Diary of a Leeds Fan 29/10-5/11/16

Saturday 29/10

Leeds v Burton Albion

Team news: One change, Pablo Hernandez returns after injury, Ronaldo Vieira drops unlucky to the bench.

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

Before the game, the 'fallen' were remembered. Poppy's were worn by the Leeds players as a mark of respect.

The Game:

Leeds' incredible week ended with another home win, their seventh unbeaten and back to back Championship wins, against a very spirited Burton Albion side. It may have not been the best Leeds had played in the past seven days but some days you just need to get the three points and that's just what they did. The goals; the opener came when a superb ball from Hernandez found substitute 'Sully' Doukara and as he shaped to score he was flattened in the area, up stepped Chris Wood to blast his tenth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

With the game in injury time another substitute Alex Mowatt through himself twice to stop goal-bound shots causing concern and as the ball finally found it's way out of the Leeds penalty area, it found the boot of Wood, who despatched it to Doukara, again on a clear run into the box, again he was felled but instead of accepting a certain penalty he got to his feet and 'shuffled' the ball into the empty goal, 2-0, game over.

This season certainly has had it's moments, the lows against Birmingham and Huddersfield and the euphoria of the last seven days. I feel something special is starting to happen inside the Theatre of Eternal Hope, long may it continue !

Men of the Match: Luke Ayling and notable mentions for Kyle Bartley, who outshone his defensive partner Pontus Jansson and 'Sully' Doukara, maybe, just maybe the once forgotten striker has something to offer the team, on his last two outings it's something he's definitely shown.

'Sully' Doukara celebrates his first goal since January.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: "We weren't at our best but you've seen everything from the players this week."

Hard to criticise his team as they were playing a good team who were very determined, thought Leeds were clinical and decisive at vital times of the game, described Hernandez's ball for the first goal as "brilliant" and he thought Doukara added some 'spark' up front, no talk of the 'table' at Thorpe Arch, taking it game by game, good weeks are great, bad weeks not so good, ended by saying "We have to be realistic but we're in a good way. We're three months in with a new group which is no time but we've grown quickly."

A satisfied and very happy Monk.

Nigel Clough: "There is no shame in loosing to Leeds, their Premier League quality"


Sunday 30/10

Andrew Butterwick's look back at the 'scruffy' win over Burton

http://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/leeds-united-v-burton-albion-29th-oct.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/dTtSx+(Travels+of+a+Leeds+fan)&m=1

Thank you @MOTForever

Souleymane Doukara, in a honest interview with the YEP said " At the beginning of the season I wasn't fit and he (Monk) said that I needed to get back fit because I could do something for us and could play a part in the team. I think I can a big part in this season and we want to do something this season, he added I'm not the best player but I have big determination and that's why I came on strong".


Monday 31/10

Heidi Haigh's fantastic blog of the game with Burton Albion:

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/burton-albion-29th-october-2016

A superb view of a very tight game, it's been a awesome week in Planet Leeds. Thanks @FollowMeAndLUFC as always.


Tuesday 1/11

Captain of the 'Last Champions' in 1992, Gordon Strachan spoke to the YEP about his time at the club, in it he remembered feeling more elated winning the Second Division title than 1992 "I helped make that happen". Bill Fotherby and Howard Wilkinson stressed the importance of getting Promotion and he felt that never happened in any his previous club's, saying "it was only time in my career when someone said 'we need you to do this for us'."

It's a superbly well written and honest piece and well worth reading.

Leesd United: Exclusive interview with Gordon Strachan

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leesd-united-exclusive-interview-with-gordon-strachan-1-8210204

Many Thanks to the YEP.

Leeds United under 23's 4 Wigan Athletic under 23's 0

Goalscorer's; McKay(2), Omosebi, Wilks.

Stuart Dallas called into the Northern Ireland squad for the games with Azerbaijan(WC), Croatia (Friendly), let's hope they don't damage the winger this time!


Wednesday 2/11

Leeds versus Newcastle United is a sell out !
The first time the ground has been since the FA Cup replay with Arsenal 2011, the last league game to sell out was the never to be forgotten Division One game with Bristol Rovers on the last day of the 2009/10 season.

It's a superb achievement considering the game is being televised by our good friends at Sky.

Eunan O'Kane has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the game with Austria. Deservedly so after impressing in his recent outings.


Thursday 3/11

Garry Monk's look ahead to the game at Norwich City; No Stuart Dallas, but starts training on Monday, happy the Northern Ireland is travelling with their squad but doesn't expect him to play, would have rather had in at Thorpe Arch for 'concerted training' (planned together), hoping Liam Bridcutt will train before the Newcastle game but will not be involved in it, apart from Dallas and Bridcutt he has a full squad to pick from, no form guide was the cup tie with Norwich and thinks talk of Alex Neil being under pressure is "too early", very significant if Leeds could win down there and it would take a "massive performance" to do it, feels that the selling out of tickets for the Newcastle game shows the fans are "buying into" the team's performances, increases pressure on the squad to continue at the level set.

A relaxed and happy Monk.

Lewie Coyle agrees a new two year extension contract deal with the club, the deal ties him to Leeds until 2019. It's another piece of common sense management by the club. Yes it's hard to believe you can put that in the same sentence, maybe, times they are a changing!

Lewie Coyle with his well deserved new contract


Friday 4/11

Norwich Preview

Is it really only a week and a half since that incredible night at Elland Road, the players on view on Saturday will be vastly different on both team sheets but the desire that has built up within the squad at Leeds will be severely tested at Carrow Road on Saturday.
Our hosts haven't been in the best of form, a defeat to Preston before their cup defeat at Leeds and a humiliating 5-0 hammering at Brighton last Saturday.

One thing for certain is that Alex Neil's side didn't become a bad side over three games and Leeds will have to show the same desire and more to achieve a positive result, that saying, confidence is a massive part in any team's armoury if they hope to be successful.

I'm not expecting any changes to the team but Souleymane Doukara's performances in the last two games warrant at least a part to play in the proceedings.

Got a sneaking feeling that heading into the international break with a draw would be a great result. Norwich 2 Leeds 2.


Saturday 5/11

Leeds vs Norwich City

Team news: One change, Souleymane Doukara surprisingly replaced Hadi Sacko in the starting eleven.

Team: Green, Ayling, Bartley(c), Jansson, Taylor, O'Kane, Philips, Roofe, Hernandez, Doukara, Wood.

The Game:

Leeds won a thriller at Carrow Road, goals from Pontus Jansson and Chris Wood being enough to defeat the Suffolk club for the second time in two weeks (yes one was a penalty shoot out), they must be sick of the sight of Ronaldo Vieira who cracked home the winning goal in the 3-2 victory.

The opening was very open, Leeds going close before Norwich went ahead through Brady, his looping header beating Green. Leeds had further opportunities before Hernandez's corner found Jansson unmarked to head past the Norwich keeper and how he celebrated with the Leeds fans, his celebrating earned him a booking. Better was to follow, a superb move involving Ayling and substitute Sacko ended with Chris Wood smashing the ball past McGovern.

Norwich did not give in and their substitute Lafferty, a target last season scored from inside the six yard box. With the game in injury time O'Kane played a free kick to Vieira, a substitute for Doukara and the youngster broke Norwich hearts for the second time in a fortnight. Superb entertainment.

Ronaldo Vieira celebrates with Luke Ayling and Kyle Bartley.

Garry Monk has now seen his revitalised Leeds team win 7 out of their last 10 games, what an achievement!

Leeds moved up to sixth in the Championship, the highest position the club have earned since December 2013, a superb team effort with many stand out performances.

Man of the Match: Luke Ayling, busy at both ends.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: “I think the first 20 minutes was the best start to a game we have had since I have been here, We looked sharp, should have put some of our chances away and then found ourselves behind when we conceded a really poor goal.

“I told the lads at half-time that if they repeated those first 20 minutes in the second half there was a result to be had and full credit to the lads, they went out there and did just that.

“We showed the spirit in the group to get back in front and when they equalised we came back at them again and got the result we deserved at a very difficult place to come. It was a great strike from Ronny, a goal worthy of winning any game,”

Alex Neil; "once Leeds scored there was a fear about us and although there was nothing wrong with the lads’ effort it was obviously a very disappointing result. It’s a difficult time but three weeks ago we were top of the league. I don’t think I have become a bad manager in three weeks and I don’t think the players have become bad players in three weeks either. Having said that I accept the buck stops with me – if we do well I get praised and if we are doing badly I get criticism, I fully accept that.”

I'll see you after the International Break!

MOT

This article I'd like to use as a mark of respect to my Dad who sadly passed away on Friday aged 95. He will be missed by myself and his family. A superb Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad. Rest easy Sleep well

RIP JACK INGHAM