With five players on yellow cards for Leeds and half the first team injured Leeds were always going to be at a technical disadvantage in this match. We may have matched an underperforming Chelsea on Saturday but City are looking to go top.
The first thing you notice about the match this afternoon is how noisy Elland Road is. This is the twelfth man. This match will need something special to get Leeds to safety – who else but the man himself – Patrick Bamford.
Is a packed Elland Road on a wet tuesday night where the dream restarts? After the disappointing performance last saturday on the south coast tonight at home is big moment for Leeds. Phillips and Raphinha the key men not firing on all cylinders – a team not finding its mojo like it had at the end of last season. This match will be ultimately won by fine margins.
After the frustrating loss to Spurs last week, being ahead at half time, taking on Brighton and Hove Albion has become more of a must-win, a relegation battle. Another missed opportunity but Leeds break a jinx and manage a lucky draw.
This was difficult territory for Leeds without Bamford, Rodrigo and Raphinha – no proper attacking force. A significant deficiency for the strength of the first team. Conte had just taken over coaching Spurs and there will be an inevitable improvement. Remaining players had to step up - with Daniel James scoring his first goal for Leeds.
Bielsa must have done some reflecting after Norwich match. This was Leeds back to their old ways - harassing the opposition and charging relentlessly forward. It was a promising return to form complete with gaping holes in the defence.
Leeds United trying to find form and Norwich City trying to gain points. A massive amount of tension in this match as both teams need to win this match. In the end it came down to a beautiful bit of brilliance.
Leeds played their best football in the first half of the West Ham game, be bringing in youngsters who showed little fear. As long as Bielsa can keep the momentum going that vital first win will come. As Bielsa said…
We went into this match without a win in the premier league this season and a raft of injuries and a suspension. Playing against a West Ham side that made into Europe last season. West Ham are a much improved outfit from the side that beat us last season. Never more have we needed that eleventh man – a sell out at Elland Road. Still it was not enough and again we ran out of steam. The patched up team was injurious in defeat.
Mix of experienced, new, and under 23s playing tonight. Alongside a lack of centre halves with Phillips playing out of position there. Opportunity for Daniel James to shine. Rodrigo needs to show he is worth his sign on fee which had been missing recently. And Joe Gelhardt ready to impress in the first team. But will the mix gel together?
