Bamford had a great chance first half with a header. He hardly got off the floor. Has to do better there. The rest were half chances. He will probably feel like he should have had a goal today if you could ask him. I've been a critic of Bamford and this season he has suprised me on how well he has performed. I realise that strikers miss chances but Paddy seems to miss those chances a little too often for my liking especially at this level.
The London thing is just chance. It's just one of those weird stats. I don't think anyone is hating Meslier. Just want to see him progress.
A thought struck me re. our 'wayward' passing. Is it possible that we have the same percentage of passing failures as every other team, but notice it more because we pass far, far more than most clubs, making the actual number higher? One thing that I'm trying to work out is how we cope with KP's suspension. Struijk could take his place, but who would play as CB in that case? I really can't work it out, unless we rely on inexperienced u23s.
I mentioned something similar in one of my posts Blono, Meslier has made the most saves in the Prem apart from Darlow at Newcastle, the kid is doing fine for his age and experience in the Prem, in fact, the whole team are, look at the Blunts, getting beat again and they've had a season to adjust. He's going to be a top class keeper imho, we don't need to destroy him by highlighting his mistakes all the time, he's actually made some great saves. Coco or Meslier, its a no brainer
Here goes for me..... spiderboy 6 Cut out the stupid passed kid Dallas 6 not his best today. Ayling 7.5 been good at CB still better at RB struick 6 decent he is going to be a baller alioski 5 sorry not your position but wasn't a pen neither Phillips 6 stupid booking klich6 when did he last score? He's not at his usual standard Rodrigo5.5 to be honest doesn't seem to fit the style and did we overpay Harrison 6 frustrating he can do it but he can also disappoint raphinha 6 he is a quality addition bamford 6 didn't make the most of a couple of chances especially the first half header. Subs Pablo 6 is he worth a start shortly shacks 6 like him full of energy and is a young man who should go far poveda 5 sorry but for me not done anything really to be considered a go to substitute that he seems to be
Sounds like he will miss the Brighton game. Will be available for Crawley. As far as I am aware, yellow cards are competition specific but straight reds count across all domestic competitions. He misses the Brighton game.
Today we saw Casey and Cresswell on the bench and expect them to start in the cup. Jenkins also there so he could replace Kalvin at a push if he does well
I can’t remember the exact percentage figures but saw the stats after the game and Leeds made twice as many passes as Spurs and had a far higher percentage of successful passes.
Bookings competition specific. Phillips misses Brighton. Apparently Leeds have given away possession more than any other team according to the commentary today.
Not surprising. If we passed it about our own half for most of the game like most teams, we'd have similar numbers to them, no doubt.
Bielsa will not want to risk any more defenders in the cup so expect Forshaw to captain along with Roberts, Costa, Dramah, Poveda, Cresswell, Casey, Kiko food for thought
We are still: 1 point clear of Wolves 1 point clear of Palace 3 points ahead of Arsenal 4 points on Newcastle 7 ahead of Burnley 9 in front of Brighton 12 on Fulham 15 ahead of WBA 21 points clear of the Blunts. A good day all in all
To be fair the cup has nothing on staying up this season, for me. I would prefer to try and get some players fit and not potentially lose any more in the cup. the way Pablo went down late in the game and Dallas too we may end up losing these too yet as well as Phillips to suspension
I wouldn't put the cup as a priority but I still think we should try and win the game. We have a full week either side of the Crawley game. Phillips is suspended for Brighton so I would play him at CB with one of the kids. Poveda, Costa, Pablo, Roberts, Shack all to start too. I'd play Klich too in holding position. If Forshaw is back training then give him half a game. It would be a shame if we get safe early and have nothing to play for. We are looking good points wise so far and wouldn't mind a chance in the cup.