threatened first but were met by resolute Jansson and captain Bartley, both were superb throughout the game. Leeds went in front when Hernandez's 'whipped' cross hit Bartley on the thigh and beat Davies.

The lively threesome of Dallas, Sacko and Hernandez were causing a nervous looking Barnsley backline problems. After firing wide when free in the area Hernandez doubled the lead with a superb finish when beating the offside trap.

After a flurry of substitutions, Antonsson was denied by a superb save by Davies and Pontus Jansson headed off the line when Green was beaten.

A well deserved win.

Pablo Hernandez nets number two.

Pretty hard to just give the Man of the Match to one man when both centre halves had excellent games and the midfield worked tirelessly against a hard working Barnsley outfit but Pontus Jansson gets the plaudits for another superb display.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: frustrated the international break is here, great run and performances, said Leeds eased off and should have pushed on when they smelled blood, thought Leeds were good value for the win, crowd definitely 'onside' now, after a disappointing start to the season, first noticed Jansson in a Champions League game for Malmo against Swansea, noticed how well he played and as a centre back he should know! Reminded that there is more to this good run than the introduction of the Swede, thought the first twenty minutes in the second half were some of the best football we've played, has had a letter from the FA, will read it later.

Every right to be a Manager of the Month Monk, he must be a contender.

Paul Heckingbotton: "There were more positives than negatives in that Performance."


Sunday 2/10

Andrew Butterwick's superb match day blog celebrates Leeds' win over Barnsley
https://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/leeds-utd-v-barnsley-1st-oct-2016.html?m=1
Thank You @MOTForever

The Yorkshire Evening Post gave the back five marks of seven and eight to agree with most people that the defensive unit we have now is the best we've had in a number of year, yes it's still October but it's a massive sign that the coach is sorting out a area that has been so worrying for so long.


Monday 3/10

Roberto Di Matteo is sacked by Aston Villa after only twelve games, not a surprise considering the club's latest poor run of form. Steve Evans I hear is waiting for a call, he might be waiting a long time too!

More wonderful words on the superb win over the 'pitprops'

Heidi Haigh's excellent blog

https://www.facebook.com/FollowMeAndLeedsUnited/posts/545541818971760

Mondays wouldn't be half as nice if I didn't read Heidi's excellent blog then pass it on. Thanks Heidi.

Pontus again picked in the Championship team of the week.

Garry Monk could be absent from the Leeds dugout at Derby County after being charged by the FA of misconduct in the away game at Bristol City last week, Monk expects to plead guilty and is expected to be given a one match ban, which would start immediately.


Tuesday 4/10

Paul Trollope of Cardiff City becomes the second manager in the Championship to get the sack this week, he had seen his team win only two of the eleven games he has been manager. Neil Warnock, yes 'Colin' is expected to talk to the Welsh club in the next twenty four hours about the possibility of becoming their next manager.

Pontus Jansson paid tribute to his teammates despite getting plaudits for his recent performances, he added that; "Football is a show, not only a business, you have to go out and have fun out on the pitch".

The six foot plus defender is hopeful of securing a permanent deal at the club before his loan deal ends.

Wednesday 5/10

As expected Neil Warnock takes charge of Cardiff City, he will be joined by another ex Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell who will be assistant. Football sometimes surprises even me!

Bolton Wanderers under 23's 3-4 Leeds United under 23's. The Leeds scores were; Diagouraga, Amissah, Stokes (2)

Looking on Tweeter it seemed like a cracking game and good to see Diagouraga and Murphy getting match time, the under23 coach Jason Blunt has been impressed by their attitude whilst out of the first team squad.


Thursday 6/10

Leeds beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in a 'behind doors' friendly at Thorpe Arch. Gaetano Berardi was given another run out, after last week's forty five minutes outing with the under 23's.

Doukara scored the goal.

​The Championship Manager of the Month for September were announced; Rafa Benitez (Newcastle), Alex Neil (Norwich), Carlos Carvahal (Wednesday), Jaap Stam (Reading).

No nomination for Garry Monk despite Leeds' impressive run of results.

Fixture changes

Aston Villa at Elland Road on Saturday 3rd of December,kick off at 5:30pm because of Sky TV coverage, also moved were Brighton away 9th of December (Friday) kick off at 7:45pm and Aston Villa away 29th of December (Thursday) kick off 7:45pm
Cheers Sky!!


Friday 7/10

Neil Warnock's first signing is rumoured to be ex-Leeds captain Sol Bamba. The defender is expected to sign for Cardiff City in the next few days.

Another international break!

We'll see how Garath Southgate opens his temporary stint as England manager against Malta on Saturday.


Saturday 8/10

A club in dire straights in Derby County have allowed Nigel Pearson to vacate his position. This can't be a shocker!

Today 14 years after forming, AFC Wimbledon had overtaken MK Dons in the league. That's one for the little guys!

Vinnie Jones makes scenes on Soccer AM as he talks all things Leeds United. The hard tackling midfielder also has a reunion with the mascot he once annihilated at Elland Road.

Monday 10/10

Gary Monk receives a one match touchline ban for his fouled mouth rant against the ref against Bristol City last Tuesday. He's also been fined £2000 for the inconvenience.

Pep Clotet has left the UK for the birth of his new child and therefore could leave James Beattie in charge of the side for Saturdays game against Derby County.


Tuesday 11/10

James Beattie speaks to the YEP about Chris Wood, citing that he should be destroying teams at this level.

Speaking to Phil Hay, Beattie said; “We’re trying to get that belief into him. His reputation as a striker should precede him.

“Everybody’s seen a good improvement but Chris Wood at this level should be destroying teams. He’s so physically strong; a beast, really. I wasn’t as big as Chris but I know that defenders playing against me knew they’d get a whack. They knew they’d be in for a game. Of course there are areas where he can improve but he sees that himself. He’s a very coachable player.”

You can read more of the interview here;

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-coachable-striker-wood-proving-doubters-wrong-1-8173519


Wednesday 12/10

The manager merry-go-round continues as Steve Bruce takes the Aston Villa hot seat and Steve McClaren returns to Derby County for his second spell in three years, this time though he can't ruin a title challenge.

Congratulations to Pep Clotet who today welcomed his son Max to the world! Let's hope he isn't taking too long off with paternity leave though, we have games to play and teams to beat!

CEO Ben Mansford and Director Paul Bell were in the BBC Radio Leeds studio with Adam Pope to 'talk shop'.

Here are a few of the highlights;

-Monk was never leaving last month; want to leave him to his job and is one of the best young managers in England.

-Exciting times at Leeds; club is looking up and not down and fans are sounding great at Elland Road.

-Jansson; no transfer talk (window is shut), He is a character, leader and is playing well.

-Contracts; in touch with agents of Mowatt and Coyle, slow process, hoping for good news in the future.

-Cook's loan return; haven't heard it, lazy journalism.

-TOMA; Cellino's phone is always ringing but he is committed to the club and going nowhere.


Thursday 13/10

10 years to the day we lost one of the greats of Snooker in Paul Hunter. We wish his family, friends, the sport and all its fans our deepest condolences.

Pablo Hernandez's loan spell is set to be made permanent in January reports the YEP.
Fantastic player with a lot of skill and seems to have found his feet during the past month or so. He'll be a welcome addition for most fans on a permanent basis.


Friday 14/10

A look towards our next fixture; Derby County away.
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Head to Head

Leeds - 46 wins 
Draws - 25
Derby - 34 wins 

Highest Leeds win - 5-0 '97/98 season
Highest Derby win - 5-3 '36/37 season

Last two fixtures

29/08/16 - Derby County 1-2 Leeds United
29/12/16 - Leeds United 2-2 Derby County

With one club brimming with confidence and the other settling in to another managerial change, we should be hoping for a good game at Pride Park. 

By Keith/ Ryan Ingham
​(WALL's Jansson and Bartley)