The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 12th February) - Leeds smash four past Hornets to go five points clear

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 12th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Leeds smash four past Hornets

Leeds took a significant stride towards automatic promotion with a commanding 4-0 victory over Watford, establishing a five-point cushion ahead of closest rivals Sheffield United and eight point gap with Burnley in third, both of whom play tonight. The Whites are now unbeaten in 14 league games, and haven't conceded since the 3-3 draw at Hull on January 4th. In that time (six games ago), they've scored an impressive 18 goals. They went on a fourteen match unbeaten run at this very time last season, only to fall apart towards the end.

Daniel James notched a remarkable nine minutes first half brace, his fifth goal in just seven league games, showcasing his remarkable recent form. He put the Whites ahead on 20 minutes with a calamitous error from Kayembe, who unwittingly set up the Welshman for the opening goal with a blind pass. It didn’t take long for Leeds to capitalize again, with Piroe turning provider for James to slam home from the edge of the area after slicing their defence wide open. The match continued to unfold in Leeds' favour: a deflected effort from Solomon on 35 minutes put any kind of come-back out of Watford's reach.

Moments earlier, James came close to scoring his hattrick with an audacious effort from the half-way line, but went narrowly wide. Piroe saved the best to last, capping off a brilliant night for Farke's team. He danced his way through the Watford back-line, before prodding the ball past Selvik after great work from Tanaka.

Daniel James celebrates a brace against Watford

Solomon/James partnership flourishing

Dan James and Manor Solomon have emerged as a dynamic duo this season, showcasing their remarkable synergy on the field. With a combined tally of 17 goals and 13 assists, their partnership is proving to be Leeds strongest assets this season. Their ability to link up seamlessly creates constant threats for opposing defenses, as they exploit spaces and use their pace and technical skills to carve out scoring opportunities. James’s direct running complements Solomon’s crafty dribbling and vision, making them a nightmare for any backline.

It also deflects pressure from Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson who are very much confidence players! With less burden applied on the duo, they too have flourished. Leeds have scored 66 goals and been credited with 46 assists in just 32 league games, and have a +47 goal difference, the highest by far in the division.

James and Solomon have a combined 17 goals and 13 assist so far this season

[Sean_Nile]

Accurate factual positive OP. Well done.

[mentalcase]

Morning all.
That was near a complete performance away from home.
No doubt we had some early luck , but we were in the right positions, plus we made them make those mistakes through pressure.
The whole team had put in the shift we know they can and which most of us insisted after the FA cup debacle.
Shame James didn't have a little more composure to get his hat trick.
Meslier when needed didn't let us down, Ampadu was immense as usual, Rodon was the quite-est I've ever seen him but when needed mopped it up, Bogle / Firpo in fine form at the moment as wing backs, midfield ticking over nicely, the attack is awesome and devastating, to be able to bring on the players we do must be demoralising for the opposition.
The tough games at the top are coming, let's see how we deal with those games, or, how they actually deal with us.
If they come at us we'll tear holes in their back line, I expect sunderland to have a go, sheffield to be burnley cautious and west brom will be careful (WBA would have been midweek had we not gone out the cup, so blessing there.
Onwards and upwards.

[Irish Ian]

A perfect away day.


We kept it tight at the back, fought for the ball in midfield, and got the lucky break up front.


First one to get tĥat reference wins a link to the game highlights free on me.

[Chilli D]

Very good performance last night.
Some of the counter attacking is breathtaking, the second goal, a point in question.
Everyone is playing their part and those on the bench will just have to bide their time for now because I can't see anyone getting dropped.
The last two games we have literally steamrollered teams with aspirations of the play offs, these are not struggling teams.

[ruttermania]

For the 2nd goal Aaronson's pass to Piroe and his pass to James were absolutely top notch examples and quite similar to the Firpo /Piroe combination in the last match . Also Aaronson's back heel to James for the shot that went narrowly wide really deserved a goal as it would have been assist of the season. It seems to me that this team is still playing well within itself and that there are a couple of more gears to be moved up if necessary. I think a lot of teams will now be looking at damage limitation mode whether we are playing home or away.

[1964white]

We are cruising this league, miles ahead of the rest.

[1964white]

About time some of our fan base had more faith in Farke & this scintillating Leeds team.

[Sean_Nile]

We are cruising this league, miles ahead of the rest.

There is many a slip, between the cup and the lip.

[1964white]

I wonder if I can purchase a Dan James badge.

James & Soloman ready-made for the Premier League.

[1964white]

There is many a slip, between the cup and the lip.

Things can go west, but I'm not having that this time.

[Sean_Nile]

Things can go west, but I'm not having that this time.

Just read the Sunderland forum regarding the watford game. There was 7 pages written before the game even started. Then when the game started there was a complete meltdown and wondering how they would fare against us on Monday. It went on for 31 pages.

I can only conclude that we are living rent free in their heads, and I wouldn't be surprised that situation is true for many of the teams in the championship.

Somehow we now have the reputation of being invincible gladiators putting everyone to the sword... deserved or not, it certainly is an unparalleled psychological advantage.

[John in Louisiana]

Did I read that right?

Our GD is at 47.

Only three other teams in the league have scored as many as 47 goals.

[Ellandback1]

Accurate factual positive OP. Well done.

You know me!!!

[1964white]

Just read the Sunderland forum regarding the watford game. There was 7 pages written before the game even started. Then when the game started there was a complete meltdown and wondering how they would fare against us on Monday. It went on for 31 pages.

I can only conclude that we are living rent free in their heads, and I wouldn't be surprised that situation is true for many of the teams in the championship.

Somehow we now have the reputation of being invincible gladiators putting everyone to the sword... deserved or not, it certainly is an unparalleled psychological advantage.

Yes, I've read the Sunderland thread. The majority of their fans are a bag of nerves after watching Leeds of late. Meanwhile they have been dropping silly points at home & winning games by own goals.

[1964white]

Did I read that right?

Our GD is at 47.

Only three other teams in the league have scored as many as 47 goals.

Leeds United have a +47 goal difference for only the second time in the club's entire history. It's the best since the end of the 1927-28 campaign (+49, scored 98, conceded 49)

[1964white]

8 more wins!

[GreennWhite]

Just read the Sunderland forum regarding the watford game. There was 7 pages written before the game even started. Then when the game started there was a complete meltdown and wondering how they would fare against us on Monday. It went on for 31 pages.

I can only conclude that we are living rent free in their heads, and I wouldn't be surprised that situation is true for many of the teams in the championship.

Somehow we now have the reputation of being invincible gladiators putting everyone to the sword... deserved or not, it certainly is an unparalleled psychological advantage.

Important thing is, we dont play their fans, regardless of what they say or how they feel We play their team and they wont just roll up and allow us to stroll trhough the game.

[John in Louisiana]

Leeds United have a +47 goal difference for only the second time in the club's entire history. It's the best since the end of the 1927-28 campaign (+49, scored 98, conceded 49)

Put it another way: If every other team in the league had not conceded a single goal this year we would still have the third-highest GD in the league.

That's just insane.

[CUSSIE01]

Just read the Sunderland forum regarding the watford game. There was 7 pages written before the game even started. Then when the game started there was a complete meltdown and wondering how they would fare against us on Monday. It went on for 31 pages.

I can only conclude that we are living rent free in their heads, and I wouldn't be surprised that situation is true for many of the teams in the championship.

Somehow we now have the reputation of being invincible gladiators putting everyone to the sword... deserved or not, it certainly is an unparalleled psychological advantage.

FAO any Sunderland fans reading this, you do not want this man living in your head. You have been warned.