Diary of a Leeds Fan (22/10-28/10/16)

Saturday 22/10

Leeds vs Wolves

​Team news: One change, Pablo Hernandez out injured so Ronaldo Vieira comes in, positionally Phillips moves into the 'number 10' role behind Wood, Doukara makes his way on to the bench.

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

The Game:

Leeds finished the hectic seven days after the international break with a much deserved win, it wasn't pretty but a clean sheet away is always a big bonus.

They rode their luck a few times, but with Roofe and Sacko giving the Wolves fullbacks a day they won't forget and the midfield three O'Kane, Phillips and Vieira battling for every ball, the work ethic of the side warranted the three points.

Most of the team deserve mentioning, with the defence repelling Wolves resolutely and limiting them to half chances.

The goal that won it came from a Bartley long ball that Sacko battled with Doherty for, the Leeds winger won the ball and intelligently put the ball into the six yard box, although Roofe claimed the goal, replays showed that Wolves defender Silvio put it past Ikeme. Wolves nearly stole an equaliser but Costa hit a late chance way over the bar.

Man of the Match: Eunan O'Kane, busy and getter better, game by game.

Let's celebrate! Sacko, Ayling and Phillips.

Post Match:

Gary Monk: Still thought it was Roofe's goal and one of those days that things went right, felt the second half display made the difference and made amends for the Wigan result, praised Roofe, thought it was his best display in a Leeds shirt, Hernandez has a 'dead leg' but shouldn't be out for long, everybody else came through ok, wanted away record to improve, 6 points from 18 before today's win, very pleased how competitive the squad has become.

A very happy Monk.

@roofe39 | "I didn't get the final touch, it was an own goal, if his foot wasn't there I am scoring it"

Walter Zenga: "I don't know where to start, because in the last part we created lots of chances, but one mistake, we make we get punished with a goal. Its is a period like this".


Sunday 23/10

Travels of a Leeds fan... Andrew's superb piece on yesterday's win at Molineux

https://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/wolves-v-leeds-utd-22nd-oct-2016.html?m=1

Thank you Andrew @MOTForever

Most people giving opinions on social media were giving encouraging comments on the developing Bartley and Jansson partnership in the centre of the defence.

It has to be said that the big Swede and the Swansea loanee have certainly grown into a formidable duo, in a good back five. Encouraging comments for Hadi Sacko and Kemar Roofe too.

What a gesture by a 'warrior'


Monday 24/10

Heidi's superb blog on the game at Wolverhampton

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/wolves-22nd-october-2016

As always a great read and superb pictures. Cheers @FollowMeAndLUFC

Alex Neil: "The league is a priority and the cup is important, we'll go up there looking for a win." Interesting!

Jonny Howson won't be in their eighteen, injured and out for probably two months (ankle)

Leeds United under 23's 1 Nottingham Forest under 23's 0 - Stokes with the goal, Ross Turnbull saved a late Forest penalty.

Garry Monk's look at the Norwich City cup tie tomorrow;

Dallas again absent tomorrow, Hernandez could be considered if he comes trough a training session tonight, he will make changes, will decide tonight after the evening training session, Leeds are underdogs but will see how Norwich are prioritising (league before cup), said tomorrow was just as important as Burton on Saturday he 100 per cent he wants to get through to the quarter finals, pleased there will be a good crowd, over 17k tickets sold already, wants the team's performance to be a tribute to Gary Sprake who Leeds will remember before the kick off.

A determined Monk.


Tuesday 25/10

Preview

Leeds wins 19
Draws 15
Norwich wins 18

Last five meetings

Leeds 0 Norwich 2 2015
Norwich 1 Leeds 1 2014
Leeds 2 Norwich 2 2011
Norwich 1 Leeds 1 2010 (20/11)
Norwich 1 Leeds 0 2010 (27/3)

Leeds will hope to keep their fantastic five game home unbeaten run going when highly rated Norwich visit Elland Road. The Suffolk club are widely expected to be in the top two when promotion is settled in May. The prize of a place in the Quarter Finals should be enough to make nearly twenty thousand fans raise the roof of the Theatre of Eternal Hope.

Prediction: Leeds 2 Norwich 1

Eight changes, not surprised the reaction was a little negative to it. How we were wrong!

The evening started with a minute's applause for one of Don Revie's legendary team Gary Sprake, well deserved too, whatever happened later in his career, the term 'legend' is apt for the Welshman and he'll always be remembered amongst the best to play for Leeds.

God Bless, rest easy and sleep well.

https://youtu.be/vSPYELcI7Lc

The Game:

Leeds progressed to the Quarter Finals of this competition of so many names for the first time since 2012. The 3-2 win on penalties came after the game had ended 2-2 after extra time.

With so many changes Leeds struggled for the first thirty minutes because of it, no surprise when Pritchard headed the visitors ahead on thirteen minutes.

Leeds finally found some fluency and Bartley had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for a clear handball by the centre back, he was booked for it too! The equaliser wasn't far behind mind you, Roofe, twisting and turning the full back before delivering a superb cross for Doukara to knock back to Antonsson who scored easily past Ruddy.

Leeds even had another in the net but it was cancelled out for a infringement in the penalty area.

Equaliser: Antonsson bags Leeds first goal.

Whatever was said in the break by Garry Monk paid dividends in the second half as Leeds dominated their opponents, quicker to the ball and Norwich didn't have the space or time on the ball that they had earlier.

Leeds should have gone ahead just past the hour mark, Mowatt with time and an open goal unbelievably fired over the bar, Wood, Sacko and Phillips replaced Antonsson, Mowatt and Doukara who had all had a good game as they sought out the winner, but just before the end of time Lewie Coyle went down injured in the Leeds penalty area so the extra thirty minutes would be played with ten men.

Both teams looked shattered but Norwich went ahead in the first half of ET, Pritchard finding Oliveira in space but Leeds would not be denied. In the second half Sacko's shot was half saved and Chris Wood netted from close in. Unbelievable, breathtaking, astounding! Sacko even had the chance to play in Wood for a winner but the winger opted to shot with the striker unmarked.

Penalties

Dorrans ⚽️Wood ⚽️Pritchard ❌Roofe ⚽️Naismith ❌ Phillips ❌Oliviera ⚽️ Grimes ❌ Brady ❌ brilliant save by Silvestri, which gave eighteen-year old Ronaldo Vieira the opportunity to put Leeds through.

He didn't let 20,000 Leeds fans down and how the fans and players celebrated the incredible, superb victory.

Celebrations after the winning penalty by Vieira.

Many games have been played under the famous roof of Elland Road but not many with as many 'twists and turns' as last night.

The 22,222 were served up a complete classic in which Leeds deservedly went through, there may have been many that doubted Garry Monk after an indifferent start to his Leeds career but the team spirit he's instilled in this group of players was clear for all to see last night.

Superb and it would be churlish to give one player the Man of the Match so they, one to eighteen get it.

One game that won't be forgotten in a very long while.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: Very proud of the players, didn't watch the penalties, Leeds had practised them, thought Leeds showed their true colours tonight, wants another home tie to; "set Elland Road alight."

Incredible atmosphere and unbelievable character showed by a young group of players, deserved the win, on changes- what's the point of having a 'group' if you don't trust them all!

Last quote sums it all up; "You always have to go toe-to-toe. Even with a man less, it doesn’t matter. This was true adversity."

A very, very proud Monk.

Alex Neil: "We're disappointed with the result. We were on top for long stages."


Wednesday 26/10

David Watkins tries to put into words an incredible night at Elland Road

http://dlw10.wixsite.com/leedsunited/norwich-c-efl-cup-25-oct-16

Cheers David, not one that will be forgotten in a hurry. Superb article too.

Garry Monk praised Marco Silvestri for his display last night: "Marco's one of the best shot stoppers I've seen to be honest. He's fantastic but I'd rather not single one player out, they all played their part."

Leeds draw Liverpool at Anfield in the Quarter Final of the EFL Cup, it's the first time the clubs have met since 2009. The other ties : manchester utd v West Ham United, Hull City v Newcastle United, Arsenal v Southampton.


Thursday 27/10

Garry Monk's look ahead to the Burton Albion game; Dallas 50/50 for the game on Saturday, Hernandez should be available, Lewie Coyle out for a considerable time with a knee ligament injury, youngster wanted to come back on the pitch but couldn't, coach gave him credit for trying to, steadfastly refusing to talk about Liverpool away.

Says Burton is; "a big, big game for us". Burton haven't won away but there will be no complacency from Leeds, expects Charlie Taylor to stay until the season ends, re speculation on rumoured bids from WBA and Leicester City, On Silvestri; there are no 'first choice' players in the squad, keeper's attitude has improved since being sent home from Ireland in pre season.

A confident and happy Monk.

Matt Grimes did a very interesting interview with BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope, in it he says that "There is great
confidence - in the squad and on their day can beat anybody" and added about his performances since joining Grimes: "It was a difficult start for me. I'll say 1st hand I wasn't quite right but feel back more to myself now & want to push on."

The link is here for the full interview :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04dc728

Thanks @APOPEY

Pontus Jansson: "Against Norwich I was more of a supporter than a player. I was screaming like an idiot in the stands!"

On beating Norwich; "The emotions & the feelings inside were so happy I jumped over everybody to be with the guys on the pitch."

What a 'developing legend'


Friday 28/10

Burton Preview

This is the first time Leeds have played Burton Albion in a competitive game. Although I seem to remember a friendly in 2012, Leeds won 1-0.

Leeds will hope to keep the momentum going after the incredible game on Tuesday.

Albion visit Elland Road for the first time and although they have yet to record an away victory in the Championship, their record of 4 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats isn't maybe as bad as many thought they would start their first appearance in the second tier of English Football.

Managed by Nigel Clough, who's been around the game long enough to know how to get the best out of players at his disposal and with a limited budget. They have a couple of players Leeds will be alert to, Lloyd Dyer, a lanky winger is one who's turned in some impressive performances this season.

Hopefully their will be no 'after the Lord Mayor's Parade' and Leeds will continue their impressive run at Elland Road. Leeds 2-0.

MOT

By Keith Ingham