Sheffield United v Leeds United Match Thread

[weasel]

Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Aston Villa, Newcastle, have all made promotion, and have stayed in the premiership.

What is their secret that they have not been yoyo clubs... I think there has to be a more nuanced explanation than just playing style as the reason for their survival.

Brentford for me are the best example. The others all flirted very close to relegation whereas Brentford have always seemed comfortable despite not spending a great deal.

[1964white]

Brentford for me are the best example. The others all flirted very close to relegation whereas Brentford have always seemed comfortable despite not spending a great deal.

Says a lot about their coach, Thomas Frank.

[Cjay]

Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Aston Villa, Newcastle, have all made promotion, and have stayed in the premiership.

What is their secret that they have not been yoyo clubs... I think there has to be a more nuanced explanation than just playing style as the reason for their survival.

Absolutely.

Playing style isn't everything

Good recruitment, good managerial choices in most cases, bit of luck?

But most of those did have to adapt and change style over time.

Newcastle under Benitez when they won promotion weren't a particular big possession based team (Benitez never has been and it wasn't quite as fashionable as it is now).

Brighton only really adapted the possession based style we know now under Graham Potter, Chris Hughton didn't have the same philosophy.

Villa similar.

Most of them either weren't possession based teams anyway or changed it upon promotion.

Interesting you mentioned Thomas Frank, is an interview with him somewhere where he talks about how when Brentford won promotion he basically had to change his priorities and abandon his principles to some degree.

He's like Farke, a possession based coach but when promoted he basically said he had to find different ways to thrive.

Play longer passes, be more selective of pressing, cross the ball earlier etc.

And then over time basically earn the right to be a more possession based team which has been basically what's happened.

They've gone from 40%, 44% to 49% this season.

[Cjay]

What’s needed is a hybrid system.

It seemed like every team was caught up in the rush to play like Man City. Even Man City are finding it hard with injuries and some aging players.

For me Slot at Liverpool has got it spot on. He has a fabulous mix of high press, defensive depth and a very effective use of long balls and diagonals.


Easier said than done but I a detect a shift in a “play it neat from the back” philosophy


Bielsa’s first season in the Premiership caught a lot of teams out with the the one on one system, but team solidity defensively alluded him and we ended up getting a few batterings.

I hope DF sees the way tactics are changing in the top teams.

That's the hope.

His first season promoted he didn't, they didn't have as much of the ball as in the Championship but when they had it it was slow and safe.

Most touches in their own box, most touches in own half, bottom end for opposition half and box etc.

Style was too slow and easy to defend against and then too open hence the goals conceded.

He did try to change 2nd time, less possession, more direct, it didn't work either but it did show a willingness to change.

Unfortunately he did revert to his way for Borussia Mönchengladbach, they had the same problem Norwich did (top for touches in own half and so on, really struggled getting it into attacking areas).

We will need good recruitment, lots of luck, but DF will need to show he has learned lessons.

And as you say Slot has shown that flexibility and not being wed to one way can be really useful.

[weasel]

Says a lot about their coach, Thomas Frank.

Thomas Frank, 6 letters and 5, Daniel Farke, 6 letters and then 5, Donald Revie, 6 letters and then 5, Howard Wilko, 6 and then 5 - coincidence?

Leeds United 5 letters and 6. David O'Leary 5 and 6 - What does it all mean?

[whiteswan]

Thomas Frank, 6 letters and 5, Daniel Farke, 6 letters and then 5, Donald Revie, 6 letters and then 5, Howard Wilko, 6 and then 5 - coincidence?

Leeds United 5 letters and 6. David O'Leary 5 and 6 - What does it all mean?

I'll have some of what you're having

[andrewjohnsmith]

Thomas Frank, 6 letters and 5, Daniel Farke, 6 letters and then 5, Donald Revie, 6 letters and then 5, Howard Wilko, 6 and then 5 - coincidence?

[JoeDenver]

We haven't scored many goals with headers until recently, now we are popping them in for fun!

It’s almost surreal, Leon! Can’t believe my own eyes. Nice to see the proverbial pendulum swing back in our favor a bit now.

What’s next, us banging goals in from corners?

I can dream ;)

[1964white]

Thomas Frank, 6 letters and 5, Daniel Farke, 6 letters and then 5, Donald Revie, 6 letters and then 5, Howard Wilko, 6 and then 5 - coincidence?

Leeds United 5 letters and 6. David O'Leary 5 and 6 - What does it all mean?

Spooky but true!

[The Subhuman]

Jesse Marsch

[weasel]

Jesse Marsch

Adolf Hitler. Never trust 5 and then 6.

[Irish Ian]

Trump Donald

[andrewjohnsmith]

Adolf Hitler. Never trust 5 and then 6.

Let's end it there

Sincerely,

Andrew Smith

[weasel]

Let's end it there

Sincerely,

Andrew Smith

Why?

Robert Green

[1964white]

Benjamin Bloom (Ipswich fan) has a soft spot for Leeds which goes back to Bielsa's years. Ben has predicted Leeds to win the title all season, but I've never seen him so animated about Leeds.

Scroll on to the 87 minute to witness his excitement & voice reaching high-pitch levels

[CUSSIE01]

Thomas Frank, 6 letters and 5, Daniel Farke, 6 letters and then 5, Donald Revie, 6 letters and then 5, Howard Wilko, 6 and then 5 - coincidence?

Leeds United 5 letters and 6. David O'Leary 5 and 6 - What does it all mean?

Weird Weasel. Think you’ve hit on something mate.

[1964white]

A trio of goals I love watching over & over again.

[1964white]

Firpo leapt like a salmon.

[weasel]

Firpo leapt like a salmon.

Junior Firpo - 6 then 5...... It continues

[1964white]

Junior Firpo - 6 then 5...... It continues

And Ethan Ampadu celebrating with his gammy leg.