A great result after a pretty enthralling game all round. Any result would have been fair so it was as much relief as joy that greeted the final whistle A lovely sunny day as we drank outside various pubs enjoying the sunshine and catching up with old mates - some thing never , change our resident pessimist has us relegated after conceding 80 goals at the end of this season. The pubs were full of high spirits and the mood was great as the bus pulled into ER - then we saw the size of the queues " these tickets are f-ing shit" was the chant, though no one seemed to have problems working them. As a result of the delay I missed the minutes applause and the kick off itself. I had only just finished my hellos and glad to see you back, when what we had all feared happened, a long ball over the top, the wolves player out muscled Kristensen at right back and then put a ball into the box to a player unmarked on the left side of the 6 yd box, he headed back to another unmarked player ( 2 defenders were stood watching) on the penalty spot whose shot into the ground looped into the net. Worst possible start and the frailty we all knew and worried about was exposed. We did react well and really took the game to them, Roca looks a good footballer, Adams and Aaranson were all over them like a rash , helped by Harrison and Bamford. We had a few shots and chances as they were on the back foot. We all screamed for a penalty as the keeper came out and clattered Kristensen. Wolves were struggling to cope and resorted to their usual going down " injured" and general play acting and time wasting, what a horrible team to watch. Then a good move, lovely chest by Bamford looked to have come to nothing when perservance inside their box by aaronson and Harrison led to us winning the ball and feeding Rodrigo who dragged it back and fired home through the keeper at his near post - good finish and good reward for such a good press. We continued to attack and their keeper nearly gifted us a goal as he lost possession to Bamford but the chance was squandered. At the other end Meslier pulled off 3 saves, one regulation, one point blank when the lad was clean through, and one a tip over from a corner. Not sure how many corners or free kicks into the box they had but that was the only dangerous one - a sign that that particular Achilles heel has been fixed ? Second half was different when our pressing looked more like a dog chasing around , we could not the ball off them. Luckily they did not do much with it. Then came 2 subs , klich came on to rapturous applause, the fans dont want him to leave, and Greenwood. They , along with Adams combined in a lovely move to get the ball wide to Paddy and his great cross was met by aaronson being in the exact place you want your striker. Some discussion as to whether it was an own goal but whatever Aaronson deserves the credit- if it is his he joins such illumanaries as Barmby and Strandli who scored on their Prem debut for us. We then had the chance to kill the game off and to quote Radz to " enjoy the game with no worries " but a great cross from Harrison was well met with a firm header by Bamford but their keeper turned into Gordon Banks for a second and pulled off a great save. Joffy and Summerville came on in our last allowed substitution- as I understand it you can have 5 different substitutes but only on 3 occasions- odd indeed. We saw out the last 10 minutes or so with no great drama but were pleased to hear the final whistle- an opening day winner and goals for 2 of our strikers, which takes some pressure off them and the team A bit of a curates egg - good in parts- with lots of pressing and some nice football. All 4 debutants impressed in different ways , Kristensen made one real crunching goal saving tackle. The ease with which we can be opened up with a ball over the top is a major concern , Struik stuck to his task well but is lacking in that position especially going forward , and better teams will score from those positions, equally the 20 minutes of the second half when we were very much second best is a worry , thankfully Wolves despite their name are pretty toothless. On the bright side we won , always great, and we can now see what our plan is. The bench looked weak with only Klich and Joffy anything like proper first teamers , although Greenwood does seem to be forcing himself into that group, but this will look better when James, Sinisterra, Cooper, Ayling Firpo and Forshaw return, supposedly in the next few weeks. So, so far, so good, and just glad to be back
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!
