Leeds Utd v Norwich City Match Thread

[1964white]

[1964white]

Someone mentioned a few games ago, that the games at Elland Road are just the same games but with the opposition playing in different coloured kits.

Couldn’t agree more, that was pretty dull watch last night.

To be honest, mate, I don't think we are getting out of second gear to win matches of late.

[weasel]

To be honest, mate, I don't think we are getting out of second gear to win matches of late.

Exactly what we need. Control a game, don't over exert ourselves which cuts down on fatigue and injuries. Far better than chasing the game for 90 minutes. Get the early goal, invite theopposition onto us without them really being dangerous and know that at some point we will get the second. All game we were more dangerous than Norwich even if we didn't put the game to bed early.

I think we'd have all settled for a routine 2-0 win over Derby in the second leg of the play-offs. If you give the opposition hope then they become more dangerous. If you limit them they become demoralised.

[Barlow Boy]

To be honest, mate, I don't think we are getting out of second gear to win matches of late.

I agree, it’s far too easy for us at the moment , there’s virtually nothing to play against.

As long as we get promoted, then it will all be worthwhile. I’ll do anything to get out of this league, and get back to watching some of the best footballers on the planet in the flesh at Elland Road.

[GreennWhite]

Farke getting very excited and over reacting when the second goal went in, he needs to learn to keep him emotions under better control

[Cjay]

The thing is that we analyse our performances, despite the win, yet Sheff U win and it doesn't matter how sh*t they played. If we were playing as poorly as Sheff U then the critiicism would be more justified but we are winning matches and deservedly doing so.

Part of being a fan though I suppose.

I'm sure Sheffield United fans analyse the games they play same as we do our own.

Wilder said himself they were poor the other night and Farke tbf to him acknowledged it was hardly entertaining yesterday.

It's a means to an end, so is Daniel Farke I suppose.

As long as we keep winning its what matters.

But can understand why Leicester fans felt the way they did last season.

[Cjay]

Was really pleased when DF took off Tanaka and Byram.

Didn't think he would, he usually very specific on his subs (70minutes).

But glad he did it was nice to see him react to an in game situation.

I owe Solomon an apology, I thought he looked slower and less sharp than his days in Ukraine, I was wrong.

He's been brilliant recently

[1964white]

I agree, it’s far too easy for us at the moment , there’s virtually nothing to play against.

I thought it was funny when they announced the 35,157 crowd & the attendance of 954 away fans.

[DDB220]

Thought the same thing, faaip

Based on what that Piroe got on the end of it ? Look at his starting position. You need someone coming onto a ball like that - not stretching backwards. It was just a typical Gruev hitting the ball into the centre of the box corner. This is what he does, no variation, pace or flight. Easy meat for most organised defences.

Rothwell takes set pieces with variation. Mixing up the nature of the delivery is essential. Hence why we have been VASTLY improved from the set pieces this season. TBH the benchmark wasn’t particularly high to start with.

[weasel]

Some of you have completely lost the plot!

Last night was brilliant. Got the winning goal in the first minute then completely diffused the danger. Norwich only had one moment of danger - the overhit cross - whereas we had a few reasonably decent chances to get the 2nd before we did. Far more impressive than it would appear Sheff U were at Swansea where most observers seem to be suggesting they should have been 3-0 down at half time and had a man sent off.

[Cjay]

Some of you have completely lost the plot!

Last night was brilliant. Got the winning goal in the first minute then completely diffused the danger. Norwich only had one moment of danger - the overhit cross - whereas we had a few reasonably decent chances to get the 2nd before we did. Far more impressive than it would appear Sheff U were at Swansea where most observers seem to be suggesting they should have been 3-0 down at half time and had a man sent off.

I think if it was a full strength Norwich we'd all be more impressed.

But it wasn't, it was a Norwich missing many of its best players and a bench full of kids.

Didn't watch the Sheffield United game but like us I suppose they got the job done.

And judging by the Blunts forum their fans weren't overly impressed either.

[weasel]

I think if it was a full strength Norwich we'd all be more impressed.

But it wasn't, it was a Norwich missing many of its best players and a bench full of kids.

Didn't watch the Sheffield United game but like us I suppose they got the job done.

And judging by the Blunts forum their fans weren't overly impressed either.

We did similar to them last year when they were at full strength. Got in front and let them play and similarly limited to them to very little.
Sheff U got the job done but apparently got battered first half. If that had happened to us there would have been meltdown amongst the plot losers.

[Barlow Boy]

I thought it was funny when they announced the 35,157 crowd & the attendance of 954 away fans.

Was very funny, I’ve never heard him do that previously.

[mentalcase]

I thought it was funny when they announced the 35,157 crowd & the attendance of 954 away fans.

I said to the fella at the side of me " I expect the FL to issue a ban on the PA guy"

[JoeDenver]

Based on what that Piroe got on the end of it ? Look at his starting position. You need someone coming onto a ball like that - not stretching backwards. It was just a typical Gruev hitting the ball into the centre of the box corner. This is what he does, no variation, pace or flight. Easy meat for most organised defences.

Rothwell takes set pieces with variation. Mixing up the nature of the delivery is essential. Hence why we have been VASTLY improved from the set pieces this season. TBH the benchmark wasn’t particularly high to start with.

Actually thought about caveating my comment there. Meant to more imply that it was more of an off night for Rothwell from the corner spot by his standards rather than imply that Gruev should be taking corners. But, admittedly, it was a better corner than what Gruev typically gives us (has always hit the first man in the box if memory serves). More likely an anomaly by his standards than anything else.

But again more of an off night for Rothwellfrom the corner flag IMHO. I think he’s had one other match where he had a bad night distributing from the corner spot. But otherwise, he’s been a revelation there this season. Might even be our best corner taker we’ve had in the past 3-4 seasons…no?

[weasel]

Actually thought about caveating my comment there. Meant to more imply that it was more of an off night for Rothwell from the corner spot by his standards rather than imply that Gruev should be taking corners. But, admittedly, it was a better corner than what Gruev typically gives us (has always hit the first man in the box if memory serves). More likely an anomaly by his standards than anything else.

But again more of an off night for Rothwellfrom the corner flag IMHO. I think he’s had one other match where he had a bad night distributing from the corner spot. But otherwise, he’s been a revelation there this season. Might even be our best corner taker we’ve had in the past 3-4 seasons…no?

I feel Rothwell generally puts it into a decent area, after that it is up to the others to get their heads on it. I wouldn't say they are brilliant corners but so much better than not being able to clear the first opposition player.

[1964white]

I feel Rothwell generally puts it into a decent area, after that it is up to the others to get their heads on it. I wouldn't say they are brilliant corners but so much better than not being able to clear the first opposition player.

Totally agree on Rothwell's corners.

Gruev also put in one excellent corner.

[GreennWhite]

I was looking at our coners the other night because sometimes we hear moans about the corner taking. But for me a lot of our problems have been down to players not attacking the ball well enough. We seem to just go through the motions, and dont really scrap or fight our way to the ball. We allow the defenders an easy time of clearing them away, its not always about putting in the perfect corner every time onto someones head, which is very difficult to do in a crowded penalty area.
This is a part of the game that we are not good at, at both ends of the pitch by the way.

[1964white]

The stats man is here after my analysis of the game.

21 errors in the first-half.

12 errors in the second-half.

Total = 33

Very efficient from 16 players on the pitch over the ninety minutes. (particularly in the 2nd half)

[1964white]

Our top ten contributors of decent play vs Norwich.

31 Bogle
18 James
14 Soloman
13 Piroe
12 Aarondson
12 Rothwell
11 Ampadu
11 Tanaka
11 Firpo
10 Gruev