Thought I may as well contribute to the list of scribes on the forum and do a MDT whilst there remains a small chance of us retaining our Premiership status.
So the lads embark on a crusade to take on the armies amassed by Sheikh Your Hand and the rest of Tribe at The Etihad, with Sam the British Bulldog at the helm. The footballing world would assess our chances as next to zero and it would be a brave man to bet otherwise.
The list of stars available to the 'cure for indigestion' (otherwise known as Pep!, old age drinkers will get the analogy) are boundless whereas Sam the Ego has to assemble a war party from a team who quite frankly have no idea what they are doing.
Will Rutter the Stutter actually get a game or bleed us dry from the bench?
Will Kentucky Fried McKennie use his own legs to run as opposed to chewing on Colonel Sanders chicken legs?
Will Bamford actually remember that he is not Bambi on ice?
The list goes on and on.
To try and decide on a team suitable to the attributes of Bulldog Sam's tactical no how is pretty difficult given that we do not have players over 6'5" to lump the ball forward, however given that there probably will be no need for a midfield (and judging by their performances that may not be a bad thing) we can have 7 at the back and 3 up top!
It's pretty ironic that Saturday's match will be the first 3pm football league game that I can recall being shown live, with us as cannon fodder for the Citeh attack. The result is surely beyond doubt, as is Haaland, scoring anywhere between 3-8 goals! (At least we will play our part in Premiership history!).
The future's bright, the future's................................who knows!
MOT
I went to this match. My brother in law sadly got tickets for the family stand from somebody he works with, I was informed by the Mrs that I wasn’t allowed to turn him down. I went expecting to see us get beaten by 4 , 5 or 6 goals. In all honesty it could easily have been that number if City had actually tried.
It was a horrible experience just sat in the middle of the City fans with my arms folded. There was nothing to cheer and it was such a boring match to watch. The only amusement I had all match was our fans in the away end singing throughout. Oh how I wished I was in with them.
Not a lot you can say about that performance. Hard to judge players when they don't have the ball. I remember a spell in the 2nd half where we strung 5 passes together, it really stood out.
Good to get a goal and at least have something to cheer.
Could have been far worse.
Roll on Saturday
Still can't believe how our long term project with Bielsa is well and truly over.... we'd have probably lost by a few but at least we'd have had a go. We'd pick up points at other grounds.
It was like watching 2 teams with a totally different way of playing. De Bruyne and Gundogan played about 15 passes between them over a couple of yards. We then finally got the ball, played it long to Bamford who didn't look up and played a first time cross along the floor, without looking up straight to their player....
Shocking way to watch football after Bielsa and hope we see entertainment next season whichever division.... awful ownership by paying millions for Bielsa and his team to finding out Mackenzie has a long throw and taking them from the right back position!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬
A game in which the 2-1 score line does not reflect the game.
Massive Gulf in class and men against boys most of the time.
Rodrigo looked sharp when he came on and has to start.
Robles did well, it took me about 30odd minutes to notice Roca was playing, he was a bit more present afterwards, but by no means enough.
In defence Wöber also looked good, just a pity he's not quick of the mark, also felt considering the opposition Firpo defended rather ok too.
Make no mistake we'll need to step up big time, to get any point(s) from our next games. But today was damage limitation, and don't ask me how, but we managed that. We're up against some very good sides, but at least they're not Man City.
A final observation, this ref was a joke. This Man Shitty team doesn't need help!
Poor performance, no threat, no possession, just mediocrity.
Good old Haaland, never forgets his Yorkshire roots!!. Considering I was expecting a substantial hammering, losing 2-1 is a major plus. Ok, we were being toyed with most of the time and definately rode our luck, but it is what it is.
Really do think that the Bamford experiment is well and truly over and time to move on, Rodney is a completely different type of player but does know where the goal is.
Let's face it, was never going to be be pretty from our side but there is a slight glimmer of hope that we can frustrate the Toon and then maybe, just maybe we can do something for the last 2 games.
What's more important now is Monday's fixtures and where we are at the end of the evening.
Unlucky that.
We found out today that Aaronson is a 8 position wise and not a 10. He looked much more comfortable there.
We were playing 3 CM from the start but could not work out why Gnonto, Mckennie and Roca seemed to try and hold a straight line but for some reason Forshaw and Harrison seemed to god know where.
Bamford, oh Bamford, I know you were isolated and some of the ball to you were terrible but there were also some easy one to control. Come on mate...
Robles look okay in goals.
At least it wasn't 10-1 tbh that would about reflect the chances in the game. That said no creativity anywhere ( of course). Paddy had little chance with 0 support. Robels 'n Rodri or 2 best players.
Still better than last week, feel like we're back in the game!
As expected, Big Sam was utterly clueless and picked a team to lose. Drops our superstar keeper, picks two right backs, floods the midfield with samey players and abandons our one area of strength - width. Awful manager, awful performance - 17% possession. How I miss the days of Biesla, and even Marsch!
Good luck Glory 3-2 to The Mighty Whites😜💥🥊
Think Koch is carrying a knock
That's the end of Koch if RB Rasmussen is picked ahead of a CB!
Gyabi obviously doesn't impress in training as that's 4 managers who don't even want him on the bench!
good luck Glory.
we might get draw who knows.Foodball is sometimes strange
Brilliant Glory well stepped up mate and i for one think that regardless of the result against City you should be allowed a "free pass" and also do the Newcastlegame.
Like most im not one bit confident for even a point so bull going with a 3 nil defeat with Future Leeds Legend scoring a brace.
Cooper out injured ..
Well done man of Mistery i actually read it 1-1
good luck Glory.
I really wouldn't be upset with a 1 or 2 goal defeat here,our goal difference in 8 better than notts florist,it's probably the toughest fixture in world football right now.
I would set up to frustrate them and play a team something like this.
Robles
Ayling
Koch
wobber
Coops
Strujic
Roca
Forshaw
Gyabi
Willy G (free role)
Rodders
if we play 4 at the back we will get picked apart,I'd be happy with a flat back 5 and 3 dcm's sitting deep and trying to frustrate them,it's going to be a hammering if we play the team who started v Bournmouth...
Hello Everyone ---i have returned to the fold after an enforced absence of a couple of years--Kiwipete is back in the house and looking forward to some great banter and catching up with the old people who still frequent this site---BIG BB--SNODDY-TC--ETC--With 4 games to go--impending relegation-Fat Sam in charge and the Kiwi is back on board as i told Charles on the phone this morning--Leeds United survival is more important than you and Camilla having a day out in the smoke---I am really happy to back on board and looking forward to chatting with you all-Pete😎
Team:
Robles
Ayling Koch Wobber Struijk
Forshaw McKennie
Summerville Harrison Gnonto
Bamford
Subs Meslier, Rasmus, Firpo, Roca, Gyabi, Greenwood, Rutter, Rodrigo, Jospeh