Diary of a Leeds Fan (3/12-13/12/16)

Saturday 3/12

Team news: Four changes; Green, Ayling, Bartley, Phillips and Wood return after the Liverpool cup tie.

Team: Green, Ayling, Bartley(c), Jansson, Taylor, Phillips, Vieira, Sacko, Roofe, Doukara, Wood.

The Game:

Aston Villa, unbeaten in seven games threatened first as Bartley and Jansson were kept 'on their toes' by a busy but largely blunt Villa front line. They were nearly gifted a goal by some hesitation in the Leeds defence but the chance went over the crossbar from Kodjia.

Another piece of the same confusion in the Leeds penalty area saw Rob Green clash with Adomah after the ball was casually sent back by a Leeds defender, it didn't look a penalty but hearts were in mouths at the time.

The best chance of the game came to the head of Pontus Jansson, Taylor's flighted corner beating all the Villa defenders but the big Swede couldn't direct his header and it flew over the bar, much to the annoyance of said Swede.

Just before the break Taylor was clattered on the line of the penalty area, it looked a definite penalty but instead the referee gave a free kick. Bartley and Sacko both had opportunities before the break but neither took them. 0-0 at half time.

Adomah had a great opportunity early in the second half but instead of bulging the net his effort sailed wide of Green's goal, Roofe was felled in the area but again the referee ignored the penalty pleas of the Leeds players.

The breakthrough goal came as Doukara found time and space to deliver a superb ball onto the head of Roofe, his flicked header sped past Gollini sending the 'Kop' behind him into a frenzy and how the young striker celebrated with his teammates.

He enjoyed too the standing ovation he was given when substituted by Stuart Dallas with just over ten minutes to play, it wasn't over because Villa still tried to create a equaliser. In injury time Leeds put the game to bed, Sacko's wonderful run ending with a shot that although Gollini saved, Chris Wood rammed home the ball from just in front of the goal line.

The superb win moved Leeds up to forth in the Championship.

Celebrating his first Championship goal, Kemar Roofe who was a lot of people's Man of the Match.

Luke Ayling was also mentioned for his superb display.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: After we scored the first goal, we played our best football, we also looked more like ourselves, we were 'passive' and Villa smelt blood, thought once Leeds scored there would be only one winner "once we scored, we looked the more dangerous team", the downside of the victory was he could still be 'critical' of the win, need to play better in upcoming games, singled out Vieira, Phillips and Roofe who all won their personal battles, down to eighteen fit players and wouldn't risk playing O'Kane.

A subdued but happy Monk, a little strange considering the impressive result.

Steve Bruce: "In a game that was not the most enthralling in the first half, you have to take your chances. We had two, we then made a mistake that cost us the game. After that we 'huffed and puffed' but didn't make a dent in Leeds, which was disappointing".


Sunday 4/12

Andrew Butterwick's superb match-day blog of yesterday's game

https://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/leeds-united-v-aston-villa-3rd-dec-2016.html?m=

Cheer Andrew, maybe the clouds may move away from Leeds 11 for ever.


Monday 5/12

Souleymane Doukara was named in the EFL Championship team of the week. A fitting reward for a player who through hard work has forced himself back into the Leeds first eleven.

Heidi Haigh's always interesting look at the game versus Aston Villa.

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/aston-villa-3rd-december-2016

As always Thank you Heidi.

Leeds are drawn away to Cambridge United in the third round of the FA Cup, interestingly managed by former Leeds player Shaun Derry.


Tuesday 6/12

How things can change with a right man at the helm.


Wednesday 7/12

Remembering the greatest player ever to wear the white shirt.

RIP Billy Bremner, 19 years ago taken far too young.

Garry Monk's look at Friday evening's televised game at Brighton:

Bridcutt won't play against Brighton and O'Kane a major doubt, very cautious of 'rushing' Bridcutt back too soon, knows additions are needed to boost the squad but doesn't want to upset the 'balance' within the squad, knows the players need to improve if they want to be involved in and handle the run-in, "we need to be better and I'm not saying it for the sake of it".

A knowing Monk.

The Daily 'Snail' revelled this afternoon that Massimo Cellino will be banned for 18 months and Leeds will be fined £250,000 for a illegal payment to a unlicensed advisor of Ross McCormack in his transfer to Fulham FC.

This has not been confirmed by the FA but it brought this retort by the owner of Leeds United FC.

The statement is below and was posted on the official site of LUFC

I am surprised to read the news regarding the FA’s intentions to ban and fine me, as well as fine the Club. I am not guilty and I will take the right steps to defend myself through the tribunal.

I feel that I am guilty of one thing, protecting Leeds United since I took charge of the Club. I ask the players, manager and my staff to continue to work with loyalty and professionalism and to keep fighting for the Club everyday on and off the pitch.

I am sure that the public in this country and the free press will take the time to look into this case and find the truth.

Massimo Cellino 

An official statement from the FA will hopefully be forthcoming before the Brighton game on Friday.


Thursday 8/12

Confirmation of the eighteen month ban for Cellino and the fine. Cellino has made a written. Statement below from the FA.
http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/dec/08/leeds-united-and-cellino-fined-081216

FA by name and nature!

The role of 'woe' since Massimo Cellino took over from GFH

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/massimo-cellino-timeline-the-controversial-ownership-of-leeds-united-1-8281220.

You can't take away the significantly large amount of money he has put into the club but it hasn't been a 'easy romance' without doubt.

Many Thanks to the YEP for the article.

The FA Cup tie with Cambridge United will be televised by BT Sport on Monday 9th of January, kick off 7:45pm.


Friday 9/12

Brighton Preview

Brighton wins 15
Draws 11
Leeds wins 1

Last five games

Brighton 4 Leeds 0 Champ 16
Leeds 1 Brighton 2 Champ 15
Brighton 2 Leeds 0 Champ 15
Leeds 0 Brighton 2 Champ 14
Brighton 1 Leeds 0 Champ 14

Leeds hope to get a positive result against Brighton after five defeats in a row, the run included a 4-0 battering last season, after Brighton scored three goals in quick succession. They are second in the Championship, seven points ahead of Leeds.

The only doubt for the televised Friday night fixture is Eunan O'Kane and although he's trained this week, he still could miss out on the game.

The team picks itself, barring injuries so Wood will be supported by Roofe, Sacko and Doukara. Phillips and Vieira did a superb job against Villa and should retain their places.

This is the 'acid test' for me of the recent impressive performances, leaving Newcastle aside. Brighton are a good team with a good manager and last season's beaten playoff semi finalists.
I'd be happy with a point.

Prediction 2-2

In the week we remember 'King' Billy Bremner I came across this superb article by @Brac4773, the author of the book about Ian Baird.

http://www.sheridan-dictates.com/a-tribute-to-billy-bremner.php?disable_mobile=true

Many Thanks for the use of it.

Brighton v Leeds

Team: Unchanged, Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Phillips, Vieira, Sacko, Roofe, Doukara, Wood. Cooper returns after injury to the bench.

The Game:

Two penalties condemned Leeds to their sixth defeat in a row to Brighton, Kalvin Phillips was sent off for handling the ball in the incident that led to the first goal. The second came when Bartley was adjudged to have manhandled a Brighton player in the penalty area, Hamed hit home the penalty. We tried but didn't test their keeper for ninety minutes, another disappointing visit to the Amex, that's six straight defeats against the South coast team.

We've played Norwich, Newcastle, Villa and Brighton recently and Reading this Tuesday and in seven games we've taken fifteen points from them and are in a playoff position at this point in the season. We've, in my opinion over achieved and despite Cellino's ban a couple more wins should keep us where we are.

Post Match:

Garry Monk; we gave ourselves the opportunity to 'push on' but made mistakes, strange quote this "I didn't feel there was anything they were going to kill us with had we kept 11 on the pitch.", caused our own mistakes, they deserved the victory but we didn't do ourselves justice with the performance, on Phillips; "You're that last man, you're on the line and trying put yourself in the way of the ball. It hits your arm.", on Cellino's FA ban: "I respect the owner and the club. It's not for me to get into. My job is to focus on the football."

A pretty 'fed up' Monk.

Chris Hughton: "There's every chance we won't be top, it's nice to be top and getting the three points, some results will go for us some against us" he added the "some games players win it for you, some performances win it for you, some referee's do it for you !"


Saturday 10/12

Andrew Butterwick's report on the long away trip to Brighton

https://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/brighton-hove-albion-v-leeds-utd-9th.html?m=1

I've heard the effects of the journey lasted a few days. Hope your feeling better now Andrew.

Criticism of Kalvin Phillips decision to handle the ball in a effort to stop a certain goal and his following sending off seem to raise the temperature of social media today. I mean a young man tries to do his all for his teammates and still gets 'stick' for doing so. At least his Head Coach had a little more sense and backed the player, the cyber pillocks that just 'go for' the youngsters at the club are hopefully the ones that still think Honey G was going to be a superstar !


Sunday 11/12

Heidi Haigh retorts her journey to the South Coast with her band of brothers and sisters.

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/brighton-9th-december-2016

Always makes me smile, even after a defeat. Thank you HH.


Monday 12/12

Garry Monk's look on tomorrow's game with Reading: Eunan O'Kane misses the Reading game, a late decision will be made on Liam Bridcutt, Hernandez at least ten days away from being considered, Kalvin Phillips banned, squad is getting to the point where it is stretched close to breaking point, on Reading "They are a excellent side, Stam has done a wonderful job. They're performing at a high level so, again it will be a tough test".

A frustrated (by injuries) Monk.

Ronaldo wins the World Football of the year award (Ballon d'Or), Messi was second, Griezmann was third.


Tuesday 13/12

Team: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Vieira, Dallas, Sacko, Roofe, Doukara, Wood.

The Game:

With just over 20% of possession Leeds secured a 2-0 win over third place Reading at Elland Road, the win, a perfect response after Friday's disappointing display at Brighton. Roared on by over twenty two thousand fans in the last twenty minutes especially, Leeds climbed to fifth after the win.

This game was more about what you do with the ball in the final third than knocking it from your keeper to defence and then back to him. Leeds with 'Sully' Doukara in midfield had more than a few moments when they tested a strong Reading defence, on paper and surprisingly found them wanting.

Sacko was the chief tormentor and not for the first time the defender against him was 'turned inside out', he set up Roofe before putting a ball into the six yard box, Wood was first to the ball and his effort flew past the Reading goalkeeper. From them on Leeds battled gamely for every ball, unfortunately a injury to Chris Wood took a little shine off the half time pint. Liam Bridcutt making his first appearance since his layoff replaced the New Zealander.

Wood bags number 14

The second half followed the first, Reading moving the ball about between themselves, to the ironic cheers from the South Stand, strange maybe but it was because although they had so much possession they didn't trouble Green or his defenders much. The second goal came in injury time, Charlie Taylor, my MOTM cut inside the Reading area and was flattened, no dispute from any Reading player, 'Sully' Doukara made no mistake with the resultant penalty kick.

2-0 against a decent team is a great result and I'll not forget the reaction of Pontus Jansson after the second goal, this man has to be signed up for a few years, he 'gets' what it means to wear the white/blue/yellow shirt.

A good Tuesday night and being with great company and meeting Tony Dorigo made it even more special.

Box 44 guests, superb fans.

Tony Dorigo, what a gent.

Post Match:

Garry Monk; picking the team was a 'challenge', thought his team was the more dangerous, despite having less possession, most satisfying result of the season "it's a very important win", didn't want to use Bridcutt but did and he came through unscathed, on the January transfer window; "Striker's one area we are looking at, definitely".

A very pleased Monk

Japp Stam: Stam: "They can say ‘we won’ and of course it’s about the result - but if you need to play like that then I don’t want to be a manager."

A bitter ex manu player.

That's all for this week as we look ahead to another tough fixture against Brentford at the weekend.

MOT

​Keith Ingham