I read a report (in the Guardian ?) a few weeks ago trying to explain that Americans did not take to football because goals were so important. That goals were so rare that they were the only thing that counts and that an own goal is worth the same as a 30yd screamer, or a deflection from a yard out the same as a 10man passing move etc When I read it I thought 'Duh yeah' (my internal monologue is not very erudite) of course goals are what football is all about. but last night did go some way to explaining it - all the brilliance of our performance counts for nothing if you dont stick the ball in the onion bag and our failure to do so often enough last night nearly cost us as we had the most nervy last few minutes of the season - something that used to be common if we were ever 2 up and then conceded. Thankfully we held on for those 5 minutes so that our dominance of the previous 85 gained us the 3 points we desperately needed and wanted. This was a 'must win' and one that would show if we were in a bad state currently or if it was just a sticky patch where despite, for the most part, playing reasonably well, things were just not going for us We got at them from the start, Ayling (penalty apart) had used the backing given him by Bielsa to get back to the Ayling we used to love and the fact that the crowd went from groaning and moaning about him to singing his name. Other 'scapegoats' Alioski and Harrison also showed why the master keeps picking them despite many fans reservations . In fact everyone of them was at least an 8 as we got back to proper Bielsaball and attacked with pace and purpose and defended with skill and composure , passing our way out of trouble. IF the whistle had gone after 86 minutes we would all be absolutely raving over the performance but instead we got that last 5 minutes of panic. The goals were both deserved - a bit of pinball and blocked shots led to the ball falling to birthday boy Pontus who hammered home (the players then did some weird lined up dance - no idea) The second was a lovely cross by Alioski which (replays show) was glanced on by Harrison, a lovely touch, giving the keeper no chance. These goals sandwiched a great free kick from them which the lad could not quite get on the end of to equalise. Bamford should have put it beyond doubt with a 3rd on the stroke of half time when a lovely pin point cross from Pablo fell to him but he headed right at the keeper - a foot either side and it would have been 3 0 Second half was much of the same, with them having to repel wave after wave of attacks with lots of half chances - Roofe coming close twice and other near misses. Bamford ended up on the floor after one attack and pics on twitter etc show he was thrown to the floor WWE style and was a 100% nailed on pen but missed by the ref. Roofe also had a decent shout for a pen but, surprise surprise, not given. Shackleton and Roberts came on and both impressed as we sought the third goal that would have sent everyone home happy (Norwich were 3 down at this time , so double success) then a rare foray by Swansea into our half and suddenly Ayling has made a tackle with the lad going nowhere - daft tackle and totally unnecessary and the ref pointed to the spot. Then from cruising to a win it was all hands to the pump and total panic for the remaining 3 mins and 4 mins added on - but we did hold on and another very important 3 points A bit of a rest now with 10 days with no game and then 3 in six inc the 6 pointer v WBA If we play like we did last night it will be both fun to watch and successful DavePS Still no time on the pitch for Izzy Brown _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
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