The Official Leeds United Thread
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Puggit said:
Watford fan here - great appointment in Garcia. He has a style, he sticks it - took us all the way to the FA Cup final. Adored by Watford fans who only wish him well at Leeds. One of many who shouldn't have been sacked 
That's encouraging to know! But nothing ever goes smoothly at Leeds and now it appears there's a delay with Gracia getting a work permit - he hasn't been able to take training today and apparently there's some doubt he'll be in the dugout for the Southampton game on Saturday....Leeds United confirm that Javi Gracia has received his work permit/visa.
Two additions to the first team coaching staff - Zigor Aranalde, who worked with Gracia in his last three jobs, and Mikel Antia, an ex team-mate at Real Sociedad. Skubala also part of 1st team staff.
Paco Gallardo now taking the U21s. No mention of Chris Armas in the statement but he's still with the club.
Looking forward to tomorrow now
Two additions to the first team coaching staff - Zigor Aranalde, who worked with Gracia in his last three jobs, and Mikel Antia, an ex team-mate at Real Sociedad. Skubala also part of 1st team staff.
Paco Gallardo now taking the U21s. No mention of Chris Armas in the statement but he's still with the club.
Looking forward to tomorrow now
Well here he is:
https://youtu.be/BbirIDjRpgk?t=129
Leeds-Southampton press conference just finished with Javi Garcia in the hot seat.
Naturally, he is giving it the confident, prepared, ready speech, but lets hope he is the man to make the difference. Best of luck, he's gonna need it!
(He looks and sounds absolutely knackered, hope he gets some good kip tonight!)
https://youtu.be/BbirIDjRpgk?t=129
Leeds-Southampton press conference just finished with Javi Garcia in the hot seat.
Naturally, he is giving it the confident, prepared, ready speech, but lets hope he is the man to make the difference. Best of luck, he's gonna need it!
(He looks and sounds absolutely knackered, hope he gets some good kip tonight!)
That was a nervy game and 3 vital points. Pleased for Firpo getting the goal, he's had plenty of criticism, and deservedly so, but he seems to be giving his all and he's been playing all right the last few games. Thought Mckennie had a decent game as well.
It was a bit concerning that playing the bottom team in the league I can't think of many decent goal scoring opportunities we created, other than the goal.
It was a bit concerning that playing the bottom team in the league I can't think of many decent goal scoring opportunities we created, other than the goal.
Drezza said:
Massive win but we're not out of the mire yet, going to go to the wire... Could see Forest getting dragged back in.
You're right, a huge win for us today! I also agree we're by no means out of the mire and to be honest even Palace in 12th are only 4 points ahead of us (albeit with a game in hand). Looks like it could be a relegation dogfight right to the last weekend of the season....Great result. Would have kept Willy on personally but we got the result so what do I know. Great to see we didn't completely s
t the bed after going 1 up like we normally do, though the Saints looked pretty useless. Firpo has always looked stronger going forward than defending, think he's a secret winger really. He has decent vision and can be threatening when he decides to go for an adventure upfront. Glad to see him grab a goal as he's taken some criticism in his time with us.
t the bed after going 1 up like we normally do, though the Saints looked pretty useless. Firpo has always looked stronger going forward than defending, think he's a secret winger really. He has decent vision and can be threatening when he decides to go for an adventure upfront. Glad to see him grab a goal as he's taken some criticism in his time with us. 
Nothing you can do about that first goal off the inside of the post, second one I thought Kristensen should've closed him down so he couldn't get the shot off, especially as he scored basically the same goal last game.
Thought our disallowed goal was very soft, and with Rutter hitting the post it just seemed like one of those nights... Style of play looks much improved and other than Mitro's offside goal I don't think they really created much.
Thought our disallowed goal was very soft, and with Rutter hitting the post it just seemed like one of those nights... Style of play looks much improved and other than Mitro's offside goal I don't think they really created much.
It's just so frustrating though. We have plenty of the ball but we're like the Arsenal of a few years ago where we appear to be trying to walk the ball into the net. Quality in the final 3rd is going to cost us dear, as well as giving the ball away cheaply in our own half
It's ok saying that we played well, but that record's been playing since Marsch was in charge - anyone remember Arsenal, Villa and numerous other games this year where we have done the same. I'd rather we played ugly, smash and grabbed a few 1-0's against the run of play and build the brand over the summer
15 points dropped from winning positions - only Leicester are worse - is also a scary statistic. Whilst Spurs and Scum were frustrating when playing well against good sides, it's results like the 3-3 v Southampton that could end up costing us - especially as the goals are seeming harder to come by
It's ok saying that we played well, but that record's been playing since Marsch was in charge - anyone remember Arsenal, Villa and numerous other games this year where we have done the same. I'd rather we played ugly, smash and grabbed a few 1-0's against the run of play and build the brand over the summer
15 points dropped from winning positions - only Leicester are worse - is also a scary statistic. Whilst Spurs and Scum were frustrating when playing well against good sides, it's results like the 3-3 v Southampton that could end up costing us - especially as the goals are seeming harder to come by
Thought last night was equally infuriating as it was impressive at times. Remember its the second game for Gracia and there were some major changes in the team. Also remember where they are in the league - they're having a quite frankly amazing season back in the prem, helped by the total implosion by times like Liverpool and Chelsea who are below them...
Thought the ref was pretty poor, our "goal" being a perfect highlight. Wilson has always been soft and prone to acrobatics - remember him doing it loads when we were in the championship and he cheated his way into the ref disallowing that goal last night. I don't care what Shearer, Murphy etc say - that was all acrobatics.
I didn't think Meslier was too good last night - 3 shots on target and he conceded 2 of them, both of which were whilst being very good goals, were from miles out. Roca too I struggle to see what he offers - he needs free kick practice too.
Chelsea is the big one - i wasn't too bothered about losing last night. Think they've only scored 1 goal in the last 4 or 5 premiership games or something so if we put our first team out, Wober back etc I'm really hoping we get something there. I'd take a draw but I can see us getting a win. They've lost Silva for a while as well...
Thought the ref was pretty poor, our "goal" being a perfect highlight. Wilson has always been soft and prone to acrobatics - remember him doing it loads when we were in the championship and he cheated his way into the ref disallowing that goal last night. I don't care what Shearer, Murphy etc say - that was all acrobatics.
I didn't think Meslier was too good last night - 3 shots on target and he conceded 2 of them, both of which were whilst being very good goals, were from miles out. Roca too I struggle to see what he offers - he needs free kick practice too.
Chelsea is the big one - i wasn't too bothered about losing last night. Think they've only scored 1 goal in the last 4 or 5 premiership games or something so if we put our first team out, Wober back etc I'm really hoping we get something there. I'd take a draw but I can see us getting a win. They've lost Silva for a while as well...
So as feared we failed to get anything against a Chelsea team that's been way out of form. Gracia seems to have tightened us up a bit defensively but we're creating precious little in the way of clear chances at the other end and failing to take most of them when they do arise; the only goal we've scored in our last 5 games was Firpo's against Southampton and being honest that was soft and the Saints should have stopped it!
Perhaps things will improve on that front when Rodrigo returns but I have to say I remain pessimistic about our survival chances. Yes the table's tight - and a handful of wins would potentially change things quite significantly - but at the moment I just don't see where those wins are coming from....
Perhaps things will improve on that front when Rodrigo returns but I have to say I remain pessimistic about our survival chances. Yes the table's tight - and a handful of wins would potentially change things quite significantly - but at the moment I just don't see where those wins are coming from....
Well it could have been worse (seem to have said that a lot this season). Unfortunate with a few other results not going our way but still stupidly tight at the the bottom of the table... Southampton in 20th on 22 points up to Palace in 12th on 27 mean it could be any 3 of those 9 teams going down at the minute.
Massive game for us next weekend vs Wolves - moreso given the games other teams around us have got this week:
Brighton vs Palace
Southampton vs Brentford
Forest vs Newcastle
Villa vs Bournemouth
Brentford vs Leicester
Southampton vs Spurs
Chelsea vs Everton
Arsenal vs Palace
Massive game for us next weekend vs Wolves - moreso given the games other teams around us have got this week:
Brighton vs Palace
Southampton vs Brentford
Forest vs Newcastle
Villa vs Bournemouth
Brentford vs Leicester
Southampton vs Spurs
Chelsea vs Everton
Arsenal vs Palace
Anybody any idea why Harrison tried to get rid of the ball with the outside of his left from that sort of position? Surely easier to try and hook it away with the right
May not have made a lot of difference but just looks like a poor decision on the moment, and the more difficult play to try and make
May not have made a lot of difference but just looks like a poor decision on the moment, and the more difficult play to try and make
From the sounds of it we were second best for most of the game against Brighton and probably fortunate to get a point; I think the crowd was also getting restless and that's not going to help us in future home games if the atmosphere begins to turn toxic.
The table is incredibly tight but I think we're going to need 4 or perhaps 5 wins to survive; that implies winning as many of our final 12 games as we've managed in our first 26 and sadly I just don't see that happening. Would love to be proved wrong but I think we're going down this season....
The table is incredibly tight but I think we're going to need 4 or perhaps 5 wins to survive; that implies winning as many of our final 12 games as we've managed in our first 26 and sadly I just don't see that happening. Would love to be proved wrong but I think we're going down this season....
Thought we looked pretty amateurish against Brighton. Time and time again we do the same old mistakes, press forward and leave gaps for the opponents to exploit, usually playing a simple ball over the head of Ayling.
Brighton played the kind of football we should be doing. Yes, it was boring at times and the crowd booed when their centre backs were playing Chuckle brother "to me, to you" passes between their centre backs, but it inevitably invited another ill advised press from us which was unsuccessful.
Also, we were again giving simple passes straight to the opposition. It amazed me how poor we were at just keeping possession.
It's worrying that Gracia doesn't see Gnonto as a starter. To some extent, I get what he seemed to be trying by having a left footed winger on the left in Harrison, and a right footer in Summerville on the right to get some width and crosses in, something we lacked under Marsch. But the step up in class and ability to attack and play decent through passes was clear to see when Gnonto did get on the pitch. He's got to start for me.
Good to see Bamford get a goal (although aided by a bit of luck in a deflection), and despite not having a great game overall Harrison took the second goal well (not the one he put in his own net though)
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