Bizzare few hours in the pub pre game ( nice early start ) the 6 deep at the bar for Evertron had disappeared and when we arrived at 11.45 it was almost empty. Firstly my mate regaled us with tales of his traumatised cat, an escaped snake and a Hoover- had us in stitches. Then some woman wanted to swap shirts with me - I had the centenary smiley badge limited edition polo shirt - she a blue striped blouse so wasn't hard to turn down the offer. Then my shirt attracted further attention and some bloke gave me a hand made smiley badge logo ST / credit card holder but would not even accept payment - very odd. Then to cap it off I got cornered by the pub nutter telling me how we should all be killed at 80 because old people cost too much, then decided all foreigners should also be killed because they both took all our jobs and were scroungers who did not work but claimed all our benefits- as you can imagine it was hard to have a coherent discussion with him - nutter
We all pretty much accepted that the game would be tough and a defeat was the most likely outcome but that we could perhaps sneak a draw based on the fact we matched them twice last season. Well this time it was totally different as they ran the show and we struggled to get any sort of foothold. Ayling is totally out of sorts, Rodrigo struggles to make an impact ( though he did have our best chance , hitting it straight at the keeper) Firpo had his best game but so far that is a low bar and he did not look great. Lack of the ball meant that our wingers and Bamford got little service as we were on the back foot. It was no surprise when they carved us open down our left on 3 occasions in rapid succession- first time the cross was a yard overhit, second time it was 0 1 , third time the ball was headed in but a very late ( correct) flag saved us. The impressive but injury prone Llorente succumbed to injury as we were under the cosh. Sane (?) missed twice when it looked easier to score. At the other end, the miss by Rodrigo, a header by Bamford and Aylings strange attempt to 'thigh' it in was all we could muster We were happy to get to half time only one down. The ineffective Rodrigo was swapped for the equally ineffective Roberts - fans are losing patience with both. It was Robert's giving it away too easily that led to them breaking away and we could not stem the tide that lead to the second, and game over Any little chance we had of getting back in, was ended with the awful decision to red card Struik- it looked a great tackle - the commentator on MOTD2 in real time even said " excellent tackle "- unfortunately the liverpool player was seriously injured and more unfortunately it was right in front of their bench who ran on to treat him ( technically a booking since ref didn't wave them on?). I have seen it back and it is not even a yellow - a cracking tackle that they make 3 or 4 times a game , just unlucky that the result was a serious injury but no reason to send him off keys see how any appeal goes ( with him suspended and Koch and llorente injured it will mean Cooper and Ayling v Newcastle?) We did show spirit and guts when down to ten, but they took their foot off the pedal, and we never looked like getting even one goal back, let alone the 2 or 3 we needed. It was no surprise when they got their deserved third to make the scoreline reflect the game. The Leeds fans stayed behind the team and we were still singing as the final whistle went, long may this support continue, we may need it It is too soon to worry but these same 4 games brought 4 pts last season rather than the 2 this time, and whereas we matched liverpool twice last time, this game was one way traffic. We have shown some resilience coming back v scum, Everton twice, and Burnley but we have not really seen Bielsaball yet this time and I am worried that Robert's and Rodrigo just aren't good enough. The jury is still out on Firpo , and we cant keep Koch and Llorente fit. So a few issues to concern us BUT beat Newcastle and pick up four or more pts v west ham and Watford ( games I am missing - grrrr) and things will look different Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedslist/ Rest in Peace Guy, and wear your hat!
