First the minority bit; I was dreading Mike Dean’s appearance today. I felt it inevitable that he would send someone off. He didn’t, and what is more, he refereed the game fairly. He did not get everything right by any means, but he probably balanced his errors. Apparently, Roberts hand ball was outside the box and from my position 40 yards from play, the tackle on Armstrong in the box looked a foul. But then again, I thought the ball brushed Kent’s arm as he turned prior to his goal and I thought the foul on Scowen that produced the goal for Hourihane was very soft. So Mike Dean, not great but fair. Most people will agree with the rest. Leeds are not one of the best 6 sides to visit Oakwell this season and I will be very surprised if they finish in a playoff spot. Indeed, on the night I would only swap them Chris Wood for one of our players. They were forced to change their shape to match ours, and I cannot remember that happening before this season. Conor Hourihane has not been demotivated by all the transfer talk, indeed that was one of the most motivated performances that I have seen from him all season, and that bollocking for young Kent in the first half was one of the longest and most graphic I have seen. Well played Conor! Roberts also seemed back to his best. McDonald struggled at set pieces with Chris Wood, but Roberts looked after him in the second half and even found time to bail out Bree on a couple of occasions as well. Gethin Jones looked a bit uncomfortable at times on the left side, particularly tackling on his left side which is more difficult for a right sided left full back, but he is fresh to the club and probably does not understand our play yet. Hourihane and Scowen controlled things for long periods in midfield and forced Leeds to change their shape, but my MotM was Armstrong, who I thought was back almost to his best. His close control and tight turns gave the Leeds central defensive pair much to think about, but his pace is the real game changer. We still need to find a way to use it, but once again, the promise was there. Finally, one final word about the fighting in the bottom corner of the Ponte. There is really no excuse is there. You make yourselves look bad and you cost the club money. For goodness sake grow up.
At least his errors largely evened themselves out, he could have given a pen against Roberts in the first half, far more of a penalty than the one at Fulham. Red Rain's report was pretty accurate I'd say - apart from mom, clearly Scowen for me. Particularly the comment about fighting. Just because some fans from the opposition are in our end, there's no need to resort to violence. I've been in the home end at away games often enough (Coventry and Villa in the Prem for example - tickets obtained be mates who support them). Just effing grow up.
Hmm very minority & off target this one. Kent had a great game. Marley had a great game. MacDonald had a great game. Roberts silly handball. Outside the box, but could have been a free kick & a red card. Mike Dean, biased & erratic beyond belief. You were right about Hourihane & Scowen
Agree with most but not the handball. It was clearly accidental. Wood headed it onto his hand about 1 yard away. So on that alone it was harsh. The fact it was a good yard outside the box is just pathetic. One more soft penalty against us. Remind me how many soft ones we have been given.
Yes, having seen it on TV was accidental. Number of penalties given vs us this season is ridiculous. Linesman equally at fault.
Kent didn't handball it, shocking pen decision and nothing balanced about Dean's decision making. Scowen MOM all day long. Good read though RR. Cheers.
Well said as always and I'd definitely swap Chris Wood for some of our players. He's probably the best striker of his type outside the Premiershit. I thought it was an excellent team performance and couldn't single anyone out as mom though would like to give a mention to Bradshaw. His all action high pressing was brilliant and was a big part in Leeds having to resort to hoof ball ( and ar lass reckons he fills his shorts out well)... The ref was good first half but appaling second. Not a penalty for me possibly not even a free kick and thought we should have had one but his overall control of the fame was very poor in the second half.
Why we're Leeds into double figures with their fouls before they received their first yellow card? Connor got one for his first foul.