Leeds Utd v Aston Villa Match Thread - Cooper returns to starting XI

[WhiteRose]

Under the circumstances, with a heavily biased ref, a point is ok. But even with 11 men, I couldn't see us scoring. Two poor sides who lack creativity. Our 5 subs being Ayling, Klich, Firpo, Bamford and Summerville says it all really. No game changers to bring off. It's a poor squad, but we're always playing for 17th at best with these owners.

Thought the bench looked stronger than it has in a very long time - got an Italian international on it and bamford and klich are decent options. It’s not a poor squad. Bad performance today but it happens especially after an extended break and we played half the game with 10 men so can’t expect much more from that one than a point.

[Carrick Dave]

Good to see Marsch highlighting Villa’s pathetic time-wasting in his interview.

[SG90]

Thought the bench looked stronger than it has in a very long time - got an Italian international on it and bamford and klich are decent options. It’s not a poor squad. Bad performance today but it happens especially after an extended break and we played half the game with 10 men so can’t expect much more from that one than a point.

Klich is too slow for this level, you saw him jogging back regularly as they broke with pace. The problem is we have no direct replacement for Aaronson, we miss his energy and zip.

[SG90]

Thought the bench looked stronger than it has in a very long time - got an Italian international on it and bamford and klich are decent options. It’s not a poor squad. Bad performance today but it happens especially after an extended break and we played half the game with 10 men so can’t expect much more from that one than a point.

Experience doesn't = a strong bench imo. We don't really have any game changers to knick a goal, even with 11. Think we need a creative midfielder and Joffy on there and I'd say it was strong.

[SG90]

So Willy or Jimmy next week? Willy for me, Summerville hasn't looked up to this level yet.

[Leeds1000]

First of all i would like to thank Stevie G and his merry bunch of useless players. Its difficult to think of another side who wouldn't have made their advantage count seeing tho we were playing so badly. Villa were piss poor.....! Definatley two steps backwards to the end of last season for me that from us. Jesse always bangs on about the players needing time to get used to his methods but its difficult to see what they have been doing in the break? The fact we have seen out the game for a draw glosses over the cracks. God that was rubbish. Lets pretend it was jetlag and that we were the only team to release any players for pointless int friendlies.

[WhiteRose]

Experience doesn't = a strong bench imo. We don't really have any game changers to knick a goal, even with 11. Think we need a creative midfielder and Joffy on there and I'd say it was strong.

I agree with the midfielder we haven’t had a decent creative midfielder since Hernandez left. But overall we should have a good enough squad for a 10th to 14th finish - got a decent base to build on now which I couldn’t have said last season.

[SG90]

Joffy wasn't injured Marsch said, Gnonto was picked over him. I'd have had both and dropped Greenwood.

[SG90]

I agree with the midfielder we haven’t had a decent creative midfielder since Hernandez left. But overall we should have a good enough squad for a 10th to 14th finish - got a decent base to build on now which I couldn’t have said last season.

I don't think we do. The worry is that we've stopped playing since Chelski. That was 7 weeks ago now, we can't still be overcelebrating it?

[WhiteRose]

I don't think we do. The worry is that we've stopped playing since Chelski. That was 7 weeks ago now, we can't still be overcelebrating it?

I hope you’re wrong but we shall see - had we played forest as we should of done we could be on 12 points now that would put us 6th

[SG90]

I hope you’re wrong but we shall see - had we played forest as we should of done we could be on 12 points now that would put us 6th

I don't think we would have beat Forest tbh. We struggled v Everton and Villa and Forest would've played the same way.

[Ellandback1]

TWO POSITIVES - TWO NEGATIVES

Positives

1) When we went down to 10 men, we changed our tactics and went 5 at the back and defended well, and kept Villa quiet.

2)We won more than our fair share of headers. We're far better in the air than last season


Negatives

1) We can't tackle.

2) The amount of free kicks we gave any, we deserved to get punished

[Leeds1000]

Anyone tuning into motd2 for the highlights. If the show is on for an hour skip the first 55mins.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I imagine Paddy will be starting after that. It’s obvious he brings a lot more than goals. Nothing against Rodders

Good to have Paddy back. Shows a lot more than Rod. Be nice to have him starting again.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Under the circumstances, with a heavily biased ref, a point is ok. But even with 11 men, I couldn't see us scoring. Two poor sides who lack creativity. Our 5 subs being Ayling, Klich, Firpo, Bamford and Summerville says it all really. No game changers to bring off. It's a poor squad, but we're always playing for 17th at best with these owners.

We had 11 men for 48 minutes and couldn't put a shot on target

[andrewjohnsmith]

Ok a few headers not well placed - but he was solid as f**k otherwise, but no mention of that ??. Regardless of the Cooper bashers he is the most important player on the pitch. Good Leadership should never be underestimated and he excels at that. We were pretty decent defensively all things considered.

Harrison frustrated me again - he gives the ball away far too cheaply and too often.

Scrappy game to say the least. Tough game to ref. Coming away with a point was a good result having gone down to 10 men.

Full credit to Cooper. First league start since ... (when was it?) He was rusty but solid. The whole defence - Rasmus, Koch, Strujik, Roca - is better when he plays. His leadership skills should not be underestimated.

[SG90]

We had 11 men for 48 minutes and couldn't put a shot on target

My point exactly.

[andrewjohnsmith]

He did OK.

For Firpo that is massively improved

Based on current players, I think we'll be better with Fripo at left back. Jury still out on him. But would be nice to see round pegs in round holes.

[andrewjohnsmith]

It was daft from Sini, but the ref set the tone in the first half letting Villa get away with murder while every time we touched them it was a foul.

I think that's it. Our yellows were justified. But when you see the other team getting away with stuff ... that's a different story. Can also lead to a lot of frustration. That said, we should be more professional than that and smarter in our own gamesmanship.

[andrewjohnsmith]

We’re definitely a top 20 side. I’ve no doubt about that

So you're saying we'd beat anyone in the Championship?