HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Elland Road by delving into their forums.

“Is this the real Leeds United? I hope so”, “Please let it be”, “Three wins in a row feels good, but we have beaten one of the poorest sides in the division twice and another once”, “We shouldn’t get carried away but we are definitely playing better football than we have for a long, long time.”

Leeds go into Saturday’s game rejuvenated by a three-game winning run after making a poor start to the season.

Successive Tuesday night triumphs over Blackburn, 2-1 in the league and 1-0 this week in the EFL Cup, bracketed Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Cardiff which lifted them to 15th in the table.

“Two league wins on the trot now. We have a chance to sink our teeth into the season here”, “It all looks promising”, “We know we have beaten two poor teams but that’s it. We need to get a result against a top side before we can really start believing in this lot. We have had so many false dawns.”

“It would be great if we could go on a run”, “It’s important that we kick on and get a few wins on the bounce”, “The benefit of back-to-back wins is that it lifts the pressure on Garry Monk and the team and builds confidence. That alone will make us a tougher proposition for the stiffer tests ahead.”

Garry Monk

“Blackburn is a make-or-break match for Monk. If we lose again I do feel that [club owner] Massimo Cellino’s trigger finger will see some action”, “If he does not get it right for the Blackburn and Cardiff league games, he will be gone”, “Lose against Blackburn and it would look stupid not to sack him.”

Most fans believed that the 37-year-old former Swansea boss would have been sacked had he failed to turn the season’s poor start around.

Successive defeats to Sheffield Wednesday, Forest and Huddersfield had left the Whites in the bottom three with just four points from their opening six league games.

“I want Monk to succeed as I am fed up with this manager merry-go-round, but he needs to make sense of his selections and tactics. I, like many others, cannot see what our style of play is supposed to be”, “If we had lost to Blackburn, the relegation word would have been on everyone’s lips.”

Two league wins have changed everyone’s perspective. “If nothing else, these wins should give him time because we are making progress”, “I’m very happy for Monk and hope that we can repeat the second half performance at Cardiff against Ipswich”, “Our best league performance for some time.”

“Kudos to Monk for doing one thing. He had the team defending as a team, working hard to get behind the ball when the opposition gained possession”, “It takes time to impose a passing philosophy on a side”, “He was more positive in his post-match interview than a week ago. He has to be given time.”

Two Vital Alterations

“Dare I say it, we are looking like a team that is starting to gel”, “I liked how we gradually exerted control over the Cardiff game the longer it went on”, “Monk admitted that by going 4-4-2 he has been sacrificing his philosophy. Playing 4-2-3-1 has reminded him to stick to his principles.”

“One up top, two goals, midfield control”, “Playing one up front is the system we should stick with rather than trying to fit Chris Wood and Marcus Antonsson in as a front pair from the start. We certainly have the players to execute the 4-2-3-1 formation with back-up options from the bench.”

Monk’s starting XI (above) at Cardiff had the same one up front and three in the middle shape which worked against Blackburn the previous Tuesday night. The creative midfield was more balanced with playmaker Pablo Hernandez flanked by the pace of Hadi Sacko and the industry of Stuart Dallas.

“It’s clear that the current 4-2-3-1 formation is the most accommodating for our greatest talents. We should stick with a system which works for us and not against us”, “Switching to playing one up front makes sense with the mobility in our midfield and Monk’s desire to get us playing a passing game.”

“Excellent team performance, it’s difficult to highlight any of our players who did not contribute”, “Monk’s game plan worked so well. We played a little bit more defensively and had less possession than usual but we attacked with pace”, “The main difference from Huddersfield was the midfield.”

“Ditching 4-4-2 for an extra midfielder has largely eradicated the tendency to hoof.” Fans felt that the team (above) that had lost to Huddersfield lacked fluidity in midfield. “We were one-dimensional as we launched the ball up to Wood and Antonsson. The midfield didn’t support the two strikers.”

“At last, it looks like we have a defence”, “The back four played well against Huddersfield.” The second major change has been the introduction of Sweden international Pontus Jansson. He made his league debut against the Terriers and has greatly improved the quality of the side’s defending.

“Can I say we were solid at the back at Cardiff?”, “It was the best defensive performance I have seen for a long time”, “That clean sheet has been coming for a while”, “I was going to say that it’s hard to believe that this is the same defence but it’s not. It’s much better and Pontus Jansson is immense.”

Leeds 1 — 0 Blackburn (EFL Cup)

“Chris Wood is not the best striker in the world but hey, at least he scores some goals”, “A better second half but overall a poor game. Blackburn are really bad”, “All we are doing is passing along the backline. I prefer to believe it’s Monk’s tactic, bringing on fresher, more dangerous players late on.”

“Hernandez and Wood turned the game when they came off the bench”, “Good to get a late winner and a big name at home would be nice now.” Leeds secured an “uninspiring” fourth-round EFL Cup home draw against Norwich after Wood bundled home an 85th minute winner on Tuesday.

“A rubbish game, but we will take a poor 1-0 with all the changes.” Monk stuck to the new formation (above) but took Jansson out of the back four along with four attacking players Dallas, Sacko, Wood and Hernandez. Fans agreed that the introduction of the latter pair late on made a telling difference.

Cardiff 0 — 2 Leeds

“Back-to-back wins for the first time this season and also back-to-back wins away against our bogey team”, “I’m very encouraged by the performance”, “A great result, the defence was rock solid today”, “A lovely clean sheet and well-earned too”, “Things are looking up if we can continue to develop this team.”

“A good day at the office today.” After surviving a few first-half scares, the Whites took the lead in last Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off when Wood struck home a penalty on 62 minutes after Jansson was pulled down. Hernandez sealed victory with “a beast of a strike” eight minutes before time.

“What a good performance”, “We were poor in the first half but rode the storm. We looked sharper in the second and got a well-deserved break”, “In the second half Sacko, Wood and Hernandez were 10 to 15 yards further up the pitch so we were more attacking and less reliant on the counter.”

“We moved the ball around well, clearly the product training ground work but when we lost it, it wasn’t always in the final third”, “Let’s not get carried away here. The first half was hairy at times”, “Have to agree, our two in a row has been against bottom teams lacking confidence and quality.”

Leeds 2 — 1 Blackburn

“Seventeenth, bloody Nora!”, “I wonder what the percentages are for fans of certain clubs suffering heart attacks. It’s a nightmare being a Leeds fan, isn’t it?”, “We don’t know if that was a turning point so no point in getting giddy yet, but boy was it important to win it”, “That was much better tonight.”

“Phew.” After a poor first half, Leeds went ahead when Wood tapped home a Sacko cross from close range. “I think the ball hit him more than he hit the ball, but he was in the right place.” The visitors drew level on 77 minutes through a Marvin Emnes shot from the edge of the Leeds penalty area.

“You can’t stand three yards away at that range. You have to get in there and disrupt possession.” Fans were critical of their side’s defending for the equaliser but there was delight and relief when Kyle Bartley headed home United’s winner from a freekick with just four minutes remaining.

“It’s going to be 4-2-3-1 tonight [above] with Hernandez at number 10.” Many felt that Chris Wood led the line more with more conviction when he replaced Antonsson after an hour. Liam Bridcutt missed last week’s Bluebirds’ game with a foot injury but many expect him to start on Saturday if fit.

“Rovers though, that’s a proper poor side”, “The game was pretty bad”, “Not a great game, if truth be told, too many stoppages and a lack of quality disrupted the flow of the match”, “Rovers were poor so I won’t get carried away with this win, but you can only beat what is put in front of you.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Someone needs to have a word with Rob Green about his decision-making in coming for a ball in a crowded area. That nearly cost us again at Cardiff.” The 36-year-old former Norwich and QPR keeper “did flap dangerously at one cross, but came off his line for others to good effect”, “He worries me.”

“Monk has stuck with Green because he clearly talks a lot more than Marco Silvestri”, “Green does some good things such as barking orders but almost cost us an immediate equaliser after the Cardiff penalty”, “He makes good saves, but by the season’s end he will cost us more games than he wins.”

“I’m generally not impressed with Luke Ayling.” The 25-year-old ex-Bristol City right-back “looked vulnerable against Blackburn even though he didn’t have a decent winger running at him. His sense of positioning was poor”, “He was lucky not to be red-carded against Cardiff, sliding in recklessly.”

“Ayling is being caught out of position and looks vulnerable when attacks come down his wing”, “He’s the weakest defensive link not making challenges but his service to forwards on occasions was excellent”, “He started brilliantly in his first few games, but Gaetano Berardi has to return when fit.”

“Did anyone else see Charlie Taylor pulling out of tackles against Blackburn?” The 22-year-old left-back and youth product “is definitely not the same player from last season as yet”, “He looked poor in all aspects at Cardiff defensively and going forward”, “Again looked to be playing half-interested.”

“I’m disappointed with Taylor. You can see that his heart isn’t in it.” He has regularly been criticised for playing below his ability. “He didn’t get forward against Blackburn”, “He’s not playing at last season’s level. We should cash in and move on if we can find a suitable replacement in January.”

“I always thought of Liam Cooper as a nice bloke but a League One footballer at best.” The 25-year-old former Chesterfield centre-back was dropped in favour of Pontus Jansson after the Forest defeat. “Was Cooper as bad as the highlights showed?”, “He was culpable for two of their goals.”

“When many fans say ‘I like Cooper’, I scratch my head and wonder why”, “He’s a gung-ho defender with a sweet left foot, but the attention span of a kitten in a toy shop for young moggies. That is his downfall, because he’s not bad in the air and he’s not slow, just forgetful of his responsibilities.”

“Kyle Bartley is commanding and hard-working.” The 25-year-old Swansea loan signing “is a perfect foil for the big Swede, long may it continue”, “He makes the occasional poor pass but is impressive defensively”, “He reads the game well, defends well and took a good header for our Blackburn goal.”

“The unheralded Swansea cast-off has started well”, “Bartley has picked up some of Jansson’s grit and determination. After struggling in our early matches, he now looks an assured partner”, “Our central defence is now set is going to get better”, “Other fans will envy our centre-back pairing.”

Pontus Jansson

“Pontus muted Cardiff’s Rickie Lambert into silence, heading and blocking anything that was fired in his direction. His spirit and desire summed up our performance”, “What a guy. He showed exactly what Leeds fans expect from our players with total effort and desire. It looks like he’s a real leader.”

The 25-year-old loan signing from Torino “is an in-charge kind of defender. He’s 6ft 5in, almost Peter Crouch-like, yet his side tackles are excellent and he is calm and comfortable on the ball”, “A rock in defence and will be a cult hero by Christmas”, “An absolute monster and too good for this league.”

“Jansson has gelled the whole team together”, “He reads the game so well and is excellent on the ball”, “This guy, it seems, just loves defending”, “If any opposition player is going to fanny around with the ball in his vicinity, he is going to clatter them with relish”, “The Viking has arrived.”

Central Midfielders

“Young Ronaldo Vieira is very good to watch when he’s in the flow of the game.” The 18-year-old Benfica and Leeds youth product’s brother Romario also plays for the Whites’ development squad. “Ronaldo is class, a veritable Rolls Royce on the ball”, “Monk obviously sees something in the lad.”

“Vieira is willing to drive out of defence and link with forward players and he is strong too. He will make mistakes just like we saw Lewis Cook do, but I can’t see him being left out”, “He isn’t ready to fill a man’s shoes in such a pivotal position”, “A prospect but not quite ready to run our midfield.”

“Kalvin Phillips is another steady squad player you can call upon to do a job but I doubt he’ll be a regular fixture in any Championship side. He’s a strong lad but he’s not quick and doesn’t seem to be an incisive passer of the ball. He’s a useful tackler but he is nowhere near as combative as Bridcutt.”

“Phillips doesn’t protect the back four as well as Bridcutt”, “Phillips is a naturally strong player and a fine athlete.” The 20-year-old youth product “has plenty of honest endeavour but no creativity going forward”, “If Bridcutt isn’t driving the team forward, expecting Phillips to do it is criminal.”

“I would like to see Eunan O’Kane play further forward of Bridcutt rather than alongside him. He was decent in the Blackburn league game but was too deep.” The 26-year-old summer arrival from the Cherries “played box-to-box in the Blackburn EFL Cup game and he kept hold of the ball as well”.

“O’Kane looks for the ball and is constantly making himself available for the man on the ball which will make things easier for the rest of the team”, “He is not spectacular, but always shows for the ball from defence and keeps the play moving”, “O’Kane is very tidy on the ball and a hard worker.”

Liam Bridcutt

“Bridcutt’s energy was a big plus on loan last season but seemed to flag a little and become more erratic. I like him but felt he had a mediocre spell for us.” The 27-year-old signed permanently this summer from Sunderland. “He gives us the control and presence we have lacked in midfield.”

“Getting Bridcutt in will help the defensive side as the midfield was just too gung-ho at the start of the season”, “We know what we are getting with him, a good solid player who will sit deep to link play, who wins the ball back quickly and is the type of player that leads by example on the pitch.”

Pablo Hernandez

“In Hernandez we have a real playmaker at last.” The 31-year-old ex-Swansea man is on a six-month loan from Qatar side Al-Arabi with Leeds having an option to sign the former Spain international. “He ran the show at Cardiff with his silky skills and passes and his terrific goal was the icing on the cake.”

“Hernandez came alive after we took the lead. The game opened up as Cardiff had to go for it and it’s a long time since I have seen a Leeds midfielder dictate the play like he did. He pulled the strings and what a goal he scored”, “He’s an exciting player and looks at his best when given a free role.”

“Pablo is such a class act. He makes us tick and changes the way we play simply because of what he tries to do”, “His goal was an exceptional piece of finishing, but he also showed his improved fitness by closing down of Cardiff’s defenders”, “It was a masterclass in how to play the number 10 role.”

Wide Midfielders

“I still don’t know what Alex Mowatt is, a left midfielder, an attacking midfielder or a playmaker?” The 21-year-old youth product “is not a wide left-midfielder. He has no pace and needs to be played centrally or as a number 10”, “He’s ineffective on the left and cannot be fitted into a midfield two.”

“Kemar Roofe is my favourite player but I have issues with him. Someone said he had nice touches but I didn’t see them. He was sluggish and looked way short of pace and stamina. He looked heavy to me. From what I have seen, he is a million miles away from the Oxford player I saw last season.”

“Roofe has pace which can give teams real problems.” The 23-year-old has been used as a substitute in league games. “I was worried about him at Cardiff but he looked far more sprightly against Rovers. Kemar does clearly need a goal and I am sure we will see a different player once he scores it.”

“Stuart Dallas is still short of a gallop but given the attacking nature of Sacko on the other side, his defensive work-rate gives us good balance.” The 25-year-old ex-Brentford man “works very hard all game without looking very incisive. His industry gets him in the side, regularly working one wing.”

“Dallas struggled in the 4-4-2 system, tucking inside to help the midfield two out and leaving his full-back overloaded, a danger of playing two up top”, “He’s a hard-working wide man”, He gets through more work than Roofe and I think that will be important in the early stages against Ipswich.”

Hadi Sacko

“We have a right player in Sacko.” The 22-year-old season-long loanee from Sporting Lisbon “puts defenders under pressure with his pace and dribbling but equally runs into blind alleys and wastes promising situations”, “He scares the living daylights out of defenders with his pace and trickery.”

“If Sacko is totally confused by the things he does, you can only imagine the consternation which his unpredictability creates in defenders”, “We have lacked that injection of pace for so many years and it just shows what it can do, even if the player himself is unsure of his next move”, “He’s impressive.”

Strikers

“Souleymane Doukara is a really poor player who struggles to complete a five-yard pass.” The 24-year-old former Catania man has been a fringe player this season. “He’s less prolific than Antonsson or Wood but can create with his ability to move the ball, although his movement in the box is poor.”

“While Marcus Antonsson isn’t as quick as Jamie Vardy, he never stops moving and playing off the last defender.” The 25-year-old summer signing from Kalmar FF “looks good, takes up some good positions and is a scorer”, “He livens things up in attack and offers essential movement up front.”

“I’m really pleased Monk switched formation even though it means him sacrificing our most lively forward in the interests of the team”, “Marcus was isolated and can’t play up front on his own. He is clearly not our best striker at the moment”, “We look more of a threat with Wood leading the line.”

Chris Wood

“Wood had his best performance for Leeds this season at Cardiff. He worked tirelessly off the ball, an aspect of the game viewers don’t always see on television. He’s our only striker who can play the one up front role”, “He was positioning himself well to being Hernandez more into the game,”

The 24-year-old former Leicester striker also played on loan for Town towards the end of our 2014/15 campaign. “Wood chases down well, works hard and looks for the ball. Like most strikers he is a confidence player, something which is slowly starting to build despite the constant criticism he gets.”

“Wood knows how to get into scoring positions even though his finishing might be better”, “It might help if he could head the ball better”, “He has the touch right now, goalscoring that is, not his first touch. He is a poor all-round player but if he keeps scoring it’s hard to argue against him playing.”

“Might the poor guy get some credit from certain quarters? He keeps getting goals and I am happy”, “Wood changed the Blackburn EFL Cup game. His movement off the ball has improved and he brings out the best in Roofe. He links up play well and his work-rate is top class”, “A very important player.”

Leeds Fans’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“A home win against the Tractor Lads and perhaps we can believe that things are changing”, “It will be interesting to see how we fare against slightly more skilled opposition”, “I’m going to the game and looking forward to it especially as we have hit a bit of form. I think it will be a tight game.”

Leeds sites don’t run prediction leagues, but the consensus is that Saturday’s game will be close and it will be a huge benchmark for the hosts to gauge their recent progress. “Blackburn was ideal, no injuries, a clean sheet, and another victory ahead of a crunch match with Ipswich on Saturday.”

Most Whites expect a hard-fought game. “We go on now to a tough battle against Mick McCarthy's Ipswich. They may not be the most glamorous of sides, but his teams are always well-drilled and full of fight, and we'll have to match their commitment on the day if we are to get a result.”

One player has been highlighted. “Reg Varney gets Ipswich winner at Derby. I hope he doesn't score against us in 10 days”, “Varney is doubtful for Saturday. Phew, he has a nasty habit of scoring against teams for whom he previously played”, “Hopefully he spends Saturday on the bench if he is fit.”

There was an interesting contrast highlighted between the two clubs. “Ipswich give managers time to grow into the job, not like the microwave oven intensity of Elland Road”, “Imagine Cellino and McCarthy working in harmony together? Nope”, “Still I would love him at Leeds, always rated him.”

“Ipswich are reaping the rewards of giving Mick McCarthy some time”, “There is a link at the top of the league both in terms of consistent behaviour of a club's owner(s) and quality of manager. Mick McCarthy is the perfect example at Ipswich, a proven manager at this level at a very stable club.”

There was plenty of praise for our manager. “Mick McCarthy and Ipswich consistently knock on the door of the play-offs”, “McCarthy certainly knows this division inside out and I would love him as our manager. A dour Yorkshireman who gets the best out of average players, and a Leeds fan as well.”

Websites

There are a number of busy Leeds message boards. Informative analysis can be found on LUFCTalk while Marching On Together also has some interesting discussions.

To Ell and Back is also well worth visiting for incisive match reports, previews and blogs.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

essextractorboy93 added 10:54 - Sep 23 Great work again Harry! Leeds have got into some form in the last few games so this will be a tough one. Looking at their side I like Bridcutt and Dallas always done well whenever I've seen them play, also Pablo Hernandez is a top player, remember him playing in the Champions League for Valencia not too long ago! Don't know much of Antonsson but sounds decent and of course got to watch out for Chris Wood. Nice to see their fans acknowledging that we give managers time. They must be so frustrated with the instability, its difficult to get anything going but be patient with a manager and he can get his ideas across but it takes time. I'm so glad we aren't one of these clubs who changes manager every few months. I like Garry Monk so hopefully he'll be given the opportunity to show what he can do!

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Lathers added 11:16 - Sep 23 I've given up trying to predict how we will fare in games these days. Leeds bang in form, we don't concede many, we don't score many..... so we will win 3v4?! We do seem to have tightened up again at the back and Smith's injury now gives Webster the chance to really get himself up to speed in the Championship. I'm reasonably optimistic of at least a point as I think Leeds are bang average, but then we do sometimes fail to turn up on the road. Also, I hope the players have been working on a new strategy this week, as the 'hoof to big Murph' tactic now has to stop (someone tell the lads he's left the building ffs!) COYB!

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Bluebell added 11:28 - Sep 23 Chris Wood has really come into his own there. Shame he couldn't do the same for us when he was with Town although we were getting him fit! We can win this one but with Varney out we are short of strikers. A great chance for Leon Best to step up to the mark.
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TR11BLU added 11:42 - Sep 23 Great work as always Harry. Refreshing change that we as a club are given praise by the opposition. A sign that the once mighty (and Dirty!) Leeds have come to terms with life in the 2nd tier and that history counts for not a lot in these days of ridiculous wealth of the top few. Always a great fixture and with the right approach we can get a positive result.
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Freddies_Ears added 11:52 - Sep 23 Mick Mac a Dirty Lids fan? Dream on. He' Barnsley.
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iaintaylorx added 12:01 - Sep 23 Never know what kind of Leeds will turn up. Be happy with a point as they're on some form and do have some good players, but having said that, I hope we go for the win and not a point. I think it is there for the taking! COYB!
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ericclacton added 12:26 - Sep 23 Blimey Harry Leeds again, I think we will win this fixture 2-1.Last term at PR it turned out to be a good night and a very good game. I would like to see Best up top with Pitman warming the bench, cos against Villa when he came on looked really good. Lovely article Harry as per always. Up The Town.
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BlueNomad added 12:45 - Sep 23 Their fans are more positive about us than many of our own! Ours call Mick a "dinosaur" and they see the benefit of someone like him. First time I've ever seen things the same way as Leeds fans!
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yorkshirebluehd7 added 09:31 - Sep 24 To be completed fair to McCarthy since he has taken over from the mess of Keane and Jewel all the players want to play with commitment compared to the previous dark days when no player showed commitment. yes we don't play the most attractive football but each player works hard and it's nice that other clubs recognise that we are a hard working team.
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Daleyitfc added 10:25 - Sep 24 They love McCarthy at Leeds? They can have him : they deserve each other.
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