Diary of a Leeds Fan 17/09 - 24/09

Saturday 17/9

Cardiff City vs Leeds United

Two changes for Leeds; Bridcutt misses out through injury, Vieira replaces him. Chris Wood replaces Marcus Antonsson

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

The Game:

Leeds registered two wins, back to back for the first time this season in the Championship.

The 2-0 win over Cardiff was well deserved, even though it was not without a scare or two along the way, especially in the first half.
Cardiff hit the post through Morrison before Hernandez stung the hands of Amos in the Cardiff goal. Wood should have done better with a glorious opportunity when through on goal, beautiful set up by Sacko and Hernandez. Gunnasson then hit the other post via a Peltier deflection. 0-0 at the break.

The breakthrough came after 62 minutes when Connolly wrestled Jansson to the floor in the penalty area, Wood scored the spot kick and the Whites took the lead.

Leeds were resolute at the back, with Bartley and Jansson playing their part in keeping Cardiff's chances to a minimum. Leeds doubled their lead when Hernandez curled a superb shot past Amos to make it two and claim the three points.

Players that stood out, Sacko and Hernandez in the midfield and Men of the Match Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson at the back.

Hernandez celebrates his goal.

Post Match:

Monk: Felt the win was coming throughout the second half and it was a definite penalty, said too many set pieces were conceded in the first half and ask the players to put 'personality' on the pitch in the second half.

Impressed with Hernandez and Jansson, thought Leeds wouldn't concede in open play, was confident that the players would respond after last weekend. Bridcutt should be fit for the Blackburn cup tie.

He ended it by saying; "Managers are one step away from heavy criticism or one step away from being the best thing in the world. That's how it feels."

One very happy Monk.

Trollope: "I'm not saying it wasn't a penalty. But if he's giving one there he could be giving a few at either end."


Sunday 18/9

Andrew Butterwick's view of the superb win at Cardiff, after his eighteen hour journey there and back with a little help from the AA.

http://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/cardiff-city-v-leeds-united-17th-sept.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/dTtSx+(Travels+of+a+Leeds+fan)&m=1

Very glad on your safe arrival home @MOTForever. Thank you.

No doubt that Pontus Jansson is becoming a crowd favourite after his performances in both the Blackburn and Cardiff games, a leader was needed and it seems we now have one.


Monday 19/9

Monday blues blown away by the excellent Heidi Haigh's blog

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/cardiff-17th-september-2016

Excellent as always @FollowMeAndLUFC
Thank you Heidi!

Owen Coyle, the Blackburn Rovers manager said he expects to make "eight or nine changes' for the EFL Cup tie at Leeds on Tuesday at Elland Road, can't see it myself but we will see when the team sheet is produced.

Garry Monk's look ahead to the EFL Cup game with Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on Tuesday night : Monk expects Liam Bridcutt to be fit enough to be considered for the Blackburn cup tie, he won't make eleven changes as he did in the last round at Luton, tomorrow is a great chance to progress in the competition, Berardi back in training but won't be considered for the Blackburn game, recent improvement has been 'hard earned' but can't afford to loose tomorrow, expects a more open game tomorrow.

A contented Monk.


Tuesday 20/9

Third round of the EFL Cup

Leeds vs Blackburn Rovers

Team News: Seven changes; Silvestri, Coyle, Bartley, Cooper(c), Taylor, O'Kane, Vieira, Mowatt, Phillips, Roofe, Antonsson.

The Game:

Leeds progressed to the fourth round of the EFL Cup, formally known as the Carling Cup amongst others for the first time since 2012/13.

The 1-0 win was achieved thanks to another goal by substitute Chris Wood, his sixth goal of the season.

Although Leeds had the majority of the early possession and only a flying save from the Blackburn keeper stopped Coyle registering his first goal for the club, at the other end Silverstri was alert whenever the visitors threatened.

0-0 at the break.

The second half followed the same pattern at first, with Leeds dominating possession but failing to turn it into clear cut chances, once Hernandez and Wood were introduced from the bench the home team upped the anti.

The Rovers keeper kept his team in the game with a stunning save from a Hernandez free kick, soon after Roofe should have done better when unmarked in the penalty area but Leeds weren't to be denied for much longer. Hernandez forced a fine save from Raya but the ball fell to Roofe who's shot fell to Wood, his effort first hit the keeper but rebounded back off Wood's head into the net.

Not the greatest of games, witnessed by only eight and half thousand fans, the lowest home attendance since 2009 but Leeds were through and that is what mattered most.

Post Match:

Pep Clotet: Thought it was a 'tough game' but Leeds did enough to win, praised Chris Wood for being in the "right place' again,

O'Kane, who suffered a late knock should be fit for the Ipswich Town game. Interesting from Clotet on Monk: said that at no stage in past fortnight did he see Monk feeling pressure. Said he's been "very cool".

Owen Coyle: On his team selection; "That’s why we made nine changes, but at the same time still believing we could win the game, and I think we did enough to shade it and added “But unfortunately we’ve got caught with a sucker punch at the other end. We had possession and we gave it away cheaply."


Wednesday 21/9

Another player getting 'stick' today, Alex Mowatt will admit it himself that he didn't have the best games last night but I'm of the opinion that 'trolls' that continue to do this aren't helping the players concerned and if anything worsen the situation for players who aren't 'on form'.

Support is about supporting, even if the player isn't doing so well.

Leeds draw Norwich at home in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Some tasty other ties, Scum v Manchester City, West Ham v Chelsea, Liverpool v Spurs.

Games to be played in the w/c 24th of October.


Thursday 22/9

Garry Monk's look ahead to the game with Ipswich on Saturday; for the first time this season Garry Monk can pick from his full squad, Berardi won't be involved, although fit, he will get some 'game time' in some under 23 games, Ipswich are a "big test" and play differently to any other team Leeds have played so far, praised Chris Wood and could not understand why he got 'stick' earlier in the season, very happy with the home draw with Norwich in the EFL Cup "You always look for that first."

Three wins on the 'bounce' makes a happy Monk.


Friday 23/9

Match Preview

Leeds wins 30
Draws 20
Ipswich Town wins 27
Last home win: 2-1 2014/15
Last home defeat: 1-0 2015/16

Leeds go into the weekend's fixture with Ipswich Town on the back of three wins. The improvement has seen them move up the table and through to the next round of the EFL Cup. These matches recently have been very close affairs, Ipswich notably did the 'double' last season with a 1-0 win at Elland Road and beat Leeds at Portman Road.

Leeds will be at full strength but Ipswich have doubts over a few players, including ex-Leeds player Luke Varney. Garry Monk must decide if to stick with the team that beat Cardiff City or include a couple that performed well on Tuesday.

I see another tight affair, but with Leeds in better form I am very hopeful of another win.


Friday 24/9

A very confident YEP 'Jury' expect a positive result versus Mick McCarthy's 'tractor boys'

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-v-ipswich-town-yep-jury-give-their-verdicts-1-8141870

Thanks to the YEP

Eunan O'Kane was called up for the Republic of Ireland squad for the games against Georgia and Moldova.

Promising youngster Frank Mulhern has joined Southport FC on a three month youth deal and ex-Leeds striker Lewis Walters signed for Nottingham Forest, he will initially play for their under 23 side.

All in all a pretty good week results and performance wise, another tough three games await. Mind you, Ipswich at ER, Bristol City away then Barnsley back at Elland Road next Saturday and I'd be happy with five points from them.

Enjoy the games and be 'careful out there'. Fans of 'Hill Street Blues' will remember that catch phrase.

MOT

By Keith Ingham