Gifted a goal v Newcastle. Last minute winner v Forest. OG today. The cup has our name on it!!!! This has to be our main focus for the rest of the season now
Pretty harsh criticisms there. Could have sworn Holebas and Paredes (admittedly, he didn't do a very good job of it) provided the width, with the former linking well with and providing dangerous crosses to Britos, among others. And as for Capoue being the most "useless finisher at this level" - would you have said that if his goal had been rightfully allowed? Also a bit unfair to criticize the finishing when Ighalo was heavily marked and Leeds' blanket defence didn't provide us with many clear-cut opportunities to begin with (unless you count corners to Cathcart in the box). We won Leeds' cup final pretty comfortably, avoiding any injuries or suspensions, and in less than ideal playing conditions, and are in the top 8 in the FA Cup for the first time in nine years, that's good enough for me without the need for a lengthy post-mortem. I agree the lack of shots on target is a bit concerning but this has been the story of our season so far, but even so I don't think that performance has much bearing on how we will play for the rest of the season in the league, or for that matter should we be drawn against a higher level opponent who surely will give us a better game than Leeds did today.
Well that was a real shocker of a game of football. We ambled around like it was a training match, and Leeds were appallingly bad. I don't like the way we just pass it from side to side and back and side to side, and back, showing minimal attacking intent........It's as dull as ditchwater. Also Suarez played about 1 forward pass all game. Write this one off - we got the win. Will need to raise our game for the QF's. Here's to drawing Reading at home.
My thoughts on the game: How was that not 5-0? Holebas MOTM. I really like this guy. Watson ace, deeney good, abdi anonymous, capoue a class apart, saurez promising, amarabat I'm still undecided on. That cross from gueds. That miss from capoue. Our defenders need heading practice. Ighalo had a dreadful cameo. Again. I really enjoyed the game. Just the right level of pissedness and we were almost embarrassingly better than them. Never in doubt to my mind, which is a feeling i very rarely feel at the vic
They did provide width - it was just too slow coming. It's a tactical issue rather than a individual player one so I'm not knocking Holebas or Parades. We play a system which simply doesn't enable us to get forward quickly enough and take advantage of the space available. We did better in the second half and our reward was a goal and several good chances either side of it. re: Capoue. Of course I would. I've seen enough of him now to know he can't score. As moog says it appears to breach some sort of fundamental rule of the universe. In slightly more seriousness though his composure is awful. The chance he spooned into the Rookery was much easier than the one he had disallowed yet probably ended up about 20 rows back. And there have been plenty of others in games I've seen this season already - headers from 1 yard, one on ones, late arrivals at the back post...you name it, he's missed it. Chances wise I would point to Britos first half header, Suarez air kick, Abdi blasting over when well set and Capoue as just mentioned as four chances I'd have expected to us work their keeper with at least. And as for "that's good enough for me without the need for a lengthy post-mortem", it's nice to meet you Mr Pot :]]
Decided to go today as it woz tweny pownds. Although they looked quite lively, Leeds didn't look threatening in the slightest. Had we actually stuck to the principles that have won us all our points this season, we might have been out of sight by half time. Instead we spent 45 minutes as our La Liga alter-ego, with lots of swashbuckling keep ball that achieves nothing. It was like we were waiting for Leeds' entire team to part like the red sea. It's early days for him, but if Suarez is the personification of this team's identity moving forward, then I'm worried. Sure, there a skilful player there, but that doesn't matter when you're 10 seconds behind the speed of the game. English football has become more and more about speed, strength and athleticism, hence why Leicester are inexplicably s***ting all over the league. The days of having total control of the round thing and winning a lot, are over in this country. If Flores tries to make us a continental possession team, which I fear he might, then god help us.
Time-wasting? We attacked most of the injury time with Anya getting through a couple of times and had that free kick which actually lead to a half chance for them! Ok the ball went in the crowd a couple of times and took a while to come back but that happens everywhere (In England..)
Lets wait until Lesta meet Barcelona in the CL next year then we'll know if having control of the round thing is good or bad My bet Barcelona will rip Lesta a new one
It was because it was a cup game and a lot of the 'singing section' didn't take up their usual tickets. Same against Newcastle. It will be noisy v Muff, don't worry.
Not the best of Gomes but we were superior to them send really did not have to find top gear all afternoon. Pants was assured ,Defence were fine and Full backs gave width ,Abdi had a good start to the second half before going off.Midfield does need to move the ball quicker send was far better second half,Deeney usual busy performance, Amrabat did not impress but showed willingness to chase and hustle. Time wasting,yeh at nil nil the Leeds keeper had a problem locating and getting the ball for a goal kick when it was on the pitch inside the penalty boxer.Evans is a Humpty Dumpty WFC in the QF's ,great stuff.
We are better than previous seasons but doubt it will ever be that noisy at Watford. FA cup also does not help as not all season ticket holders turn up plus does not have excitement of premiership. May change as we go into quarters though Could do with 1881 bang in middle rather than at side which would encourage others to join in
I think Barcelona would beat any team in world football right now. In this league it might be better to compare Leicester with Man Utd's philosophy
3 seasons ago our season started and finished with a match against the same club...the latter being at Wembley. So how about the same happening this season? An all-Spanish affair for the Cup Final and a chance for some belated revenge for 1984!! Could happen!
So what, don't emulate Leicester because they'll lose to Barcelona? Barcelona are an outlier, and using them as template is stupid for any professional club with some kind of short term ambition. Pure possession football is deeply embedded within the culture of the club. It takes generations to make their philosophy possible, not just a strategical switch by management. They also have Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Let's worry about our domestic plight, not how we match up with the best team in the world.
was expecting a lot more from Amrabat today. fair enough he is still finding his feet at premier league level but Leeds are a lower championship side and i didnt think he made much of an impression. he says hes a winger and not a forward himself. all seems a bit strange for a club record signing. early days though!
Er, Capoue scored a perfectly legit goal. Not his fault the Lino saw a non existent offence. Each to his own , but to call Capoue the worst finisher you've seen at this level, is a bit OTT.
What is all that about? Why would someone want a half and half scarf? Never seen anyone buy one - what a strange job to have but all for people trying to make a bob or two.
To be fair to BRLR I cannot think of many. We are 2/3rds through season and he has had enough chances. Great player though and not on pitch just to score but he could do with his 1st goal. A top midfielder should be chipping in with 5-8 goals
Amrabat has had zero impact so far another waste of money,he has Played against 2 championship teams now and looks very average.Much rather we had Vydra&FF in the team as back up.
Come on, it wasn't all sideways and backwards, and like I said in the Forest thread I'd favour this patient passing game over a more risky direct approach any day and against a defensive-minded team it's about probing, looking for the best route to goal, finding the key to unlock the defence rather than kick the door open. At least we made a conscientious effort to pass the ball from the back rather than hoof it from central defence, as we were guilty of doing earlier in the year. And "minimal attacking intent"? Please. The boys were clearly desperate to avoid a replay, and 15 shots on goal and some harsh decisions that prevented us from winning by at least two goals more is testimony to that. And in response to Douglas Rinaldi's related post, this may not be a popular opinion but quite frankly I'm all for Flores and other PL managers adopting a slower more continental approach if it means the England team stand more of a chance on the big stage, especially the Euros. Maybe then, our England "stars" wouldn't find the events so much of a culture shock and not turn up to major tournaments half knackered and underachieve for the umpteenth time running. Nor has the frenetic pace of the PL exactly benefited the top teams in Europe in recent seasons - do I recall correctly that UEFA has threatened to reduce the number of Champions League places from 4 to 3?
does anyone else remember when Ighalo used to be good? I tend to cringe a little when commentators on MOTD or whatever go on about how dangerous he is, but we are both watching him fall over the ball on the edge of the d or ballooning a ball out for a throw off of his knee when he meant to kick it. It's like he's on a wind up.
So what. Don't try to play possession football because it's going to take time and hard work to get really good at it? When Lesta prove to be more than a flash in the pan and win half a dozen titles and the odd CL final then I'll agree with you their style is the one we should try to emulate With a fair ref we'd have won 3-0 today, so what exactly was wrong with our style?
