We all have the benefit of hindsight, but I would have been tempted to maybe just pull Joseph for Bamford and let the rest play the game out. We were looking the most likely team to win it and Piroe especially gave the ball away time and time again putting us under pressure. He showed in his cameo why he should never be near the starting line up. The ref was all over the place with his decision making and that didn’t help us. I thought we looked better with Rothwell on for Gruev, more forward thinking and more penetration. We’re still not getting past teams down the flanks which limits us offensively, and to go nearly 160 corners without scoring is a joke really. If we find too many ways to not score goals it’s gonna make it difficult for us. A point’s not a disaster, but Friday’s result will give it more context.

In the end I was happy with a point as either team could have snatched it.
Negatives for me Meslier who I thought should have saved the penalty, Struijk always has one lapse in concentration and the ref who missed the foul on Gnonto in the box and let some challenges by Norwich go unpunished.
I messaged my mate to say as soon as we went down to 10 men there was no way we were going to win it.
He replied that we didn`t have anyone sent off.
To which I replied I know, we brought Bamford on!
Positives Tanaka and Rothwell but neither are holding midfielders.
Gnonto who was good but also made some wrong choices and Ramazani who took his goal well.
Sunderland Friday will be a lot tougher and a point would be a bonus.

You never want players to get injured but this new combination may work out well for us. I often thought Gruev and Ampadu held us back offensively, with two more forward thinking players it could benefit the team. Time will tell. Tanaka looks like he’s gonna play more of the holding role, and Rothwell looks like he can deliver a dead ball pretty well which is something we’ve lacked. If I was Farke I’d be getting my wallet out though and saying to Tanaka, “get yourself down to Lillywhites and buy some Stylo Matchmakers with proper studs in son”. He looked like he was playing in ten pin bowling shoes.

no way should meslier have saved the penalty.

Those minutes for both last night will have done them the world of good. Rothwell grew into the game and like you say gives us a goal threat from outside the box and a better set piece threat, however neither are known for their defensive ability which will be tested on Friday... Farke will have to come up with a plan.

Fixture list not been kind to Leeds this week, Sheff u and Sunderland both have back to back home games. At least there's an international break coming up after Friday so some players can rest. If i were Leeds i'd be pretending there's one or two not fit enough to travel..

Yes I agree to some extent re Rothwell and Tanaka as both look very good and Ampadu/Gruev can be too defensive at times.
Personally I would like to see Ampadu/Tanaka or Gruev/Rothwell on the pitch together when all are fit.
My concern is that I don`t have too much confidence in our back 4 and both Ampadu/Gruev had to spend more time covering for them which I don`t think Tanaka.Rothwell are as good at.

Personal opinions Tad but he didn`t even move and the ball was only a yard to his left.
If he guesses that way he saves it but he stood still.
Anyway whatever we think Norwich scored

thing is, and I played as a keeper. it was too hard and more importantly too close. sounds daft but it's easier to react if it isn't as close and you can reach out rather than down

It looked a poor attempt of a save to me and I know a few other people saying the same but I’m no expert on the matter. If we do go up he needs replacing with much better but that’s for another day. His distribution is so inconsistent too

whilst I'm not a massive fan I can't believe he's being slagged off for not saving a penalty!!!!!

In fairness to Messier he made that astonishing point blank save when Rodon deflected the ball goalwards a couple of yards out. As regards to binning Meslier if we go up , I think we”d have to bin 90% of the current team.

massive turnover yes. need to bring in 8 or 9. which is why most promoted teams struggle badly

I think it`s more about his overall performance(s) distribution, awareness, marshalling his back 4 etc.
Most players refer to goalkeepers as a bit eccentric and OTT ( no offence Tad)


I rarely see Meslier bol£ocking his defenders and telling them off like others I`ve seen.
But like you guys are saying with the exception of maybe 4 or 5 the rest are not PL standards and will need replacing.

Regarding the Gruev injury it looks similar to Ampadu`s although I hope I`m wrong.
Performance wise and the next 2 games, I can see us about 8th in the League after Sheff Utd`s game and possibly 8 points behind the top 2.
I`m going 2 nil Sunderland and a 3 nil Sheff Utd and btw I`ve never predicted a correct score yet.

6 points then....

Hope so mate although you would get good odds on us getting 6 points.
Even better odds on my predictions

Gruev needs knee surgery and will be out for months.

if not the season.

I guess they'll be looking at free agents

Got to do. And they'll reinforce in Jan most definitely. any more key players out for a while and it could be curtains for promotion bid.

Chapy, there's no way Sheff U beat us at Elland Rd 3-0.

They were very lucky v Derby the other night. Derby were battering them but couldn't score.

I actually thought we were away (again) tbh so I`ll go 2 nil instead


Sky Bet offering 12/1 a 2 nil Sunderland win tonight which I think is generous.
At least I called the Gruev injury right : almost


Interesting to see Piroe in for Joseph tonight.

My worst nightmare

do you feel a little bit silly now?


tanaka needs to sit. they are getting loads of space in the 10 area. rothwells pulled all the strings.been excellent

unbelievabl. useless french pr1ck

The worst mistake since Sprake threw the ball into his own goal. Nevermind a midfielder, the GK is the weak link

Absolutely gutted after what was a fantastic all round performance until that clown messed up.
I keep saying it but we won`t get promotion whilst he`s in goal.
We were cruising that game and all he had to do was hold the ball and it`s 3 points.
Aaaronsen again closes down well and doesn`t stop running but I`ve yet to see him win a 1 on 1 duel.
Harsh criticism there i know but just an observation really.
Piroe superb finish and that`s how you score.
Rothwell top performance and no need for Bogle to give that free kick away with 3 Leeds players around the Sunderland player.
Meslier you nob.