Basically job done, and by the end done in a convincing manner.Bristol were
awful and if their manager really believes that they would have won if not for
the red card then he must be the most delusional manager ever!
We pretty much controlled this game from start to finish and they never managed
a shot or chance worthy of the namePre game we were pretty worried and were
concerned how a debutant keeper, centre half and Dallas at right back would
fare. Or to quote Tone we have one proper defender in the back five (he is not
a fan of Coopers)
We expected them to try and put Huffer and Halme especially under pressure but
they totally failed to do that.It is much too soon to say whether either of the
2 lads have a real future in the game but they both did well enough today -
Huffer deal with easy shots and crosses with ease - his distribtuion was a bit
suspect at times and he nearly gave them a chance when he delayed too long on
the ball , but all in all a very good debut. We all agreed he looked a bit like
Joe HartHalme is very tall and he also looked decent enough and won a few in
the air and was good in the tackle and composed on the ball for the most part,
but again Bristol failed to really test himThe first half was one of those
totally forgettable games - nothing of any real note happened and neither side
really created any good clear cut chances but we did control it for most of the
time
At the start of the second half we stepped it up a gear and started to put them
under real pressure - Roofe should have scored and then Alioski blew a real
chance instead of scoring or putting it on a plate for RoofeThe general
impression in the stands was that if we kept this up the goal(s) would come and
we would win.Then came the incident which basically cemented that point of view
- a wild tackle on the half way line - we all went "that's a booking" as soon
as he did it. We were correct albeit mainly surprised that he was already on a
yellow and so got a red (from a ref who mostly kept his cards to himself)From
then on it was a case of could we go on and do the necessaryTo make sure we did
Bielsa took off Alioski (first time all season ?) and Halme and brought on
Saiz and HarrisonThese changes were successful and it became a question of how
many we would score - we had a few chances from then on with Harrison missing
the best of them when he took miles too longThe breakthrough came when Pablo
hit the ball across goal and Roofe tapped it in.We did worry a little bit that
at 1=0 we would be vulnerable to any corner or free kick into the box but felt
that the one goal would be enough reallyDouglas had a great shot tipped over
and then the game was put beyond doubt when Siaz put a lovely ball in and Pablo
headed home 2 -0 and game overSo decent games from Huffer and Halme - both of
whom can be confident if they are called upon on TuesdaySaiz looked bright when
he came on as did Baker.Dallas did enough to keep the fans off his backPhillips
was man of the match for me, especially in the first half when he was wherever
he was needed and always did what we needed him to do
So not the greatest game or performance but a nice way to rebound after the
hammering at West Brom and a comfortable result given the injury problems - to
keep a clean sheet with the back 5 we had is no mean feat.For Bristol - they
were awful and the manager will be sacked if they lose in midweek
So a full house , total sell out, went home happy. A similar result on Tuesday
and we can forget about the West Brom result
Dave
On Saturday, 24 November 2018, 18:54:57 GMT, Richard Walker via Leedslist
<leedslist@gn.apc.org> wrote:
3 points was the most important thing today when you consider West Brom and
that we had two schoolboys making their debut.
I thought first half showed yet again that we are struggling up front. Yes
Roofe got his goal and that's 8 and I think the lad has proved me wrong in that
he can operate at this level however I still think playing him as a lone
striker at home is the wrong tactic and in that formation you're always going
to rely on someone from midfield doing something special. In the first half
today we showed some good build up but the final boor was repeatedly poor.
Kilch kept trying little dinks and passes but none came off and we were
restricted to 1 or 2 chances (Allioski and Roofe).
The debutants were given a difficult challenge with an expectant full house but
both can be proud of their debuts even if they weren't really tested by an
average Bristol team. The keeper had a couple of nervy moments but seemed to
grow in confidence and his take through a crowded area second half was
impressive. Halme looks a little awkward and was out of position once but he
also grew in confidence until subbed after they went down to 10 men.
Second half, MB took off the ineffective Allioski and Halme and replaced them
with Siaz ( who the crowd had been asking for) and Harrison. Harrison was
immediately involved and he found himself in lots of good positions but
squandered the lot. He hasn't really kicked on since his Millwall goal and he
seems to be lacking confidence. Siaz looked sharp and it might be my eyesight
but he looks a little lighter and sharper. He made a difference albeit against
10 men.
Hernandez as always turned the game. First, with a shot which seemed to just
cross Roofe's path and he made sure he slightly deflected it into the net and
the second with header almost identical to his consolation at West Brom.
Another man of the match performance.
We could have had few more with Douglas's 30 yard effort well saved and a few
other chances that we squandered.
Overall, a good 3 points. I've been to these games before where we've lost 1 or
2 nil. This team does keep bouncing back even with the injury list. I do think
we need a keeper, centre back a right back and another striker in January.
Scores:
Huffer - 7 not much to do but he did it ok. One dodgy punch out, one dodgy kick
but apart from that untroubled.
Dallas -6. No defensive work to do do today so he did ok. No one will ever
convince me that Dallas should be playing at right back. He got forward well
today but yet again every time he did well to get into a good position he
didn't deliver. Needs to be better.
Douglas - 6. Not his best game. I actually think Douglas's weakness is his
defending. He struggled a bit today and ends up giving needless free kicks
away. I'm sure this his why Wolves let him go. He makes up for it though
through intelligent forward play and his set pieces.
Halme - 6. Really had very little to do but didn't do anything too wrong.
Using my expert eye and incredible insight into the game :) I'd say he doesn't
look the part, however Whyte and Fairclough weren't always pleasing on the eye
but they did the job.
Cooper - 7. You've got to say that Cooper looked like the bloke holding them
together today and you don't often say that.
Philips - 8. I thought he was excellent today. Yes there were a couple of dodgy
passes but this game was made for him. He got stuck in, won the ball and then
distributed it well. Well done lad.
Forshaw - 7 bits and pieces game but as always very effective.
Klitch - 6. Nothing came off for him today. He seemed to be on a different
level to his team mates with his deft passes and flicks.
Allioski - 3. One decent shot first half but apart from that he was
ineffective. Squad player at best for me.
Hernandez - 8 man of the match for me and he was far from his best.
Roofe - Got his goal could have had a hat-trick , ran hard but just doesn't do
it for me in that no 8 role.
Subs
Siaz - looked sharp
Harrison - no confidence
Baker - every time I see this lad I think he looks lively. I would like to see
more of him.
Happy weekend to all, nice bottle of red for me now. We are Leeds !
Rich
Sent from my iPad
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