Fulham - v - Leeds United ***EFL 3rd Round***Matchday Thread***

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

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Originally Posted by Rev72

Ok ok it wasn't great but we can forget about this Comp now and concentrate on what really matters....THE LEAGUE!

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We have another round yet before we can forget about it - suggest we play a similar strength team next round and give opportunities whilst others are rested - surprised Meslier played but as well he did

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Originally Posted by hopelesslyoptimistic

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

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Comments regarding Cresswell;

https://tbrfootball.com/leeds-fans-r...lay-vs-fulham/

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Originally Posted by WTF11

My issue, which clearly escapes the likes of you and Ozwhites, isn't about being good enough to play in the 1st team, I have commented frequently about the need to plan for their inclusion in 1st team games rather than do so when injury or suspension forces the clubs hand. I disagree, strongly, with those players being placed in a position of absolute criticality, with less than the time it takes Starbucks to make a latte having been spent on the 1st team playing field.

You comment from the favourable position of a supporter who supports the team that won, and did so because as you say, the young lads who came on at the sudden death stage held their nerve and performed much more creditably than their senior counterparts in the arguably less pressure part of the penalty competition, and the goalkeeper was up to the task of not only saving the opposition kick, but as a result taking us into the next round.

Consider what would have happened if either had missed (irrespective of whether they were willing to take the penalty in the first place) . We would all be understanding, the comments that the players received would be universally supportive, despite the fact that yet again we would have failed to reach the next round (moreso than any other club), the players would be appreciative of all the kind comments and solid, unwavering support they would get from fans near and far? What f00king universe do you occupy if you think that would be anywhere NEAR the truth? And the club apparently thought it worth taking the risk that we would have the same kind of fallout as the England players did.

I don't give a flying f00k if you think I'm trying to pick an argument, I know I'm not and never in a million years would I have asked (or accepted a volunteering effort from) two young lads who have shown courage and capability but who the club has seen little or no use for as yet, to take sudden death penalties in a cup competition this club has an undeniably woeful track record in.

End of for me, no further contribution on this subject and no reply to any replies, f00k it.

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I'm not arguing with you, I completely agree with the lack of game time these youngsters get under Bielsa and only ever get a look in when we have injuries or suspensions and even then it rarely happens. As for the penalties tonight only Shackleton and Cresswell were the only outfield players not to take one, it's not like there was much of a choice, as for the order they were selected maybe Bielsa selected the first 5 based on the fact he hoped it would be settled without having to have a youngster take one, regardless they could have been placed anywhere in the order and still suffer the heartbreak of missing or the delight of scoring, that's what happens in penalty shoot-outs, they were on the field at the end of play so have a good chance of having to take one at some stage..

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Originally Posted by WTF11

And why would either of the players you mention not be deemed capable of taking a penalty in such circumstances, when a player with around 14 minutes TOTAL 1st team experience is?

I have siad a few times, in this thread, that I'm pleased (VERY) with how the young players held their nerve (when a few of the senior counterparts clearly didn't) and we are through to the next round. But consider what the reaction would have been if either had missed. How would the fans react (at ER and online)? Given we have been knocked out at this stage more than any club, the reaction might not be so euphoric as it is now, and then what for those players?

Load of guff spouted about looking after players mental and physical well being, sown to be such when young players are expected to shoulder the burden that their senior counterparts ought to have taken care of during normal time (when are we going to realise we paid £26m for a f0oking dud!!????)

You think I am "helping to cover the statement regarding "no younger players getting used""? Please do take that statement absolutely seriously, as I have absolute control over who will and won't be used, didn't you know that???? I was labouring under the clear misconception that you had some grey matter between your ears, I was obviously mistaken (and as for Summerville and Gelhardt playing in certain positions where injuries aren't an issue, probably true, just a pity that those who were playing in those positions this evening and who aren't (currently) injured couldn't hot a barn door from 5 yards with a sawn-off shotgun, otherwise all is absolutely peachy!).

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And Cresswell is a seasoned pro at this level??? Turn things around quicker than a dog on heat! I'll leave you prattle on to others about it all...

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Originally Posted by hopelesslyoptimistic

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

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Agree with all the above, Rodrigo started to control the game once Roberts went off and started to look the player we hoped he'd be, Dallas should have been replaced early in the game, had a few knocks and looked off the pace and think it was risky leaving him on considering all the injuries we have of late, I thought Shackleton played well in both positions , Thought Cresswell had a great game and and can pass well with both feet and brings the ball out well, McKinstry did well also, doesn't dwell on the ball and seems to know exactly what he's going to do when he receives it , much better from James tonight, Firpo was all over the place at times and seems to think he's a foward more than a defender but it's another game under his belt, glad to see Forshaw get some game time and he did ok.

Creswell has to be given games after that just like Pat last season but we know what happened when all the others were fit.
Yes once all fit this kids won't see the daylight.
But we know the MB way so we expect that. Just like Meslier and pat when they had to be played I hoped he did notice the kid.

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Originally Posted by WTF11

Comments regarding Cresswell;

https://tbrfootball.com/leeds-fans-r...lay-vs-fulham/

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And by contrast our latest multi-million pound transfer;

https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/09/blo...s-performance/

Very re-assuring

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Originally Posted by hopelesslyoptimistic

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

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Great for me to hear reports from the fans who were at games, cheers.

At the end of the day we won and penalties to boot, by the look on the players faces they are well pleased, I bet a good dressing room after game with lots of ribbing! Lots of talking points but at last a kickstart (fingers crossed).
Now to the business of our next fixture, another battle for us … great. Cup or not I would much rather go into this next game with a win rather then us being knocked out. Surely the players young and seasoned alike will be on a bit of a high.

some proper shighte being espoused on this thread.

We won in London, and a few of the kids got a run out and gained some valuable experience.

Nothing to see here, move on....