Having got soaked through first thing this morning after taking my dog Mollie out, I decided to wear my Bielsa coat instead, but it was good to see the rain had stopped by the time I reached Elland Road to catch the coach. Well, it was good to see my motivational video I posted this morning had the desired effect on the team. It was a hard-won point today and I’m thankful that we got that. As I said, I don’t care that Newcastle have money or Man City, all I care about is that Leeds United put the commitment in on the pitch like the fans do every game. It was nice getting feedback from a lot of our fans who agreed with my comments, so thank you. It wasn’t pretty to watch, and Newcastle looked frustrated at times, but I’ll take the point. As I got off the coach at the ground, memories came flooding back of the 21st of December 1974 game when we arrived there early so went into the Magpie pub. Ten of us were in there wearing our colours and although nothing happened whilst we were in there, it all kicked off when we tried to leave the pub. There again they only started on the last two lads to leave but although we had some complimentary tickets for the game from Mick Bates, we were too scared to go and pick them up so paid in elsewhere. It certainly wasn’t a place for the fainthearted back then that’s for sure. I also decided to brave the stairs to the top of the stand and am glad to say that I managed by taking it steady and having the handrail to help with the climbing. It was nice to see our fans from Malta, Denmark and Sligo in Ireland travelling with us today as well as Scandinavian fans at the game. It was also nice to see Stuart Dallas mixing with the fans in the stands who was overwhelmed by fans asking him for photos with them but never refused which was good to see.
Team: Meslier, Cooper, Aaronson, Adams, Harrison, Ayling, Koch, Gnonto, Rodrigo, Struijk, Forshaw.
Subs: Roca for Forshaw (45), Klich for Harrison (64), Kristensen for Ayling (70), Summerville for Gnonto (70), Gelhardt for Rodrigo (82).
Subs not used: Robles, Greenwood, Llorente, Firpo.
The game ended in a goalless draw.
Attendance: 52,211 with 2,847 Leeds fans.
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Booked: Ayling, Meslier, Struijk, Roca, Gnonto.
There was no doubt in my mind that Leeds would be under the cosh for a lot of the game today and they certainly had to battle to stop Newcastle from scoring and once again we had Meslier to thank for being in top form. Gnonto and Harrison had shots that went wide, and it was good to see the chances Newcastle had, didn’t materialise into goals. There were misplaced passes giving Newcastle time and the impetus to keep attacking but it was a case of clearing the ball and trying not to make too many mistakes in important positions. I’ve no idea what happened when Newcastle won a free kick, but it was Forshaw who went off to change his shirt with a bloody nose. That wasn’t the first free kick given to them. Later in the game the lad next to me asked if would be calling my blog Leeds against 12 men. Well, the referee certainly made some strange decisions, but it would have helped if Newcastle had stayed on their feet more. Admittedly I accept some were fouls but I hate it when you can’t challenge a player these days without them falling to the ground. With the weather deteriorating badly and the minutes dragging there was a minute of injury time added on. With the clock ticking we gave a silly free kick away and I was just hoping we could keep the ball out of the net to go into the break on even terms. When the ball hit our wall and was cleared, there was a sense of relief in the stand as the whistle blew.
The second half saw Roca come on and again it was a case of dogged determination to get something from the game. Leeds suddenly saw Rodrigo beating their defender in front of us and seeing his shot saved by their keeper with our best chance of the game. The frustrations were starting to affect the Newcastle players in the four minutes of injury time and as Meslier went to gather the ball I suddenly saw him end up on the floor. It was only afterwards I was told that the Newcastle player pushed him with two hands, but I was surprised not to see VAR review the situation. Their players just seemed to go mad then and had to be dragged away as they tried to attack Meslier some more. The referee did not have control of the situation at all, but I thought our players showed a lot of restraint under the circumstances. It’s a shame we were so high up in the stand because the view is horrendous. Get me nearer to the pitch any day but I still may not have seen exactly what went on. That said, although I use my camera to zoom into events on the pitch, it’s the first game I’ve actually worn my glasses as you were so far from the pitch it was like watching matchstick men at times. When the whistle blew for full time though it was the Leeds fans who were the happiest on the day, gaining a valuable point away from home. As this is the last game of 2022 it was an important psychological result today but as I’ve always said, the team have to believe they can beat anyone otherwise they may as well not turn up. Giving commitment like the fans do everywhere is all that is asked of them and not throwing the towel in before a game. I was surprised at how quiet the Geordies were for a lot of the game today as normally they are quite vocal.
To everyone who reads my blogs, asks for photos taken, takes time to have a chat or given the emotional support to me this year and will be going forward, I thank you all as this is greatly appreciated. I wish you all, health, happiness and a very Happy New Year and wish those going through hard times themselves, all the luck in the world. But one thing is for sure, the Leeds United family will always be there to help each other out. With West Ham at home and Cardiff next week in the FA Cup, the games are coming thick and fast after so many weeks without a game. I want to finish my blog on a good note today as on reaching my coach after the game I received phone call from my daughter Danielle saying she had got engaged. Well, the tears flowed as I was happy for her and Chris but also because my mum would have been over the moon with the news if she’d still been here. Treasure those close to you and embrace the memories. Love to you all - LUFC - Marching on Together.
...That Ayling goal and "You couldn't script it 
" - Dirty Leeds B@stard.
Keep them coming........ 