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

“What an enjoyable December that has been”, “Onwards and upwards, I do feel we are turning that big corner”, “Eight games unbeaten, long may it run”, “We are improving game by game”, “We look much better on the park as we leave 2015”, “Being difficult to beat is an essential building block.”

“Well done Leeds United. We are making progress and Evans continues to surprise me.” With a run of three wins and four draws having propelled them to 13th in the Championship table, Leeds kept their current unbeaten run going with a routine 2-0 win over Rotherham in the FA Cup on Saturday.

“There is no better place on earth than Elland Road when a Leeds team is competing and busting a gut on the pitch and the fans are supporting them”, “Who would have thought we would remain unbeaten when you looked at the fixture list at the beginning of December.”

“We have a lot to be grateful for from December. The threat of relegation would seem to have subsided and we can look forward to the second half of the season with optimism”, “Top 10 is our objective and top 10 is the best we can reasonably hope for.”

Massimo Cellino and the Sky Cameras

“A dangerous game to play”, “Here we go again, Leeds United are playing good football, with happy players, climbing the table and our owner presses the self-destruct button again”, “Typical Cellino, if he doesn’t like something he goes all gung-ho to fight it”, “How can this help us in any way?”

The owner “reluctantly” allowed Sky TV cameras in the Elland Road ground to cover United’s home game against Derby on December 29th after initially refusing them entry. The club took the decision as they were unhappy at the number of their games being moved to facilitate television coverage.

“Are we better off because of his latest tantrum?”, “The way we went about this was ridiculous.” Supporters, many living abroad, criticised the tactics used by the club in registering a protest. “Some fans rarely get to go to games in person, so being on Sky is a godsend for us.”

“Cellino has a decent point but his way of protesting is completely wrong, the right diagnosis but completely wrong medicine”, “It sounds like he was going to inconvenience Sky as long as he could. It may be a game to him but I’m sure the fans won’t see it that way.”

Steve Evans

“Who needs a plan when we have Steve Evans? His 100 per cent commitment with a never-say-die attitude is the way to go”, “I love his attitude, a hard-working man whose attributes are rubbing off on the players and our fans, certainly on our support inside the Elland Road ground.”

“Well done Steve Evans who for me has made the difference”, “He has stabilised things, that’s for sure.” The former Rotherham manager has been praised for the way in which he has galvanised the playing squad he inherited from Uwe Rosler since taking charge in October.

“Evans is a blood-and-thunder manager who has come in and lifted the spirit and confidence of the players at his disposal and achieved results we could only dream of when Rosler departed”, “There seems much more togetherness between the players, manager and fans.”

“Evans tactically isn’t the greatest manager in the world and doesn’t have experience at a high level and is all talk when it comes to the media. That said, he just seems to fit, doesn’t he? Players seem to be giving more and we are now getting something from games we would have lost before.”

“The football still isn’t great but better than the lacklustre relegation style served up by Rosler”, “The jury is out but we are definitely playing better under Evans”, “He’s a steamroller or bulldozer. I hope he can flatten 10 years in the wilderness and bulldoze all the rubbish from the past out of his way.”

Formation

“We are playing some decent football, but we don’t have enough creativity or ambition in midfield”, “We don’t attack with menace. Our attacks are too slow. Our midfield looks harmless and we don’t stretch or turn teams”, “Right now Leeds United haven’t got it in the final third.”

United’s starting XI in their most recent league game against Milton Keynes (above) kept a similar shape to line-ups used in most of their recent league games. Since his arrival in November, Liam Bridcutt has done an effective job anchoring midfield and giving the side a better overall balance.

They have struggled further up the pitch through a combination of poor finishing and insipid build-up play. “We nullified Derby but the problem was our final ball into the box. There were nice passing interchanges but we got to the edge of the box and just seemed content in a hit-and-hope cross.”

“Our major problem is still the lack of fire power”, “If only we could put those chances away”, “All of the teams above us in the table have scored more goals. Our defence can be improved but the absolute priority is in attack.”

“Playing one up front is defeatist and Milton Keynes couldn’t believe their luck.” Evans changed the team’s shape (above) for Saturday’s FA Cup game against the Millers. The introduction of Mustapha Carayol added energy and directness and put them on the front foot against weaker opponents.

Leeds 2 - 0 Rotherham (FA Cup)

“Time to take revenge”, “I would call that workmanlike”, “Overall it was a solid if slightly dull win”, “In truth it was not the best game. It was played in awful conditions particularly in the second half and these were always going to have an impact on the quality of play.”

“I have just seen Carayol’s goal, that’s the way to hit them.” The new signing broke the deadlock just before half time with an unstoppable strike and Souleymane Doukara capitalised on some hesitancy in the Millers’ defence in the final minute to double the hosts’ lead and secure a comfortable win.

“We were lucky Rotherham were so bad today. There are few teams we would be close to beating with performances like this”, “It was a thoroughly deserved victory against a team looking destined for League One”, “Plenty of confidence going into the Ipswich game, two goals and a clean sheet.”

Leeds 1 - 1 Milton Keynes

“Well, that was horrible”, “As expected we failed to show up in a game we should really have been winning”, “We had no punch up front although the service was unbelievably poor. We never looked like scoring until the Calamity Jane moment from the Milton Keynes defence.”

“We were very lucky to take a point out of this.” Leeds were indebted to a pinpoint headed own goal from Milton Keynes defender Antony Kay with three minutes to play to rescue a point from a below-par performance. Rob Hall had put earlier the visitors in front with a decent finish after half an hour.

“Disappointed but not surprised”, “It must be some sort of record, 60 per cent possession and not a single shot on target in 90 minutes. An own goal was the only way we were ever going to score and this against a team who were one point above the relegation places this morning.”

“Dire, but a point is better than nowt”, “If we can’t control a midfield at home against a struggling team, then we have no chance of the play-offs”, “I had got used to seeing us play well in entertaining games. This was back to the stressful, lacklustre, error-ridden displays we have seen too often.”

Leeds 2 - 2 Derby

“On my way home a happy man”, “A good battling performance against a good side”, “You can see why Derby are at the top but we matched them for long periods of the game”, “A great entertaining game and a brilliant atmosphere”, “The most entertaining game I have seen for years.”

“Two big defensive errors but we were clinical with our chances today.” Jeff Hendrick opened the scoring for the visitors on 13 minutes slotting home after weaving through a number of challenges but Sol Bamba equalised three minutes before the break after some sustained United pressure.

Chris Wood then headed the hosts into the lead on 71 minutes before Tom Ince drove home a Rams’ equaliser seven minutes later. “A draw was a fair result and the game was competitive and thoroughly enjoyable”, “We played well with good possession and movement off the ball.”

“I have to say there was plenty of belief out there. The difference in quality was there for all to see though”, “The gulf in class and quality compared with Derby’s players was clear to see. We should have lost but we played well and cannot fault them for the desire and spirit they displayed.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“I’m still concerned about our brittle defence. I don’t think it can be fixed with our current players. Cut out our defensive errors and we can beat anyone”, “Once again Derby’s goals came straight down our throat. That is our weakness, not crosses and it starts in midfield and not at the back.”

Marco Silvestri

“I can’t believe how well Marco has done in the last few games for us. He’s collecting the ball better and seems much more comfortable coming off his line.” The 24-year-old ex-Chievo keeper “has been working on his communication and catches, and is trying to be more aggressive in his penalty area”.

“Silvestri kept us in the Milton Keynes game”, “He had a cracking game against Derby, making some excellent saves and handling and catching the ball cleanly. Under Evans he looks twice the player he was”, “He is coming and getting crosses. His improvement in the last few games is remarkable.”

“Marco was sound again against Rotherham, picking out some good crosses”, “He was not tested much but seems much calmer and a fantastic goalkeeper. I just hope he can continue to avoid the errors he made at the start of the season”, “He’s playing with an unusually clear mind these days.”

“Scott Wootton gets a lot of unfair criticism. He’s a centre-back playing at right-back and he does a steady job.” The 24-year-old ex-Manchester United youth player “doesn’t have it in his locker to get forward, stride out and whip over a decent cross. Defensively he’s pretty solid out of position”.

“At right-back his game is limited”, “Scott was shocking against Wolves every time Jordan Graham went near him”, “He is showing more endeavour at right-back but his attacking play proves he is not a natural right-back. His crossing is average but his bravery and work rate have impressed recently.”

“We bring Sol Bamba back and he costs us goals”, “We have conceded three goals since he returned and he has made fundamental mistakes for all three. His defensive colleagues look nervous with him in the side”, “His presence upsets the balance of what was a steady defence before his return.”

“With Bamba we are a house of cards at the back.” The 30-year-old ex-Leicester centre-back “cannot complete a simple pass and is a liability with his back to goal”, “He looks fine going forward but going backwards he’s all over the place”, “Bamba is a very average defender and too prone to mistakes.”

“I hope that Liam Cooper’s performances this season will now stop the question marks over us allowing Tom Lees to join the Owls, it now looks like the correct decision. He has improved a lot this season.” The 24-year-old ex-Spireite “continues to improve and is now our best centre-back”.

“Cooper was outstanding against Derby”, “He needs to compose himself”, “He could have cost two penalties. Darren Bent made a meal of one but I have seen them given. The other was a blatant push in the back from a corner. He got away with one at Forest plus one on Adam Le Fondre at Wolves.”

“Charlie Taylor is not the finished article but is developing into a very good left-back.” The 22-year-old youth product is praised for “his effort and never-say-die attitude”, “The only one of our young players who is up to taking control is Taylor”, “He is arguably our most consistent player.”

Taylor missed some games in October and November with glandular fever. “He needs to be rested. It looked like his recent illness caught up with him against Milton Keynes”, “Even when moved forward into midfield he was trying hard to get us back in it. He could do the left flank job on his own.”

Giuseppe Bellusci

“Bellusci has been excellent for Evans and should be in the starting XI. He is arguably better than any of the squad at picking the right pass.” The 26-year-old ex-Catania centre-back “has earned his place on recent form. He may be erratic but is a proper footballer who sprays the ball around well.”

“The Rotherham game was a masterclass by Bellusci with long-range passing to rival any player in the league”, “He proved again that he’s a cultured player, comfortable on the ball and with great passing technique”, “He’s a proper player who can pass the ball and we scandalously play Bamba.”

Central Midfielders

“Midfield is a weakness. We have no creators, barely any goals, no width or pace and no dominant ball-winner”, “The problem against Milton Keynes was the lack of quality in any of our passes. Virtually all game we played ourselves into trouble with slack passes.”

“Alex Mowatt pops up with some great strikes but his general midfield play isn’t strong enough.” The 20-year-old youth product has missed recent games with a groin injury. “He is generally played in a more advanced role and has a wand of a left foot”, “He doesn’t start moves. He finishes them.”

“For a holding midfielder, why does Tom Adeyemi lose out on so many 60:40 tackles?” The 24-year-old Cardiff City loan player “sometimes doesn’t look as tough as he should”, “He has been okay but nothing amazing”, “On his day he looks sharp and powerful, off it he looks slow and cumbersome.”

“Evans has said he sees Adeyemi as a more offensive midfielder, although when he has played he has done a good job in a holding role”, “Evans expects him to provide the link-up play, calling for him to be a box-to-box player”, “He can shore it up if we need to bring someone on to see out a game.”

“I am not sure what kind of midfielder Luke Murphy is supposed to be. He rarely puts in a tackle and is technically not great. He lacks creativity and I have seen better players at holding on to the ball.” The 26-year-old ex-Crewe man “plays good intelligent passes to the feet of the front and wide men”.

“We took Murphy off at half-time against Milton Keynes. He wasn’t great but he can pass the ball”, “He had a brilliant game against Derby with some very good set-pieces. His improvisation is good and he is calm on the ball even in our own half. His form of 12 months ago seems to be returning.”

“Lewis Cook is the only one in the squad who can thread a pass between the lines. He can make the eye-of-a-needle pass.” The 18-year-old “tries to play the killer decisive ball that can get us in behind, trying to shape games”, “If something is going to happen, it is because our main man has the ball.”

The youth product “is the heartbeat of the team”, “Cook can be very frustrating. He often chooses the wrong pass”, “He is in need of a rest and could end up getting burned out”, “His distribution and decision making have been poor and he is scared of a 50:50 tackle, not a great trait in his role.”

Liam Bridcutt

“Bridcutt has transformed the whole team with his combative style. He is a very vocal player and is involved all over the pitch”, “He does most of the ugly jobs really well and has been the catalyst for our upturn in form. For that reason we must keep him”, “He is proving to be a cracking signing.”

The 26-year-old former Brighton player has had his loan deal from Sunderland extended to the end of the season. “He is immense, makes us tick and is one of the main reasons why we are on this current good run”, “He does all the dirty work and lets the others take all the glory.”

“Everything seems to start through Bridcutt. He creates space by always making himself available for the ball. He reminds me of David Batty but possibly more creative with his passes”, “You can see him giving advice and geeing up the others but he can be reluctant to shoot when in good positions.”

Wide Midfielders

“Wingers are a nightmare. How many consistently good ones can you think of?”, “Our final ball into the box is shocking and not one player can cross a ball”, “Our crossing is poor, too often from too deep a position and aiming for the man rather than for a yard in front of him.”

“I think this guy could do well for us”, “Mustapha Carayol is a flair player who beats his man with ease and has a great strike on him.” The 27-year-old is on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season. “He can shoot which puts him in a very elite group with Alex Mowatt at Elland Road.”

“Carayol lit up the Rotherham game with a majestic strike”, “He has pace and a few tricks in his legs”, “His goal was worth the gate money alone”, “He faded in the second half and is possibly not match-fit”, “Chris Wood will be rubbing his hands. He will finally get crosses he can get his head to.”

“What is Sam Byram’s best position?”, “He cannot play right-back or right-wing, but he can swish the away from a defender with his left foot and bang it in the bottom corner with his right foot.” The 22-year-old youth product’s “enthusiasm and silky runs down the right wing are a joy to watch”.

“The most natural of all of the squad on the ball”, “Byram was quick, strong, confident and he oozed quality when he burst on the scene, but he hasn’t progressed”, “As a winger he doesn’t take players on enough, cutting back or playing the ball backwards. He is capable of being more positive.”

Stuart Dallas

“Stuart Dallas is a good Championship wide man, relatively consistent but never spectacular”, “He has been more effective down the right, particularly when getting into crossing positions”, “He is more of a wide forward player than an out-and-out winger”, “One of the season’s success stories.”

The 24-year-old ex-Brentford winger, a Town target in the summer, “is a serious grafter”, “His work-rate is excellent. I love to see a winger battling back and making defensive tackles. It shows a real commitment to the cause”, “He works hard defensively, which is never flash for a winger but it is critical against good opposition.”

“Dallas doesn’t have it in his locker to turn someone inside-out with pace. When the ball is given to Dallas deep in his own half he simply will not get down the wing with it. That is where he needs Bridcutt to take a pass and release him again in the opposition half with a ball to run on to.”

Strikers

“It’s a shame to see Mirco Antenucci on the bench.” The 31-year-old former Torino frontman “is a great finisher with craft and guile, but he contributes less to the team overall”, “He has been hit and miss”, “I’m not so sure about him leading the line. He seems to be more effective coming off the bench.”

“I like Antenucci as a player but think he would be frustrated playing up front on his own”, “He is a proper striker with great movement, touch and work rate and he can bang in a goal”, “He is clever and dangerous when he drops off”, “He has been lost in some games, particularly when he starts.”

Souleymane Doukara

“At 80 minutes against Rotherham I would have written Doukara off. He was awful but he saved himself in the last 10. For most of the game he was lazy, ineffective and sloppy. He barely won a header and was never a threat. Sorry Douk fans, but he’s not bringing enough to the party.”

The 24-year-old French ex-Catania man “can play an important role in the team. He links up well and has a surprisingly subtle touch which brings the wingers into the game. He’s also a great target for Bridcutt. If only he were consistent”, “One brilliant 20-minute period at Wolves won’t convince me.”

“Doukara played on his own against Milton Keynes, but kept drifting on to the wing leaving no-one in the centre”, “He gives us nothing at all. He seems to be one of those lazy players who have a good performance occasionally when they feel like it. Sorry, that’s not good enough for Leeds United.”

Chris Wood

“I quite like Wood. He is big and capable, give him decent chances and he will score. We create few chances and he has snatched at them. His weakness in the air is a puzzle with him being such a big unit”, “He hasn’t looked a good finisher. Let’s face it he has missed a few sitters.”

Many are frustrated with the 24-year-old ex-Leicester striker. “I honestly don’t see the footballer in him. For a big lad he doesn’t put himself about. He hardly ever gets his feet off the ground to win a header. He has a poor first touch and his lack of pace means he doesn’t pressurise defenders.”

“The other strikers we have cannot play up front by themselves.” The ex-Town loanee was missed against Milton Keynes. “At least when Wood is playing, the ball comes into the box and I fancy him getting on the end of something”, “He puts a lot of work into a game and bothers defenders.”

United Fans’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“A tough away game but confidence is rising”, “Portman Road is rarely a happy hunting ground for us and Ipswich on a good run at the moment. I would take a point, but a win is probably required to have any top-six hopes.”

Many see Tuesday’s game as both being difficult and a benchmark for just how much progress they have made as a team on their current unbeaten run. “This is actually a huge game for us given that Ipswich are in the last play-off spot, win and we are only six off the play-offs, but lose and it is 12.”

Chris Wood has been training again after being withdrawn during the Derby game with a sore hamstring, but the lack of an attacking threat is their biggest concern. “I don't really see where the goals will come from against Ipswich.”

As is often the case with midweek fixtures, there has been little detailed comment over the weekend specifically about the game. I will update the forum on Tuesday afternoon if there is anything worth feeding back and will also link this on my twitter feed.

Websites

There are a number of busy Leeds United forums. LUFCTalk has some thoughtful and insightful discussion although registration is needed to access some sections.

Marching On Together is another busy message board while some interesting blogs can be found at To Elland Back.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

bluewein added 12:13 - Jan 11 "Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided." And yet you let the Leeds on this site Phil. *spits on floor*
0

bluewein added 12:22 - Jan 11 Also, top job as always Harry.
1

LankHenners added 12:58 - Jan 11 Thanks as always, Harry. I liked this quote on Evans: "he just seems to fit, doesn't he?", I recall a few threads on here saying the same thing, but in a much more derogatory way to how they probably mean it! A tougher game than some will expect, especially with our rather uninspiring home performances of late and their good run of form, but we are Tuesday-night-at-home-under-the-Portman-Road-lights-in-cold-conditions masters and I fancy us to win again. I fear a match with similar quality to the QPR match but believe we'll have too much for them and won't have to rely on a last minute winner.

5

StowTractorBoy added 13:13 - Jan 11 Looks like Carayol will be played wide left then. Chambo make sure you tackle him before he reaches the danger areas. Interesting views on Wood which I agree with. Just hope Berra is OK as he makes so much difference to us at the back- the bloke is a battering ram. Come on Town great opportunity with two home games in a short space of time. Referee is Fred Graham who has always been a lucky omen for us.

2

ericclacton added 15:46 - Jan 11 Nice notes Harry. Crazy Leeds, what will they bring tomorrow who knows. I know for a fact there are four maybe five really tasty players there now, Taylor Bridcutt Cook Byram and the Italian Bellusci, I'm going to stick my neck out and say a draw!!!!
2

KBsSocks added 18:10 - Jan 11 Cheers, Harry.
2

bohslegend added 23:46 - Jan 11 Thanks Harry!
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls