Diary of a Leeds Fan (13/02-19/02/17)

Monday 13/2

Monday morning blues banished by Heidi Haigh's superb, as always blog of the disappointing defeat to 'Colin' and Sol's team

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/cardiff-11th-february-2017

Cheers Heidi, hope the eye heals very soon.

Lee Johnson on the trip to Leeds: "We have to go there with no fear and enjoy it. When players enjoy it, they'll perform."

Last five home games

Leeds 1 Bristol City 0 Champ Jan 16
Leeds 1 Bristol City 0 Champ Jan 13
Leeds 2 Bristol City 1 Champ Sept 11
Leeds 3 Bristol City 1 Champ Nov 10
Leeds 3 Bristol City 1 League Cup Sept 1997


Tuesday 14/2

Team News: Four changes; O'Kane, Sacko, Roofe and Jansson replacing Dallas, Pedraza, Bridcutt and Cooper.

Team: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Berardi, O'Kane, Vieira, Hernandez, Sacko, Hernandez, Roofe, Wood.

The Game:

After two defeats, the win that was needed was achieved and despite the closeness of the scoreline Leeds were good value for the three points. Chris Wood added a first half goal to his tally, intelligent play by Hernandez creating it from a quickly taken free kick.

Goal maker became goal scorer when the Spaniard doubled Leeds' lead early in the second half with a deflected shot, instead of pushing on to increase their advantage, Leeds gave Bristol the opportunity to get back into the game and were thankful of goalkeeper Rob Green for keeping out the visitors.

Their consolation goal came from Djuric in the sixth minute of injury time.

One of those games when the result mattered more than the performance.

Chris Wood makes it 22 goals for the season.

Man of the Match: Robert Green, some splendid saves when needed.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: "There was added pressure to perform and get a result, that on a young group was never going to make it easy, but we handled it very well." he added "In the first half we were very good, but at 2-0 we protected the lead instead of finishing them off, that was because we were coming off the back of two defeats."

Ended by saying "Ultimately I think we deserved to win the game. I think we were the better team."

A very happy Monk.

Lee Johnson: "The game was decided by that one big moment (Leeds' first goal) and I'm not very happy about it. Bailey Wright is clearly fouled in the build-up and the referee has not given it." he added "After that, I thought they gave it a real good go and created some decent chances. The players gave it their all, the fans were brilliant and we're all up for the fight as we go into the final 15 games."


Wednesday 15/2

David Watkins look at the much needed win over Bristol City

http://dlw10.wixsite.com/leedsunited/bristol-city-feb-14-2017

Thank you DW, we earned those three points!

Media agreeing that the experienced pair of Robert Green and Pablo Hernandez will be a massive benefit to the youngsters in the Leeds United squad during the next fourteen games.

Certainly last night both showed 'class' in different areas of the pitch.


Thursday 16/2

Two players in the Championship team of the week.

Garry Monk's look at the away fixture at Ipswich Town; very important the squad responded to the Cardiff and Huddersfield defeats and got three points against Bristol City, disappointed to loose back-to-back games but both were marginal defeats, impressed with the squad he has and it's a pleasure to work with them, not focused on the 'top two' places just takes it game by game.

Monk is very impressed with the Spaniard Pedraza and said; "he is a exciting talent and full of potential", Charlie Taylor again absent but should be training next week.

Monk also spoke very highly of Mick McCarthy calling his counterpart; "A great bloke with good views on football", his squad going with the intention of getting the three points, expects Ipswich to be 'up for it',

A Happy Monk.

Mo Barrow: "I'm here on loan and focused on LUFC and helping the team do well, I can talk about Swansea after the season"

Mick McCarthy: "Garry Monk has done a brilliant job at Leeds. He's definitely a contender for manager of the season in the Championship." he added "Chris Wood was the difference in our game at Elland Road in September. We didn't see the best of him here. He's a top player."


Friday 17/2

Goal of the month of January 2017
In case you missed it, a clip is under here. Simply stunning from 'The Duke' of Leeds 11.

https://youtu.be/6lkcHt7jcoU

Last five games away at Ipswich

Ipswich 2 Leeds 1 Champ Jan 2016
Ipswich 4 Leeds 1 Champ Dec 2014
Ipswich 1 Leeds 2 Champ Aug 2013
Ipswich 3 Leeds 0 Champ March 13
Ipswich 2 Leeds 1 Champ Aug 2011

Not the best record at Portman Road

Ipswich Town vs Leeds United Preview

A ground where Leeds seem to struggle to get positive results, only one win in five of the latest visits to Suffolk. The 'tractor boys' have had some decent results recently but sit in mid table and questions, this season have been asked about the continuing management of Leeds 'fan' Mick McCarthy, he is one of the longest serving managers in the Championship.

Leeds will be buoyed by the important three points secured in the midweek victory over Bristol City, a crucial victory considering that the others in the top six had good results and seventh placed Norwich City only drew.

Fourteen games stand between Leeds and a place where the club belongs and a point wouldn't be a bad result to bring home. 1-1 draw.

The longest serving Head Coach under the ownership of Massimo Cellino. Pretty good win average too.


Saturday 18/2

Team News: One change, Stuart Dallas replacing Kemar Roofe.

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

The Game:

We seem to making a good habit of picking up points when we don't particularly play well, goal apart we had two more shots on goal in the entire ninety minutes. If we can do that to the end of season the playoffs are pretty much guaranteed, trouble is I can't see it happening, there are too many teams in our remaining fixtures that yesterday's performance wouldn't be good enough.

A early goal by Sears gave the host's impetus and it was against the run of play when Dallas fired in from a narrow angle, most there to view the proceedings would have agreed that although the effort was there from Leeds they lacked the final 'killer' ball to get past the Ipswich rear guard for a second time.

Ipswich will feel they had the best chances with McGoldrick's effort coming back off the bar and the same player missed a 'sitter' when he was set up by Bru, a second half substitute for Ipswich.

With Rob Green being the Leeds MOTM for the second match running, that tells it's own story.

Leeds and Sheffield sit fifth and sixth, on the same points and equal goal difference. It sets the game next Saturday as a real 'six pointer'

Hopefully a full Elland Road will see a stronger performance by the men in white, it will need to be.

Stuart Dallas nets Leeds' leveller.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: reiterated how important it is not to loose, another point on the board, said Leeds came to try and win but gave Ipswich credit for the way they played, pleased with the defence and said that it's a hard place to come and the pitch didn't help skilful players, pleased how his players adapted to the conditions in the second half especially.

Agreed that Leeds scored against the run of play, but was very pleased to be level at the break, though Leeds started well and as in Leeds' case their goal was against the run of play, ended by saying "The game was as we expected, it was a tough, physical match"

A pleased Monk.

Mick McCarthy: "We played well and created some good chances, I thought we did enough to win the game.

Lincoln City stun the football world by beating Burnley at Turf Moor, they become the fist team from Non League to reach the Quarter Finals. Superb achievement and well done to all at the club.


Sunday 19/2

A late substitute for Andrew Butterwick, David Watkins' blog on the game at Portman Road

http://dlw10.wixsite.com/leedsunited/ipswich-town-feb-18-2017

Thank you so much David, a great blog on a disappointing game.

Most newspapers agreeing that Rob Green was Leeds' Man of the Match. The ex-England goalkeeper has had his critics but the last two games have shown what a experienced and top quality keeper he still is.

After Cardiff a reaction was needed and four points is pretty good. The last thirty minutes of the Bristol game and much of yesterday mind you left a lot to be desired.

You can't have everything all the time. We march on.

MOT

By Keith Ingham