Middlesbrough v Leeds Utd - Post Match Discussion

[weasel]

We’d be top if we hadn’t made those subs v Blackburn, either by 2 points or on goal difference

Who knows. We could have got a draw v Blackburn and then Ipswich do something different in their next match (think it was a 1-1 with Boro) because they gamble to go for all 3 instead of seeing a point as a good result. Smodicks had a chance before he scored so wasn't like the goal came out of the blue just because of the changes.

Needless to say though if Farke hadn't made changes against Blackburn and we had drawn it 0-0 then loads of fans would be blaming Farke for not trying to win it and saying stuff like we'd be x amount of points clear if we'd made subs.

Would be great to have a way of playing out all the scenarios and seeing what would have actually happened.

[Irish Ian]

IMG-20240423-WA0000.jpg

Ayling wasnt playing

[John in Louisiana]

Had to miss the second half in order to attend a meeting at work and saw it on the replay.

Don't know how I would have handled it had I skipped the meeting. Nearly had a heart attack watching the last ten minutes even though I knew the score.

[1964white]

Had to miss the second half in order to attend a meeting at work and saw it on the replay.

Don't know how I would have handled it had I skipped the meeting. Nearly had a heart attack watching the last ten minutes even though I knew the score.

Just watched the match again, lots of talking points to raise.

After appearing comfortable for much of the second-half, those last ten minutes were a horrible watch.

[Kennyb41]

You want us, the likes of CJay and I, with alternative analysis, to just shut the f**k up then?

....Just give me a minute

[ddapp]

Anyone know why Phil Hay is not covering Leeds right now?

[The Subhuman]

Just watched the match again, lots of talking points to raise.

After appearing comfortable for much of the second-half, those last ten minutes were a horrible watch.

Why do you think that was?

[AcrossThePondAsh]

It's the "grass is always greener on the other side" thing Weasel. Seems to be a common Leeds phenomenon

Fortunately it would seem Farke pays absolutely no attention to any social media criticism, and is very focused on his plan the the task ahead.

Looking back, I believe there were 2 critical moments in this season for us - the first +/- 6 weeks - and the absolute chaos of poor prior management, the ownership transition and resulting poor player attitudes - and then the international break of last month.

We lost a few games in that first month and a 1/2 that we wouldn't have done at any other point this season. I give Farke the credit for creating stability quicker than many managers would have during that time.He didn't panic and focused on building. Without that approach we might have lost many more in the couple of months that followed.

Then, last month's international break, in hindsight, came at the worst possible moment for us, given how the season had progressed to that point. We had strong unity and very real momentum. Without that break, inmho - we would have got 4 to 6 points from the 3 games that followed, where we got 1.
We had a number of key players get injured on international duty and the 4 (key) Welsh guys having to play an exhausting and deflating extra time & penalties game with a heartbreaking loss. Hard to just bounce back from that 2 days later.

All momentum was lost - and at this point in the season, it's all about momentum.

And at no point in any of this did Daniel Farke complain or whinge and whine. (Many managers would have). To me, he's been like Marcelo in that respect this whole season.

If we go up - we have DF to thank in my opinion. If we miss out (like Marcelo's first season), we still have DF to thank. We were up the creek without a paddle after last years' utter stupidity. Farke and his team - together, it must be said, with our chairman - have got us to be one of the 2 or 3 best sides in the most gruelling league in the world.

Banging on about his substitution strategy flaws or his team selection or other tactics is pointless and far too narrow in focus.

If (when) we go up, given the right resources, I believe Farke can make us competitive in the Prem as well.
But the same voices will continue to bang on about a dozen managers who would be better. There is zero evidence of that (other than for managers we cant afford).

I'm going to have to start charging you rent, Malcolm, if you keep living in my head

Well said my good man, well said.

[Carrick Dave]

Don't know if anyone agrees or it was in my head (or influenced by Gnonto and Jimmy swapping more).

But felt like we used more of the pitch vs Boro?

Used the right more, not so much Byram but it felt like it wasn't always just left left left?

You just don't read other people's posts, do you?

[1964white]

Why do you think that was?

We lost our balance due to the substitutions.

Once Bamford was subbed in the 75th minute, we became worse, with Cree, Willy & Georginio coming off, we lost all our best attacking options & ended up on the back foot for the final 15/20 minutes.

Obviously, Farke was rightly resting legs for our game on Friday evening.

[DDB220]

....Just give me a minute

I have been waiting for your response - I knew you wouldn’t let me down.

[DDB220]

Anyone know why Phil Hay is not covering Leeds right now?

He has a slot on The Square Ball YouTube channel if you want his perspective on Leeds. I believe he doesn’t write for the Athletic now - could be wrong on the last point.

[1964white]

Not keen on women commentators, even worse was co-summariser Andy Hinchcliffe, I had to turn the commentary down last night. Aren't these media people supposed to be impartial?

Watching a replay of the game today, I much prefer the LUTV's commentary team Bryn Law & Tony Dorigo.

Bryn is annoying at times as he tends to call our players names wrongly.

Last night he gave credit to Rutter when it was Firpo who made the challenge, then Rodon won a defensive header, but Bryn called him Ampadu.

[1964white]

Anyone know why Phil Hay is not covering Leeds right now?

Phil Hay's on Leeds on The Square Ball podcasts, over the last week.

[weasel]

We lost our balance due to the substitutions.

Once Bamford was subbed in the 75th minute, we became worse, with Cree, Willy & Georginio coming off, we lost all our best attacking options & ended up on the back foot for the final 15/20 minutes.

Obviously, Farke was rightly resting legs for our game on Friday evening.

Or alternatively it was because Boro got a goal from nothing and in the majority of matches when ateam is only 1 goal behind with a few minutes left they raise themselves and try to get an equaliser rather than simply thinking, "Woo let's just keep the ball and only lose by 1."

[Phild]

The last 15 minutes could have been so much easier if Firpo knew where to position himself when defending
Pretty basic stuff to know where you man is and get the right side of him and close down with some urgency

[1964white]

Most of his career was spent in Serie C where he was mostly mediocre. Then had a good season in Switzerland, before joining Boro. A one season wonder or a hidden gem I wonder?

Nine goals in his last ten games for the coffee man.

[1964white]

Or alternatively it was because Boro got a goal from nothing and in the majority of matches when ateam is only 1 goal behind with a few minutes left they raise themselves and try to get an equaliser rather than simply thinking, "Woo let's just keep the ball and only lose by 1."

We were comfortable until the subs came on & that goal out of nothing, then mayhem/panic proceeded & we looked a different team.

I can see why Farke basically sticks & starts the same eleven every game.

[1964white]

The last 15 minutes could have been so much easier if Firpo knew where to position himself when defending
Pretty basic stuff to know where you man is and get the right side of him and close down with some urgency

Our full-backs do tend to stand-off opposition wingers, giving them plenty of space to cross the ball, is it any wonder Rodon & Ampadu are continually overloaded with defensive headers/clearances/tackles/blocks?

Between them both, they made 30 defensive actions vs Boro'

Byram & Firpo made 21 defensive actions, so our defence was severely tested.

[weasel]

We were comfortable until the subs came on & that goal out of nothing, then mayhem/panic proceeded & we looked a different team.

I can see why Farke basically sticks & starts the same eleven every game.

I think the goal comes regardless of the substitutions, like you say it was out of nothing rather than Boro getting on top the second we made the subs and building up pressure till we cracked. I also feel if we'd not made the subs and then conceded that goal out of nothing we'd have still been hanging on for the last few minutes and looking just as uncomfortable. The last few minutes was a result of the goal out of nothing rather than the fact we made subs.