Leeds Utd v Middlesbrough Match Thread

[1964white]

Yeah it was Byram. I remember something like that happening last season too. Very underrated is Byram, whenever he plays he's always done well.

Sam is one of our best & most reliable defenders.

[1964white]

Just got back home. Any word on why Ramazani didn’t play?

Home late for me, as parts of the M62 was closed, diversions through Goole/Snainton, a pain in the arse!

Full of cold this morning & not feeling good. Time to cancel events & appointments over the next two days.

I thought Soloman & Piroe got us back on track again when they came on!

[Sean_Nile]

"Ja, ja, zis is wunderbar, you know, to vin 3-1 against Middlesbrough, ja? Ach, I vill celebrate properly tonight, Ja, on ze sofa, vith a big slice of Black Forest cake, maybe two, yes of course, und some salmon gateau mit der sour cream, because ve deserve it, sweet and sour, ja!

Zere vill be bratwurst, pretzels, und of course, der schnitzel, ja, vith ze proper mustard, ja, not zis weak English stuff, hot German stuff, nein! I vill sit zere in my favorite slippers, ja, maybe even pour a little stein of beer, hefeweizen, no? Ach, zis is ze German vay, disciplined celebration on ze sofa! und getting unbelievably hard.

[1964white]

Just back from ER and what was a really enjoyable game. Obviously the result helps but I'd much rather be watching a match where both teams have quality and the outcome is seriously in doubt for the full 90 mins rather than some of the one sided affairs we've witnessed lately.

Also a massive well done to all our players tonight who as a group were outstanding with no weak links whatsoever. However if I had to pick out a standout performer it would be Tanaka...or Rothwell...err or Dan James...or maybe Aaronson.

Special shout out to Piroe the supersub as that was exactly what we were seeing earlier in the season and he showed excellent quality once again in those final 20 mins just when it was needed the most.

Very enjoyable game Jammy. maybe that result that will shut up some of the negative claptrap on here, well at least until we lose again!

I said to my mate on the journey to ER, we'll win 3-1, he replied f**k off. I felt great joy asking him what was his reaction to my score prediction after the game.

Agree with your comments, although Tanaka had a couple of wild moments. Losing possession in a dangerous position with hardly any cover behind him, he got lucky there, then the shot that almost hit the corner flag.

[DDB220]

Was in Birmingham on a works do last night. Followed the match on BBC sport.

Great result. I will watch the game when I get home later this afternoon.

Not sure why Joseph has suddenly turned into a villain, lots of negative posts about him suddenly not been good enough.

I have only seen limited highlights on YT.

He may have just had a bad night, it happens. We know he can finish - really surprised so many people are writing him off all of a sudden. I still think he has huge potential. By no means the finished article, he will probably learn a lot from this game when he analyses his movement in the box.

[weasel]

WTF was Striujk playing at, he nearly scored a crazy own goal.

Not read the whole match thread, did anyone mention his dopey action, then he stood there with that vacant look on his face.

In fairness to Struyjk the pass was played to him in our box and he wasn't fully aware of which Boro players were closing in on him. The crowd also made a huge noise as the ball was coming to him which I think made him think the Boro players were much closer. The good thing was that he didn't hit it towards the goal - one thing I always told players was when playing backpasses to the goalkeeper don't hit the ball towards the goal just in case.

[weasel]

Was in Birmingham on a works do last night. Followed the match on BBC sport.

Great result. I will watch the game when I get home later this afternoon.

Not sure why Joseph has suddenly turned into a villain, lots of negative posts about him suddenly not been good enough.

I have only seen limited highlights on YT.

He may have just had a bad night, it happens. We know he can finish - really surprised so many people are writing him off all of a sudden. I still think he has huge potential. By no means the finished article, he will probably learn a lot from this game when he analyses his movement in the box.

For me it is more disappointment than turning him into a villain. Disappointment that he has not just failed to live up to the hopes/hype but has come up woefully short.

[1964white]

Based on games against us, it's hard to believe the Blunts are as good as their results. Boro look like the second best team in the league on what I've seen.

That said, I think Wilder probably just got his tactics completely wrong at ER. And the Blunts are better than what we saw.

I haven't been impressed with the blunts when I've watched their matches.

[1964white]

Was in Birmingham on a works do last night. Followed the match on BBC sport.

Great result. I will watch the game when I get home later this afternoon.

Not sure why Joseph has suddenly turned into a villain, lots of negative posts about him suddenly not been good enough.

I have only seen limited highlights on YT.

He may have just had a bad night, it happens. We know he can finish - really surprised so many people are writing him off all of a sudden. I still think he has huge potential. By no means the finished article, he will probably learn a lot from this game when he analyses his movement in the box.

I'm not writing Joseph off, just reporting how poor he was watching from the terraces at ER, as opposed to making comments from some cosy work do in Birmingham.

If I said it was a lethargic display, it would be an understatement.

All the hype on here after his very good performance at Chelsea is proving Farke was right, not to start him last season.

When you think the bookies had Mateo down as one of the favourites to be one of the top goalscorers in the championship is now looking a damp squib.

Both Piroe & Joseph current scores of 200+ in our MOTM polls is underwhelming, when you consider Tanarka, Aaronson & Gnonto have achieved over 700 points.

[1964white]

For me it is more disappointment than turning him into a villain. Disappointment that he has not just failed to live up to the hopes/hype but has come up woefully short.

Woefully short, indeed.

As Jay commented, Preston will probably see the return of Piroe in the starting line-up, it's like a revolving door with these two, at least we know Joel will score goals, good to see him show more to his game last night.

[60sUnited]

Must agree with 64 re Joseph, not writing him off but the fact is that his contribution to last night was virtually nil....I was at the game and paid particular interest to his play and was willing him to do well but unfortunately he didn't.

[1964white]

Must agree with 64 re Joseph, not writing him off but the fact is that his contribution to last night was virtually nil....I was at the game and paid particular interest to his play and was willing him to do well but unfortunately he didn't.

I couldn't believe Joseph wasn't even attempting to jump & compete with their centre-backs & not holding the ball up efficiently, pointless Meslier pumping the ball up towards our forwards as we are not going to win aerial duals.

Mateo looked like little boy lost out there

[DDB220]

For me it is more disappointment than turning him into a villain. Disappointment that he has not just failed to live up to the hopes/hype but has come up woefully short.

He could just be struggling with the level of expectation. He placed unnecessary pressure on himself at the start of the season with his comments. I still think he will come good. DF - IMO is a very good manager in dealing with such issues

[DDB220]

I couldn't believe Joseph wasn't even attempting to jump & compete with their centre-backs & not holding the ball up efficiently, pointless Meslier pumping the ball up towards our forwards as we are not going to win aerial duals.

Mateo looked like little boy lost out there

I do not get hyped up by any player who has a good game. It is all about maintaining a performance level of consistency over a sustained period for me.

So much talk about Amps not getting back in the team on line. Folk soon forget how he has been a model of consistency before his injury. He is a shoe in as a starter when fully fit.

As good as Rothwell and Tanaka have proven to be - this just outlines our depth and squad balance this season. Which is what we missed last season.

Rothwell is a very astute loan signing and is playing out of his skin as he may see a permanent contract opportunity.

[Jammy 07]

Woefully short, indeed.

As Jay commented, Preston will probably see the return of Piroe in the starting line-up, it's like a revolving door with these two, at least we know Joel will score goals, good to see him show more to his game last night.

Personally I wouldn't be so harsh on Joseph as he was heavily involved in our first goal and unlucky not to score it himself. Not sure whether it was him or the defender that got the touch on Dan James's across but it doesn't really matter as it was his ability to be up there with play that was crucial. Also because of Joseph's playing high on the shoulder of the last defender it forced the Boro defence slightly deeper which allows some great opportunities out wide for Wober and James first half.

We then saw the beauty of a fresh Piroe being introduced into a game where the gaps are now appearing and he was able to showcase his talents far better than when he's run himself into the ground chasing and harrying like Joseph had done for the previous 70 mins.

Basically as I've been suggesting all week we got more out of the squad by utilising Joseph from the start as it allowed virtually every player to have the option to hit him long if they were under pressure. Something that Rodon failed to do twice, instead choosing to go back to Meslier and Struijk when the long ball into the channel would have been the more preferable option.

However agreed that Joseph could certainly have contributed more, hopefully that will come with more starts and at the end of the day it's about what is best for the the team and not the individual.

[Jammy 07]

I couldn't believe Joseph wasn't even attempting to jump & compete with their centre-backs & not holding the ball up efficiently, pointless Meslier pumping the ball up towards our forwards as we are not going to win aerial duals.

Mateo looked like little boy lost out there

Have to disagree there as Jospeh was positioning himself in front of the centre half every time and then backing into him without giving away a foul. You might not like his method but he most certainly was competing in the challenge by not allowing the defender to get a clear head on the ball.

[Jaydog]

I'm not writing Joseph off, just reporting how poor he was watching from the terraces at ER, as opposed to making comments from some cosy work do in Birmingham.

If I said it was a lethargic display, it would be an understatement.

All the hype on here after his very good performance at Chelsea is proving Farke was right, not to start him last season.

When you think the bookies had Mateo down as one of the favourites to be one of the top goalscorers in the championship is now looking a damp squib.

Both Piroe & Joseph current scores of 200+ in our MOTM polls is underwhelming, when you consider Tanarka, Aaronson & Gnonto have achieved over 700 points.

Too right. While DDB was eating sausage rolls and photographing his butt cheeks on the copier some of us were hard at work on the sofa.
And just for once Weasel let that last comment go without perversion. I already have PTSD from your fingers suggestion.

[The Subhuman]

He played some at RB in preseason. Farke was definitely preparing him as a back up option.

I just think it was a case of get him on where we can for game time.

[1964white]

In his defence Josephs chance led to the first goal

Watching the game again, Joseph should have buried that chance, a strikers' goal.

[Barlow Boy]

Glad you had a great evening Kev.....

Thanks Swannie.

A couple of pints, and my thermals helped deal with the cold