United – Phew. Exhausted watching that. Felt like I kicked and headed every ball on Tuesday and it was the same today. We have not been anywhere near our best in terms of possession or football played and first half we were poor today giving it away, not getting the defensive line right and had to hand in there. Leeds had been much better than us and as Wilder admitted, the team selection maybe had backfired as Bash and the other were giving it away too much. Leeds swarmed all over us and played it at pace. They did go quite direct and pick up bits, then play nice stuff in the final third. They had a few decent chances but Henderson did not have a save to make for all the domination. United then had a good spell and could have scored right at the end but Bash panicked a bit. I did go in at half time feeling like we had not quite come to the party and that we had not offered our best performance by any stretch of the imagination. I was annoyed that was had sat back and also that we had not attacked but I guessed as the pundits said, Wilder was worried about Leeds just coming out of the traps and blowing us away as they did to WBA. He wanted to hang in there. I felt we should have let them worry about us more. We had no link between midfield and attack but even more than the Bash v Duffy/Dowell argument the whole team gave it away and also switched off a bit when they went down the sides. We made a few good blocks but they did miss some chances unopposed – the Harrison and Roberts chances were decent. Still I was delighted to go in 0-0 at half time. Some said maybe we let them have it as Leeds are so good when others have the ball and they press and make them turn it over; not sure that was the case. We were just sloppy and did not have intensity on an off the ball. Leeds moved it around too easily and got into the final third with ease. Still they did not score and were right in the game.
We must improve after the break and we did. The 2nd half I felt was even. I actually felt we were better than them in possession and in the final third broke well and had a few half chances. They of course hit the post but not sure they had any real clear chances outside of this. They did have a lot of the ball again but we were better organised and closed down the gaps more. O’Connell and Egan came onto the ball more and we closed the gaps better. Bash started to get his foot in more and we played at a higher tempo. I still would have been delighted with a draw so when we went away and scored, I was delighted. The thing now was if we could hang on. I expected the Alamo as Leeds have scored so many late goal and was concerned if they got one…they may get two but we kept ticking off 5-minute chunks and before you know it the game was into the final 5 minutes. The stoppages helped us although Jansson and Alioski spent a lot of time on the floor. The former was struggling and meant they almost had 10 for the final 10 minutes. Still they did keep coming at us and I was very nervous despite our great defence – funny how you still think of the Villa game – even though we have been faultless since. Typical United fan pessimism! We then broke away and the red card came. Of course, I would have loved Sharp to score but the outcome with the red card and the experienced keeper going off actually now we won, could help us even more. The young lad Peacock Farrell was a bit ropey at times earlier in the season and now with three games to come including Millwall who chuck everything in the box; it might not be easy for Leeds to defend.
In the end I felt the game was quite similar to the one at the Lane. A game that we were better in and had the better of the play but the away side won it with a bit of a smash and grab goal. So, it is probably even Stevens in that regard.
United were nowhere near their best but as Wilder alluded to; Leeds did this at our place and we have had many games over the last two seasons in this league where the other team were not full value for the win but somehow did beat us. Nice that we have had a few games where we have just scrapped and battled and shown heart. It had not been about our great football and style the last two games but desire, work ethic and organisation. I thought the defence were a bit off first half but the second half they were excellent and to a man did their job superbly. Cranie was superb and O’Connell and Egan blocked and headed everything. I thought Bash improved and then after we scored, we had something to hang onto. Really proud of them. It was a tough test and after subpar first half they came through it and won another game. There will be lots of twists and turns but we have gone to WBA and Leeds and won. These are remarkable results and inspired performances. Some colossal efforts from the players. The will to win and desire is something to be behold. They care massively and you cannot help be inspired by them. We have a real chance.
There are 8 games to play and a few tough away trips to come and a few tough home games but if we can keep ticking them off; you never know. I think the last three are against teams who will have nothing to play for; so, if we can hang onto second before them, then we have a great chance. Norwich look gone and just keep on winning but Leeds have shown they cannot hold their nerve maybe when they play the big guns – lost to us and Norwich. The trio of games are big in the next week – with both us and Leeds going to Brum and Preston and both have a home game before that – be interesting to see the table after those three games. United have to just keep on plugging away. We will go close I am sure. We need to pack the Lane for the last four home games and give the team the support they deserve.
Leeds – First half they were excellent. I was surprised how quickly they knocked the ball forward though. They do get it up to the top players with long balls a lot. They then get it and move it around. They play some neat and clever stuff when in the final third. They had some decent chances but did not make the keeper work at all and will be disappointed. They actually did dominate first half; we gave it away a lot but they surged up the field at will and penned us back. They will feel they should have led at half time but did not. Second half they did not quite keep this level of intensity up and I always felt even at the end of the first half they take chances at the back and make mistakes. I feel we have a much better defence and it proved today – Leeds made some poor mistakes on a few occasions. The one that hit the post was ***** and small margins change games. We have maybe had a bit of luck in this regard but then Henderson was not tested all game.
At the other end the goal was avoidable and the red card was preventable too. Oddly they had big gaps and seemed a bit cavalier for a side that if they avoided defeat would have still been in pole position. I think they can still concede sloppy goals in the run in and that gives me hope. They clearly have so much energy and high fitness levels but we matched this today and at the end our lads looked more determined (big credit to our own fitness team) as they put bodes on the line. Leeds kind of run out of ideas after we scored. They have some really talented individual players. Some tricky young lads in Roberts and Harrison (although both on loan) and Bamford is a clever player who should have done more with his career – already a bit of a journeyman. Klich is a decent footballer who scored goal and Hernandez a real talent (would be great in the Duffy role!). I think the lad Clarke has a bit of Brooks about him and glad he did not get in the game much after he came on. They miss Roofe who has been a really important player for them. Alioski is a decent player and has oddly been better at left back but goes to floor a lot and constantly looking for the free kick; ditto for Jansson - a decent defender who moans and groans constantly. If they both just played the game, they would be much better.
Leeds main threat is their intensity on and off the ball so if this drops off as it did second half; they do not look anywhere near as threatening. A lot of their good football comes after regaining possession after swarming all over teams to get the ball back. When this did not happen 2nd half we were as good as them really. I expect them to last the pace and not sure they will drop many points but Bielsa seemed a little rattled at the end which was odd as he kept asking the interviewer his opinion. I actually quite like him! He is an odd character but he seems pretty straightforward and is quite honest. Shame he is Leeds manager as his quirky ways and clear talent for coaching is a bit wasted there! Sure, if Leeds do not go up, a few Premier League clubs may look at him but he is 63 I suppose. Mind you Warnock and Hodgson got 10 years on him! I do wonder if Leeds will keep that intensity up and high level of training with double sessions for a further season – mind you we have kept our style of play going and improved it so who knows. I just wonder if this level of intensity will/can be maintained longer term.