Diary of a Leeds fan (7/9-16/9)

Thursday 7/9

Garry Monk's look ahead to the Huddersfield Town game: Berardi, at least seven to ten days away from starting full training with the squad, very happy with the transfer window, still would have liked another striker, very pleased with the signing of Eunan O'Kane (he will wear number 14), Bamba basically had to leave and understood Monk's decision.

When the team runs out on Saturday the players and everybody else will know who is to be the new captain of the team (two or three were considered), would consider getting a 'good' free agent, Luciano Becchio isn't a player he would be interested in, paid tribute to Town boss Wagner, Saturday's derby will be the team that is most focused, that was the reason Leeds won at Hillsborough, lastly paid tribute to Sol Bamba for "helping me understand what it had been like here before".

A focused Garry Monk.

This happened Thursday night

The Club is delighted to confirm that Leeds United Football Club is now 100% owned by Eleonora Sport Limited, it having purchased all of the shares previously held by GFH Capital.

All Massimo's now!


Friday 8/9

Social Media was alive with the talk of now Massimo has complete control will he keep the club or as most have indicated, sell it but remain a minority shareholder just to annoy the anti Cellino lobby, another that will probably smoke for a while and finally happen or not.

Life at Leeds is never that simple.

Match Facts: Leeds v Huddersfield Town

76 games played
Town 30 wins
19 Draws
Leeds 27 wins

Last ten years:
Leeds 6 wins
Town 6 wins
2 draws

After four straight Leeds wins, Town won the last game 4-1 at Elland Road.

Of 41 away games Leeds have won 19 with Town 12, 10 ending in draws.

Town sit proudly at the top of the Championship after the early games, Leeds sit too close to the relegation places to feel comfortable even at this early stage. Garry Monk is in need of a confidence boosting victory for him, his players and the long suffering Leeds fans.

Form usually 'flies out of the window' especially in local derbies. Last season Leeds were the form team but Town turned the tables and handed out a hammering to their hosts, the game at Town finished 3-0 to Leeds, so goals aplenty in 2015/16.

This time I see a tighter game with Leeds just edging it 2-1.

Liam Bridcutt was named club captain, in my view an excellent choice. Midfield 'general', now where have I heard that expression before ! A delighted Bridcutt said: “It’s a real honour, the manager has shown great faith in me by giving me the captaincy.”

Captain Liam

A very good interview by Phil Hay with Sol Bamba. Honest as ever was the ex captain of the club.

Goodbye Sol, you might not have been the best centre half to wear the white shirt but you were one of the most honest.


Saturday 10/9​

Leeds v Huddersfield Town

Team: Three changes, Jansson, Mowatt and Phillips replacing Cooper, Vieira and Hernandez.

The Game:

Whatever the coach says, this was dire from minute one until the ninety ninth when it ended. Town played well but within themselves but were in total control and their keeper will have have one of the most easiest days of his career. Although we looked solid at the back with the inclusion of Jansson, we were 'bullied' off every ball in the middle of the park and the strikers had very little opportunities. Terrible substitution of Antonsson, at least he looked interested!

The question remains on why two full internationals were not even on the bench (Dallas and O'Kane).

The boos at the end were not nice to hear but were fully warranted for a squad that just isn't 'clicking'.

A disappointing game and result.

Post Match:

Garry Monk: "I thought both teams were trying to limit any mistakes and from the one mistake we made – not closing the ball down quick enough – they scored from distance with a strike, but I don’t think either team did enough to win the game today – it looked like a 0-0 game to me, but unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the result. He added “It wasn’t through a lack of effort from ourselves – it was just one of those games where both teams cancelled each other out.“You could tell by the atmosphere in the ground that there wasn’t much for both sets of fans to really get their teeth into, we didn’t get going but I think that was down to the way the two teams were set up – a lot of the game was played in midfield and there wasn’t much goalmouth action. Both teams had exactly the same amount of shots on target. Unfortunately for us, one of their shots went in and we couldn’t find an equaliser.”

I didn't agree at all with his post match interview, we were not good enough in the middle of the park and the final third of the pitch.

His comments later to Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope did little to appease the fans, he said, when asked about his 'relationship' with Cellino "It's none of your business” and added “I’m not going to give someone else’s opinion - you have to ask the man himself.”

David Wagner: "We are very, very happy and it's great to see the fans very, very happy as well" he added "We had a great moment of celebration here a few months ago and now we've been able to have another in exactly the same place, so it was special for us and for the fans. "The togetherness, the fighting spirit and the working ethic of the players was unbelievable and with a great strike from Aaron Mooy, we deserved to win it."

Sunday 9/11

The day we remember, Fifteen years ago today.

Quite a lot of 'fallout' from the Adam Pope interview with Monk. Fans pretty divided as usual on the matter, myself it's always better to say 'no comment' than to look under pressure.
Andrew Butterwick's tries valiantly to find something positive out of yesterday's defeat.
https://leedsfan.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/leeds-utd-v-huddersfield-town-10th-sept.html?m=1
Thanks again Andrew.


Monday 12/9

Banish the Monday 'Blues' with a read of @FollowMeAndLUFC blog of the Huddersfield Town game

http://www.followmeandleedsunited.co.uk/huddersfield-town-10th-september-2016

You can make a 'silk purse from a sow's ear'. Thanks Heidi.

Superb Tweet: @PhilHayYEP @PaulFixter@WACCOE Garry....after Saturday would you describe your team as a long ball, short ball or no balls at all outfit? 👀

Garry Monk's look ahead to the Blackburn Rovers game: He opened with this; "My opinion on the game on Saturday was that it was very fine margins. Both teams were trying not to lose the game."

Pardon!

He continued by saying we started well, it didn't go as planned, every game is important, the results so far haven't been the best, 'group' working well but need to transfer it on to the pitch, it's a important game (Blackburn) and is confident the players will raise their game and you will see a response tomorrow night, the spirit is good and the only way to win is to do it together, the owner is very supportive (Heard this a few times from different 'watermelons'.

He ended with "I've proved in the past that I can be successful and at a higher level than this. You have to believe in what you're doing" and "I've been in football professionally for 20 years. I know what works & what doesn't."

A 'techy' under pressure GM.


Tuesday 13/8

Team: Three changes, Hernandez, Dallas and O'Kane come in for Wood, Phillips and Mowatt ; Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Bridcutt (c), O'Kane, Dallas, Hernandez, Sacko, Antonsson.

The Game:

Leeds gained a much needed win over Blackburn with a late Kyle Bartley header, it was no less than the team deserved.

Leeds were on the front foot from the off and with Dallas and Sacko on the wings, Blackburn were on the back foot immediately. However Green had to alert when a through ball found a Rovers player and both players needed treatment and Green received a yellow card for the challenge. With the midfield three of Bridcutt, O'Kane and Hernandez dominating it was surprising the first half ended goalless. A little poise was needed when the final ball was played into the danger area.

Leeds finally got in front when Wood, a second half substitute for Antonsson got on the end of a cross by the mercurial Hadi Sacko, 1-0 Leeds. Instead of pushing on, Leeds allowed Blackburn back into the game and it was not a surprise when Blackburn's substitute Emnes scored when given room and time on the edge of the area. It could have been worse but for a superb double save by Green to deny Rovers. With time almost up Bartley stooped to head in a free kick by Mowatt, Sacko could have made the game even safer but his effort went wide when through on goal.

The first win at Elland Road was greeted with cheers and applause, Leeds deserved the win and only a ten minute 'sloppy' second half spell spoiled a good team performance. Key men, Pontus Jansson in defence and Hadi Sacko in attack.

A delighted Kyle Bartley

Man of the Match: Hadi Sacko, trickery on the wings.

Best Tweet: Pontus Jansson; When you give fucking everything, sooner or later you will get the result! 🔥🔥 #MOT

Post Match:

Monk: Team showed 'pure spirit' in achieving the victory, learned to stick to his principles, Sacko 'drove' the second half and Wood was much better, performance improved after the New Zealander came on as a substitute, Bridcutt should be ok for the weekend's game with Cardiff City.

Owen Coyle: “It’s not particularly nice to be sitting here with no points because I thought we put enough in, particularly in the second phase, to even win the game".


Wednesday 14/9

David Watkins reviews last nights victory over Blackburn Rovers

http://dlw10.wixsite.com/leedsunited/blackburn-sept-13-2016

Excellent article as usual DW.

It seems from pictures around social media that a certain ex-England manager was present at last night's game, it can be only hoped that he'd come for a free meal and nothing more. Surely Cellino doesn't hate us that much he would even consider 'the wally with the brolly' or would he?

Steve McClaren on the right


Thursday 15/9

Garry Monk's look ahead to the Cardiff City game : Bridcutt, didn't train today but Monk hopes he will be fit for Cardiff, still defended his corner when asked about his future and said Cellino is happy with him and the players' attitude and said "I only focus on whether what I'm delivering is good enough - and I think it clearly is."

Berardi will train with the first team squad next week, Roofe trained with the squad today so should be fit.

Happier but still defensive Monk.

A editorial was run in today's YEP about the club, extremely well said and it's about time the club is run in a less farcical way.
This massive, growing city needs a successful football club.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/grant-woodward-chaos-at-leeds-united-is-a-barrier-to-city-success-1-8126069

Superbly written @woodwardworld


Friday 16/9

Robert Green told the YEP he'd like to stay another year at Leeds and has been impressed by the club's youngsters.

Garry Monk isn't 'fazed' by going back to Wales after his time at Swansea, “I am very focused on Leeds United and that rivalry because it will be a great atmosphere I can imagine. We are going to take a lot of travelling fans, as we do to all of the games." He added “I am manager of Leeds United and my players are the most important thing to me."

Preview of Cardiff v Leeds

Leeds and Garry Monk travel to Wales for a lunch time television game with Cardiff City on Saturday, City lost 3-0 on Tuesday at Preston and will want revenge on last season's Leeds 'double' over them. Monk will wait on a fitness check on captain Liam Bridcutt before naming his team, Antonsson or Wood will lead the line, Roofe who missed the win over Blackburn should be fit but may have to settle for a place on the substitute bench.

I'd settle for a 1-1 draw.

MOT

​by Keith Ingham