leeds united 1-1 leicester city post match

[JakeShingler]

Perhaps you should think harder. He's brought in four veterans, Powell, Berner, Edworthy and Dickov since the season started while young players like Gradel, Porter, Wesolowski, Mattock, Nicky Adams and Lee Cox (among others) have increasingly disappeared from the scene.

The only young player who seems to have made any real progress is Andy King.

Is Fryatt not young?

[Fez of Mahrez]

Perhaps you should think harder. He's brought in four veterans, Powell, Berner, Edworthy and Dickov since the season started while young players like Gradel, Porter, Wesolowski, Mattock, Nicky Adams and Lee Cox (among others) have increasingly disappeared from the scene.

The only young player who seems to have made any real progress is Andy King.

Yeah, and it ain't like we've won 7 and drawn 2 of our last 9 games is it?

WHEREFORE ART THOU LEE COX?!?!?!?!?! WHEREFORE ART THOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thracian]

You comment on wanting us to attack for the second goal however your substituion would have involved taking off a striker and playing a five man midfield. Now regardless of how high you press, that would have left isolation issues with Howard, and given Leeds the opportunity to play three at the back and throw another body forward.

What Pearson did was the correct move, I don't think many would disagree who went to the game, as the balls forward were constantly coming from the back 4. The Leeds wingers had been pushed up right onto each full back.

Sometimes when teams throw men forward it is difficult to maintain focus on attacking, especially as you have something to protect.

I feel in practice you're theroies at a top class level would lead to more points dropped than gained.

I thought everyone agreed that Fryatt was tiring so taking him off was not the problem.

But by having Gradel available and using him Howard wouldn't have been isolated at all because, with Oakley in central midfield, King could have been encouraged to offer more support up front and Gradel/Dyer would have given the sort of roving roles Ronaldo and Giggs enjoys.

Trailing teams are alway vulnerable when they throw people forward but only if the winning team has the wit and courage to take advantage at speed.

By all accounts Dickov had little effect at all other than reportedly failing to close down with the efficiency of the tiring Fryatt. And when has there been evidence so far this season that he would make a great deal of difference?

Surely the purpose of a substitution is to improve the performance of the team and if that didn't happen how could it possibly be termed justified? We were winning 1-0 when the change was made and drawing 1-1 a few minutes later. Very effective!

Football theories stand up at all levels. Speed and efficiency increases/improves the higher you get but the essential problems and solutions remain the same. Either you allow the opposition to dictate terms or you impose terms yourself and the latter, to me, is far safer.

We should have stayed a step ahead and asked the questions instead of allowing the opposition to force us further back the closer we got to the finishing line. It is not as if we've not suffered in doing this previously, Swindon and Brighton being glaring examples.

And why would we ever think we were good enough to make do with a 1-0 lead anyway? Since October 4 we've conceded in every away game we've played.

Gradel was already known to Leeds and they were wary of him. They must have thought themselves blessed not to have to deal with him on the counter as they were forced to push for an equaliser.

Compared to someone like Ferguson we really don't have a clue about getting numbers forward and keeping them there.

But the first essential is energy. People like Ronaldo, Giggs and Rooney aren't just skillful. They drive themselves into dangerous areas with unfettered speed and determination.

Gradel could have given us some of that, and in far more places, than the ageing and seemingly no longer fearsome Dickov.

But no. The youngster seems to be getting as little football as King did last season under Holloway.

[Thracian]

Yeah, and it ain't like we've won 7 and drawn 2 of our last 9 games is it?

WHEREFORE ART THOU LEE COX?!?!?!?!?! WHEREFORE ART THOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a record like that, and the confidence to go with it, all the more reason to take the opportunity to involve and develop our youngsters rather than give a few pointless minutes to someone like Dickov.

But your attitude does give the truth to what they're up against.

[Thracian]

its a point its good.

I think weve gained more points than weve lost in the last few minutes this season.

We gained 3 in the Bristol Rovers game, 2 in the Huddersfield game thats 5 points gained. And we scored 2 late goals in Leyton Orient away thats another 2 gained so that makes 7.

Lost 2 at Leeds, lost 2 at Swindon, lost 3 at Brighton. Also makes 7. And also the Fulham cup game but that weren't in the league.

Weve been behind against Walsall and drew, behind against Carlisle and won.

Its all pretty even, if not in our favour on the points won and lost in the last few minutes and points generally lost or won.

I didn't ever suggest we had a problem coming from behind. It's obvious we have to attack in those circumstances and we have the players to do it.

Our problem occurs when we're leading and the finishing line creeps into sight. Increasingly we start conceding ground unnecessarily instead of closing down quickly and winning the ball higher up the field.

[Fez of Mahrez]

With a record like that, and the confidence to go with it, all the more reason to take the opportunity to inolve and develop our youngsters rather than give a few pointless minutes to someone like Dickov.

But your attitude does give the truth to what they're up against.

I don't know where you've got this idea from that I am against the youth team players in some way. There's nothing more thrilling than seeing an Academy player coming up through the ranks and performing to a high level. It's been great to see King scoring so many goals this season and while personally I don't think Mattock has proven anything much yet, his first few performances in the first team were a joy to watch.

In reality I think most Leicester fans are beginning to realise that if we start tinkering with our first XI, we won't be quite as authoritative as we've been recently. Pearson has struck upon something of a golden formula with the current starting XI and while there are one or two older players who have fitted in excellently without too much disruption (Edworthy and Powell), players like Adams and Gradel (and Dickov) haven't really shone during the time they've been given - and it has cost us in the odd game such as Rotherham and Leeds. We can't afford to mess about with our team too much, and with the league as tight as it is at the top at the moment, we can't afford a luxury like "developing our youngsters". They have had opportunities and they haven't pulled up any trees whereas the current first XI definitely have.

[Thracian]

I don't know where you've got this idea from that I am against the youth team players in some way. There's nothing more thrilling than seeing an Academy player coming up through the ranks and performing to a high level. It's been great to see King scoring so many goals this season and while personally I don't think Mattock has proven anything much yet, his first few performances in the first team were a joy to watch.

In reality I think most Leicester fans are beginning to realise that if we start tinkering with our first XI, we won't be quite as authoritative as we've been recently. Pearson has struck upon something of a golden formula with the current starting XI and while there are one or two older players who have fitted in excellently without too much disruption (Edworthy and Powell), players like Adams and Gradel (and Dickov) haven't really shone during the time they've been given - and it has cost us in the odd game such as Rotherham and Leeds. We can't afford to mess about with our team too much, and with the league as tight as it is at the top at the moment, we can't afford a luxury like "developing our youngsters". They have had opportunities and they haven't pulled up any trees whereas the current first XI definitely have.

It's clear we'll have to agree to disagree.

I don't think there's ever an easy time to develop youngsters.

But some will always find reasons not too.

We actually have a six-point cushion in the League taking account of our goal difference. How much is enough?

At what point would you choose to assist the development of people like Gradel?

When the games no longer matter perhaps?

Considering Gradel (No 1 with 6 in 17 appearances) has already had twice as many assists as Dickov (3 in 13) I wouldn't think the use of one would be much riskier than the other. Or perhaps I'm missing something.

PS: I agree with you about Mattock but don't see anyone else as being outstanding there either.

[Hullfox]

Considering Gradel (No 1 with 6 in 17 appearances) has already had twice as many assists as Dickov (3 in 13) I wouldn't think the use of one would be much riskier than the other. Or perhaps I'm missing something.

Maybe one of the major reasons for Pearson deciding not to bring Gradel on was because he wasn't on the bench.

Now I don't have your experience in these matters Thrach but I reckon that this may have swayed the decision somewhat.

[Fez of Mahrez]

It's clear we'll have to agree to disagree.

I don't think there's ever an easy time to develop youngsters.

But some will always find reasons not too.

We actually have a six-point cushion in the League taking account of our goal difference. How much is enough?

At what point would you choose to assist the development of people like Gradel?

When the games no longer matter perhaps?

Considering Gradel (No 1 with 6 in 17 appearances) has already had twice as many assists as Dickov (3 in 13) I wouldn't think the use of one would be much riskier than the other. Or perhaps I'm missing something.

PS: I agree with you about Mattock but don't see anyone else as being outstanding there either.

I agree Gradel should be used ahead of Dickov in situations like Boxing Day. It worked really well at S****horpe when Gradel came on and we had 5 in midfield for the last few minutes.

Gradel had a run of games earlier in the season and didn't play particularly well and the team hasn't played as well with Gradel on the right wing as it has with Oakley on the right wing. That's the most important thing for me, regardless of age.

[Thracian]

Maybe one of the major reasons for Pearson deciding not to bring Gradel on was because he wasn't on the bench.

Now I don't have your experience in these matters Thrach but I reckon that this may have swayed the decision somewhat.

Yes. I know that!

[Thracian]

I agree Gradel should be used ahead of Dickov in situations like Boxing Day. It worked really well at S****horpe when Gradel came on and we had 5 in midfield for the last few minutes.

Gradel had a run of games earlier in the season and didn't play particularly well and the team hasn't played as well with Gradel on the right wing as it has with Oakley on the right wing. That's the most important thing for me, regardless of age.

I wouldn't suggest him starting ahead of Oakley - unless I were giving Oakley a short, well-earned rest - but Leeds would have been a great opportunity to use him as an attacking substitute had he even been on the bench.

[Sods]

I heard Gradel went home for christmas but not sure in the truth in that.

Gradel blows hot and cold, we couldn't risk that at Leeds. Pearson was right to bring Dickov on as Howard and Fryatt stop chasing and putting pressure on.

However the dickhead didn't do what he is good at, and that is chasing down a loss cause.

[Lillehamring]

just watched the highlights, and i'm surprised that the bulk of the complaint on here isn't regarding the sloppiness of the defending for their goal - no one closed down the guy who crossed, snodgrass was unmarked, and some of our players were just jogging about...

really shocking to watch, for such a good defensive team - forget about the subs, it was clear that not everyone of the 11 on the field at the end was doing their job properly...

[Hullfox]

just watched the highlights, and i'm surprised that the bulk of the complaint on here isn't regarding the sloppiness of the defending for their goal - no one closed down the guy who crossed, snodgrass was unmarked, and some of our players were just jogging about...

really shocking to watch, for such a good defensive team - forget about the subs, it was clear that not everyone of the 11 on the field at the end was doing their job properly...

Don't come on here with your football based theories young man. A thoughtful substitution would have avoided this scenario by bringing Gradel on as a second keeper.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Leeds fans pretty impressed with us on the whole.

http://www.waccoe.com/index.php?showtopic=147627

[Tilley]

Leeds fans pretty impressed with us on the whole.

http://www.waccoe.com/index.php?showtopic=147627

Quite a few are ignorant w*nkers, who won't give us any credit.

Absolute arseholes.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Quite a few are ignorant w*nkers, who won't give us any credit.

Absolute arseholes.

I'd imagine we'd be the same. I think the bottom line is that there's a grudging respect there whether they like it or not. And whether we like it or not, their away support atmosphere puts ours to shame.

[Candidcamera]

The point was that Leeds were quick into the tackle and above average - perhaps both teams will be in the Championship next year. Gilbert was not overlapping much and Berner hardly at all. The midfield went forward instead. The team is actually very impressive. The youngsters like Chambers and Gradel need to be brought on when we are winning by 2 or more goals. This season now is about getting up. Also, we are playing youngsters.

[Scow]

I thought we controlled the game. Apart from them hitting the post in the first half, they rarely threatened. One lapse of concentration has cost us two points.

Tunchev and Davies were the pick of the bunch. According to McCarthy, it doesn't sound like we've got much chance of signing the latter.

[lildave3]

I ****ing hates Leeds fans.

[Maybes]

I ****ing hates Leeds fans.

Agreed. So far up their own arses its untrue.

'First time sold out an away allocation' yeah right.

[Tommeh]

I'd of took a point before, could see that goal coming though.

I was on row b, that wannabe bouncer c**t telling everybody to sit down all first half. I had to stand up to see round him, stupid annoying twatt.

On the other hand, that blonde steward was quite tastey.

Yeeeeeesss.

Was eying her pre match then during she didn't ask me to sit once, clearly had a thing.

[adamplufc]

As a Leeds fan i need to say that Leicester City R the best team and Best Fans I have seen in years,

I would say that you must go up your team play with Class and style,

The game was a great game for a boxing day, and it was complimented by the 33500 fans.

The only sad point was that LEEDS V LEICESTER is a PREM game, what r we doing down here?

I hope we both get back where we belong quick

God luck with the rest of your season I think you will walk it

And hope were playing each other again next year in the championship.

Keep up the good support your a crfedit to your team

[Tommeh]

Tbh I thought our support was very average and the only song that really took off was left/right side, which I usually hate.

[Maybes]

As a Leeds fan i need to say that Leicester City R the best team and Best Fans I have seen in years,

I would say that you must go up your team play with Class and style,

The game was a great game for a boxing day, and it was complimented by the 33500 fans.

The only sad point was that LEEDS V LEICESTER is a PREM game, what r we doing down here?

I hope we both get back where we belong quick

God luck with the rest of your season I think you will walk it

And hope were playing each other again next year in the championship.

Keep up the good support your a crfedit to your team

Although we sold out the away end, we are much better vocally when we only take the usually 1500 of the hardcore following that travel to carlilse and such places. Thought for the numbers the away wern't the best.

No doubt leeds will easily outsing us at the walkers.