Diary of a Leeds Fan (31/01-07/02/17)

Tuesday 31/01

Transfer Deadline Day

Leeds have signed Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal CF on loan to the end of the season with a possibility of a permanent transfer if the club is promoted this season.

The agreed fee is rumoured to be 10million Euros (£8.5mil).

This is how the Spaniard reacted:
"I am delighted to be part of such a historic club like @LUFC ! Looking forward to start and help the team reach its objetives!"

In a later deal, Leeds secured the services of Modou Barrow from Swansea on a deal to the end of the season. The Gambian international was with Garry Monk during his spell as manger in Wales. He has played 18 times this season for Swansea.

Both players are regarded as wingers, but Barrow has played as a main striker during his career in Sweden, he scored 10 goals in 19 appearances for Ostersunds FK.

Would have liked an alternative to Chris Wood but at least it's positive from the new co-owners and I can't wait to see them in the famous white shirt. Monk wanted "one or two" so I guess he will be happy with the additions to the squad.

Alex Mowatt was sent of in the first half of his debut in the 3-1 home defeat by Wolves. Oops!


Wednesday 01/02

A pretty positive reaction to Leeds' transfer additions to the squad, we now have four wingers to choose from; Doukara, Antonsson or Roofe looking like options for the lone striker role. It's not perfect but it's better than I expected.

Nicola Adams and Josh Warrington promoting their fights at First Direct Arena on the 13th of May.

Blackburn Rovers v Leeds

Team News: Ten changes, only Stuart Dallas keeps his place from the Sutton FA Cup tie.

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

Very strong bench too, including Hernandez, Vieira, Doukara and Antonsson.

The Game:

Leeds again 'stole' a win against doomed looking Blackburn Rovers. Pontus Jansson's 'bullet' header from a corner in the last minute gave Leeds and nearly 7,000 fans a joyous ride back over the Pennines.

From the off, balls went astray and the 'hangover' from the weekend debacle seemed to hang over the team playing in blue and yellow. Strangely Chris Wood was starved of service and struggled to get the better of two solid Rovers centre backs. Roofe had a half chance but he headed over and Blackburn struggled to test Rob Green at the other end. A stalemate at the break.

The one and only Gary Edwards.

The second half substitution of Sacko with Pablo coming on added more impetus for Leeds but still balls went astray and Blackburn saw there chance but a cross across our goal prompted a little more action and with less than twenty minutes left, Bridcutt's superb cross field ball found Stuart Dallas and the Irishman beat the keeper with a great shot, sending the away end into raptures of delight.

It looked like that might be the only goal of the game, but a innocuous shot from Bennett twenty five yards out beat Rob Green, bollocks was the feeling in the Leeds end.

Leeds, mind you pushed on to get a unlikely winner and from a Hernandez corner the unmarked Jansson beat Steele with a unstoppable header. Cue delirium in the away end and the three points were Leeds'.

Men of the Match: Bartley and Jansson, superb at the back and deadly at set pieces!

Post Match:

Garry Monk: "It wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, it was a bit of a 'grind'. But in situations like that when your not at your best but you have to find a way to win he said he told the players, we stayed strong when it was difficult and in the crucial moments we scored two good goals."

He added "Yes we were a bit lucky to come away with the three points, a draw would have been a fair result. But mentally and the character shown I was pleased with, we can play better than this but can show our other side when needed. For me that is a good sign."

Owen Coyle: "I thought we did very well but ultimately got nothing to show for what we put into the game. We then should have made sure that we didn't give anything up, so the galling thing it is comes from a simple set-play. It was a good ball in but we've not marked tightly enough and the boy has planted a free header into the corner."


Thursday 02/02

David Watkins look at the 'nervy' win over the Pennines in Blackburn

http://dlw10.wixsite.com/leedsunited/blackburn-feb-1-2017

Thank you David, three very important points.

Most plaudits went to the centre half duo of Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson for their display at Blackburn.

Leeds United announced this just after 21:00 today:

Leeds United are thrilled to confirm that centre-back Pontus Jansson will join the club on a permanent deal when his loan expires this summer. The 25-year-old has agreed a three-year contract, tying him at Elland Road until at least the end of the 2019/20 season.

Jansson began his career with Swedish outfit Malmö FF, where he made 89 outings before joining Italian Serie A side Torino in 2014.He has been capped at international level for Sweden's Under-17s, Under-19s and Under-21s, along with appearing ten times for the senior side.

Initially joining United on loan back in August, the defender has gone on to become a crowd favourite, with his fierce challenges and passion shown on the pitch. He made his debut in the 1-0 EFL Cup victory over Luton Town and scored his first goal in the 3-2 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road in November.

In total Jansson has made 23 appearances for the Whites, scoring three goals, with his latest- a winner in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

The defender has played an instrumental role in helping Leeds to our current spot of fourth place in the Sky Bet Championship.

Bloody superb news!

Our Pontus!


Friday 03/02

Garry Monk's look ahead to the local derby at the John Smith's Stadium: Liam Cooper back in contention but Charlie Taylor again out injured, Barrow and Pedraza both fit to play if selected.

Very pleased with Pontus Jansson signing a extended deal "it was always the plan", expects the Swede to be fully focused now the uncertainty his future is now resolved, on Huddersfield "I was very impressed last night. They won comfortably. Its probably our toughest game of the season to this point."

Confident but wary Monk

Pontus Jansson is delighted to sort his future at LUFC: "I want to take Leeds to the Premier League.", also admitted before joining Leeds he was considering quitting football. Said of Cellino; "He loves me and I'm like a son to him."

Massimo Cellino's 18 month ban reduced to 12 months, starting on the 18th of February 2017, after this date he will have to resign as a director and have no involvement with football matters.
His fine was also reduced to £100,000 and the club's reduced to £200,000 for breaching agent regulations in the transfer of Ross McCormack to Fulham in 2014.

It's no surprise that the Italian is to appeal and take it to the High Court if necessary.

Suffice to say Leeds United FC will be most likely picking up the legal fees, a few lawyers have made a awful lot of money with the Italians indiscretions in the past!

After Sutton, a pretty good week, three signings, Pontus made permanent along with loan deals for Pedraza and Barrow and going into the derby with confidence after grabbing three points at Blackburn.


Sunday 05/02

Huddersfield vs Leeds United

Team: Green, Ayling, Jansson, Bartley, Taylor, Bridcutt, Vieira, Dallas, Hernandez, Doukara, Wood

Match:

A dreary defeat to our promotion and local rivals in a very intense and well played game for both sides.

Leeds nearly started the game with a well executed goal when Hernandez played through Chris Wood, who drove the ball forward before finishing just wide.

Huddersfield took the lead after some dominating play, early substitute Isaiah Brown notched the ball past Rob Green after some impressive defending from Pontus Jansson only cleared the ball as far as Tommy Smith.

Leeds then found a reply after Hernandez saw his free kick sent straight back to him. His second ball found Kyle Bartley who notched the ball to Chris Wood. The New Zealand striker was just onside as he nudged the ball past the keeper and knocked the ball into an open goal.

Their were appearances for both Barrow and Pedraza, with the later looking lively throughout, nearly getting on the score sheet after a brilliant individual effort.

Their would be misery for the travelling Leeds fans as Aaron Mooy's shot was deflected and fell to the feet of Michael Hefele.

The real incident happened after the goal when Terries boss ran down the pitch to celebrate with the players, barging into Garry Monk on the way back to his technical area. The game took a sour turn as the players joined in and the referee decided to play yellow card merry go round.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: "I'm really proud of my players and our fans, we are very disappointed to lose a derby game against Huddersfield, but we have to accept that and it doesn't sit well."

On the incident with Wagner; "All I can say is from my perspective is that I have been brought up to have the values of humility, respect and class, and if you are not willing to show that, we don't have to agree with it."


Tuesday 07/02

The FA have confirmed that both Garry Monk and David Wagner along with their respective clubs will be charged due to Sunday's fracas.

Monk also has been charged with misconduct and Wanger; entering the pitch and misconduct. Both clubs have also been charged with failure to control their players.

Just when you think it can't get more heated between Leeds and Huddersfield it's reported that young forward Frank Mulhern is current on trail at the Terriers.

Mulhern is a talented striker who Garry Monk was very keen to invest time in during the summer. Adam Pope has reported that Mulhern has been released from Leeds' academy and this is a very strange turn of events.

MOT

By Keith & Ryan Ingham