Newcastle United FC 0 Leeds United 0 – a scrappy point. Leeds earn a vital point against a top team through a combination of stubborn resliance and Newcastle’s own wastefulness in front of goal.
Heavy persistent rain added to the slipperiness of the pitch in a physical game with plenty of fouls. Fans on both sides were loud and added to the tense atmosphere.
Trippier was Newcastle’s best player on the right commanding the play. Newcastle tried to expose Leeds down the wings by crossing long behind the Leeds defence – a number of teams use this tactic.
For Leeds Gnonto was our best player making darting runs down the left creating chances in the penalty box. Rodrigo relied on Gnonto for passes into the penalty box – this could work in the future as Gnonto settles into the team.
Newcastle were dangerous with set piece on corners and numerous free kicks using their superior height in the penalty box. They created more chances in the first half but Leeds defence have protected Meslier well.
Nervous moment before half time when Shar clashes with Adams in the penalty box – a fifty-fifty if that is called as a penalty. Thankfully not.
Forshaw looked rusty with passes going astray. Leeds not comfortable with holding the ball and patiently building. Adams provided reassurance in defence. Aaronson and Harrison were energetic without creating many opportunities. Leeds again lacking shots on target.
Second half onslaught
Second half starts scrappily with one foul after another. Joelinton joining in needlessly to a foul on Roca (on at half time) and escapes without a card. Newcastle start brightly and win the free kicks and use their height to test Meslier.The shots keep coming in the first 30 minutes.
Every time Leeds go forward Newcastle win the back the ball. It’s excruciating to watch. A rare attack by Rodrigo ends up with an over pass. Finally Rodrigo has a shot on target after 55 minutes but otherwise Leeds are pinned inside their own half. Leeds bring on Klich to support the defence. Referee is struggling to hold on to the game as he books Gnoto for not being ten yards back from a free kick.
Leeds look to push forward with Sumerville replacing our best player Gnonto. Last ten minutes see Gelhardt haev an opportunity to make an impact.
It all kicks off in extra time as Newcastle are frustrated at Leeds taking them time. Callum Wilson for a needless push on Meslier. Bruno is carded for his anger towards Adams in the penalty box.
Leeds’ stubborn resilience earns them a point at St James’ Park. Newcastle fans not impressed by the wastefuless of Newcastle in front of goal.
Player of the match: Gnonto
Poster Girl by Veronica Roth is a mild dystopian thriller set after a coup in which the lead character finds out about past misdemeanours she was caught up in, and how the new regime has a guilty link to it as well.
As a dystopian novel it is fairly safe – life in the Aperture – the ‘imprisoned’ housing sector – feels more like a friendly community even though the new regime – the “Triumvirate” – is hands off with its organisation. It has become institutionalised in how it manages itself – but there is no sense of needing to be policed or that gangs roam.
The dystopian element is described in how one regime has performed a coup over the other with little to offer apart from apparently dropping the “Insight” ocular implant that dictates every aspect of people’s lives and enables the regime to operate as a surveillance state – but then it becomes apparent the new regime still uses it as a tracking tool.
The Insight also monitored the behavior of each citizen, awarding or deducting “DesCoin”—their currency—based on their actions – something we have seen in Black Mirror, and used to a degree in China. The question, here, is how we determine what is right or wrong and who makes those decisions, sadly Veronica Roth doesn’t debate these questions in the novel.
The Triumvirate has replaced the Insight with “Elicits,” which are much closer to the smartphones we have today. Unfortunately Veronica Roth never properly weaves Elicits into the plot.
The story focuses on Sonya Kantor being offered the opportunity to leave the Aperture in return for finding a missing girl. Why she was chosen for this task and Why Alexander Price is involved is held back until the end of the novel.
So the dystopian story is actually more about the history of the coup and one woman’s role in unravelling what happened the plot device of children going missing in the old regime – the “Delegation”. For all the horror the plot focuses on learning the truth of what happened.
Roth’s strength lies in the characters that Sonya Kantor – the ‘poster girl’ – meets in her journey. The women – Knox and Naomi – are spikey – but the main man – Alexander Price – is a little dull. Oddly, it is difficult to work out what Sonya Kantor’s age is herself, from how she relates to other characters and reflects on her family life.
Veronica Roth weaves the story clearly and at a steady pace. With the exception of a moment with a gunmen there is little danger. This leaves the plot to concentrate on unravelling what happened in the past – a whodunnit with a twist.
Sonya Kantor’s journey starts in the past when she was loyal to the previous regime and found comfort in its dubious moral code. She was its ‘poster girl.’ And with her discovery of the behaviour of the regime and her own father’s complicity in its crimes. Her family’s suicide is nothing less than tragic but it is her own re-evaluation of her own past that is the most interesting – a flawed hero.
Ultimately the story reads well as a light political thriller rather than a dystopian take on what if. The themes of people going missing and use of tracking technology are already present in our current lives.The lack of danger means the story at times is short on intensity but makes up for it with the twist at the end.
Leeds United 1 Manchester city 3. A class apart. Leeds held Manchester City till almost half time. Then the class of Haaland and Peps’ devastating one touch attacking football took control. The two goal difference is a fair reflection of how City stopped Leeds from shooting.
Leeds were beaten heavily by Manchester CIty in both matches last season. The quality of City both on the pitch and on the bench is a lot to ask of a Leeds’ team that is newly built but still short of a striker and left back.
Within the first minute Haaland outpaced Cooper and tried to lob over Meslier,who managed to get just enough of a hand to deflect it for Struijk to kick away from goal. A sinister omen for what was to come over the next ninety minutes.
The game then settled down for City to patiently hold the ball until the opportunity to attack; Leeds were nervous passing the ball, generally losing it when moving forward with forwards not there.
Grealish’s antics soon started with the game having to stop while he rolled on the ground and then complained to the referee about no card brandished. He was booed for the rest of his time on the pitch.
In the first half Leeds managed one just shot off target from Gnoto. Gnonto was our main attacking force on the left. Leeds defence held firm until the end of the half. Kristensen was doing a number on Grealish. Greallish is having an awful night missing a number of opportunities.
After Leeds tried to fashion an opportunity to score De Bruyne launched a counter attack leaving Rodri to force Meslier to make a save and then score from the rebound. It is a cruel moment to score at the end of the first half. Leeds ended the first half with 1 shot versus City’s 16 shot. It’s a huge difference. City had 75% possession.
Second half – the match wakes up
Second half started exactly how City wanted it to with a second goal by Haaland. Cooper’s pass to Koch is a mess as Koch is unaware of it allowing Grealish to steal it. Awful defending. The class showed as City go 3-0 up counter attacking from a Leeds’ free kick. City’s one touch play in front of goal is frightening.
Marsch’s response is to shore up the defence and midfield with Klich and Ayling – two players looking to be on their way out of Leeds. Klich’s first contribution is to earn himself a yellow card by fouling Grealish.
Llorente and Gelhardt are on. Struijk gives Leeds some hope with a header in to the net from a Greenwood corner. 3-1. Final sub sees Gyabi come on for the last ten minutes. He makes an immediate and positive impression getting the ball forward.
The match ends with both teams looking for one more goal. Haaland had a one on one with Meslier blocking. Aaronson crossed into the penalty box to Gelhardt whose touch just goes inches wide. Rodri, who struggled with Gnonto all night eventually gets himself a yellow card.
Leeds showed enough spirit to show they can win other matches to stay up.
Man of the Match: Gnonto
The class war in the title is one found between neo-liberalism, governed by the elites and the native working class populists. The so-called elites work in in the corporate, financial, government, media and educational sectors.
The implicit theory of technocratic neo-liberalism is that Western societies are essentially classless societies in which the only significant barriers involve race and gender. Class is replaced by meritocracy; a meritocratic knowledge economy has replaced class-stratified bureaucratic managerial capitalism.
He makes the argument that technocratic neo-liberalism – is a disease – a path to “the hell of autocracy.” It sees itself as an elite of experts insulated from mass prejudice and ignorance. His view on this is that the greatest threat to Western democracy is the gradual decay of North America and Europe under well-educated, well-mannered and well-funded centerist neo-liberal politicians.He uses the example of Trump winning the US presidency as evidence of a metropolitan class that is profoundly out of touch with traditional working-class voters.
With the other side of the class war Michael Lind is not convinced by the populist proposition. He asks the question of whether populists in Europe and North America will succeed in overthrowing and replacing technocratic neo-liberalism. He answers it by saying ‘almost certainly nowt.’
Nonetheless, Michael Lind is sympathetic to populists – he argues that populist voters are only one constituency in pluralist societies. On their own he dismisses them as reactionary rather than being constructive. He breaks it down as counter –cultural – opposed to the establishment – a “heckler in the audience”; always an outsider.
Lind finds populism’s roots neither in direct economic hardship nor in white nationalism but rather in resentment of the cultural, political and economic hierarchy that oppresses middle- and working-class people today. He claims that over the past half-century, a new ruling class — of “managers” in global cities and other urban hubs, for whom “degrees are the new titles of nobility and diplomas the new coats of arms” — has “deprived much of the working class of effective voice or agency in government, the economy, and culture.”
This argument is undermined, certainly in the UK, by the wider take up of university education creating two tiers – those that my become what he describes as the ruling class, and those saddled with debt and a a non-graduate job. His answer to the class war is what he calls democratic pluralism. He argues that native and immigrant workers should unite and restore decision-making powers to the non-university-educated majority.
The difficulty with his argument is how narrow it is. Anyone in the highly university educated upper managerial class is by default part of the problem not the solution, irrespective whether they want to be part of a democratic pluralist movement. This objectively places an intellectual limitation on such a movement to thrive.
What Michael Lind has foresight to witness is the beginning of the breakdown of the traditional right and left; it is becoming about what he calls the insiders and outsiders – what I would call the enfranchised and disenfranchised. Michael Lind talks about working class as disenfranchised by a lack of bargaining power – leading to low wages. Our political systems are becoming increasingly fragmented with populism one part of a growing landscape.
An important part of his argument is what power is and how it is used. He defines power in society as being the economy, politics and culture. His problem with the managerial class is their abuse of power – they always find loopholes in regulation – which leads to a populist backlash. Whilst he quite rightly argues that only power can check power, regulation is only as good as the competent structures that manage it. It also requires integrity of those voted into power.
The power in the working classes has diminished. Institutions that used to magnify the power of working-class people – trades unions, local political parties and religious congregations – have all dissolved for different reasons. Power has siphoned upwards in the culture, politics and the economy,” he says.
He argues that the alternative to both technocratic neo-liberalism and demagogic populism is democratic populism. In his model pluralism is magnified by a tripartite representative set up: political, business and labour. Or even religious and cultural stakeholders. It is through mass membership organisations that working class gain representation.
Lind sees the future beyond the class war as either a cross-class democratic pluralist order or the triumph of one class over the other, which he regards as calamitous. Neoliberalism or populism would see a accumulation of power in a high caste society or a corrupt society. The reality is likely to be somewhere in between.
In reality, who joins a democratic pluralist movement will not be foretold by this book; the actual challenge is for these movements to spring up themselves with a power base in stakeholder organisations. In this sense the book feels more like a proposal for a class war problem rather than trend spotting. But a worthy –if divisive – one all the same.
Rage by Bob Woodward is not quite a biography of Donald Trump, rather more of a series of interviews scaffolded by USA entering the COVID pandemic. Bob Woodward is able to entertain us because of his special access to Donald Trump that gives us an intimate insight into the warped thinking of Trump. Woodward’s journalistic skills keep him on the right side of Trump as he asks serious questions of Trumps management of North Korea and the COVID pandemic. Ultimately he runs in to the same brick wall we all get to see of narcissism, arrogance and distraction.
What Woodward’s book lacks in what happened in the White House (read John Bolton’s book “The Room where it happened”) he makes up for with access to key figures such as former Defense Secretary James Mattis, who embellish the plots within the book. But Trump craves publicity and Woodward’s book can give him that.
Woodward focuses on two key plots for his book: North Korea and the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Whilst it is tightly focused, Black Lives Matter, and other associated stories, only have a light touch. This allows Woodward to keep the attention of the book on Trump himself: his personality, scheming and style of leadership. For a more closely examined account of the events then other books like John Bolton’s, provide a more vivid interpretation.
Woodward is patient and persistent with Trump. He listens politely, correcting Trump’s assertions when he gets the chance. Trump throws repetitious answers, distracting deviations, narcissistic responses and mild bullying, which begin to grate after a number of interviews. Plus a concentration span that Dr Anthony Fauci reckons to be “a minus number”. The interviews are set out verbatim – after a few interviews we learn nothing more new about Trump himself only more about his lack of management of crises – especially when they worsen like the COVID pandemic.
Woodward keeps returning to a phrase used by Trump that there is dynamite behind every door – how that is probably the most self- aware thing he has said and which was the COVID pandemic. Managing such challenges is the maker of true and historic leaders and Trump wants to be that history maker. In the end, Woodward pulls out of Trump that COVID got in the way – he had it in the bag with the booming economy before COVID ruined it for him.
The other oft-used phrase is “I bring rage out,” in people, Trump tells Woodward – is that not another way of saying he knows how to wind people up – whether it is against Antifa or for the right wing groups? Trump is not even sure about this: he tells Woodward that he’s uncertain whether his gift for enraging people is “an asset or a liability.”
Despite Woodward having access to trump’s love-in letters to Kim Jogn-Un of North Korea we already know that Trump has a soft spot for autocratic dictatorial leaders. And Mueller’s fudge on impeaching Trump also adds little more than how Trump expresses puerile hatred for anyone who gets in the way of his naked thirst for unbridled power.
Whilst Woodward is undoubtedly an intelligent analyst of how world leaders could and should govern – his questioning of Trump about his management of the oncoming COVID pandemic raises frightening questions of the amateurism of Trump’s approach – he saves his own damning thoughts until the very end. I was asking for a deeper analysis than the summary.
Woodward’s book is brief look into the mind of Trump and it is not pretty. At times Woodward is overly descriptive of the political environment – which is more suited to American readers only. Trump may be divisive – but that still leaves nearly half of USA in thrall to him, yet I learned little about that charisma and magnetism.
Hernia – not everyone can elect for surgery. This is about my experience and what I then learned from friends. It is time there was fairness in the ability of patients to elect for surgery.
In October 2019, whilst on a walking holiday, I developed a hernia. The feeling of a large painful lump above my right groin was nothing like I had felt before. The thing is, having no previous knowledge or experience of what a hernia is, I was completely ignorant of what my medical problem was. The walking holiday was soon over and I was then able to enter into denial and carry on with my normal life.
And then on new years’ eve – two months’ later – it happened again. I had spent the evening with friends and family and celebrated the new year by being in agony and unable to walk, due to the same painful lump. My sin, this time was walking in out of bars for four hours.
With much insistence from my sister I called my GP. I had a male GP because, as he explained to me, that way I had a GP attending to my male physical needs. Yet when I described my symptoms to him, his response was a kind of verbal ignorant huff. I was asked to carry on and see what happened.
Thanks to my GP I still did not know I had a hernia. I play squash, I run and I go to the gym. I was able to continue my fitness regime as it was typically contained within half an hour. But occasionally my exercise tipped over half an hour and the pain re-emerged. After some research I called my GP again in March. It is a hernia, I said to him. His response was telling, he acknowledged my medical problem as if he knew all along. If I had seen him in a surgery I could looked into his eyes and seen the truth.
From March through to my surgery in September – about 20 weeks – I was able to pass through the stages of the meeting with the consultant, the scan and then the booking of the surgery without fuss. The only delay was the date of the surgery being delayed by a week due to another patient needing an amputation. Can’t complain about that.
I had an inguinal hernia. Hernias occur when an organ breaks through the muscle or tissue wall that was holding it in place. The surgery involved a flap being peeled back over the hernia and a piece of mesh is stapled or glued to the weakened area in your abdomen wall to strengthen it.
Around 570 0000 hernia mesh operations have taken place in England over the past six years, figures from NHS Digital show. Mesh is recommended for the repair of most hernias when prevention of recurrence is the main reason.
What surprised me after my surgery was that I then discovered from male friends that elective surgery is not as available as it should be. Whilst my GP had appeared to deliberately delay my surgery one friend had been told by his GP to live with it. Whilst our circumstances are slightly different we are roughly the same age and physical condition. Yes it is possible in some circumstances to live with a hernia is this not meant to be a discussion between the patient and the GP?
Are other factors may be at play here –such as the subjectivity of the GP or the rationing of funds in that area, or the bureaucratic process for making a hernia referral that is putting GPs off?
Allison Pearson in the Daily Telegraph gives the example of a London GP, referring to long delays meaning their condition has now deteriorated. “They want to work, but they can’t until they have surgery (e.g. hernia). In the good old days, Dr Clare used to dictate a referral letter to a named consultant at the local hospital. The patient swiftly received an appointment. Today, the GP is not allowed to refer directly at all. For many specialties, Clare has to use a triage system known as SPA (single point of access).”
Finally there is the impact of the COVID pandemic. There was a 38.6% reduction in elective surgery in 2020 (inguinal Hernia wait times in the NHS post COVID19.)
The delay to having hernia surgery can cause problems both for the individual and for the NHS.
Even if you aren’t having any problems with it – with normal wear and tear, exercising, lifting, physical activity – that small hernia, over time, will start to become larger. Over ten months from discovery to surgery my hernia tear had become larger. A larger hernia is harder to repair.
The seriousness of a hernia cannot be underestimated. Whilst, over the period of two months I may have fully recovered there remain risks. Mesh is an implant. It carries with it “the risks of any implant, including invoking a foreign-body reaction, a risk of implant infection, potentially a source of chronic pain and, in some, possibly inducing a local or systemic immune reaction.”
The complication rate may be between 12% and 30%. An investigation by the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme found that “up to 170 000 patients who have had hernia mesh operations in the past six years could be experiencing complications, yet NHS trusts in England have no consistent policy for treatment or follow-up with patients.“ On the programme patients who had had hernia mesh operations talked about “being in constant pain, unable to sleep, and finding it difficult to walk or even pick up a sock. Some patients said that they felt suicidal.”
Hernia mesh complications may have affected up to 170 000 patients, investigation finds | The BMJ
The apparent secrecy around the process of being able to be permitted to have surgery creates an uneven playing field. Maybe I was lucky because my exercise regime was specifically cited as a reason for the surgery – should that be the case? Is it not time for quality of life to be accepted by GPs as a good enough reason for surgery?
Tottenham Hotspur 4 Leeds United 3 – another 4-3 thriller after the Bournemouth match last week but this time Leeds’ were on the receiving end. Again, our defense was exposed. After being in the lead three times Leeds have to defend better to protect their lead– that Left Back is needed in the January transfer window.
Gnoto earned a starting place as Harrison is injured, but only made it to half time due to being repeatedly knocked. Adams and Aaronson earned call up to USA national team in Qatar world cup. Tottenham Hotspur FC look to beat Leeds United again and reinforce their place in the top three.
Spurs started brightly causing corners but, out of nothing, Leeds fashion a goal. Meslier kicks the ball to Kristensen who passes to Aaronson who shakes off the Spurs defender and forward passes to Summerville who half volleys the ball in to the near corner of the net. Dyer is left flailing. Sommerville is proving a real threat in the penalty box.
Spurs use their pace in attack which is too much for Leeds Aaronson and Summerville link up again on 20 minutes but Lloris, this time, alert to Summerville and blocks the shot. Then Rodrigo is given the ball but he is offside and can only hit the post at such an acute angle.
The lead lasts only 20 minutes before Kane scores from a corner. VAR checks as Meslier is clearly leaned into and out of the way. A harsh decision.
Just before half time Leeds have a corner which is poor. The ball is headed out to Cooper who heads it back into the penalty box. Kristensen heads it forward to Rodrigo who volleys it hard into the net. A striker’s finish. Bizarrely, the camera allows the shouting of a Spurs “You’re f@cking shit, that’s why you play for Leeds,” to keep moaning while the corner is taken. Then we scored.
Richarlisen is having a frustrating afternoon – he almost equalises but the ball is kicked away before it rolls towards the net. Leeds have taken the opportunities given to them.
Second half – we can’t defend a lead
Spurs get the second half going with a goal equalising the score to 2-2. Cooper is better on the byline and Meslier with Kristensen are beaten at the second attempt. Leeds again caught out by the pace of Spurs’throw-ins. Spurs make a couple of defensive changes early in the second half as Leeds grow in confidence penetrating the defense.
Leeds have period of possession and take the lead for the third time in the match. An industrial tackle by Adams wins the ball on the half way line. Spurs players are livid a foul is not given. Adams crosses to Rodrigo on the left who sprints past the defender and manages a tight shot that beats Lloris. Another strikers finish.
Spurs pressure sees them equalise on 80 minutes. Leeds defending is poor as a cross into the box is headed out onto the edge of the box and booted back straight into the net. Then the fourth goal for Spurs shows Leeds’ defence at its worst as five Leeds defenders are nowhere near the Spurs players as they tap the ball into the net. To cap it all off Adams receives his second yellow card for a bad foul and is sent off. He is clearly tired.
Leeds more than matched Spurs for 80 minutes with Aaronson tirelessly pushing the Leeds attack forward. Then, in the space of barely two minutes we threw away the win, with a lack of concentration in defence.
Man of the match: Aaronson
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Leeds United 0 – Tuesday night Carabao ache. Leeds United youngsters fade against the veteran Wolves players.
The team is a mixture of experienced first team players who have fallen out of favour with Marsch – Firpo, Llorente, and Klich; and young players looking to make a difference – Perkins,Joseph, Hjelde, Gyabi and Gelhardt. Harrison, Klich and Ayling providing the mature heads.
So, with Wolves playing closer to a full squad under their caretaker manager, anything could happen.
Promising start for Leeds with three shots on target in the first four minutes. Harrison delivered the kind of dangerous free kicks and corners missing from his first team appearances.
Wolves rely on their big guns – Neves and Adama to create opportunities. Perkins and Gelhardt show their willingness to try for shots on goal. Wolves begin in to grow in the game forcing corners. Gyabi looks lively in the midfield.
A largely forgettable first half ends with Wolves taking advantage of Leeds not keeping possession in midfield.
Second half ache
Wolves start the more dangerous in the second half forcing Robles in to a desperate save. Leeds suffer the curse of recent first team matches – Marsch demanding the team push forward quickly but the players’ passes go missing. Worrying injury for Gelhardt seems him replaced early in the second half by Greenwood.
Game opens up with Robles forced into another stretching save from Wolves with Leeds immediately counter attacking but Perkins is tackled just as he is about to take a shot . Despite the pressure the Leeds defence show calmness in playing out from the back.
As the game drifts into boredom, Wolves look hungrier for the ball and Traore is found unmarked in front of the middle of the penalty box and smashes the ball into the net. With five minutes to go, penalties are no longer an option. Wolves ended the match looking for a second goal, with Leeds ran out of ideas.
Man of the match: Gyabi
Leeds United 4 – Bournemouth 3. Young guns. Shocking defending, frenetic football – Greewnood, Summerville and Gnonto save the day and light up Elland Road on Bonfire Night.
This match had the’Good’ – three young players changing the game in Leeds United’s favour; , the ‘Bad’ – woeful defending and missed goal opportunities; the ‘Ugly@ – the fans rightly booing at half time and then Bournemouth AFC going 3-1 up when the second half started; and the ‘Ecstatic’ – crafting a win out of near defeat.
The match was rollercoaster entertainment (unless you are a Bournemouth AFC fan) with a happy ending. At half time Leeds United looked dead and buried – that Leeds went on to win does not hide the defensive frailties and lack of goal scoring opportunities.
Leeds United had a dream start with a penalty in the first minute, first half collapse and fans booing, at half tme. Three goals in the second and a win dug out from a superb performance. It was frenetic and exhasuting.
Bamford and Sinisterrra were both injured which meant Leeds were going to rely on young players in the second half. Nonetheless, Joseph has earned through his performances a place on the bench.
It was the best start for Leeds with Summerville earned a penalty from a push in the box, which Rodrigo scored by way of a crafty run up. Early pressure after the Leeds scored was quickly nullified when Bournemouth score from a set piece corner for Bournemouth sees a flick on with a header on goal.
Then in under 20 minutes Bournemouth take the lead with Kristensen not closing down a long ball that Meslier saves but a second attempt is unstoppable as the player is unmarked. Bournemouth were then allowed to attack the Leeds goal with 7 attempts on goal and Leeds having not managed one since the penalty. Only Meslier kept the Leeds United in the game.
The frenetic pace of how Leeds United play has not been matched with attempts on goal. When the half time whilstle eventually blew the Leeds fans made their anger known to Marsch.
Second Half Inspired Substitutions
With the start of the second half Gnonto is on for Harrison, who, moved to right hand side had little impact on the game. In control of the play Bournemouth attack in numbers and appalling defending leaves Leeds 3-1 down.
Then Greenwoood replaces a struggling Roca and makes an immediate impact. Gnonto shoots and gets a deflection which goes out Greenwood who, outside the box, places his into the top corner of the net. It’s now 3-2.
Greenwood takes over corner duties and floats a perfectly placed corner to Cooper at the back who heads the ball down into the net. It’s 3-3. Elland Road is now buzzing with 20 minutes to go. Stacey comes on as a sub for Bournemouth is unmarked and just misses. The game is wide open.
Rodrigo’s shots are not hitting the target and he is subbed for Gelhardt. He is not happy. Gnotno then counter attacks with Summerville. A Sublime pass to Summerville who scores his third in three matches. It’s 4-3. Elland Road is rocking. Fireworks are going off. When the final whistle blows it’s a concoction of celebration and relief. It was only because of the impact of Greenwood and Gnonto coming on as substitutions, changing the momentum in Leeds’ favour, that Leeds United avoided ignominous defeat.
Marsch effectively admitted his weakness on defending when in his press conference he stated that if the attacking was as he wanted it then defence would not be a problem. In effect Billings ran Struijk ragged, Kristensen struggled with Tavernier. As Cooper and Koch defended poorly in this match Leeds United were left wide open.
Leeds United had four shots on goal all match. So they won the only because they took their chances. It is not an acceptable excuse after over six months for Marsch to complain he is still trying to change the team to play his way. Marsch is still very much in the last chance saloon. Without an organised defence and a more creative attacking plan Leeds will struggle this season.
Man of the match: Sam Greenwood
Leeds United went into this match under pressure, a manager under pressure, the team in the relegation zone with a string of poor performances. Yet again they dialled up their performance against a big team. It’s a huge moment of relief – to win. To beat Liverpool FC at Anfield.
Marsch’s changes to the team see badly performing players dropped – Bamford and Firpo. Summerville starts but Greenwood is dropped as Adams returns. Sinisterra is injured.
Leeds start with an early scare as Meslier comes out to collect a long ball from Allison but Cooper heads it over him, Salah tries to lob it but Kristensen heads it clear.
Rodrigo then scores an easy goal on four minutes. Mistake by Gomez who under pressure from Harrison passes back to Allison but Allison is out of position and slips allowing Rodrigo to touch the ball in to the net. Van Dijk is caught asleep.
Liverpool FC respond by peppering the Leeds United goal with crosses which they don’t clear. Salah scores on 14 minutes – poor defending again. This is an ominous moment as Leeds United usually crumble.
Liverpool attack by running wide and lobbing high so the ball drops into the Leeds penalty area and Liverpool flood the box. Leeds’ respose to the Liverpool possession is to counter attack through Harrison and Aaronson. Leeds play positively with their passing and getting the ball forward to Rodrigo. Harrison and Aaronson are formidable charging forward.
Leeds United nearly score when Kristensen crosses the ball into the box and Aaronson kicks the ball onto the crossbar. Harrison then forces a save from Allison. But Salah and Nunez test Meslier.
What we learn about Rodrigo is that while can shoot he should not drop deep – he cannot pass. One goes to Liverpool that nearly leads to a Nunez goal. And Harrison’s shots usually go over the goal.
Liverpool nearly score on half time when Robertson crosses into the box but a deflection by Koch nearly goes in.
Second half – it’s entertaining
Early on in the second half Rodrigo is replaced by Bamford. It’s practically all Leeds attacking in the first twenty minutes of the second half. Then a moment of madness as Cooper loses the ball in a Liverpool counter attack and Meslier save keeps Leeds in the game. Liverpool then have a period of intensity.
This is a key moment – can Leeds United keep their shape and intensity to absorb a late challenge from Liverpool? Bamford had a massive opportunity on 79 minutes but his first touch was poor – he still lacks that match sharpness. Marsch holds his head in his hands.
Finally we see Gnonto in a match – replacing Harrison on 70 minutes. Liverpool FC put pressure on in the last quarter with Firmino, Salah, and Nunez testing Meslier. Meslier has been a hero today.
Out of nowhere Leedsscore. Gnoto wins the ball and passes to Bamoford who passes to Summerville who controls the ball and beats Allison. Summerville has earned his place in the team. There are five minutes extra time which take even longer when Roberston kicks Meslier in the head as he captures the ball. More agony until the whistle is finally blown.
This was such an entertaining game. Liverpool FC had the possession and more shots, and more shots on goal. Meslier kept Leeds United in the match. Leeds’ defence is still too naive and needs to be smarter against set pieces – that is for Marsch to sort out.The amount of shots on target by Leeds in this match is probably more than their last six matches altogether.
Summerville’s energy is a force. Great tackling by Adams and Roca (we didn’t see before) – kept Leeds in control of the centre of midfield. Leeds have been awful in their corners wasting opportunities.
In the interview after the match Somerville is overawed by scoring at Anfield He is a day away from his 21st birthday. He describes this as a “big moment for me and my family”. The camera then goes a foot higher to interview Meslier. This is a very rare moment that Meslier has actually smiled playing for Leeds.
Marsch is sober in his estimation of the match. He knows his job is on the line and tonight is a massive moment. But he will have more knocks during the season in keeping Leeds out of the relegation zone.
Man of the Match: Meslier