The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 1st April) Not a Good Friday for Whites
Good Morning. It's Monday 1st April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Not a Good Friday for Whites
Leeds fought back after going behind twice to earn a share of the spoils at Vicarage Road on Good Friday!
Leeds were well overdue a poor performance, and duly obliged, with a rendition resembling the horror show of last season. It was always going to be a difficult ask after the International break. Whilst the Hornets had six players out on International Duty, Daniel Farke had a total of six players to work with at Thorp Arch.
Four of the Leeds contingent were also involved in the Euro play off between Wales and Poland, which went to extra time and penalties just days before the Watford game.
If that wasn't bad enough, the Leeds gaffer had to contend with fresh injuries to Conor Roberts, Ilia Gruev and Wilfred Gnonto, not to mention Georginio Rutter's surgery just ten days prior.
The hosts took the lead on the half hour mark. Meslier could only parry Emmanuel Dennis' goal bound from 12 yards out, and the rebound fell kindly for Vakoun Bayo who smashed the ball home before Cooper had time to react.
Leeds drew level seven minutes later with a spectacular solo effort from Crysencio Summerville, bending the ball past Bachmann's outstretched dive, from the edge of the area; sending the 3000 travelling fans into rapturous jubilation.
The half seemed destined to remain level pegging, until the stroke of half time, when Dennis (who had been a constant threat to the Leeds defence all half) regained the lead with a solo effort of his own, rounding two Leeds defenders in the process.
Leeds looked better in the second half, and when Ampadu dropped back into central defence, the visitors started to find their feet. This coincided with Firpo being bought on after an hour, freeing up Archie Gray to move to midfield.
Byram switched to right back (where he looks far more comfortable) and finally Leeds started to resemble a side worthy of their Championship pecking order. Why it took Daniel Farke so long to make these changes is difficult to fathom; Leeds had been over-ran in the middle of the park, with absolutely no support to their lone striker who may as well on have been on the field.
Summerville (who has not been at his best over the last couple on months) ran the show for Leeds, and was the contributing factor when Leeds drew level five minutes before time. He picked out Joseph in a congested penalty area, who somehow managed to scramble the ball over the line.
It wasn't a great performance, but all will be forgiven if they can get back to winning ways this evening for the arrival of Hull City.
Social media boo boys point finger of blame at Cooper
Ever since the Tom Lees era, the Leeds faithful have developed a habit of pointing the finger of blame at a single individual when things go wrong on the pitch, and Liam Cooper is never far away from criticism!
His inclusion in the starting line-up was his first since the visit to the Hawthorns just after Christmas, and that didn't end well either! Having conceded just three times from their previous thirteen games, Leeds relinquish two goals in quick succession on Friday night, and unfortunately for the Leeds stalwart, he is the common denominator.
Does he deserve the criticism he is getting on social media, or just the latest in a long line of fall guys when things go wrong? Should Farke have started with Ampadu alongside Rodon? Perhaps Cresswell should have been given the nod; either way, when substituted midway through the second half Cooper looked dejected and troubled!
Bamford's dire statistics
How on earth was Patrick Bamford afforded 90 minutes on Friday evening?
The 30yo striker may as well have been playing in a different postcode, such was his contribution on Friday night. No goal, no shots either on or off target, no assists, no blocks, no dribbles, no interceptions, one tackle, and only 10 out of 15 passes completed!
I'm not saying it's all his fault. The service he received was shocking, but when it became obvious that he was frozen out of the game, why wasn't he replaced to either beef up our midfield or replace him earlier by the more mobile Matteo Joseph?
