Sheffield United v Leeds United Match Thread

[SG90]

I know we're the top scorers in the Championship, but are we the top scorers in the EFL/PL too?

[WhiteRose]

Gone a bit cool on Gruev of late - hopefully has a better game tonight.

Unfortunately he did nothing to change my opinion - one goal line clearance aside he was pretty terrible bless him. Think with most of the big teams out the way we can revert to rothwell again.

[SG90]

I wonder if the Burnley fans cheered our goals or if they'd have preferred a draw?

[YorkshireSquare]

I know we're the top scorers in the Championship, but are we the top scorers in the EFL/PL too?

Top scorers in Europe

[YorkshireSquare]

I wonder if the Burnley fans cheered our goals or if they'd have preferred a draw?

They have to play the Blades, do us taking points off them is definitely good for Burnley

[60sUnited]

I think you and I were alone. Plus the the two neutral commentators thought Meslier was unlucky.

Meslier was falling to his right as the ball came across and couldn't do much with his right arm the way he was falling.

And honestly Campbell should have scored, not hit the post. Really don't think Meslier could have done much.

I'm more and more convinced after today's game that Meslier's flapping and vulnerability on corners is down to the low physical strength of our other players. As a team we don't match up well and really do a bad job of handling corners. We've been knocking Meslier all season. But I think a lot of it comes down to the weak physicality of the team as a whole. Counter to that is that we're such a better footballing side than everyone else.

My thoughts are.....everytime opposition have a long throw or a corner I poo my pants....we have an average defence, a decent shot stopper but a potentially brilliant attack.....that's us imo.

[Carrick Dave]

Out of the country atm, so absolutely delighted to be able to watch such a pivotal game courtesy of Matt Publications.

Thanks Ell!

[DDB220]

I think you and I were alone. Plus the the two neutral commentators thought Meslier was unlucky.

Meslier was falling to his right as the ball came across and couldn't do much with his right arm the way he was falling.

And honestly Campbell should have scored, not hit the post. Really don't think Meslier could have done much.

I'm more and more convinced after today's game that Meslier's flapping and vulnerability on corners is doing to the low physical strength of our other players. As a team we don't match up well and really do a bad job of handling corners. We've been knocking Meslier all season. But I think a lot of it comes down to the weak physicality of the team as a whole. Counter to that is that we're such a better footballing side than everyone else.

Meslier was no worse than anyone else for the first 20 mins. The goal was just bad luck, the initial save was top drawer. I have only read the last two pages of comments as I can imagine what some would have been written after that goal, which followed a bad attempted high ball clearance. Everyone presumably is allowed to make a mistake except the keeper.

He was solid as was the team after getting a foothold in the game. He is a quality keeper, I expect there will be a lot of interest for him in the next window.

You are right about our lack of physicality. Take away Rodon, Struijk, Firpo and Piroe and you have a the makings of the Christmas panto line up.

Game changed when the early subs were made, Gruev was far too timid in the middle. BA was also struggling to get in the game. Joseph provided added physicality and Rothers was just more positive in possession.

[weasel]

I said that too all along. If you have an 80% chance of promotion going into the January window, don't spend unless you get a real 'talented bargain' (like Tanaka has proved to be). Buy when you've gone up in the summer and get players of the quality who will only play PL football.

We do need to secure Solomon and Rothwell - and even Firpo imo.

The concern would only be if an injury crisis hit but equally you can't really bring in a 5th choice player (such as Guilivogi was) if you have 4 players uninjured during the window. No doubt some will knock the manager and club now that Ampadu is injured as we are down to the bare bones at centreback with Ampadu and Wober both possibly being out all season.

[The Subhuman]

Perhaps, but not good enough for the PL should we go up. I hope sentimentality doesn't win out again here.

Good enough back up/occasional starter/bench threat. That's a hell of a left foot he has. But I think he moves back to Spain and will with good wishes and plaudits. We'll do well to buy better for next season and certainly not twice

[Pullhard]

Perhaps, but not good enough for the PL should we go up. I hope sentimentality doesn't win out again here.

I think he is out of contract at the end of this season.
There were rumours of a return to Real Betis.
He could be back with Llorente and Roca

[SG90]

The concern would only be if an injury crisis hit but equally you can't really bring in a 5th choice player (such as Guilivogi was) if you have 4 players uninjured during the window. No doubt some will knock the manager and club now that Ampadu is injured as we are down to the bare bones at centreback with Ampadu and Wober both possibly being out all season.

Should've kept CC and we wouldn't have had to spend a penny

[SG90]

Top scorers in Europe

Excellent

[weasel]

Wilder very complementary in his post match interview

He has come accross a lot better this season than he did a few years ago. Seemed a typical mouthy short guy with attitude then but much more pleasant. As long as we go up I would probably prefer them to go up with us rather than Burnley.

[SG90]

What's happened to Shacks? I noticed he wasn't in the blunts squad. Is he injured or just out of favour?

[Victor_OTT_17]

I thought you’d switched off btw.

Nah, I just turned the sound down and went on my PC for a while. Still up drinking whisky. Gotta be up at 5:30 for work

[Irish Ian]

I would echo this. A great save initially and I can't believe their striker hits the post. Meslier has to try to save the ball but with his momentum his body is taking him the wrong way so the only way he could have kept it out was a one handed catch. If he doesn't attempt the second save then a Sheff U player was waiting to tap it in anyway.

More concerning were his early flaps but a much better second half.

He was a bundle of nerves very early on and teams know how to get under skin. This game had Hull away vibes which began with the keeper and the two CBs strugglling to work together.
There will always be times the opposition will target him and hopefully as he matures mentally and physically ( he still only 24) he will be in more control of his emotions. It looked at one point that his head had gone but thankfully the team rode out that tough opening and they all started to improve.

Mes was excellent in the second half and with his confidence restored it had the desired affect on the two CBs especially.

There will always be mistakes made by keepers no matter who they are.

[weasel]

So the only real difference is the message. And the general difference in the reaction to it among those posting here....

P.S. Marsch was a horrible Manager for LUFC! I'm not defending him in any way. Just having a bit of fun with my friends here. Cheers!!

Basically yes - there is also a time and place for it. I have done it with my Sunday teams (before and after matches) but a lot depends on the group of players - you can't force it. With Ampadu and the huddle it seems to have grown naturally and that is a good thing, if you try and force it then you can have players not really buying into it. With a group that has togetherness then it works, everyone is listening, everyone wants to be in the huddle, but just forcing a huddle will not foster togetherness.

[weasel]

Great finish to a slow start with Mes looking not too confident with the blunts direct and physical approach.
Losing the midfield battle in the first 20 mins then slowly gaining a momentum that wilder had no answer to.
The equaliser looked likely, but 2 late goals to claim all three points is stunning playing away from home against
2nd place.

Burnley will be licking their chops at the prospect of replacing the blunts even before the April 21st showdown.

Massive result for Leeds putting Farke in pole position as best Championship manager.

Fans can go on about having the biggest wage bill, the best players and all other stuff but Farke has created a team.
We were a rabble, a mess when he inherited us. Players feeling they were too good for the club, players wanting to leave, talented players with no confidence, a divided dressing room (with the captain basically suggesting a lot of players hsould f*ck off). Farke has created a real team and money and ability doesn't simply become a team.

[Irish Ian]

Should've kept CC and we wouldn't have had to spend a penny

CC wanted minutes last season and didnt get them, then he committed the folly of going public with his concerns. Bad move.

Neither would he have been happy warming the bench this time either.

The only was he would have been a starter this season was if we hadn't signed Rodon or if Pascal had left, plus Wober was coming back who is a hell of a better talent than Cresswell.