Leeds Utd v Stoke City (Carabao Cup) Match Thread - 17 minutes highlights

[weasel]

Interesting how many Stoke players had their back turned to Butland when he was attempting to clear in the build up to Eddie's goal. All 6 that were seen on camera were facing away from him (not just the player he hit with the ball), contrast that to when Kiko has the ball and all our players are looking to him and wanting the pass.

[1964white]

Interesting how many Stoke players had their back turned to Butland when he was attempting to clear in the build up to Eddie's goal. All 6 that were seen on camera were facing away from him (not just the player he hit with the ball), contrast that to when Kiko has the ball and all our players are looking to him and wanting the pass.

That incident reminded me of how we use to play pre-Bielsa, elements of hoof football.

Could never understand why all the players would turn their back on the ball

[1964white]

Actually, Costa did a lot of work getting back and helping, especially first half really didn't need to second as they had little threat.

Worked his socks off mate!

Was Jack Clarke playing

[weasel]

Worked his socks off mate!

Was Jack Clarke playing

Great to hear that about Costa, vital that every player puts in the effort for Bielsaball to work properly, one cog not working and we see what happens.

[1964white]

I did wonder when i was walking up the kop steps looking for all the familiar faces whether I was in the
right stadium all the same great to see 30,000 fans in ER for a meaningless cup-tie

Positives

Some of our younger players given an opportunity to shine.
Leif Davis, a mature head for someone so young. Better defender than Douglas & Alioski imo!
Three goals in as many games for Nketiah, loved his nutmeg on Butland for the goal, really unlucky with his curling shot in the first-half.
Costa's debut goal
Comeback from 0-2 down.
Three inspired substitutions.
Battered them 2nd half.
Forshaw & Phillips took total control of the midfield after the break
White was imperious as ever snubbing out the Stoke attacks
Harrison ran the Stoke defenders a merry dance down the left flank.
We didn't lose the game over the 90 minutes.
Superb penalties, Jack unlucky with his effort
The wonderful response to Jack Harrison from our fans when he must have wanted the ground to swallow him up, the Jack Harrison chant would have lifted the lad's spirits.

Negatives

Defensively we appeared fragile without a proper commanding CB in the middle in the first half.
How poor was Douglas ?
Was Jack Clarke on the pitch ? the £10m + fee is looking a steal
Kiko's poorest game this season, arguably should have saved both goals.
Both goals came in a period when the dodgy ref gave Stoke a handful of poor decisions.
Constant time-wasting by feigning injuries to disrupt our fluency from half-time onwards.
Had the game gone into extra-time we'd have beaten them as the Stoke players were out on their feet.

Ratings

5 Casilla
6 Shackleton
8 Davis
6.5 Berardi
5 Douglas
7 Phillips
5 McCalmont
6.5 Bogusz
3 Clarke
8 Costa
8 Nketiah
Subs
8 White
9 Forshaw
8 Harrison

[Genghers]

Negatives

Defensively we appeared fragile without a proper commanding CB in the middle in the first half.
How poor was Douglas ?
Was Jack Clarke on the pitch ? the £10m + fee is looking a steal
Kiko's poorest game this season, arguably should have saved both goals.
Both goals came in a period when the dodgy ref gave Stoke a handful of poor decisions.
Constant time-wasting by feigning injuries to disrupt our fluency from half-time onwards.
Had the game gone into extra-time we'd have beaten them as the Stoke players were out on their feet.

As has been mentioned before - we defend higher up the pitch and rely on limiting the supply into the box. Our midfield looked overrun and lightweight in the first half and that lead to most of their chances. Once Phillip's and Forshaw moved into midfield we controlled it and as a result Vokes looked far less dangerous. White will have added a steadiness to the defence, sure, but I don't think that that is the main reason for the improvement.

Don't think it's much to worry about re: lack of depth tbh. One or two of those players dropping into the first team wouldn't have a great impact on the overall play - when you change the majority of the team it'll always make it disjointed.