Chelmofox

Should always wash away what you leave on your socks.

Shit you not, as the game we joked it was like we were hunting in packs. Every time we did it eyes were dead focussed (god know what they were on) and the the replay i watch we win so many balls from all sorts of positions (highlights dont do this justice). And yes, less emphasis on the back line having so much possession, which in turn means no one is whinging about Faes or JJ over forcing things. I loved Russell saying he thought Soton played the press well. Think my sons U12 team would have done a better job. They were shocking. Its just not going to happen again this season though. I wonder how Enzo will setup for Preston, because it so so bloody obvious what they are going to do. Does he go back to the method that worked well for him most of the season and might work again because confidence is high (and Preston might be beachy), or does he have another trick up his sleeve? I'm not sure he does.

Don't know if you were at the game, but a few of us commented towards the end that we had little idea during the game we had such little possession. I genuinely thought we would have had about 55-60%. But what i do remember is us constantly pushing them backwards time and time again. When they were in possession it was like we were hunting in packs at times, and i was worried how long the players could keep it up. But the key thing was how well organised we were at it. This makes me think it wasn't just an accident that happened on the day, but instead a tactical approach. When they brought on Smallbone they became more direct but after 20 mins of riding that out the game drifted to what it was before. This wasn't counter attacking football in the sense of you surviving an attack, keeper collects and you then unleashing an attack nor was it playing low block (which Leeds pretty much did 2nd half at Borough). The was controlling the game through the press and pushing the opposition backwards and thus forcing mistakes further up the field. We could do it because of Russell's brendanesque approach of playing sideways out the back (god i don't miss that - Enzo ball is nothing like it). Once you pushed them backwards they would have a very predictable defensive sideways kickabout and we could hunt. Personally would loved to have seen Daka at them in that first half. The 5th goal was actually quite a measured (but fast) attack where Soton were just all over the place and gave the guys the whole pitch to work with. I'm likely wrong but it felt similar to when we played Bournemouth once the proper team was on (2nd half and extra time). Bournemouth were much more direct than Brussells sh1t show but i felt there was an element of being able to control them rather than us just control the game holding the ball. Bournemouth ended up snatching most of their chances because of this. I still think people are trying to read to much into Enzo's comments. We haven't played exactly the same against the better sides and i would be very surprised if he knew nothing about what the players were up to as it was so organised. At the time i thought it was a way of trying to keep everything grounded as the job isn't done. I am sure he's going to have styles he would rather play but there will be times like this were different styles of control are needed. But i dont think it was a switch to counter attacking play at all. If Soton had exploited us and become clinical he would have definitely changed the approach.

Nacho has gone anyway. Manager has said Cannon is the future. We never know - it could be a relatively quick turn around for him if he gets a very strong injury free pre season behind him. Daka is a mystery. Big decisions need to be made on either a loan or finding someone willing to pay enough to break even (amortised). I think the future is sell Daka and replace, and lose Vardy.

There it is you ****. You've just jinxed it. Leeds great form - I can't see Leeds messing up from here. Ipswich continue their form - I can't see Ipswich messing up from here. Southampton beat Preston 4-0 - I can't see Soton messing up from here. There had to be someone who said it after Tuesdays result.

If you dont go up quickly - its what happens.

Watched the rerun of the game and the commentary was very complimentary. It was like we were almost Leeds for the afternoon. Rerun didnt have any studio stuff. More reason just to go to the game to be honest. Bouncing around near the singing section to Voulez-Vous with my son and mrs whilst watching Mavididi 'play' the pitchfork is something i don't think im going to experience many times. Stunning stuff, and well worth missing whatever was going on in the Sky Sports studio for.

No. And neither are we promoted. Not engaging anymore till it’s done.

You can say what you want about Cov, but you never doubt their amazing fans.

Wtf! He’s caught from behind after the ball has long gone.

Dyche gone for the bin man look today.

And Neville just laughs at him and says it would fun just to have a camera on it.

How does Klopp not get booked for all that crap with the 4th official?

Linesman should give it. Crap that they back out of it.

Earliest please. Just get out of the way.

I sit directly opposite the kop goal in H block, and as soon as Vesty intercepted to KDH you could see the move map at before it happened. Vards, Mavs and Fatawu ahead of of KHS just moving into the right space. It was like i was playing a computer game. KDH's ball was perfect to Vardy but as soon as it left KDH's foot you knew exactly what was going to happen. Brilliant moment.

It was the famous Maddison 'we will be just fine' match.

2 things - Until the job is done, it isn't. He left his emotions on the pitch. Secondly, just before full time one of his players was horribly assaulted.

Not to be rude, but its almost as if you've watched no Championship football at all. After Southampton beat Preston 3-0, loads on here were creaming all over them and saying 'Southampton aren't going to mess this up from here'. @Harpenden Fox pipes up pointing out they likely go to Cardiff and lose - because that's what happens in the Championship. They lost against Cardiff and us, and the team that looked like they could smash and grab Leeds on the last day now look a dejected sorry mess. All in the space of 2 games. Leeds had the same problem. On fire, the all of a sudden are getting low blocked to death and cant break teams down. They cant believe how they are 4 points behind us. NOTHING would represent the horror of Championship existence more than us muscling out West Brom, thumping Southampton, and then getting shithoused 1-0 by Preston in a low block bore fest where they have 3 shots and 1 on target with an XG of 0.18, and Fatawu skies 5 shots and Daka skuffs everything that gets near him. Preston will present a huge amount of difficulty for us. We have to be on it, efficient and clinical, otherwise there is the danger we end up the next Southampton. Remember the same Blackburn beat Leeds 1-0. They have a pretty tasty player in that team who would love to score a famous goal against us. The same Blackburn that dumped us out of the cup last season. I want out of the Championship. Its horrible. Don't take it for granted. EVER.

Just for fun, the 6 game form guide:

Just seen the replay in Sky Sports. What you don't notice from the highlights was not just the amount of space they give us, but they are barely moving and commited to very little. Fatawu at times was just allowed to walk around with the ball. Against teams lower in the division he would normally have 2 hard bastards swarming over him.

Yes - go think about what you just said.

If they draw they now need to overcome a 4 goal deficit. To be fair, they could probably put 4 past Southampton on the last day.