Leeds United - v - Burnley ***Matchday Thread***

[BelfastAndy]

https://i.postimg.cc/8JXztdzg/images-jpeg.jpg (https://postimg.cc/8JXztdzg)

Leeds will assess captain Liam Cooper after he suffered an abdominal strain at Manchester United at the weekend.

Fellow centre-back Robin Koch remains sidelined but Diego Llorente is back in training after injury and may feature.

Burnley midfielders Dwight McNeil and Robbie Brady will be monitored after suffering respective groin and hamstring problems against Wolves.

Jack Cork and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are not expected to be involved despite stepping up their training this week.

Burnley are on a good run, with two draws and two wins in their past four games, and this should be a good game.

Leeds are not great defensively in open play or at set-pieces, and their goalkeeper Illan Meslier makes some good saves but doesn't command the area.

Meslier is just a kid at 20. He looks like he has the makings of a really good keeper, but he isn't one at the moment. He is still learning, and he is playing behind a porous back four.

Leeds know their strength is going forward, though, and they are not going to change. I think they will win, but there is no way they are getting a clean

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

The teams have not met in the English top flight since the 1975-76 season, when Leeds won both encounters.Burnley are unbeaten in the last four league contests, winning three times and drawing once.

Leeds United

Leeds have lost five of their previous eight league games, winning twice and drawing once. There have been 22 goals scored in Leeds' past four fixtures - over five per game.

The Whites' are the only club to have both attempted and faced over 200 Premier League shots this term.Only matches involving champions Liverpool have produced more goals that the 54 registered in Leeds' games.

The Whites have conceded a league-high 30 goals.They are unbeaten against sides currently below them in the table (prior to Boxing Day's fixtures), winning twice and drawing once.Leeds' top scorer Patrick Bamford made six Premier League substitute appearances for Burnley in 2016-17.

Burnley

Burnley have won two of their last three league games, as many as in their previous 14 fixtures.They have suffered defeat just once in seven matches, both winning and drawing on three occasions.

The Clarets have kept four away league clean sheets in their seven matches this season, second only to Aston Villa's tally of five.They have won only two of their past 16 league matches away to newly-promoted opposition.

Games involved Burnley have produced a league-low 27 goals, with their tally of eight goals the division's joint lowest.Burnley are one short of 200 Premier League goals under Sean Dyche.Chris Wood scored 24 goals in 44 appearances for Leeds prior to joining Burnley in 2017.

MOT.

Not got a clue about score prediction yet.....

[pete1967b]

Just for those who are not sure, its free to air on Sky One as well as the Sports channels..

[WTF11]

Just for those who are not sure, its free to air on Sky One as well as the Sports channels..

Sky getting into the festive spirit?😉

[Ozwhites]

The odds of Chris Wood scoring a header from a corner or freekick? :O

[Billyni]

Good start Oz O:)

[cherrypie7]

The odds of Chris Wood scoring a header from a corner or freekick? :O
Mustn't concede early. That's the main thing. Go from there. Have a feeling Burnley will fancy themselves winning this one so might be slightly more attack minded than usual.

[CalverleyBoy]

Ten minutes too early

[cherrypie7]

Barndoor Bamford!

[Orgoner]

Penalty seemed harsh, but we’ll take it!

[CalverleyBoy]

Dyche moaning like F@@@

[Ozwhites]

Just what we needed in scoring early. I'm a little iffy with the decision I'll admit. Could have gone either way.

[CalverleyBoy]

Makes up for the ones we should have had

[Orgoner]

We need to dial into this referee’s interpretation of fouls quickly.

[Billyni]

Ehh? Stonewall penalty.

[Billyni]

Messlier got away with that one.

[WTF11]

Need to stop giving f00king stupid free kicks away! The next one (goal I mean) might be given!

[Orgoner]

We have a Homer!

[Ozwhites]

Messlier got away with that one.

Sure did. Don't mind him coming out for those given our problems with them. But should punch instead of catch when leaning over the top like that.

[WTF11]

WTF is Klich trying to do?????? Shoot by al means, but at least get it on target!

[Orgoner]

Klich in shooting masterclass!

[Orgoner]

Profligate.

[Billyni]

Fk me. Howd we miss that

[Ozwhites]

Klich in shooting masterclass!

He has been shooting like that ever since I started taking him as the first scorer!...haha. I've stopped now....

[WTF11]

Fk me. Howd we miss that

We gave them Bamford as a defender!:P

[Ozwhites]

Fk me. Howd we miss that

A quid for the number of times Bamf gets in the way of one of our own shots. :O

[Orgoner]

Phillips’ man bun tickled Wood’s face and put him off?

[WTF11]

Some very sloppy passing going on, and not from them!

[Orgoner]

Taken foot off of the gas.

[Billyni]

Gifting them chances now.

[Orgoner]

They’re definitely missing McNeil and Brady. Lucky for us.

[Billyni]

Our crossbar is too high on our training pitch

[CalverleyBoy]

Wood must be wishing he was still at Leeds

[Orgoner]

Our crossbar is too high on our training pitch

Maybe we’ve been practicing defending crosses too much?

Over: good. Under: bad.

[Orgoner]

Wood must be wishing he was still at Leeds

Wood wouldn’t have wooded it over the woodwork.

[cherrypie7]

They’re definitely missing McNeil and Brady. Lucky for us.
Really lucky with the call on the Burnley no goal. Should have been 1 - 1. Meslier caught "flapping" like Casilla.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Some very sloppy passing going on, and not from them!

Agreed - cross field balls especially abs Klich has not been very accurate either.

Would take 3 points though even with a large slice of luck - puts more distance to the bottom 3 give the results this weekend.

[Billyni]

It’s there for the taking, and ours to lose.

[alfinyalcabo]

Another ref giving Leeds all the decisions.. A right homer..

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Ayling, Rapha and Bamf all playing well and Struijk doing well too. Lots of others just lacking accuracy in play. Wonder if Pablo comes on early

[UbiqueLUFC33]

FFS let's get the second (and third) becaue until we do it's going to be nervy. 4 or 5 good chances wasted.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Another ref giving Leeds all the decisions.. A right homer..

Hmmmn - maybe a few harsh decisions Alf but we don’t usually get them and my god your players do like a moan - surprised the ref hasn’t told them to button it - especially Ashley Barnes - he even moaned for the free kick given against him from grabbing a leg.

You look dangerous from set pieces though.

[Orgoner]

FFS let's get the second (and third) becaue until we do it's going to be nervy. 4 or 5 good chances wasted.

It’s what we do, innit?

[Sniffer999]

Sky pundit very anti Leeds. Is it Andy Hinchcliffe ? It’s embarrassing really.
Burnley are moaning and complaining about every little thing no matter how ridiculous. Yes they have had a penalty shout turned down but I think the ref is getting fed up of their constant bitching.
Just hope the ref does what he thinks is right and doesn’t eventually give in to them.
We need to rap this up though with all the dominance and chances. Burnley have been very poor.

[Orgoner]

Another ref giving Leeds all the decisions.. A right homer..

I’d be annoyed if I were you.

By so many things. :D

[cherrypie7]

First time since game against Fulham, 13 games ago that Leeds have the lead at halftime. That was through a penalty too.

[Billyni]

Is meslier not allowed to kick the ball over the half way line.

[Orgoner]

We’re dicking about

[cherrypie7]

Really poor at the moment.

[Orgoner]

Really poor at the moment.

I hope this isn’t our plan B.

[Billyni]

Pablo please

[Ozwhites]

We’re dicking about

It looks like one of those training drills where once the backline win the ball, you kick it back to them to run at you again!

[CalverleyBoy]

Breaking news from the commentators, it's been raining in Leeds in December -

[Billyni]

Did someone swap the halftime oranges for turkey

[Orgoner]

Did someone swap the halftime oranges for turkey

Should we wear the cranberry kit?

We’d have them wrapped around our finger.

* Lets joke linger *

[Hugh_G_Rection]

We are going to throw this away if we're not careful.

[WTF11]

Is meslier not allowed to kick the ball over the half way line.

You think?

[Orgoner]

We are total bobbins at the moment.

[WTF11]

wtf are we doing?

[Billyni]

It’s comming

[WTF11]

Shackleton coming on? I mean, against these brick sh1thouses? Really?

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

We are going to throw this away if we're not careful.


Wish we were trying to play 50 yards further up the pitch

[BelfastAndy]

Klich hectic. Needs to go on holiday.

[WTF11]

Can ANYBODY see where the f00king net is when they shoot??????

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

They seem to want it more we look bereft of ideas and desire to win. Klich been very very poor

[Orgoner]

I guess the pitch isn’t helping, but...

[BelfastAndy]

Shooting unbelievably bad

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Oh that was shooting ....🙈🙉🕍

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Our much vaunted press looks like sit back and watch them attack us today

[WTF11]

Our much vaunted press looks like sit back and watch them attack us today

I think were aiming to show how fit we are by not attacking, just defending!

[WTF11]

Never thought I would say this, but greedy cnut!!! That was 2, dead set!

[Orgoner]

I like Poveda, but this doesn’t seem to be much of a tactical response to what’s happening?

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Let’s hope the subs make an impact

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I like Poveda, but this doesn’t seem to be much of a tactical response to what’s happening?
He can keep the ball and pass it well - which not ever player can say today . Think he allows us to play keep ball better especially when playing with Pablo

[WTF11]

Phillips is doing a stirling job, thankfully!

[WTF11]

Let’s hope the subs make an impact

Not sure Shackleton is right against these giants

[Orgoner]

Those man buns are better in the air than the heads.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Been good defensively but he seems recently to slow us down when we have the ball and lacks urgency and drive going forwards.

[WTF11]

Now we have a player who should shoot, and doesnt!

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

One of those days I guess

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Bamf been good with little service

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

44% possession second half shows how poor we have been given how we play

[Orgoner]

Shetland ponies against shire horses at the moment.

[WTF11]

Who is the cnut commentating, a Burnley player, coach, fan, chairman, Sean Dyche?????

[Ozwhites]

Not sure Shackleton is right against these giants

I think Shackleton and Poveda simply brought on to chase. Being overrun in midfield.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Andy Hinchcliffe? Seems to be almost as negative about us as Don Goodman

[Orgoner]

Sea horses against c horses.

[Orgoner]

Blow the whistle, ref.

[WTF11]

Andy Hinchcliffe? Seems to be almost as negative about us as Don Goodman

Cnut, whoever he is

[Billyni]

Thankfully I got new knickers for Christmas

[Orgoner]

Stephen Warnock the co-commentator here.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Knickers? - lacy ones with a little bow?

[WTF11]

Stephen Warnock the co-commentator here.

So which is the Burnley fan?

[Orgoner]

Catch the bloody ball!

[WTF11]

First touch has generally been f00king appalling!

[Orgoner]

So which is the Burnley fan?

Remarkably balanced, considering how pants we’ve been this half.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

First touch has generally been f00king appalling!

Not sure it has been that good

[Billyni]

3 long mins

[WTF11]

Barnes is about the most childish f00k I have ever seen (even including Jack Grealish!), should have been sent off (can you imagine what would happen to him in Rugby Union?)

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

In rugby his own team would sort him out

[WTF11]

And breathe!

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Lucky 3 points but the 3 points are all that matter when playing teams below us

[Billyni]

Dyche will need a few extra packets of throat lozenges this evening

[Orgoner]

We didn’t deserve a draw, let alone a win.

[WTF11]

I'll take 3 points ground out against a team of crybabies (even though they did have the majority of play!)

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Up to 11th - how mad is this league!

[Orgoner]

Just realized I predicted a 1-0 win with Bamford scoring.

Sorry about that. My fault.

[Billyni]

Happy enough, probably would have taken a draw at the start..

Our performances have taken a dip though.

[CalverleyBoy]

Those three points could play a big part in our survival this season but I believe we will come good in the New Year we just need a couple of players back

[norfolk white]

We may have won, and the 3 points are gratefully received, but that was truly awful, the ref was suberb.....for us, struik and Philips were immense, as was ayling, the rest were pants.

[ozleeds]

Geez bunch of whingers.Win and still whinge lol.
Played crap with so many injuries but we scraped a win this is not beautiful football Leeds should be ashamed.:O
Billy bad finish XD

[Billyni]

And thanks for the 3 points Alf.;D;D

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Think we are about 4 players short of having a deep enough squad - lack of options in midfield if we are not going to play any younger players - need back up for Bamf and a left back.

[CalverleyBoy]

Bamford needs credit for his penalty take, we have missed more than enough in the past

[Orgoner]

They’re slagging the referee off big time on the idiot box here.

[LeedsFTW]

Another 3 pts, which we did well to hold out for.

Philips, Messier were immense. Ayling decent enough and Struijk his height and physicality made a difference.

Still say LB is an achilles heel but a good result.

[WTF11]

Geez bunch of whingers.Win and still whinge lol.
Played crap with so many injuries but we scraped a win this is not beautiful football Leeds should be ashamed.:O
Billy bad finish XD

WTF???? We can't/won't play like f00king Real Madrid, or Barca, or Liverpool, certainly not this season, but a win against a team that at least came at us and made a game of it, and where we weren't stellar, is precisely what we have to learn to do, because we sure as hell won't do what we did against Newcastle (nor against Scum). Prefer it if we made them look ordinary, but we didn't and STILL came away with 3 points and all the better for it.

[UbiqueLUFC33]

To be brutally fair we got a few decisions today but it makes a nice change. Phillips, Ayling and Strujk all played really well. Meslier made some good saves but his distribution is utter toilet. Raphina had a good first half but fell away as we lost the impetus. I like Poveda and he always looks capable of creating something.We should have buried 2 or 3 more chances in the first half which would have made it a much more enjoyable 2nd half. One more positive is that we successfully defended 12 corners against a team of comparative giants without any of of our recognised centre backs.

[WTF11]

To be brutally fair we got a few decisions today but it makes a nice change. Phillips, Ayling and Strujk all played really well. Meslier made some good saves but his distribution is utter toilet. Raphina had a good first half but fell away as we lost the impetus. I like Poveda and he always looks capable of creating something.We should have buried 2 or 3 more chances in the first half which would have made it a much more enjoyable 2nd half. One more positive is that we successfully defended 12 corners against a team of comparative giants without any of of our recognised centre backs.

Spot on, with one minor disagreement, Mesliers distribution TODAY wasn't good, not to his usual standard (which is usually (IMHO) very good)

[klix]

Papers in the morning leeds 1 burnley 0
End of 3 points that's all matters
Now to WBA

[cherrypie7]

They’re slagging the referee off big time on the idiot box here.
Even Rebecca Lowe is having a go. I guess her Crystal Palace team isn't doing so well. Anyway, the problem is the ref blew the whistle, and a couple of Leeds players did stop. So we will never know if burnley would have scored without the whistle. I thought 1-1 would have been a just result. We were unwatchably poor in the 2nd half. Didn't seem to connect on passes. Alioski and to a lesser extent Ayling spent slipping and falling. Why was the Elland road, pitch so cut up? West Ham playing, and their pitch looks pristine.

[Sniffer999]

Superb today from the lads. Battled and battled right to the end. Long injury list but we coped.
We play lovely football and get slaughtered, now we dig in and battle and get slaughtered ?!
No team in history can play well every game.
Surprised nobody has mentioned the pitch ? Horrendous playing surface. No pitches are like that anymore. A passing team are hugely affected whereas a long ball team with aggression are benefitted hugely. It isn’t the same for both sides in reality.
So well battled and an excellent 3 points given all the circumstances I say.
Pitch needs sorting ASAP

[cherrypie7]

Superb today from the lads. Battled and battled right to the end. Long injury list but we coped.
We play lovely football and get slaughtered, now we dig in and battle and get slaughtered ?!
No team in history can play well every game.
Surprised nobody has mentioned the pitch ? Horrendous playing surface. No pitches are like that anymore. A passing team are hugely affected whereas a long ball team with aggression are benefitted hugely. It isn’t the same for both sides in reality.
So well battled and an excellent 3 points given all the circumstances I say.
Pitch needs sorting ASAP
Sniffer you missed the my post just before yours, asking about the cut up pitch.

[Sniffer999]

Sniffer you missed the my post just before yours, asking about the cut up pitch.
Sorry Cherry just noticed pal. I had started reading your post but thought it was just about someone else slagging is off so stopped before pitch bit.
ALL the pitches are like carpets. Rain doesn’t affect them badly due to training systems so it’s a mystery as to why out pitch is so bad.
I could imagine Burnley intentionally making their home pitch like that but it’s a killer for us.
Lots of work needed or maybe a new pitch....or a new grounds man !?

[asturianblanco]

whats not to like? Won ugly against an old school physical side, clean sheet and thats with no defence, some of you will doubtless complain that we didnt play fancy football today! bring on WBA.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Sorry Cherry just noticed pal. I had started reading your post but thought it was just about someone else slagging is off so stopped before pitch bit.
ALL the pitches are like carpets. Rain doesn’t affect them badly due to training systems so it’s a mystery as to why out pitch is so bad.
I could imagine Burnley intentionally making their home pitch like that but it’s a killer for us.
Lots of work needed or maybe a new pitch....or a new grounds man !?

Pitch was bad for them too.

Yes sometimes teams have off days but few players seem to have increasingly poor games.

Klich has been below par - giving the ball away not as much energy woeful shooting seemingly lacking energy

Phillips - was decent defensively today but with the ball seems to mainly go sideways or back and put other players under pressure when he gives it them.

Dallas - not hit the highs or before.

Harrison - loses the ball a lot recently does not seem as effective pressing.

Alioski - gives the ball away a lot.


Not moaning but we have lacked energy and for want of a better word out mojo in a number of games recently.

Agree lack of squad depth coupled with injuries does not help but is we want to play possession football then when certain players who are there as much for defensive work rate are not doing it not sure why players like poveda start on the bench.

Shackleton even from RB brought more energy.

Very pleased we got 3 points today, glad we have a 3 game cushion to 18th but there were some frustrating things to watch today which are beginning to be a little deja vu.

Not a co-incidence Klich taken off early two games in a row or a Phillips subbed last week for tactics reasons.

Plus pints today

3 points
Ayling
Meslier
Struijk - he was good in the air too
Bamford - his running, movement and effort today was excellent and top pen
Rapha
Pablo
Poveda
Shacks

Will be interesting to see who starts in the quick turnaround for the next game.

[Sniffer999]

The old saying “it’s the same for both sides” in regards to the pitch is nonsense. I acknowledge the fact that both teams play on the same pitch obviously but how it affects them is not the same.
Leeds play a slick passing game which requires a good playing surface.
Burnley are mostly long ball merchants where deliveries into the box are usually from a stationary position.
A crap surface is so frustrating for the footballing side. It makes a massive difference.
We don’t want to have our own pitch like that !

[spaldy]

Was a groundsman in a prior job

Suspect 2-3 inches of rain on a pitch thats had some freezing down below makes thier job almost impossible . They also cut the pitch very low which prevents deeper root growth.

[Orgoner]

I guess the pitch isn’t helping, but...

* Coughs loudly. *

The (relatively new, at least to this level) ref made the mistake of blowing his whistle before their “goal” went in so the ball was effectively dead. VAR could only review Meslier’s flap at the ball in relation to Mee.

They might still have had a case for a PK, but both Mee and Meslier were jumping towards each other rather than straight up. No foul either way unless you object to the position of Meslier’s leading knee? Dodged a bullet either way.

Looking back at our PK it seems like it was the right decision. Pope didn’t help his case with the angle he launched his foot at the ball/player.

Meslier didn’t have his best game, but Lady Luck was on his side this time...

[Billyni]

Clobbered by the keeper. Now wer talkin proper keeping.

[Billyni]

Wet spam v the bumboys was a good result for us today too.

[WTF11]

Wet spam v the bumboys was a good result for us today too.

Hmmm, would have preferred a Brighton win.

[Orgoner]

Hmmm, would have preferred a Brighton win.

Would’ve happened too if Ben White had been taught how to defend corners...

[Ozwhites]

Jury probably still out on whether Struijk is a possible solution at the back, but he performed really well today. Won a lot of aerial challenges too, so believe he should have been tried a lot earlier than Cooper/Ayling combo in the middle.
1-1 would probably have been a fairer result given our very poor 2nd half...and not just saying that because I picked that score!:D
Meslier better start performing better with those high balls or I reckon we are a real chance of seeing our mate Kiko in between the sticks before long. :s Great reflexes with shot stopping...but all at sea and no confidence coming out for the crosses.

A great belated Xmas present anyway! :o

[Hugh_G_Rection]

Glad we got the three points but I agree with one or two others on here that we appear to have list a bit of our mojo the last few games.
Our passing and pressing just isn't quite clicking at the moment but we are still picking up points so can't complain too much.
I also disagree with pretty much everyone else in that I thought the referee got it spot on for the 'penalty' claim.
You can't claim to be competing for the ball if the ball is a foot and a half above your head at the point of impact.

[wortleygirl]

It would appear from reports in various media that Ashley Barnes has accused Meslier of "trying to 'smash' Ben Mee"

I personally find that this comment disgraceful and I would hope (but I won't hold my breath) that the FA charge him with bringing the game into disrepute.

I have heard of sour grapes but this takes the biscuit.

[WTF11]

It would appear from reports in various media that Ashley Barnes has accused Meslier of "trying to 'smash' Ben Mee"

I personally find that this comment disgraceful and I would hope (but I won't hold my breath) that the FA charge him with bringing the game into disrepute.

I have heard of sour grapes but this takes the biscuit.

Well, if true (see previous post on the subject of whinging), it would be just about par for the course, given the juvenile antics of just about every Burnley player, but Barnes was giving a masterclass on how to be a first class cry-baby.

Like you, I doubt that the FA would have the spine to take on this kind of behaviour/accusation, but we live in hope.

More to the point (perhaps) is the question as to why, in a sport which has substantially less physical contact than in rugby (either code), is it still permissible for players to "get in the face" of match officials as we saw yesterday (and see regularly in all matches)?. Same process should apply, when the ref makes a call, players accept, good or bad, or they get sin-binned and leave their team mates to suffer from their poor manners. Why not?

[UbiqueLUFC33]

Well, if true (see previous post on the subject of whinging), it would be just about par for the course, given the juvenile antics of just about every Burnley player, but Barnes was giving a masterclass on how to be a first class cry-baby.

Like you, I doubt that the FA would have the spine to take on this kind of behaviour/accusation, but we live in hope.

More to the point (perhaps) is the question as to why, in a sport which has substantially less physical contact than in rugby (either code), is it still permissible for players to "get in the face" of match officials as we saw yesterday (and see regularly in all matches)?. Same process should apply, when the ref makes a call, players accept, good or bad, or they get sin-binned and leave their team mates to suffer from their poor manners. Why not?

As a supporter of rugby, I am constantly embarrassed and amazed by the pathetic play acting, histrionics and rolling around on the ground that is routinely displayed by far too many modern footballers. The contrast with rugby where guys are regularly getting properly smashed and just get up and get on with it is startling. Also, as you say, the respect shown to referees in rugby is something football could learn a lot from. A strong revamp of the rules, rigourously applied would go a long way to removing dissent and moaning from the game. Somehow, I doubt that the FA or FIFA will have the spine to implement it.

[joellufcprice]

Would’ve happened too if Ben White had been taught how to defend corners...

4 centre backs and they can't defend corners, at least we have an excuse ;D