Leeds Utd v Norwich City match thread.

[Monaco_Totty]

LEEDS UTD v NORWICH CITY
Elland Road KO 19.45pm
Wed 24th Jan 2024

So Andy can enjoy his end of day Après ski drink(s) while his boots dry by the fire side i'll be his stand in so he then can enjoy his wild famed table dancing pièce de résistance encore speciality act for the locals.

Norwich currently 8th on 41 points now within 4 points of 5th place with Leeds 13 points ahead in 4th on 54 points so they're gonna be up & keen for it.

Nevertheless with 7 points coming from their last 5 away games, Norwich cannot be ruled out of closing that gap on Wednesday.

https://i.postimg.cc/yd4kXPb3/20240122-194831.jpg

The short turnaround for Leeds may result in Farke tinkering with his starting lineup potentially handing a recall to Piroe, say Sport Mole.

Bamford may potentially drop down to the bench, say WACCOE.

Cooper may start in defence after successfully returning after a groin issue, say Sport Mole.

Wilfried Gnonto will have a hip injury assessed but will not be considered for a starting role, says Farke.

Meanwhile, Norwich Coach Wagner is unlikely to make many changes - if any - to his Norwich XI after the win over West Brom, say the Norwich local press the Pink Un.

"We have to have a perfect day"
to inflict Leeds their first home defeat of the season as it is a tall task, Wagner says to BBC sports.

The Norwich City Coach David Wagner Leeds presser summary.
https://i.postimg.cc/c4X04m7M/20240122-193556.jpg

So Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; McLean, Sara; Rowe, Barnes, Sainz; Sargent.

Christian Fassnacht & Adam Idah are both alternatives in the final third but they may have to make do with a spot on the bench.
Last time out their cage;
Norwich City 2-0 WBA report. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67966139

[Rev72]

Tell the truth totty Andy's been sacked ;D

[spaldy]

Last seen going down a black diamond run totally out of control

[BelfastAndy]

Well, blow me (over)!!

🤣 thank you MT.

[BelfastAndy]

Last seen going down a black diamond run totally out of control

I did inadvertently swing onto Black 20 whereupon I disposed of my M&S Y-fronts at bottom. Very icy. Thought I had to stay alive to do Thread, but.........may as well have went full tilt and died.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Wot no Charlie!

Big 3 points needed to keep the pressure up.

[Monaco_Totty]

Club app stating tickets available & up for grabs for Norwich clash now.

https://i.postimg.cc/sxQW3trN/20240123-121212.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bSPrTVdx)

[Monaco_Totty]

Latest Data analysis stats.

https://i.postimg.cc/gc43dC7M/20240122-195826.jpg

[Monaco_Totty]

Well, blow me (over)!!

🤣 thank you MT.

Ta, your welcome Andy.
Ps The ski mechanic will be up to your room later with his spanners to get your skis off so you'll have a better nights sleep now mate. 👍


https://i.postimg.cc/CMv2xtyL/20240123-123639.jpg

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

To show that hope springs eternal - had we won the two games over the Christmas period we would now sit in second.

If we can go on a saints type run then we should overhaul Ipswich (who have a few injury issues now) and have a chance at reeling in the saints.

[spaldy]

I don't think Leicester is totally gone yet. still a lot of games to play and teams have had a chance to adjust to them.

Unfortunately, AB nailed it in another thread. we are the cup final for so many other teams. Leicester is not as much of one even though they've won the Prem in recent memory.

[BelfastAndy]

Ta, your welcome Andy.
Ps The ski mechanic will be up to your room later with his spanners to get your skis off so you'll have a better nights sleep now mate. 👍


https://i.postimg.cc/CMv2xtyL/20240123-123639.jpg

Lol

[Monaco_Totty]

Farkes presser on Norwich game & key questions asked today.

https://i.postimg.cc/rm3S8z4r/20240123-194438.jpg

Farke on pressuring teams above;

"I'm not so interested in psychological games. We're not playing games to put pressure on someone. We know we have the pressure that we are greedy to win every game-day. No-one puts pressure on us, we're always highly motivated to win a game of football. Especially not in this stage of the season, to put pressure on someone else. We want to win points and finish in the best possible position. We need as many top class performances. We concentrate on bringing that, grinding out results and letting the table take care of itself. I can't affect what happens [in Leicester v Ipswich]."

Farke on keeping Ampadu at center back;

"The momentum and what you think always changes. It relies on what happens in the training and the games. I want to create an environment where everyone if he performs has the chance to step up. Ethan was important in the deep six role, it's not to say if someone comes along and uses the position in a top class way, that Ethan will play there every game. Same with centre-back, cannot take this for granted. I was pleased in the last games, this relationship was quite good but it's a good feeling to have Cooper back because we need this. I hope Struijk will return pretty soon. Because the momentum can change quick, for me it's never cemented a player is playing one position. I'm a big friend to play players in their best position where they can shine most."

Farke on squad personalities;

"It's always important to have a group on the same page. We have different types in our group, obviously Georginio Rutter is a different human being to Liam Cooper, that is necessary. Ilia Gruev is different to Cree Summerville. You still share the same values and go in the same direction, this is always important, this is why I'm so on it to check the personality and character of players and overall it's never a guarantee it always pays off. Sometimes you need a bit of luck with injuries. I love to work with difficult characters, some human beings where perhaps in their earlier years it's not so easy to lead them. Or in my former clubs, we had players where you'd say it's not like he's the most disciplined guy. I think this type of players, you make sure you use their creativity and individualism and being special for the group. If you want to achieve something special you need that, but retain a solid base. You need to find a good mix and balance. Sometimes when you have too much disciplined and lack the something special, you sign the special player. Other times you have to bring serious, disciplined players on the pitch."

Farke on Ilia Gruev;

"More importance than the talking is on the pitch. When he's on the pitch, no-one covers more distance than Ilia. He's always solid and reliable, plays in possession with rare mistakes, disciplined, top work ethic, if you are like this on the pitch you can imagine he's like this off the pitch. From the first day he was humble, modest, hard-working and patient. He waited for his chance, more or less first one in, last one out of the training pitch, did extra work, add more strength to his body, how he can improve his nutrition, he's one of the most professional players I've worked with. We knew we were pretty sure the character we were signing. We thought he would be a perfect addition. Due to the quality of our other midfield players, he had to stay on it and when we unleash him I can't praise him enough. We are there with a perfect January so far, but he has to keep going. He has to improve further on, and to speak about a quality player, after many years and many months, not just a couple of weeks."

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Looks like Cresswell may be back in the match day squad

[spaldy]

Not on ESPN+ here across the pond. Bummer. Usually a great broadcast and provides excellent feeds.

[cherrypie7]

I think Norwich might park the National Express on the 18 yard line tonight. Catch Leeds on the break. Also expect some fouls and acting to rile up the lads.They would have seen how well it worked with Preston. Time wasting starting by the 5th min. Its a game on a cold wednesday evening, anything can happen. Norwich coming in with a solid 2-0 win over Albion. Dont feel good about this game. Only good thing is we are at Elland road. Thats helpful.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Quite liked Farke’s press conference comments about the title race and just focussing game by game on winning 3 points and ignore the others.

Let’s hope we come out on fire like we did v Ipswich at home.

MOT

[BelfastAndy]

It will be on soccerinhd.com. its listed there.

[BelfastAndy]

https://www.matkasingle.net/championship-leeds-united-vs-norwich-city-24-01-24/

[Oranje White]

Bein Sport.... the "home of the championship" don't have this game. Unbelievable. Only one game tonight and they won't show it. Useless.

[Billyni]

Can I have whatever Bamfords been having

[Billyni]

Another free kick from a position where we could put them under pressure wasted. Instead we play it back.

[WTF11]

Gone off the boil these as 15 minutes, back to tippy tappy and everything square.

[WTF11]

They may not attack often but when they do they look more likely to score!

[Billyni]

On balance of play we should be 2 up, instead we ended the half getting lucky.

[BelfastAndy]

Enjoying match on phone with glass of red.

https://i.postimg.cc/QV0nYsTy/Screenshot-20240124-213759-Whats-App.jpg (https://postimg.cc/QV0nYsTy)

[Billyni]

Under the cosh at home to a team with 16pts less than us

[WTF11]

It's coming, just not sure when.....

[WTF11]

Harder to miss than to score, and on his left.

Totally lost it this half.

[Billyni]

Cnuty Barnes on now too

[Billyni]

Now we are even playing our corners back.
And nearly cost a goal.

[Billyni]

Why do we need to have to make knicker bricks in every game

[WTF11]

Subs, with 2 minute to play, wtf?

[Billyni]

Well, we got away with it.
Another 3 welcome points.

[WTF11]

Nonsensical subs (again), a second half where we looked like scoring once and were very lucky not to concede. Not anything to write home about, apart from Rutter dancing his usual dance, one standout in an otherwise mediocre performance.

[WTF11]

Before I forget, thanks for the link Andy.

[Billyni]

Before I forget, thanks for the link Andy.

Indeed :D

A link from the piste.

[norfolk white]

Just glad we won

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Me too - all that really matters at the back end of the season

[spaldy]

Subs, with 2 minute to play, wtf?

time wasting.

It worked. there was absolutely no flow to the stoppage time. we had a goal lead. Just needed to run out the clock.

[Billyni]

Archie motm for me.
We will miss him and James if they don’t recover.

[Orgoner]

Archie motm for me.
We will miss him and James if they don’t recover.

Archie single-handedly stopped their most promising attack. Hard to believe he’s only 17!

[Orgoner]

Oh, and cheers for the link Andy! Much appreciated.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Orgonomics - the art of moderating

[Orgoner]

Orgonomics - the art of moderating

Without seemingly doing anything useful whatsoever. :O

[cherrypie7]

Thought we played well. Created 4 or 5 good chances. Took one. Allowed only a couple. Cannot understand why we are not always at our best midweek. Is it a fitness issue? In Bielsa's time we did not lose midweek (while in championship).