Thanks for another interesting opener Clive - though the only thing I'm going to hate today is that I'll miss the game as our 13-year old is playing in a 5-hour long handball tournament today and since it's an hour drive away we'll be gone till 10pm.
No idea what to expect today from Boro as they looked very comfortable against Preston but they've lost 3 games in a week so may not be the best indicator. At least confidence should be high and Michael Carrick must now decide what his best team is if others are fit again to return.
I'd personally stick with the same back four as played against Preston but would bring Hackney back in midfield and perhaps Coburn up top as well.
Hopefully Boro start on the front foot and get an early goal (or two) and then try too control the game - However it will tough in front of a noisy Leeds crowd so don't expect an easy game. If I'm luck I may catch the first 20 minutes before leaving so a good start by Boro would be appreciated by me 😉
Team News...
Looks like an unchanged team from the one that beat Preston.
A few weeks ago, we'd have seen a lineup with that many new signings in it and shuddered. I think it's a testament to MC's coaching and man management skills that we can see it now and have a tentative confidence.
Detailed Boro team news from CJ:
A welcome bit of injury news for Boro with Engel fit enough to make the bench today. His injury at Bristol City looked serious and judging by the way Carrick spoke on Thursday, I'd suspected he wasn't likely to have any chance for today.
Obviously it is a blow though that there is no Fry or Hackney, with both important players who would have certainly started today if fit. Carrick's suggestion on Thursday was that neither have serious injuries because he said he was leaving it as late as possible to see if they could make it. You do always have to be conscious of kidology and not giving too much team news away.
But hopefully it is just a case that both just found this game coming a little too soon for them, rather than anything more long-term. Greenwood is the one change from Tuesday's squad to make a space for Engel's return. He is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Pre-match stats, again courtesy of CJ, which don't make for comfortable reading:
Via Opta:
- Leeds have won their last two league games against Boro, both coming in their promotion-winning 2019-20 season. They've not won three in a row since December 1989
- Boro have lost five of their last seven games at Elland Road and have not won here since August 2011
- Leeds have won six of their nine Saturday games this season (D2, L1), including each of the last four
- All eight of Boro's wins this season have come in their last 11 games, but they are without a win on the road in their last two
- Daniel Farke as not seen his side concede a goal vs Boro in six Championship meetings, all of which were with Norwich. Five were 1-0 wins and one was a goalless draw
Paddy Bam-Bam & Djed Spence on the bench for The Dirties. When did the latter make the move to the Dark Side? Just checked & he's apparently there on loan from Spurs (Ange must've wanted shot of him). It seems his full name is Diop Tehuti Djed-Spence! *shakes head* The things you learn from Wiki...
Leeds 1-1 Boro after 4 minutes (!!).
ELL gives Boro the lead in the third minute, assisted by Bangura. The new boys are starting to come good! 🙂
Leeds 2-1 Boro after 6 minutes (!!!)
Great goal from Lath, then after a good save by Dieng that should have been a wake up call, the defence make a complete hash of things.
VDB make a poor clearance, ball comes back in and McNair is asleep. Second, poor attempted clearance by McNair, straight to Summerville to nod in.
Boro struggling with the Leeds pace.
Listening to commentary on radio Leeds. After 15 minutes it should be 4-3 to Leeds. Very open game and the Leeds commentator is quite critical of Boro’s defence and confident Leeds will score more.
Philip of Huddersfield
Action-packed start to the game but it sounds as if it could easily have been Leeds 4-2 Boro already in this game after 22 minutes.
@philip-of-huddersfield - I don't think Boro decided to play with a defence for this game.
@forever-dormo Boro have had a couple decent chances, however every time Leeds attack they look as though they could score. James, Summerville and Gray running riot.
McNair injured, Clarke on.
Matt Clarke is brought on as substitute and concedes a penalty within a minute, which Leeds score. 3-1.
Clarke promptly gives away a penalty, which is duly converted. Yellow cards for Clarke & Jonny H.
Penalty to Leeds after a foul by goal. Boro just cannot stop the tide. If Leeds don’t take their foot of the gas, it could end up double this score.
This could be embarrassing, losing 1-3. And with Clarke on for McNair having played only 7 minutes in the last 12 months. Boro just can’t get out of their half of the pitch.
Is this the game where Boro hierarchy realise it’s defenders which are needed?
Philip of Huddersfield
Clarke came on for McNair who has a back injury. Clearly God doesn't want Boro to have many central defenders fit at any one time.
Matt Clarke is brought on as substitute and concedes a penalty within a minute, which Leeds score. 3-1.
Comment from CJ:
Dieng partly to blame for this one. His sloppy ball out gifted [ouch!] Leeds possession. It was played into Georginio's feet. He turned, evaded Clarke's initial take but Clarke caught him with a second attempt as he went to shoot and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Clarke's first involvement.
Lath has scored a second to make it Leeds 3-2 Boro (but he had another couple of chances and could have had FOUR. Six minutes to half time.
Boro scored for 2 corners in the last 2 games. Stop the Front Page...!
ELL pulls one back in the 45th minute, assisted by Barlaser. 3-2...
CJ seems to have quite a gift for stating the bleedin' obvious:
Away-day woes
Third straight away game that Boro have conceded three (and I wouldn't bank on Leeds being finished yet today based on the evidence so far). Boro need to manage away games so much better than they do.
Crazy but exciting game - unfortunately had to leave after 30 minutes only to see that two more goals have been scored in the first half
Not the best game to be missing 😢
Great game. But those BBC TEES commentators are like a couple of kids and are dire. In fact they have been for a long time.
One of the best games I’ve seen for a long time !
second half might be a bit grim !
OFB
Jones booked, suspended. One more less.
Dijksteel second yellow. Another player less to choose from.
Crooks yellow card for a stupid tackle after playing well. May end up with another sending off yet.