Ipswich Will Be Far More Difficult Than People Think — Notes for Leeds Friday, 17th Feb 2017 10:00 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “This team is still coming but it’s not there yet”, “Automatic promotion is just out of reach”, “We will be in the play-offs, whether we can win them is another thing”, “We must hold our nerve right up to the end of the season”, “There’s a long way to go to the end of the season but the pack is closing.” “Three points were needed tonight. Hopefully we are back on track.” Leeds arrive in Suffolk fifth in the table and buoyed by Tuesday’s unconvincing home 2-1 win over Bristol City, but recent poor displays in defeats at home to Cardiff and at Huddersfield have left many doubting their promotion chances. “It’s that time of year that separates the men from the boys. On viewing us lately you have to say this side is adolescent. It’s also about holding our nerve even if we drop out of the play-offs. I’m amazed to see where we are”, “Let’s not get negative here. We always knew it would be tight.” “We have not been ourselves for the past few games”, “We have not been fluent for a few games now and have hit bad form at just the wrong time”, “I personally think that next season will be Leeds United’s as long as we retain Garry Monk’s services. Patience will be the key to our future success.” Garry Monk“Thanks Garry for returning my football smile”, “We have a credible manager for the first time in a few years”, “I have faith in Monk and believe he is the man to turn this dip in form around”, “He has built a team who want to play for him”, “The best manager we have had since Howard Wilkinson.” “I still back Monk to do the business, eventually.” The 37-year-old former Swansea boss “will have his work cut out getting us back on track as we can’t afford too many more poor performances but I am sure he will sort it out”, “Getting this team into contention has been a marvellous achievement.” Whites appreciate the stability and clear football thinking he has brought since taking charge last June but some would like to see more innovation when games don’t go to plan. “If we are to go back to our previous consistency, Monk needs to be more imaginative and not keep using the same plan.” “Monk has shown how straightforward it is to get this team playing with no interference or off-field melodrama”, “We had a golden run of form just before Christmas having been very average. The mark of the man is that he turned us around and took control. He will do that again, you will see.” January Transfer Dealings“The transfer window could have been used better”, “A poor transfer window is costing us”, “Fear of upsetting the balance of the team was the soundbite”, “We got two wingers on loan on the last day in January when we had a month to strengthen the side with another centre-half and centre-forward.” “We should have bought goals.” The Leeds January transfer window was an interesting one. Whites were disenchanted that the club failed to bring in adequate cover for centre-halves Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson or a back-up for prolific striker Chris Wood, who has netted 22 times this season. Monk chose instead to bring in two loan additions, left winger Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal and right winger Modou Barrow from Swansea. The more fundamental problem they have encountered with their 4-2-3-1 shape has been an over-reliance on Pablo Hernandez to link with Wood in attack. Formation“Monk doesn’t play 4-4-2 because it doesn’t work with the players he has. He tried it earlier in the season and soon reverted to 4-2-3-1 when we had a superb run”, “We’re a one-trick pony playing 4-2-3-1 with Wood as our only goal threat but I don’t see options in this squad to alter things greatly.” “Relying on one striker and one formation is too risky”, “We do not have it in our squad to mix it up and teams are now clued up when playing us”, “We are too predictable. The 4-2-3-1 system that we play every week is too reliant on Wood. If Monk persists with this the play-offs will be a struggle.” GreenAylingJanssonBartleyBerardiVieiraO'KaneSackoHernandezRoofeWood
The side which started against the Robins on Tuesday night (above) was missing suspended holding midfielder Liam Bridcutt and injured left-back Charlie Taylor. Hadi Sacko has been criticised for a lack of application while Kemar Roofe is viewed as a striker or playmaker out of position playing wide. United fans are happy with the current good form of keeper Rob Green and full-backs Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi, the right-back covering out-of-position for the injured Taylor. Centre-half Liam Cooper is seen as a poor back-up for the highly-regarded centre-back pairing of Jansson and Bartley. “Midfield is being stifled by the defensive formation we are playing. We are not getting enough men forward to support Wood, while Hernandez is being overloaded with work”, “The two new wingers will have a key role in whether we’re successful or not if they can add goals from our midfield.” “The fact that Monk has brought in two wide players speaks volumes about our productivity from our wide players”, “Until we find a solution to the weakness in the centre of the park we are going nowhere”, “Hernandez isn’t able to command the game for more than an hour with his workload.” GreenAylingCooperBartleyBerardiBridcuttVieiraDallasHernandezPedrazaWood
The line-up (above) for last Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Cardiff saw Cooper replace the ill Jansson in the back four. Ronaldo Vieira and Bridcutt, who was sent off for two yellow cards, were unable to control possession or dictate play in midfield. Stuart Dallas lacked the creativity to match his industry. Leeds 2 — 1 Bristol City“This might sound a bit harsh, but I think we got away with one there”, “Very hard to find plusses from last night apart from the three points, Bristol City fans were chanting, ‘We’ll see you next year’. I couldn’t help thinking they were right”, “Bristol City were the better side for large parts of the game.” Wood opened the scoring for the hosts on 27 minutes finishing from a quick Hernandez freekick and Hernandez himself added a second from a deflected shot two minutes after the break. Milan Djuric pulled a late consolation back for City who had lost striker Tammy Abraham to a first-half injury. “I was at the game last night and thought it was a dire display”, “I came away from that game with a real concern having seen it in the flesh. We could easily have lost or drawn and it would not have been a travesty”, “We responded to two defeats with a win but that could easily have been a draw.” Leeds 0 — 2 Cardiff“Fair play to Cardiff, they did a job on us”, “Cardiff came with a plan and it worked, a well-organised side, content to sit back and frustrate us”, “They put in the best defensive performance I have seen in a long time at Elland Road”, “That loss was down to two very poor pieces of Leeds defending.” “I went to the game and I’m struggling to remember any highlights.” Sean Morrison headed Cardiff in front on 53 minutes, latching on to a Craig Noone freekick. Kenneth Zohore added a second on the counter on 71 before Liam Bridcutt was dismissed for a second booking four minutes from time. “We had the better of the first half without threatening their keeper”, “Up to Cardiff’s first goal we had put together some very slick passing moves, albeit without a particular threat on goal”, “Cardiff were in control of the game after going two-up and we continued not to bother their goal.” “A disaster of a day. It couldn’t have gone any worse”, “Cardiff were a typical Neil Warnock team. They did nothing with the ball and worked on our mistakes, waiting for set pieces. They could have had a few more goals”, “Another big game for us, another big crowd, another blown opportunity.” Huddersfield 2 — 1 Leeds“Three poor away performances on the bounce. I’m a little concerned”, “A disappointing display today, bossed in midfield”, “We were winning tackles then giving the ball away with the next touch. It happened time after time”, “Every simple five-yard pass was going straight to the opposition.” Izzy Brown put the Terriers in front on 27 only for Wood to level eight minutes later. Leeds fans felt that they were fortunate to be on level terms, but Michael Hefele stabbed the ball home to give the hosts a last-gasp win and provoke a touchline melee after a clash between the opposing managers. GreenAylingJanssonBartleyBerardiBridcuttVieiraDallasHernandezDoukaraWood
The starting XI (above) had striker Souleymane Doukara operating on the wing. Fans commented on the familiar problems of Hernandez being overloaded and Wood being isolated as both Bridcutt and Vieira were forced back by the creativity and industry of a Terrier’s midfield guided by Aaron Mooy. “Our midfield was owned. We need someone who can play quick tight passes”, “We were totally outplayed, a couple of yards off them in the middle and we did little offensively. Town fully deserved the points”, “I hope to God that, should we make the play-offs, we don’t face Huddersfield.” “It was appalling for [Huddersfield boss] David Wagner to behave like that”, “On the fracas, give me none of that. Nobody died and the fans of both sides loved it at the time despite what they say now. Flipping hell folks, the game should stir emotions and I loved it all. We don’t see it often enough.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Rob Green has been very solid of late and has produced a few excellent saves.” The 37-year-old former QPR, West Ham and Norwich keeper “has been a steady presence doing the basic things well”, “The Huddersfield game was his best in a Leeds shirt, he produced a string of terrific saves.”  Blackburn's Jack Byrne v Hernandez“Green has make howlers in the past but has been in great form lately”, “He is in superb form right now”, “Steadily improved throughout the season and continued to make crucial saves at key times”, “Good saves and decision making, he’s the best keeper we have had at Elland Road in a long time.” “Luke Ayling is a handful going forward.” The 25-year-old ex-Bristol City right-back “has become one of our more reliable and consistent performers. His work-rate and determination are clear to see”, “He’s a great asset overlapping but sometimes tries to play dainty football in dangerous positions.” “Cardiff’s lad on the left side gave Ayling a run-around in the second half”, “Ayling did OK in attack but he made it too easy for Kadeem Harris”, “He has always looked suspect defensively although he has been very much improved lately”, “He had a tough day at Huddersfield but got forward well.” “Gaetano Berardi is a real team player.” The 28-year-old former Sampdoria man “has been turning in man-of-the-match performances playing out of position at left-back. He should be even better on his more natural right flank”, “He has put everything in lately with his trademark excellent blocks.” “Berardi had a great game against Cardiff, putting everything in including a great triple-block but I’m not sure he offers enough going forward”, “He did a fine job on Craig Noone making two goal-saving tackles”, “You don’t leave class out of this side”, “I love this guy, he would run through a brick wall.” “I’m not happy with Liam Cooper replacing Pontus Jansson. He gets pulled out of position too often.” The 25-year-old former Spireite “isn’t the brightest of players. He has the technical attributes to be a solid defender but his lax concentration and poor decision-making spoils it all”, “A poor defender.”  Leeds United's Liam Cooper (L) and Ronaldo Vieira V Forests' Apostolos Vellios“Cooper lacks a degree of confidence in possession he had when he joined us”, “We always seem to be shaky at the back and concede when he plays. He’s not quick, not great in the air and seems to always lunge for the ball when making tackles, a sign of someone who does not read the game well.” “I have total faith in Kyle Bartley’s height and strength getting the ball clear.” The 25-year-old is on a season-long loan from Swansea. “He is equally as able as Jansson but he has a cooler head”, “He is like an old-fashioned English centre-back who gets the job done”, “Normally serene and immense.” “Jansson gets all the songs, Bartley gets on with the job”, “He was hesitant in possession against Cardiff and was uncomfortable without his regular partner”, “He’s excellent on the ball and tries to play out from the back”, “Kyle is an attacking threat at set-pieces and a real leader at the back.” Pontus Jansson“Pontus is a proper footballer”, “He’s a brilliant acquisition and his partnership with Bartley has been worth God knows how many points to us”, “He certainly has a cult status”, “Since his arrival, he has stirred our fans. It has been years since we have had a player who gets Leeds in the way he does”, “We are a shell of a team at the back without Pontus.” The 26-year-old Sweden international will join the Whites permanently from parent side Torino when his loan expires at the end of the season. “A blood-and-guts heart on the sleeve player who wins so many headers and gets all over the place.” “I love his commitment and passion but can’t help thinking he needs to tone it down a bit. He’s not much use to us suspended for three games with 15 bookings if we are aiming for promotion”, “He spent much of the Huddersfield game covering the backs of team-mates making errors around him.” Central Midfielders“Kalvin Phillips adds some physicality in midfield but I don’t think he’s the answer.” The 21-year-old youth product has been a fringe player lately. “He gives the ball away needlessly and so many times. He needs to move it quicker and look up more”, “He worries me with some of his rash challenges.” “Eunan O’Kane needs to play alongside Bridcutt and have their partnership blossom again.” The 26-year-old former Bournemouth midfielder “is an experienced battler. It’s easy to forget how well he was playing before his pelvic injury”, “He protects and keeps the ball really well with his composure and awareness.” “Most of what O’Kane does is the right decision and the right time under pressure”, “He grafts hard but sits too far back and allows opponents to play past him at will”, “He’s capable of getting forward when the situation allows but his passing is nowhere near Hernandez’s level in that creative role.” “Liam Bridcutt is a rock-solid midfielder who holds it together.” The 27-year-old former Brighton and Sunderland man “breaks up attacks and his distribution usually is faultless”, “Some of his passing is glorious”, “He was the Terminator in our recent win over Derby. Nothing got past him all night.”  Liam Bridcutt“Bridcutt does everything so well with bells and whistles”, “He delivered his most perfunctory and error-strewn performance in a Leeds shirt to date at Huddersfield”, “A stupid yellow for disputing a foul throw of all things against Cardiff and was sent off late in the game, unacceptable for a captain.” “Ronaldo Vieira is a great prospect but is still very inconsistent over 90 minutes.” The 18-year-old ex-Benfica and Leeds youth product “tends to be a bit casual and he thinks he has more time on the ball than he does”, “Cardiff’s second was down to him being dispossessed and it wasn’t the only time.” “Vieira was his usual self against Bristol, a great engine, good technique and poor passing at times”, “He was bullied every time he got the ball at Huddersfield and gave it away at every opportunity”, “He will develop into something special but too many of his passes go astray and he is too casual.” Pablo Hernandez“We have been increasingly reliant on Hernandez to unlock defensive doors. Everything seems to be channelled through him with others giving him the ball and hoping he can fashion an opening”, “His movement off the ball is great and he’s always looking to give us forward momentum in possession.”  Blackburn's Jack Byrne v HernandezThe 31-year-old former Swansea player “gives us composure on the ball and pulls all the strings”, “He drives most of the positive play for us. The worry is that he’s the only midfielder consistently chasing down and harrying the opposition. That with his age is the reason he can’t last beyond an hour.” “Hernandez needs managing because he only has an hour in him”, “He’s not blessed with physique or stamina but the lad oozes class”, “He is no gazelle but quick thinking, decision-making, passing and creating can be just as useful in a player at times”, “Everyone has physique, Pablo’s is ‘slinky’.” Wide Midfielders“Alfonso Pedraza looks like he could be a good one. He seems a handful.” The 20-year-old January loan addition from Villarreal “has very good movement and he can create space for Hernandez”, “We have been short of quality on our left side all season and he has been brought in to add that.” “It will take time for Pedraza to adjust to the English game. He looks as if he is used to having more space and time”, “He seems to have a penchant for cutting inside and running into trouble. I would prefer him to cross from out wide with Wood up front”, “We have found a possible star in Pedraza.” United fans have had little to say so far about Modou Barrow. The 24-year-old Swansea loan signing has made a couple of cameo appearances since arriving last month, “He looked hungry for the ball and full of action”, “He did more in 30 minutes than Hadi Sacko did in his 90 minutes against Bristol.” “Hadi Sacko opens up opposition back fours. Even without a ball his full-back stands back expecting Sacko’s pace to expose him.” The French 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon loan signing “has pace to burn, but never seems as if he has total control of the ball and we all know about his woeful end product”.  Sacko clashes with Kyle Bartley“Sacko is the one man in the side who can actually beat players”, “We have no pace without him”, “He was terrible against Bristol, not taking his man on, not closing down and not delivering into dangerous positions. I had no idea why he was on the pitch”, “It was like playing with 10 men.” “Kemar Roofe has potential. He tries to play very direct.” The 24-year-old summer signing from Oxford United “gets past his man and gets into good positions but his lack of confidence is painful to see. He waits for perfect opportunities to shoot but that won’t happen and therefore he leaves a number of chances behind”. “Can anyone explain Roofe’s best position? Did we buy him to score goals, and if so, why has he only scored two?”, “He is an attacking player with decent movement and vision who has an eye for goal. I make him a number 10 but he has Hernandez ahead of him and playing out wide doesn’t suit him.” Stuart Dallas“Dallas will work his socks off but he creates little.” The 25-year-old ex-Brentford man “hasn’t the pace to consistently beat a man and he lacks that creative ball at present”, “While a workhorse, he lacks the pace to get around the back and put crosses in”, “I would play him for his defensive work.”  “Dallas is workmanlike but he doubles back and gives the ball to Hernandez”, “He struggles on the right flank as he can’t cross with his right leg and teams stop him coming inside every time”, “While he is suited to the left-midfield position he’s only average at best”, “He just doesn’t create enough.” Strikers“Souleymane Doukara is more dangerous centrally than wide.” The 25-year-old French ex-Catania frontman “is a technically better player than Wood, albeit is less of a goal threat”, “He stopped putting pressure on Huddersfield’s left-back Chris Löwe as soon as they scored and did nothing in attack.” “I don’t see Doukara as a player who can lead the line as well as Wood, although he’s a useful back up”, “He worked his socks off against Bristol”, “The sooner he’s left out the better”, “That’s unfair, considering playing out wide is not his best position and he weighs in with a few important shots.” Chris Wood“Wood has shown unrelenting efficiency in front of goal with 22 to his credit this season”, “He’s as strong as an ox, he is able to hold up play and bring his team-mates into the game with consummate ease”, “He has found his mojo and is part of the jigsaw that is looking picturesque at the moment.”  “Consistency is the hallmark of a good striker.” The 25-year-old ex-Leicester and West Brom striker and one-time Town loan signing “is finally showing the promise of what he can do. He does a lot of work off the play although he is not the most graceful of players”, “Most importantly he’s ours.” “Wood has found pace from somewhere and is winning more headers. In my opinion that is down to Monk’s coaching”, “His link-up play is great but he needs attacking team-mates near him”, “He gets isolated against sides who sit deep and are organised in their defending as we saw against Cardiff.” Whites’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Ipswich is one game, however difficult it has been in the past, that we have to win”, “We will have to be spot-on at Ipswich to get anything”, “A classic ‘all fixtures are tricky in the Championship’ game”, “Always a tough test when we visit Portman Road so it would be good to come away with a point.” Leeds forums don’t run prediction competitions but the consensus is that a draw would be a decent result at a traditionally difficult ground and against a resurgent Ipswich side. “They got a cracking result away at the weekend and with big Mick McCarthy in charge they will be no pushovers.” “A tough place for us to go”, “I hate this fixture. I'm surrounded by Tractor Boys and we don't have a good record down here. I've been to Portman Road three times and we've lost every time. We always seem to have a mare of a game. I remember when we lost and had two players sent off. “We don't have a good record at Ipswich and in Mick McCarthy they have a manager that will always make sure his team is working hard. A bit like against Neil Warnock's Cardiff, it could be a frustrating and dull game wherein the first goal is all important and will most likely come from a set play.” “It won’t be a cracker. Imagine travelling 440 miles in a day to watch a game as dull as ditchwater”, “Our home game against Ipswich was one of our best this season. They are the most boring team in this league but find a way to win games. They will be even more boring without Tom Lawrence.” “The Lawrence ban is great news and maybe tips it in our favour but it still will be a game that turns on a bit of luck”, “Ipswich results have got slightly better since Dave [Toumani Diagouraga] went there, coincidence or not?”, “Big Dave is also out as he cannot play against his parent club.” “Ipswich have some issues at centre-back that could play in our favour. It could end up being a back three of Knudsen, Digby and Spence with the young Josh Emmanuel as one of the wing-backs. I can't remember the other wing-back’s name. I use wing-backs loosely as I reckon they'll sit pretty deep.” “I'm not sure I've ever seen us win there in fact. I like Ipswich as a club, Mick and Terry there too”, “My dad worked with Mick McCarthy at a sportsman's dinner a few years ago. Did everyone know that big Mick is a massive Leeds fan? He's not Leeds enough if he doesn't give us the three points.” WebsitesThere are a good number of active Leeds supporters’ websites. ToEllandBack has got some interesting and very informative blogs and match reports. Good discussions can also be found at LUFCTalk and Marching on Together.
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