Diary of a Leeds Fan (13/03 - 21/03/17)

Tuesday 14/3

Gary Rowett agrees to become Derby County's third manager of the 2016/17 season, his contract runs until the end of the 2017/18 season.

Mark Warburton takes the manger's job at Nottingham Forest, he brings in his backroom staff of David Weir and Frank McParland. His first game in charge will be against Derby County at the City Ground.

Should be interesting!

Garry Monk explained that Gaetano Berardi's exceptional form prior to Charlie Taylor's return to fitness was the reason why the popular full back kept his place against QPR, Monk explained "Berra's been fantastic, Luke Ayling too, Charlie also did well at Fulham. A little bit of this is about looking after Charlie but I made the decision, that's what I have to do and there's no problem whatsoever."

Leicester City, after the embarrassing sacking of Claudio Ranieri reach the Quarter Finals of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Sevilla to go through 3-2 on aggregate.

Blackburn deny Fulham with a injury time goal from Joao at Craven Cottage, it ended 2-2 with Rovers coming from behind twice. Fulham would have gone sixth with a win, they remain five points behind Leeds with 37 games played.

Wednesday 15/3

This day, thirty years ago Leeds United beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at Springfield Park to reach the Semi Final of the FA Cup.

On this day in 1967, the biggest ever crowd at Elland Road 57,896 watched the FA Cup tie against Sunderland in a game that finished 1-1


Thursday 16/3

Team spirit!

Garry Monk's look at the game with Promotion hopefuls: Coyle and Denton out injured, Ayling and Phillips suspended, players have trained really well, prepared and looking forward to the game (with Brighton), players must enjoy the game, players gave everything against QPR but were frustrated with the result, always looking to improve, expects more to come from the squad, on the fans for season run-in: "It's time to crank up the noise. It's us against everyone else."

Up and 'at em' Monk.

Liam Bridcutt is open to extend his contract when his initial one ends "Id love to stay at this club as long as I can and I would be happy to finish my career here."

Aitor Karanka sacked by Middlesborough, the Teeside club have yet to win a game in 2017 and are expected to be relegated from the Premier League in May.


Friday 16/3

On this day in 1961.

Don Revie became manager of Leeds United FC, the rest is history and Don will never be forgotten by the faithful.

Last five home games

Leeds 1 Brighton 2 Champ Oct 2015
Leeds 0 Brighton 2 Champ Aug 14
Leeds 2 Brighton 1 Champ Aug 13
(Who can forget Luke Murphy's last minute winning goal!)
Leeds 1 Brighton 2 Champ Apr 13
Leeds 1 Brighton 2 Champ Feb 12

In the last ten games home and away Leeds have only managed one win at Elland Road and a 2-2 draw at Brighton, the rest have been defeats.

Preview

Without doubt this weekend's Saturday tea time game (another moved by Sky !) will definitely test Leeds, Brighton won the game 2-0 at the Falmer Stadium earlier in the season and were worthy winners, it wasn't one of Leeds' best away performances.

They have everything they need, a strong squad, although this has been tested with recent defensive injuries.

Managed by a good manager Chris Hughton, they looked 'nailed on' to win either the title or the other automatic promotion place, but recent defeats at Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest have seen the group below them get a little nearer. Players to be wary of are Anthony Knockaert, Glen Murray and Sam Baldock who continue to give most defenders nightmares.

Garry Monk will have to make at least one change, Luke Ayling is suspended so Gaetano Berardi is likely to go to right back with Charlie Taylor coming in on the left side of the defence. The midfield five is up for debate as last week they struggled to give Chris Wood a sniff of a chance to score, myself I'd opt for Bridcutt, Vieira, Dallas on the right, Roofe behind Wood and either Doukara or Pedraza on the left.

It's a massive game, but so will be the other eight! If Leeds can get out of this with three points I'll travel home to Keighley a very happy man.

The crowd need to be 'the twelfth man'
I'm going for a nervy 1-0 Leeds win.

Not a good night for either Huddersfield or Wednesday, Town lose 4-0 at relegation threatened Bristol City and Sheffield lose 2-0 at home to playoff contenders Reading.


Saturday 18/3

Leeds v Brighton

Team News: Cooper, Taylor and Sacko replace Ayling, Jansson and Roofe.

The Game:

Leeds started very well, but their possession didn't result in a opening goal, Bartley and Cooper made sure any opportunities Brighton had were snuffed out, I thought that Leeds were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Chris Wood was felled in the penalty area. Rob Green saved superbly from Cooper's deflection at his near post was Brighton's best moment of the first half. 0-0 at the break.

It was if the Head Coach had told them at the break to push on because Brighton were forced onto the back foot as Leeds put pressure on their backline, try as they may they could not find a way past them until Charlie Taylor's superb cross found Chris Wood, the leading scorer of the Championship hung in the air, then despatched a superb header boast the Brighton goalkeeper.

Brighton, a goal behind were denied again by Rob Green as they sought out a equaliser, with only a goal being the difference the defence repelled anything Brighton could muster with both Kyle Bartley and Liam Cooper the hub. Leeds used their substitutes wisely and with five minutes left, Doukara was upended in the box to give Leeds a penalty, Chris Wood made no mistake, even though the keeper went the right way.

A superb victory by Leeds and with most of the top six teams not getting wins, Reading apart it can be seen as a very positive weekend for Leeds United, the gap to seventh is eight points and sixth is seven points.

A mention to the crowd, it's a few years since I've heard it so loud, superb support.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: "Against a good side your going to have to defend well and we did that throughout the game, apart from a couple of scares. You have to remind yourself that we were playing against a top side, a really dangerous, tough team to beat. They're having a fantastic season but we pushed the level, we deserved the three points."

He also remarked that although the players needed rest there is still work to be done (during the international break) and that the players would remain focused on the games still to play.

A very happy Monk.

Chris Hughton: "I'm disappointed, I though Leeds were better in the first half. We knew game would open up (in the second half) and it became a question of moments."

He added; "They scored from a quality ball in from a player in form, on chances it's not a game we deserved to win, but we were better in the second half than we were in the first."


Sunday 19/3

Robert Green extends his stay at Leeds United by another year, his deal extends his stay until the end of the 2017/18 season.

Monk on Rob Green: Delighted that the 37 year old goalkeeper has decided to extend his stay at the club and that he brought him in to be number one goalkeeper because of he's a good keeper, his experience and a top professional.

As Andrew Butterwick is taking a well earned break in India, David Watkins is in as worthy substitute for his look at the superb win over Brighton.

http://dlw10.wixsite.com/leedsunited/brighton-mar-18-2017

Thank you David, a superb review.


Monday 20/3

A Happy Heidi Haigh's superb match day blog on the deserved and excellent win over Brighton

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/brighton-18th-march-2017

It's looking like this season might just be the one we've waited for HH. Thank you for your continued support.


Tuesday 21/3

Another proud moment for Leeds as both Chris Wood and Pontus Jansson are named in the Championship team of the season.

A very good, deserved win over one of the team's that look destined to go up in the automatic promotion places, despite their recent 'wobble'.

Leeds found some of their 'mojo' in the important victory and securing a top six place should only be a couple of wins away.

To see the old ground 'bouncing' again is really special, let's hope it keeps doing the same right to Wembley.

The diary will be taking a short international break just like the club and be back ahead of our next match.

By Keith Ingham