Leeds United v Newcastle United Match Thread

[The Subhuman]

Don't see how we can play two up front, we'd lose the centre midfield...

[malcolmw]

I thought we looked ok tonight and dare I risk folks ire id say DCL and Harrison looked pretty good. No one can argue we have had a tough 3 games though, harder than Burnley and Sunderland’s and we still got 4 points. We’re down to needing a point per game this season so it’s not the worst start.

Good point (excuse the pun)...see what I did there????? Oh forget it

[CUSSIE01]

I agree he has been steady from what I have seen in the second half. Looks like we were happy to get a point, with our starting set up, with the hope of nicking something in the last 10. Nearly worked. DCL is streets ahead of our other attacking options with his movement. Unlucky not to score Dan Burn managed to get a touch on his shot which made it more comfortable for Pope.

Gruev couple of good tackles, but we need more from that position. We miss Amps big time in that role.

[YorkshireSquare]

I feel the Arsenal game was a question of poor timing - lost our captain, and went to one of the top teams in Europe with a squad low on PL experience.

Still think Farke got that one wrong. Nmecha and Longstaff gave us more control today, they would have been the correct picks against Arsenal.

[YorkshireSquare]

We miss Amps big time in that role.

Absolutely crucial to the way we will play this season

[malcolmw]

I think Farke is holding Harry back...maybe waiting to see what the situ looks like come Nov. If we have some breathing space then can feed him in. What he doesn't want to do is break him with pressure when so young (and carrying his name)

He virtually said as much in a press conference a few weeks ago when asked about Harry

He said he is working hard and there is a plan in place and the best thing fans can do is just let him be for a while. He is very young after all.

Im OK with that.

Maybe second half of the season have him start coming on off the bench for the final 15.

[YorkshireSquare]

Lowest xG of the season by a distance second worst in the last two seasons...

About 0.2 combined in the second half?

[malcolmw]

Still think Farke got that one wrong. Nmecha and Longstaff gave us more control today, they would have been the correct picks against Arsenal.

I can't argue with that. It was poor from all aspects, including the manager's tactics.

But hindsight is 20/20 vision right?

Maybe what we saw today included some learnings from the last 2 bad games.

[malcolmw]

About 0.2 combined in the second half?

Our xg - whatever that is - was higher today than Newcastle's

[YorkshireSquare]

But hindsight is 20/20 vision right?

But I advocated for both of those changes before the game.

I think we need to be a bit smarter in this league, we can't setup the same against every team, there is such a difference between top and bottom.

[YorkshireSquare]

Our xg - whatever that is - was higher today than Newcastle's

I think we had the better chances, even late on.

[YorkshireSquare]

Next three games are entirely winnable by the way

[malcolmw]

But I advocated for both of those changes before the game.

I think we need to be a bit smarter in this league, we can't setup the same against every team, there is such a difference between top and bottom.

I go back to my point. Learning is happening.
No value now in banging on about itinerary bet you fans of most clubs who have not started well are saying similar things!

We have to focus forward or we waste value energy handwringing about something in the past - a pointless endeavour.

We have the international break - a chance to further embed a very new squad, hopefully have our captain back and who knows maybe another addition before Monday night.

[STLWhite]

We all know we will sign that classic 10 on Monday. That will enable us to grind for 70 mins then bring on the classy play maker to nick games in the last 20 mins.

[YorkshireSquare]

I go back to my point. Learning is happening.
No value now in banging on about itinerary bet you fans of most clubs who have not started well are saying similar things!

We have to focus forward or we waste value energy handwringing about something in the past - a pointless endeavour.

We have the international break - a chance to further embed a very new squad, hopefully have our captain back and who knows maybe another addition before Monday night.

I hope the learning is happening, because this is Farke's thrid crack at this

[SG90]

Solomon on loan and we could do worse than bringing KP on loan as well. And drop £20m on a playmaker

[SG90]

Next three games are entirely winnable by the way

Let's not get carried away lol

[malcolmw]

I hope the learning is happening, because this is Farke's thrid crack at this

And your point is?????

[YorkshireSquare]

And your point is?????

The main reasons Norwich fans would tell you that Farke failed in the Premier League are; recruitment, tactical inflexibility and a lack of learning lessons. Farke has two of those in his control this season, would be extremely positive to see him demonstrating he has learned those lessons and we start to approach different opponents in a different way.

[ElKapitan]

Looked better.

Perri was very good, think he's getting up to speed with things and our defence but solid.

Back two were immense, Gudmundsson was brilliant as was Bogle when he got to grips defensively (think he struggled gauging when to attack/defend a bit early on).

Long staff was excellent, really really commanding presence centrally, got them going.

Stach was good if a bit wasteful going forward. Couple of really key passes that could of created one vs ones but chose the wrong pass (gnonto on 20 unmarked on left, passed into traffic on the right). But good in the air and looked as good as any of their midfielders.

Gruev.... Overran a bit, hasn't got the pace/acceleration or physicality and far too defensive minded when a counters on. Really need Ampadu back I reckon. Did improve later on but not prem level for me (didn't think much of him at champ level either tbh but definitely more his type of game.

James/Gnonto were threatening without really showing too much quality with final balls but think that will come. James much much better than preseason/first two games.

Nmecha.... All of our best moments came from him winning headers, really really good focal point. Piroe offers nothing like that unfortunately...... Biggest difference today vs Arsenal in terms with our all round play for me.

Sub's:

Calvert lewin..... Very good showing from a very rusty player.... His quality isn't in doubt just his fitness. Still don't think he should have been the striker we signed outside of our recruitment department living in a mad house with 539 days missed in 3 years but if we can get a yo yo between him and nmecha going he'll add something. Again got us up the pitch by winning headers and bringing others into play.

Justin didn't see too much of him but a good option (again if he stays fit) on either flank.

Aarronsson.... Not a right winger, think we suffered possession wise when james/gnonto went off but couple of nice touches and skinned two Newcastle players/unlucky Pope is the size of an ent.

Harrison divisive but steady.... He was good in some ways, crossing was hit and miss in terms of in the stands or a good cross as always and couldn't stretch the defence like Gnonto. Solid option for the end of games for a bit of energy. Get rid next year hopefully.

All in all, far far far better than I expected.