Couldn't sleep last night as I reflected on what was in my opinion the best Leeds performance since the European games. It was that good and there's even an argument to say that the 2nd half was one of the best I've ever seen. Some statement but we were that good. The way we attacked with pace was devastating and Villa just couldn't live with us. Ross Barkley looked like a lower league journeyman as he wasn't allowed to have time on the ball and found himself having to do more running than he's ever done in his life. He was f*cked. I'd heard a lof good things about Luiz and how he conrols the midfield, well he certainly didn't know what hit him yesterday. Every time he got the ball, Klich and co were on him and his best efforts came from pretending to be fouled. Grealish had his moments as he always will but he plays in spurts and isnt a great team player. He's also a cheat. The foul by Stujik was a certain yellow card but if you watch it, Strujik doesn't make that much contact and there's no way it would have resulted in a player looking like he was dead for 5 mins. Also the dive for the pen was disgusting and countless other annoyances like keeping hold of the ball and not giving it back when Leeds were trying to take a free kick. He just did it to annoy, no other reason. Grade A c*nt ! Anyway, back to us and where do you start ? The inter-play down the left between Allioski and Harrison was breathtaking and Matty Cash could only wish he was back playing for Forest in the Championship. This is the big time Matty and I'm afraid you're not at the races. Harrison terrorised him and for once every cross or pass from Harrison was finding its intended target and with some better finishing from barn door Bamford we would have been 3-0 up in the first half. After that yellow card, Struijk was withdrawn after 20 minutes. I don't think Bielsa took him off because he was playing badly, I think he took him off because Villa were cheating. WIth Luiz and Grealish falling over and crying every 5 mins it was only a matter of time before they conned the ref into sending Struijk off. A blessing in disguise for me because on came Jamie Shackleton for his PL debut. For me this is the game that defined Shack. What position suits him best ? is he a defender ? Is he a midfielder ? Is he a right back ? Is he a winger? Well, tonight defined him to be a player who can harry, tackle, attack with pace, pass the ball and link up play all over the park. It also proved that we didn't need Struijk sat in front of the back four as a security blanket. Klich came deeper, Rodrigo filled in the Kilch area and we were on fire. The way we attacked was like a wave with 5 or 6 players advancing at once and then when we lost the ball we defended in a similar manner. Everyone forward, everyone back. It was brilliant and I've rarely seen a team play like that. The second half was total domination and how we only won by 3 is beyond me. Bamford's goals were all well taken but Rodrigo ran the show for me. He made the first and he looked class all night. I love players who, when they get the ball, they always look like they've got all the time in the world and nobody can touch them. Rodrigo's link up play was the best I've seen for a while. Intelligent, fast paced, skilful football. Costa to his credit, after a lacklustre first half, made himself an outlet as we attacked down the left and right. Villa just couldn't cope. Some of the one touch football had me dancing around the room (and I wasn't even drinking - trying to cut down on the lockdown excesses). Bamford's 2nd and 3rd were very well taken however you have to question the defending as 4 Villa players watched him adjust, turn and shoot. And to top it all we bring on Pablo (who should have scored) and Raphinha. Not a bad pair to bring on. Happy Days Miesler - 9. Two good saves and good distribution. Dallas - 7. I thought he looked a bit out of sorts first half playing one horrendous cross field ball straight to a Villa player. Second half he came alive and was very busy down the right wing. Looks more at home playing as a right wing back for me. Could be the best in the league in that position. Allioski - 9. Brilliant game linking up with Harrison and harrying Villa players to knick the ball. Should have done better with his chance but it was on his right foot. He's just a good little footballer Koch - 8. Uncharastic mistakes in the first half but overall his defending and balls out of defence were of good quality. Great signing. Ayling - 9. Looked like a centre back. Great goal line clearance Klich - 9. Not everything came off first half and a few flicks and passes went astray. 2nd half showed what we can look forward to with great link up play with Rodrigo. Strujik - 5. Not is fault that he got subbed but I'm glad he did. Harrison - 9. His best performance in a Leeds shirt for me. Matty Cash was ruined. If he'd bagged a goal I'd given him 10. Costa - 7. Improved second half but needs to do more or he'll be warming the bench. Rodrigo - 9. Pure quality / class. Would have also have got a 10 if he'd put one of his chances away. Bamford - 10. Typical Bamford first half, untypical Bamford 2nd half. More of the untypical please ! It's obvious the PL is suiting him. Subs: Shackleton - 9. Midfield dynamo, Billy Bremner performance. Love him. Play him in midfield doing that job with Klich and Rodrigo linking up and it will be devastating. Im hoping Bielsa realises now that we don't need a central defender playing defensive holding midfielder in front of the back four. Or even a midfielder playing defensive holding midfielder in front of the back four. In the past when Philips has been injured or suspended everyone always says we've really missed him but that's mainly because we've replaced him with someone who isn't a midfielder and can't do that job - Ben White for one. Let's move on from the pedestrian nature of that role and let's move into a new era of attack and defend as a team. Bremner and Giles weren't and didn't need a Kalvin Philips Pablo - 7. Lively, should have scored. How do you keep him out of the team ? Raphinha - 7. What a pass to Harrison and he looked like he wanted to score. I'd give him a start ahead of Costa. One final down to earth comment. On reflection, you have to ask how good are Villa? Yes they hammered Liverpool but I think that was a freak goal. I think they are one paced, have a good championship striker up front, pedestrain midfielders (Luiz) and defenders who seem a bit slow. They just avoided relegation last season and I think they'll be there again this. Still doesn't take anything away from our performance. Happy Saturday folks and yes I am having a celebratory drink today - plenty of them.
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