Leeds United (h) Post-Match Thread 0-0

[Callabinho]

Some are getting far too carried away but then again it's not surprising following an awfully negative pre-season.

It was simply "one of those" games and I can take a fair few positives from it in all honesty, we didn't lose which was key and I think Nigel has learnt one or two things about his side.

One of those being that the 3-5-2 formation is perfect for Knockeart, we changed instantly when he came on he can beat a man and create opportunities, so he must start next time!

[reynard]

There are a lot of over reactions on here. I would say it was a competitive if dull match where two quite ordinary looking teams managed to negate each other. A draw was a fair result.

 

I'm not completely convinced by 3-5-2 with the players we currently have.

Whitbread certainly can't play in that formation though his performance in the second half was really very good once he reverted to a more typical centre half role.

Konchesky clearly can't play wing back and again played much better in the second half when in a more usual defensive position.

 

Our central midfield three can't play together apart from as a defensive block. In my opinion they are all too similar and don't offer enough constructive attacking play. At times yesterday they were just too close to each other. Consequently our strikers got very little service of any use though I thought Vardy made some good runs in the first half.

 

Once we made some subs a dropped at times to a 4-4-2 we looked much better and the players frankly looked much more comfortable.

Unfortunately our options out wide seem very limited. Personally I thought Dyer was very average yesterday and Knockaert, though running around a lot didn't really do anything apart from getting booked and then showing petulance to the ref by clapping his decision for which he could quite easily have been sent off. Yes he gives the opposition something different to think about but I'm not sure they haven't worked him out.

 

Moore played well, though I'm not sure he didn't handle the ball in the area when on the ground (I would need another look). Again though I thought he looked lost playing as a sort of wing back and his long throws are ok but just don't have enough on them to be really effective.

 

I can't say I was entertained much by either side, who if they continue like that for the rest of the season will both finish somehwere around 10th-12th, However, we have 4 points from 2 games and it is early in the season. A positive result at Derby would put us in a good position to build on for the rest of the season. I would like to see us bring in a couple of players especially an attacking wide player which we need quite badly.

[Leicester_Numan]

Leeds came to do a job on us and did it well. They're not the first to do it and won't be the last. When we play teams like that, what's important is we don't get mugged on the break and lose as we've done on countless occasions before. If we're struggling to break them down and win, at least don't lose.

Clean sheet and a point, a decent start to the season

[seenitall]

Thank god the players had worked hard pre season, imagine if they hadn't, it would have been impossible to keep up that pace and skill level otherwise. Well done Nige for getting them in shape

[The Year Of The Fox]

Let's have a bit of perspective on this. Last time we got 4 points from the opening 2 games was 2009. The last time we got 6 from 2 was 2002

[Babylon]

Clearly we need to improve, the subs made a difference so we have options... I just fear it might take Nige 8 games to work out we need to start some of them.

I understand he might be trying to keep it tight whilst we get used to the new system, but I really don't want to sit through many games like that. I enjoyed the vast majority of home games last year, that was as boring as the worst we had then.

Anyway last year we were told it's points that matter, after we started off playing well and not picking up much. We seem to be the opposite now so if/when we improve hopefully we get both.

[jock2612]

4 points IS positive BUT Konch cannot play in a 352 and ZW is the worst passer of a football i ever seen.NOT one pass went to where he intended,and every time he received the ball i feared the worst.He is ok in the air and covers quite well . but unless he distribute the ball he is a waste of time.I think thats why NP has bought the Arsenal player who by all accounts can at least pass a football!!!

[LcFc_Smiv]

It was hardly an awful performance, as mentioned above it was just average. Our problem is we are either too slow going forwards, or we just try the route one ball. We also seem to be determined to play the ball down the line, getting trapped resulting in us going backwards, losing possession, or giving away soft throw ins. Not concerned about the selections, people seem to forget Wood has been awful as of late, and that reaction from him was encouraging when he came on. Knockaert will be back in the squad soon enough. Thought Moore had a fantastic game, Whitbread is too slow and Morgan was Morgan. Nugent and Vardy seem like a decent partnership and cover some ground, when our midfield turn up, I feel the results will come.

[chris_lcfc_85]

Yes they were terrible but Drinkwater was by choice. He was crap because he chose to be negative on the ball, King and James just had shit games.

 

What did Drinkwater do that was so much better than King and James anyway? His passing was poor when it went forward, he had a couple of naff shots, he didn't tackle anyone. Just because he wasn't anonymous doesn't mean he was any better than the others.

 

If anything it's more criminal that he got on the ball so much and did so little with it.

 

 

Im sorry but anyone criticising Drinkwater yesterday needs to assess their view..... The best of our midfield 3 and was rarely negative..... I watched him closely yesterday due to the ridiculous stick he gets on here and he was tying to be positive most of the game, then on the occasions he had nothing on, he went back but its called keeping possession.

 

One thing i will say though is our midfield 3 are all very similar. I'd like to see Marshall or Knocky in there

[chris_lcfc_85]

Another thing i'll say, for those that cristicise the midfield for slowing things down, watch Nugent yesterday......

Very average display and slowed EVERYTHING down.

 

Wood and Vardy for me next game

[Corky]

We hit the post and that was about it. Awful entertainment, we looked flat and one-dimensional and they looked uninterested in trying to win the game.

 

A shame really because the home form in the first half of last season, and the entertainment value was superb. The midfield tried hard to create but more often than not it was cut out. The long throws caused some problems for them but usually the second ball was collected by Leeds.

 

Not an encouraging performance but at least we've got plenty of time to put it right and improve. Not a disastrous start but similarly not an inspiring one and we need to improve and show more at Derby next week.

[chris_lcfc_85]

We hit the post and that was about it. Awful entertainment, we looked flat and one-dimensional and they looked uninterested in trying to win the game.

 

A shame really because the home form in the first half of last season, and the entertainment value was superb. The midfield tried hard to create but more often than not it was cut out. The long throws caused some problems for them but usually the second ball was collected by Leeds.

 

Not an encouraging performance but at least we've got plenty of time to put it right and improve. Not a disastrous start but similarly not an inspiring one and we need to improve and show more at Derby next week.

 

Whilst i agree with a bit of this, lets not forget we took 3 points from our opening 3 games last season..... and we've already beaten that after 2.

Yes unispiring but early days

[Corky]

Whilst i agree with a bit of this, lets not forget we took 3 points from our opening 3 games last season..... and we've already beaten that after 2.

Yes unispiring but early days

 

The points total is ok, just would've liked a more encouraging and entertaining display. We had defeats early last season where you could see good football and lots of encouraging signs, yesterday didn't offer a lot.

[Babylon]

We had defeats early last season where you could see good football and lots of encouraging signs, yesterday didn't offer a lot.

We did indeed... and the board was up in arms with lots of people telling us it's points that matter first and foremost and that good performances and no points will get us relegated, and comparing that time to us under Holloway. (It's all there, I just looked).  You have to laugh when exactly the same people are whining about the performances now. PS. I'm not saying you said that by the way.

[carterfox90]

Evening all. Strange game and some pretty strange reactions on here and elsewhere.

For me I thought all our players were ok, not great, barely even good for much of the game but not awful either, bang average in fact.

Moore looked the pick and De Laet was well off the the pace but otherwise everyone was sort of ok. The problem was that, as a team, we were quite a long way short of the sum of the parts, it was a bit like making a film, everyone knew their lines and their roles, but no one seemed inclined to go the extra yard and really make a difference.

First game of the season for me and it looked like a 'back to basics' kind of attitude, with everyone really determined to keep it tight and put that awful run last season behind them, so tight in fact that we failed to get forward and make anything of our opportunities.

[carterfox90]

This is spot on !! I'm so glad I renewed my ticket !

[Ric Flair]

Clearly we need to improve, the subs made a difference so we have options... I just fear it might take Nige 8 games to work out we need to start some of them.

I understand he might be trying to keep it tight whilst we get used to the new system, but I really don't want to sit through many games like that. I enjoyed the vast majority of home games last year, that was as boring as the worst we had then.

Anyway last year we were told it's points that matter, after we started off playing well and not picking up much. We seem to be the opposite now so if/when we improve hopefully we get both.

 

He did this at the start of last season as well. Knockaert wasn't starting but every time he brought him on he changed the game. Now you could argue that he was having more of an impact from the bench because history proved that as the season wore on Tony wasn't as effective in games from the start. However, when you've little other creativity in the squad it's beggars belief that you go with 5 defenders and 3 defensive midfielders at home to a team that's nothing special.

 

Players should be picked on merit and if he doesn't give Tony the nod vs Derby then he can fook off for all I care, claiming it's down to him and the players to entertain the fans and then deliberately sabotaging it is unforgiveable.

 

We badly need another creative player in this squad. Marshall has flashes of it as well but last season he was very mediocre.

[Babylon]

He did this at the start of last season as well. Knockaert wasn't starting but every time he brought him on he changed the game. Now you could argue that he was having more of an impact from the bench because history proved that as the season wore on Tony wasn't as effective in games from the start. However, when you've little other creativity in the squad it's beggars belief that you go with 5 defenders and 3 defensive midfielders at home to a team that's nothing special.

 

Players should be picked on merit and if he doesn't give Tony the nod vs Derby then he can fook off for all I care, claiming it's down to him and the players to entertain the fans and then deliberately sabotaging it is unforgiveable.

 

We badly need another creative player in this squad. Marshall has flashes of it as well but last season he was very mediocre.

I'm just praying he's trying to keep it tight whilst the majority adapt to the system, because I can't be arsed with a 8-0-2 formation.

[Bobby Hundreds]

Great turn out for a friendly. 

[NathanC93]

Anyone who says they aren't happy with 4 points from the two opening games are lying. I think some people just enjoy picking faults and being negative...

[foxesfan98]

Not convinced by King's performances recently. I feel he adds nothing to the team.

[Babylon]

Not convinced by King's performances recently. I feel he adds nothing to the team.

Are you Neil Danns?

[NathanC93]

Anyone know why people were booing Peltier? Decent player for us then we sold him, hardly a crime?

[Babylon]

Anyone know why people were booing Peltier? Decent player for us then we sold him, hardly a crime?

Because he has a head the shake of a monkey nut.

 

I'll highlight the nut part in case some idiot suggests that's racist.

[inckley fox]

Once we made some subs a dropped at times to a 4-4-2 we looked much better and the players frankly looked much more comfortable.

Unfortunately our options out wide seem very limited. Personally I thought Dyer was very average yesterday and Knockaert, though running around a lot didn't really do anything apart from getting booked and then showing petulance to the ref by clapping his decision for which he could quite easily have been sent off. Yes he gives the opposition something different to think about but I'm not sure they haven't worked him out.

 

I'm not sure we did change to a 4-4-2. When we switched Moore to RWB he found himself pegged back pretty much permanently, while Dyer was naturally more advanced on the left. I also wondered whether it was a 4-4-2 for a moment, until I realised that our three CMs, Knockaert included, were still packed into the centre. At the end Pearson seemed to suggest it was still a 3-5-2, though the fact that nobody (including the TV commentators) is sure makes you wonder whether the players were too clear on it either.

 

However I can't agree with you on Knockaert. His through-ball to Nugent created our best chance of the game and his willingness to play on the front foot turned the game in our favour. Even if he did fall over once and throw a wobbly. But I'm with you on his more general attitude. He needs to brighten up, cut short his squabbles with Nigel and get on with things. He's not done well enough at this level to be rescued by a top flight club if it all goes wrong and still has a long way to go to prove himself.

 

We did indeed... and the board was up in arms with lots of people telling us it's points that matter first and foremost and that good performances and no points will get us relegated, and comparing that time to us under Holloway. (It's all there, I just looked).  You have to laugh when exactly the same people are whining about the performances now. PS. I'm not saying you said that by the way.

 

I think it's the combination of not getting the points we were after and putting in such a dreadful performance that bothers people.

 

Im sorry but anyone criticising Drinkwater yesterday needs to assess their view..... The best of our midfield 3 and was rarely negative..... I watched him closely yesterday due to the ridiculous stick he gets on here and he was tying to be positive most of the game, then on the occasions he had nothing on, he went back but its called keeping possession.

 

One thing i will say though is our midfield 3 are all very similar. I'd like to see Marshall or Knocky in there

 

He wasn't the worst, no, but he did not play well at all. And most of his forward passing smacked of desperation and ended up with the opposition. I'm not a big critic of Drinkwater's but he was part of a very poor midfield yesterday. Of those three he was the one who wanted the ball most and took responsibility - I credit him for that - but in truth he did very little with it. But no, not as bad as King who actually had three great opportunities to deliver a ball to our forwards and couldn't beat the first man on any of them.