That is a quality review of the game Enoch with passion and intelligence and without faux and bullshiit tactical nous ...a proper report without getting above your station
Thanks and nice to see a positive review without too much of where we went wrong yet again even in victory! 👍👏⚽👏
A more comfortable win than the scoreline suggested,we dominated for 90 mins but conceded a scrappy deflected goal from a set piece.
We looked solid at the back and strung some nice passes together.
Rutter was on fire,scored a beautiful goal and think he assisted for MJ as well.he dribbled past his man probably 15 times today.in the 2nd half he collected the ball deep in his own half and went on a run to the touch line showing great skill.he looks like he's really enjoying his football.I just hope we don't get a bid before him before transfer deadline day.
Matteo Joseph scored a very nice goal & lead the line well today.
The defense looked solid with the full backs playing very high in possession,the cb looked a threat from corners with both PS & JR having headers saved from corners.
Amps & Gruev look good together in cm,Gruev seems to be popping up in and around the box more than he did last season. Amps sprayed some very nice passes around. Crew & Rothwell looked decent when they came on.
Gnonto worked hard today without threatening their goal.
DJ had a quiet game but he got no service,the LUTV commentators had a running joke about misplaced passes to DJ.Aaronson was full of running when he came on but the 2nd half lacked the flow the 1st half had.
The crowd gave Aaronson & Wobber a good reception when they came on.
Valencia finished top half of La Liga last season & had a strong team out and were up for the game,they should have had a 2nd lad sent off,he totally lost his head,he was their top scorer last year but our defense didn't give him a sniff.
Pre season verdict-4 wins from 4. The new lads & returning lads are settling into the DF system well.I would have liked us to try 3/5 at the back again against better opponents
My squad verdict
Gk-Messlier will start every game hes available,Darlow,Cairns & Christy good enough for back up.
Rb-Bogle looks promising & Byram is a decent back up.
LB-Firpo is probably the best attacking fb in the division & Byram can cover there but our problem is Byram & Firpo are both injury prone and we don't have any standout young rb/lb coming through so I think we need to sign a young fb who likes to get forward
Cb-we look really strong at CB with Rodon,Strujic, wobber & Debayo,with Ampadu able to play there if needed.
Cm- we look stronger than last year with Ampadu & Gruev able to play dcm & Rothwell as a more Attacking option with Charlie Crew coming through as well and Aaronson has played at number 8 before
Wingers-we need to replace Summerville and if we got 20+ million for Gnonto I would be tempted to sell him and buy a winger with more goals to his game.
Number 10s- Georgi, Aaronson & Piroe all fighting for one spot with Gelhardt as back up. Piroe is an enigma he looked poor for a large chunk of last season but there is a 20 goal a season player in there. I think Aaronson will play a big part this season as well once he gets up to pace with the championship.
Strikers-looks like MJ will get his chance at starting number 9,he scored well in pre season & hopefully he can hit the ground running,Bamford can be class but has a terrible injury record so hopefully he can stay fit playing less minutes.Piroe & Georgi can play there as well
So I think we need a young left back & a couple wingers(Rak Saki from Palace maybe,getting heavily linked) and we are in good shape to go up as fookin champions!
Alright I have to point out this right now so that all are aware what will cost us a few games this season.
Our CM are pushing to far up the park when pressing which in turn forces the CB to push up to cover. This is the exact same issue that happened under Biesla leaving that gapping hole in the defence. It has happened in all 3 preseason games and every time it has resulted on shots on target.
Now while we have looked extremely good at times I am not sure what our best starting team is but I do know that Piroe, Joseph both have to as strikers (twin 9's).
I was under the impression that a press involved our whole team pushing up as a unit to stop the opposition being able to move out.... surely if they had players spare and not marked they'd just play it to them?
If that's not the case and our CB is pushing too high, then why haven't our coaching team seen this!?
We'd be able to keep a clean sheet EVERY single game with no shots from the opposition....
Our crap management team surely need sacking if it's as simple as this and EVERY single game from park's football up to the top level should finish 0-0 with these easily adopted tactics....
Lifeguard? Just because my company employs many of them does not make me one. So because I also employ strength and conditioning coaches, swim coaches, builders, plumbers, electricians and emergency response teams, in your eyes, does this also make me one of theses as well?
Back to football opinions,
All I did was point out a glaringly obvious fault that has happened in all 3 prseason games thus far which inturn happened to be the exact main route for theses teams to get their shots on target.
The press that we engage in for the most part is good but when fans can see a clear problem in the timing, spacing and rotation of the cm and DM players then other teams professional analysts will see it even more clearly. I was just pointing it out.
Agreeing or disagreements are part of what we come on boards like this for...
And if Hattrick is fit for the start of the season and is 1st choice ahead of Joseph, then Farke is not the man to take us forward.... however good a job he's done overall.
Joseph is flying and needs confidence and play 10 games in a row. Bamford will play 5 games and miss chances and just as he's about to be dropped, he'll score a rebound off his arsse and get another run of games.... and then get injured.
I think if we can fend off any sales, we will be unbeatable this season. It’s a premiership strength first XI. Maybe short of full back cover and another midfielder but those can be achieved through loans.
It's great playing well and having quality competition for places but if we keep playing well, the 69ers won't buy any more players!
We have only acquired Bogle and Rothwell (Rodon doesn't count!) but 69ers will say Aaronson and Wober are like new signings.... I suppose they are correct.
We also won today WITHOUT Summerville, James and Bamford.... I just hope we don't get too complacent and that we sign sign another couple of 10m players to give us easily the strongest squad in the Championship.
Every season though someone on here will tell me to relax and it'll be fine.... unfortunately, I've been proven correct in the last few seasons as we didn't do well enough in the last 2yrs of the Prem and blew up for the last couple of months of last season.
I love our rollercoaster of a club but for long term success we need to get promoted to the Prem and just boringly consolidate for a couple of seasons like the other boring clubs....
At the moment every single player outside of our starting X1 would get in any other side.... we HAVE to get promoted and compete with big guns like Bournemouth, Forest, Fulham, Wolves, Brentwood, Brighton, Palace etc who seem to be able to STAY in the Prem!
It's a great dilemma of playing well but will come with consequences of not buying more.... it's also a fkn nightmare.
Just saw the full 90 minutes from the Hannover match, and our passing and pressing is really, really good, Bielsa-like standard. I’m still disappointed that Gray was sold, but otherwise than doing good business by selling the quite anonymous Kamara our team is intact. Add to that new players Rothwell and Bogle, returning players Aronsson and Wober, and extremely promising youngsters Joseph and Crew - and we’re in a good place with two strong players for most positions. OK, it was just a pre-season game, but the pressing and the players’ mutual understanding of how Farke wants us to play were clearly there. Can’t wait for 10 August. MOT
Aaronson has been interviewed and saying all the right things about being back at the club.... he gives his all so workrate and attitude should help him get back onside.
It just shows what a great squad we already have when players like Gruev, Strukij, Wober, Rutter, Aaronson, Gnonto, Piroe, Joseph, Bamford etc could be starting on the bench.... these players would get in ANY other Championship side!
He'll be like a new signing and should tear up the Championship....
I know he's got to say the words but I just hope he's given a clean slate by our fans as booing him isn't to anyone's benefit....
Kit is fantastic BTW, the all yellow is just so smart
2-0 to the good at half time (Gruev/Piroe) - first 30 mins were absolutely fantastic. Aarondsen looks involved and determined, the interplay and high press were awesome - So odd to see Gruev up top dinking the keeper! Hannover only got into the game after the half hour mark. 4-2-3-1 looked very attacking here
Second Half
Meslier, Summerville, Joseph, Bogle, Rothwell all on for Darlow, Aarondsen, Rutter, Byram and Gruev
50 mins in and 3-0 (Joseph) another super move - Rothwell neat pass, Summerville attacking run and lovely layoff, Joseph cool finish.
Hour mark - Cock up at the back - Hannover rifle one back (3-1)
Debayo, Crew, Wober, Gelhardt for Rodon, Piroe, Gnonto, Junior
70 mins - more great play - Bogle lovely assist for Joseph (4-1)
85 mins - Harry Gray for Amps
FT - 4-1 - really good watch again. We look miles ahead of this time last year.
Only Joffy and Gnonto not quite at it today, rest of team lots of good things to say.
I suspect Gnonto knows he could be off, Joffy just trying a bit too hard.
Joseph - great finishes, he's starting at 9, Bamford must be aware he's not the man now.
Liked Bogle and Rothwell, nicely surprised by Aarondsen. Rutter with some lethal touches in a more advanced position. Amps all over it as ever, Struijk looks comfortable with Rodon, Firpo again looks useful a bit more advanced. Good game.
Thanks Enoch. I watched the game and it was like you said
That is a quality review of the game Enoch with passion and intelligence and without faux and bullshiit tactical nous ...a proper report without getting above your station
Thanks and nice to see a positive review without too much of where we went wrong yet again even in victory! 👍👏⚽👏
A more comfortable win than the scoreline suggested,we dominated for 90 mins but conceded a scrappy deflected goal from a set piece.
We looked solid at the back and strung some nice passes together.
Rutter was on fire,scored a beautiful goal and think he assisted for MJ as well.he dribbled past his man probably 15 times today.in the 2nd half he collected the ball deep in his own half and went on a run to the touch line showing great skill.he looks like he's really enjoying his football.I just hope we don't get a bid before him before transfer deadline day.
Matteo Joseph scored a very nice goal & lead the line well today.
The defense looked solid with the full backs playing very high in possession,the cb looked a threat from corners with both PS & JR having headers saved from corners.
Amps & Gruev look good together in cm,Gruev seems to be popping up in and around the box more than he did last season. Amps sprayed some very nice passes around. Crew & Rothwell looked decent when they came on.
Gnonto worked hard today without threatening their goal.
DJ had a quiet game but he got no service,the LUTV commentators had a running joke about misplaced passes to DJ.Aaronson was full of running when he came on but the 2nd half lacked the flow the 1st half had.
The crowd gave Aaronson & Wobber a good reception when they came on.
Valencia finished top half of La Liga last season & had a strong team out and were up for the game,they should have had a 2nd lad sent off,he totally lost his head,he was their top scorer last year but our defense didn't give him a sniff.
Pre season verdict-4 wins from 4. The new lads & returning lads are settling into the DF system well.I would have liked us to try 3/5 at the back again against better opponents
My squad verdict
Gk-Messlier will start every game hes available,Darlow,Cairns & Christy good enough for back up.
Rb-Bogle looks promising & Byram is a decent back up.
LB-Firpo is probably the best attacking fb in the division & Byram can cover there but our problem is Byram & Firpo are both injury prone and we don't have any standout young rb/lb coming through so I think we need to sign a young fb who likes to get forward
Cb-we look really strong at CB with Rodon,Strujic, wobber & Debayo,with Ampadu able to play there if needed.
Cm- we look stronger than last year with Ampadu & Gruev able to play dcm & Rothwell as a more Attacking option with Charlie Crew coming through as well and Aaronson has played at number 8 before
Wingers-we need to replace Summerville and if we got 20+ million for Gnonto I would be tempted to sell him and buy a winger with more goals to his game.
Number 10s- Georgi, Aaronson & Piroe all fighting for one spot with Gelhardt as back up. Piroe is an enigma he looked poor for a large chunk of last season but there is a 20 goal a season player in there. I think Aaronson will play a big part this season as well once he gets up to pace with the championship.
Strikers-looks like MJ will get his chance at starting number 9,he scored well in pre season & hopefully he can hit the ground running,Bamford can be class but has a terrible injury record so hopefully he can stay fit playing less minutes.Piroe & Georgi can play there as well
So I think we need a young left back & a couple wingers(Rak Saki from Palace maybe,getting heavily linked) and we are in good shape to go up as fookin champions!
We finish the preseason games schedule with another win, two more goals and a performance that was every bit sloppy in moments and superb in others.
Two great goals and at least 30 simple passes missed their target.
Let's hope the knocks from this game are not serious.
Frustrating 88 mins
Let in a soft shot from range after a set piece....
Leeds 2-1 Valencia
All done for pre season. Apart from that last leak it's been another commanding game.
80 mins Debayo and Crew for Firpo and Amps
Meslier gets the band
87 mins Rodon (last outfield player) goes off for Chambers
75 mins Bamford on for Joseph, know your place this season paddy :-)
Gelhardt on for a knackered Georginio (he's on fire that lad)
niggly indeed - bad tempered cretin up front for them is sent off.
He deserved that
the other little toerag up front subbed to jeers!!! lost his head.
Byram on for Bogle on 60 mins - injury unfortunately. Let's hope it's not serious
This lot are a bad tempered niggly bunch.
62 mins - Aarondsen, Wober, Piroe, Rothwell all on for Gruev, Struijk, Gnonto, James
41 mins Georginio with an insane goal.
We'll lose him before the start of the season if he doesn't tone it it down
Leeds 2-0 Valencia - remains so at HT.
We look good again!
Great finish by MJ very cool headed
15:00 Valencia at HQ - available on LUTV for £4.99 for those not able to get there.
Looks like the first team starters
Meslier
Bogle Rodon Struijk Firpo
Ampadu Gruev
James Rutter Gnonto
Joseph
and first team shirt in the stands is YELLOW
....and 13 mins in it's 1-0 (Joseph) well deserved
Alright I have to point out this right now so that all are aware what will cost us a few games this season.
Our CM are pushing to far up the park when pressing which in turn forces the CB to push up to cover. This is the exact same issue that happened under Biesla leaving that gapping hole in the defence. It has happened in all 3 preseason games and every time it has resulted on shots on target.
Now while we have looked extremely good at times I am not sure what our best starting team is but I do know that Piroe, Joseph both have to as strikers (twin 9's).
And if Hattrick is fit for the start of the season and is 1st choice ahead of Joseph, then Farke is not the man to take us forward.... however good a job he's done overall.
Joseph is flying and needs confidence and play 10 games in a row. Bamford will play 5 games and miss chances and just as he's about to be dropped, he'll score a rebound off his arsse and get another run of games.... and then get injured.
It's great playing well and having quality competition for places but if we keep playing well, the 69ers won't buy any more players!
We have only acquired Bogle and Rothwell (Rodon doesn't count!) but 69ers will say Aaronson and Wober are like new signings.... I suppose they are correct.
We also won today WITHOUT Summerville, James and Bamford.... I just hope we don't get too complacent and that we sign sign another couple of 10m players to give us easily the strongest squad in the Championship.
Every season though someone on here will tell me to relax and it'll be fine.... unfortunately, I've been proven correct in the last few seasons as we didn't do well enough in the last 2yrs of the Prem and blew up for the last couple of months of last season.
I love our rollercoaster of a club but for long term success we need to get promoted to the Prem and just boringly consolidate for a couple of seasons like the other boring clubs....
At the moment every single player outside of our starting X1 would get in any other side.... we HAVE to get promoted and compete with big guns like Bournemouth, Forest, Fulham, Wolves, Brentwood, Brighton, Palace etc who seem to be able to STAY in the Prem!
It's a great dilemma of playing well but will come with consequences of not buying more.... it's also a fkn nightmare.
We beat Shalke 2-0 today Joseph & Piroe with the goals,highlights are on YT & LUTV
Just saw the full 90 minutes from the Hannover match, and our passing and pressing is really, really good, Bielsa-like standard. I’m still disappointed that Gray was sold, but otherwise than doing good business by selling the quite anonymous Kamara our team is intact. Add to that new players Rothwell and Bogle, returning players Aronsson and Wober, and extremely promising youngsters Joseph and Crew - and we’re in a good place with two strong players for most positions. OK, it was just a pre-season game, but the pressing and the players’ mutual understanding of how Farke wants us to play were clearly there. Can’t wait for 10 August. MOT
Aaronson has been interviewed and saying all the right things about being back at the club.... he gives his all so workrate and attitude should help him get back onside.
It just shows what a great squad we already have when players like Gruev, Strukij, Wober, Rutter, Aaronson, Gnonto, Piroe, Joseph, Bamford etc could be starting on the bench.... these players would get in ANY other Championship side!
He'll be like a new signing and should tear up the Championship....
I know he's got to say the words but I just hope he's given a clean slate by our fans as booing him isn't to anyone's benefit....
No excuses this year and promotion is a MUST....
Leeds v Hannover 96
Starting lineup
Darlow
Byram Rodon Struijk Firpo
Ampadu Gruev
Gnonto Rutter Aarondsen
Piroe
Kit is fantastic BTW, the all yellow is just so smart
2-0 to the good at half time (Gruev/Piroe) - first 30 mins were absolutely fantastic. Aarondsen looks involved and determined, the interplay and high press were awesome - So odd to see Gruev up top dinking the keeper! Hannover only got into the game after the half hour mark. 4-2-3-1 looked very attacking here
Second Half
Meslier, Summerville, Joseph, Bogle, Rothwell all on for Darlow, Aarondsen, Rutter, Byram and Gruev
50 mins in and 3-0 (Joseph) another super move - Rothwell neat pass, Summerville attacking run and lovely layoff, Joseph cool finish.
Hour mark - Cock up at the back - Hannover rifle one back (3-1)
Debayo, Crew, Wober, Gelhardt for Rodon, Piroe, Gnonto, Junior
70 mins - more great play - Bogle lovely assist for Joseph (4-1)
85 mins - Harry Gray for Amps
FT - 4-1 - really good watch again. We look miles ahead of this time last year.
Only Joffy and Gnonto not quite at it today, rest of team lots of good things to say.
I suspect Gnonto knows he could be off, Joffy just trying a bit too hard.
Joseph - great finishes, he's starting at 9, Bamford must be aware he's not the man now.
Liked Bogle and Rothwell, nicely surprised by Aarondsen. Rutter with some lethal touches in a more advanced position. Amps all over it as ever, Struijk looks comfortable with Rodon, Firpo again looks useful a bit more advanced. Good game.