24 Feb 2024 11:00:18
Just been thinking about the individual performances from our team last night. As leicester are probably our toughest opponents and most like a premier league side.
I thought mez had good game last night saved what he could have and made himself big on one on one's. Distribution maybe could have been better. Leicester did not throw in as much high stuff as other championship sides so it probably suited him more.
Rodon was very pressured last night. We can maybe see why ange did not have him in him premier league side. With the ball at his feet and under pressure he made a few mistakes but they cut off out balls and we had no target man to play up to.
Firpo. totally out of his depth with quick aggressive players coming after him. Amps wasn't passing to him because he new it would come straight back or be lost. Was replaced by a 17 year old nuff said.
Cree had a poor night. Chowdry did not let him turn and run at the defence. Can't always be at it.
Piroe tried put a shift in. It's just not working for him. No real presence up front if he plays as the striker.
Gruev and kamara battled and worked all night. I think their midfield ran out of steam towards the end. Ours didn't.
Archie. Another great game. Learning all the time. Got a bit square on their goal but he is aloud mistakes.
Gio was trying too hard first half and found it hard to make any progress. Second half came into his own as the game opened up. I must say as well bam occupied the cbs when he came on giving gio more room.
Dj and Roberts on that side were so positive and direct it did push their lb deeper. I do like Archie playing there but when a proper rb comes on you do see what you miss with Archie.
So that's what I think. Have I missed anything. Any additional views from you guys?
24 Feb 2024 11:40:48
Agree with your summary, was noticeable that Leicester had been told to shoot on sight, presumably Meslier identified as a weak point.
24 Feb 2024 12:00:30
Very good post Ben. You nailed the strengths and weaknesses of player performances last night and EPL suitability
I want to highlight the C word. Confidence
A much more confident Mes (and Leeds gk coaching staff) congrats. A very good performance last night and 2024 so far!
DJ has surprised even I this season. What a season 2033/ 24 he is having. He increasingly appears more and more uber confident and playing like a BOSS.
A fit and confidence restored Bamford again reminding Leeds fans ( well most of them ) that Leeds are so much better when he is playing. He must be starting matches again for me.
24 Feb 2024 12:12:25
Nice summary, mate. Can't disagree with any of it.
24 Feb 2024 12:19:26
Good review Ben, think I agree with most of your views, other than bam bam’s impact, not only got the killer goal but the side are getting a lift more belief when he’s on the pitch ?.
24 Feb 2024 12:37:48
Spot on Class. Bamford gives much more belief to Leeds side ; very evident again yesterday!
24 Feb 2024 12:54:52
White Ben. Why did foxes constantly attack gray. Wake up.
24 Feb 2024 13:11:15
W-B Accurate and useful summary but one critical point is missing and the whole forum ought to appreciate what I have to say here concerning Rutter. Once Bambam enters the fray the opponent's defensive line gets redrawn to accommodate (his channel runs etc) which has 2 beneficial consequences for Rutter.
First, a man less congested midfield which helps his travel with the football ⚽.
Two, he now has someone to consistently hit ? ahead of him. Bamboo. Creates options for him and therefore the team. He excels once a fit Bamboo does his thing.
I know Piroe is into double figures but for me he's a rotation option. If Bamboo is out for whatever reason I'd like to see handful Joseph given a run because he brings similar attributes to table as Bamboo meaning we'll always get the best out of Rutter. Something which isn't to be underestimated because it means chance creation and goals at this level.
24 Feb 2024 15:47:15
Aus. Leicester did attack on archies side because he is 17 and not right back. They also put rodon under a lot of pressure on that side. Saw it as a week spot. I love to see archie in the side but I think Roberts is a better fit and I see him taking over soon. I think if leicester had put firpo under more examination it would have brought more chances for them.
George I would love Joseph to get a match over piroe. He is more in the striker mold. Just need game time.
24 Feb 2024 18:15:45
I’m not sure I’m so keen on picking faults in certain players performances, especially when we win.
Leicester are a ready made Premiership team with the players they’ve got, we in comparison have a relatively very young team who in my opinion are still developing as individuals and as a team.
The question should be are we ready for the Premiership with such a young and inexperienced team?
Last night was if you like a yard stick to see how we were going to fare against quality opposition.
Should we get promoted there will be some strengthening in certain positions, that goes without saying, but what we have already compared to last season is incomparable.
With Farke this group of players would rip apart that team of last season and they are only going to get better, that thought is very encouraging.
You must take into consideration these young players have not reached their full potential yet, so finding faults in Meslier, Gnonto, Cree, Rutter or Gray at this stage of their game I find is irrelevant.
24 Feb 2024 20:13:06
Its so hard for young players to maintain consistency throughout a season so I agree OP we shouldn't knock players for what seems to be a bad game. It's easy to brand a player as not trying or lacking desire but we don't know all the story most of the time. Maybe Sunmerville was asked to play a specific role by DF that was different to his normal game to make space for others? Maybe the fact LC had 3 men on Rutter stifled his usual supply route and that was the reason he didn't really impact the game? I'm damn sure it wasn't lack of desire - why would anyone playing as well as Cree in the season we are having not want to give his all every game?
25 Feb 2024 08:56:08
Op and alf. I was simply thinking and reviewing the game against the best opposition we have come up against. When playing against Rotherham or Swansea you do not a true picture of how your players will stand up if they go up.
Cree didn't influence the game because their rb stopped him at source. But he wasn't helped on his side by firpo who had a stinker.
Our young team will learn and improve and I didn't want to sound critical of any one just thinking out loud. But leicester probably should have won last night and we didn't play our best for quite a bit of the game but you learn the most from adversity.
25 Feb 2024 09:26:37
Bang on point OP and Alf!