THE CHAMPIONSHIP 2019-20

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 143.

Leeds started a bit sloppy. They were struggling to get their normal movements together. Middlesbrough were challenging early and getting in the oppositions faces. It was working. Klich was getting curtailed. Where were these poor Middlesbrough players?
Leeds started to settle. Bamford, first chance, all by himself just outside the six yard box, heads straight at the goalie. Clayton, an ex white clattered Hernandez. Berardi did an up and under pass to himself. It was still scrappy.
After the 20th Harrison was starting to play. Bamford, another chance stroked wide. A break by Middlesbrough, a chance not taken. Klich then intercepts, plays straight to Bamford who lays off to Hernandez, who strikes the post, Shotton boots it in to the air, it works it’s way to Hernandez again, who lays it off to Klich and he curves it home. 1-0.
More good work ends with Dallas forcing Pears in to a save.
Overall, Leeds deserved their lead at half time.
Leeds first chance in the second half fell to Dallas, Pears had it covered.
Saville forced the save from Casilla. It would have been a beauty but Kiko wouldn’t allow it.
Harrison forced a save and Hernandez followed with a sweet shot that demanded the best of Pears. Dallas was active and Klich was buzzing around.
Tavernier of Middlesbrough was being overwhelmed by his own work rate.
Then Middlesbrough started to play. On the hour Friend the Middlesbrough captain got subbed.
Boro were starting to control the ball. The next attack Tavernier’s effort had Casilla beaten only for it to come off the bar.
At the other end Ayling got in to the box, centered only for Shotton to get in the way of Bamford again. Middlesbrough came out on attack again. The Whites were rattled, in fact they were wobbling. On the 70th minute, Assombolonga came on for Fletcher, Shackleton came on for Hernandez. Marcelo got booked a minute later. Up to the last ten minutes Middlesbrough were looking more dangerous. Leeds then came back in to control the final minutes with the occasional wobble but they saw it out. Phew!
Hull it is on Saturday, another match on the East Coast. Barnsley had turned them over tonight. Wigan won at Reading and all of a sudden relegation is threatening more teams since Luton won last night. Middlesbrough are now sitting above the relegation zone on goal difference.

[forestfan]

Eight-match ban for racism for Casilla, who while he seems a bit flaky at times, Leeds appear to have little cover for. Do they qualify for an emergency loan signing?

[Spencer4]

Eight-match ban for racism for Casilla, who while he seems a bit flaky at times, Leeds appear to have little cover for. Do they qualify for an emergency loan signing?

No, we have a fine young keeper waiting to take over. This is excellent news.

[Malrom]

Eight-match ban for racism for Casilla, who while he seems a bit flaky at times, Leeds appear to have little cover for. Do they qualify for an emergency loan signing?

No, we have a fine young keeper waiting to take over. This is excellent news.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illan_Meslier

to the rescue !

[jimmy ching]

What a joy. My close friend in the village is Lorient born and bred. He said he's had enough of Le Merlu not playing their local players. He is now a Leeds fan.

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 144.

It was a beautiful sunny day with the occasional gust and small downpour. The stadium was packed and the fans were having a sing off. What an atmosphere. The first thing I noticed was some ex whites in the Hull line up. Pennington, the eternal Everton loanee and Wilks the winter purchase, I presume to replace Grosicki. Wilks has plenty of time to shine but at the moment he’s got to get over what life throws at you from unexpected directions. I wish him the best.
The most talked about position was the Leeds United goalkeeper, it was a Championship debut for the Breton, Meslier, courtesy of the Football Association. In the age of where accusations count more than what actually happened, their decision is quite understandable. It’s not just happening in the board rooms of the FA. As we all know, assumptions don’t exist in the Championship. More will be revealed on Monday. I reserve my judgement.
The game started like a dream. With five minutes gone, Hernandez fed Ayling who struck goalwards and with a cruel deflection ended up in the back of the net. He celebrated with a Birdie song dance. 1-0.
What made it even better was when the Tigers attacked, instead of attempted punches clear, Meslier was catching it like Shilton use to do. Is this the new age? The bar and the Hull goalkeeper kept the scoreline at 1-0 for half time.
The second half started off the same as the first. Within two minutes Costa was laying off to Herdandez who swept it home. 2-0.
It was an unusual predicament, even Bielsa took his glasses off. It was starting to be a Long day for the Hull goalkeeper. Another two good saves and the crossbar were required to keep Leeds at bay.
Bamford was not getting the rub of the green with the ref. Bielsa wisely subbed him for Roberts on the 65th minute. Within minutes Hull hit the post. Meslier probably had it covered if it had been on target. Another Harrison jig, another shot, another Long save.
Then the first chance fell for Roberts, he simply drove it home. 3-0. The delight on the faces of the Leeds players was there for all to be seen. The match carried on in the same vein. Another Klich cross, a half chance opportunity was headed home by Roberts. 4-0. I get the feeling Bamford was wriggling on the bench.
Allioski and Shackleton replaced Hernandez and Harrison late on. The Leeds fans were in full voice as they played on to the final whistle. Final score 4-0.
As an added note, Bielsa had to make a decision about a new back up goalkeeper at the beginning of the season. Two were marked, Samba and Meslier. He chose Meslier. What can I say but,
In Bielsa we trust.

[theo29]

meanwhile also in Yorkshire the Rams geared up for the Cup with a 3-1 win v the Owls. Forest on the menu soon !

[Smurphy Paw]

meanwhile also in Yorkshire the Rams geared up for the Cup with a 3-1 win v the Owls. Forest on the menu soon !

We’re dire at the moment.
Our two most senior players, Westwood and Hutchinson, have been banished for being disruptive influences. This happened under a previous manager too, then they were brought back in to the fold and our results improved. Removing them hasn’t had the desired impact, if anything the opposite.
The threat of points deduction, something that Derby know all about too, is having an impact. From third at New Year and one win from top, we’re closer to relegation now. Something is badly wrong behind the scenes

[bluenosey]

meanwhile also in Yorkshire the Rams geared up for the Cup with a 3-1 win v the Owls. Forest on the menu soon !

We’re dire at the moment.
Our two most senior players, Westwood and Hutchinson, have been banished for being disruptive influences. This happened under a previous manager too, then they were brought back in to the fold and our results improved. Removing them hasn’t had the desired impact, if anything the opposite.
The threat of points deduction, something that Derby know all about too, is having an impact. From third at New Year and one win from top, we’re closer to relegation now. Something is badly wrong behind the scenes

If you get a nine point deduction, it may make life very tough, especially as the teams at the bottom are having a new lease of life. I always like Monky but I hear stories of fans walking out with half an hour to go. Whilst you're on a bad run, this seems a bit extreme ? I suppose it can't help with Sheff Utd currently doing so well.

[bluenosey]

Elsewhere, the Albion stumble and fall leaving Leeds hot on their heels. Fulham now looking like they could mount a challenge but as for 4th - 6th, it's tight.

At the bottom its tighter and Boro have slipped back into the bottom three. Great win for Wigan yesterday sees them on the up and a real morale booster for Huddersfield.

[jimmy ching]

Elsewhere, the Albion stumble and fall leaving Leeds hot on their heels. Fulham now looking like they could mount a challenge but as for 4th - 6th, it's tight.

At the bottom its tighter and Boro have slipped back into the bottom three. Great win for Wigan yesterday sees them on the up and a real morale booster for Huddersfield.

Forest could be just three points behind Leeds by the time Leeds play again.

[theo29]

meanwhile will it be the Rams representing the Championship in round 6 of the Cup ? Rooney to shine brightly perhaps !

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 145

It’s countdown time. With ten games to go, the bell for the last lap is starting to ring. Of the top six, Leeds, Forest and Brentford have six home games, WBA and Preston have five with Fulham the odd one out at four.
In the Form table (Last 6 games) it reads; WBA, Leeds, Wigan, Fulham, Blackburn, Birmingham.
A quick glance at the opponents they have to play, Fulham look to have the hardest run in. (On average they’ll be playing a team in 7th place) It’s generally considered, that it’s better to play mid table sides at this time of the season. That favours Forest (12th) and WBA (12th). Leeds (16th) are playing mostly the teams near the bottom. It’s one of those pointers that statto’s love. It keeps them entertained well in to the night. The holy grail of predicting Championship results is still a long way off though.
The weekend kicks off Friday with Forest taking on Millwall. This is where it gets to me. Why do the TV companies favour some teams in rest days? To make Forest play the Monday, then the Friday whilst Millwall take the weekly rest. I know some of you will say, it balances out over the season, I feel it doesn’t. Leeds were hammered like this last season, yet they seemed to have laid off this time around.
At Elland Road it’s the big Yorkshire derby. Well it always has been for me. Huddersfield gave birth to us in the aftermath of the Leeds City expulsion. They’ve been intertwined ever since, from Herbert Chapman to Trevor Cherry and Frankie Worthington. It must be noted we missed the boat with Bill Shankly. Damn those Scousers. My Grandad saw it all. Many fans use to walk the old A62 in the 20’s and 30’s, turning it in to a party along the way. It wasn’t just an English thing, it was also the Mayo men of Leeds visiting the Connemara men of Huddersfield. Nowadays it’s a quick journey along the M62 with that familiar motorway hum. You Young Un’s, you just don’t know how to entertain yourselves.
Fulham have a tricky being away to Bristol as WBA must visit Swansea. The big Championship matches this weekend involve the relegation humdinger matches, Stoke versus Hull and Wigan versus Luton. By Saturday evening the picture will be coming clearer.
Prediction, Leeds 1 Huddersfield 1.

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 146.

The biggest crowd of the season were waiting. The build up to the derby was tense, then the team news came out.
No! No! No!
No Phillips, no Poveda, no Ausgustin. Some fans wanted no Bamford.
The Bielsa way is certain. Berardi was drafted in to the centre back position, Big Ben White was moved in to Phillips’s place and Bamford stayed selected up front.
We know we don’t take points from Huddersfield for Granted. To the relief of myself, the Terriers came on to the pitch in all blue. It wasn’t those traditional blue and white stripes that have haunted us over the years. Too many bad memories when they sport those.
It happened on the third minute. A cheeky back heel by Klich, a Pablo pass to Harrison on the wing, a jig, a run down the line, a deep centre, then WOW!
Ayling’s full volley, about 2ft above the ground busted the back of the net. No goalkeeper had a chance with that. It was entrance fee earned just for that moment alone. Then Ayling adds more entertainment value by pulling his pony tail out, racing to the West Stand and doing an improvisation of an air guitar. Some said that was like The Beauty and the Beast. Boy, I was happy and most of the other 36,000 were too. 1-0. For a goal of the season, that is a hard one to beat.
The first test for Meslier, the Leeds goal keeper making his home debut, came on the 13th minute. A free kick on the edge of the Leeds box was about to be delivered. Nothing happened, it crossed out for a goal kick. It was on the 22nd minute that he was tested for the first time. He trapped Chalobah’s effort between his legs and fell on the ball. Huddersfield were playing well. They were trying to overcrowd Meslier when they had corners and the Leeds defenders wouldn’t allow it. It was that part of our team mentality which has broken through over the last few games. The problem was the Whites were playing with out accuracy, Berardi was having a couple of dodgy moments and Hernandez was missing with his passes.
Then another Klich back heel, an Ayling cross met on a half volley by Harrison, only to go just wide. They reached half time with the 1-0 lead intact.
The second half started well for Leeds, they went on the front foot and started creating chance after chance. Leeds earned a free kick a few yards in to the Huddersfield half. The kick was met by Big Ben forcing Lossl in to an excellent save, only for it to end up on Bamford’s toe to poke it home. There is no point in me telling you about the screams of delight from the fans behind the goal as well as the congratulations received from his team mates. 2-0. That’s Patrick’s 13th of the season, at last.
A calm descended and Leeds kept on playing. Comfortable it was. Harrison had a lovely bit of solo-ness where he twisted and turned before he let fly, only for it to come off the bar. The Terriers were a little lost but did manage a late penalty claim which I would have given. The ref didn’t though. Leeds played out the game for a 2-0 victory.
A few seconds after the final whistle the crowd gave a spontaneous cheer as the WBA result came in, Leeds are top.

[Malrom]

EFL called of until April 3

Also PL came out just now!

https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/51867944

[Spencer4]

Roll on next season, we must have a good chance of promotion after this season's dry run

[morganb]

Peter Whittingham: Cardiff City legend dies aged 35

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51928263

Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35.

The ex-Aston Villa player had been in hospital for more than a week after suffering a head injury in a fall in a pub in Barry.

[Malrom]

Blackburn vs Leeds tonight.....

1:2 with a Bamford brace

Dream on , dream on , dream on.....

[morganb]

Blackburn vs Leeds tonight.....

1:2 with a Bamford brace

Dream on , dream on , dream on.....

The boy is on fire! Over the past 3 weeks Bamford is joint top scorer in the Championship

[Malrom]

Blackburn vs Leeds tonight.....

1:2 with a Bamford brace

Dream on , dream on , dream on.....

The boy is on fire! Over the past 3 weeks Bamford is joint top scorer in the Championship

[murf]

So am I

[Malrom]

So am I

which fire blazes in you?

[morganb]

BBC News - Children in lockdown to learn about Leeds United
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-52150594

[jimmy ching]

BBC News - Children in lockdown to learn about Leeds United
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-52150594

Why didn't they do this when I was at school? They could expand it later by including the football teams with the Industrial beginnings of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Plenty of material. How Wednesday weren't United and the City that wasn't a stroll in the Park Avenue. How Huddersfield became the terriers and much, much more. It would be fun.

[blahblah]

Allan Clarke.

[Malrom]

Allan Clarke.

The Leeds player or the one from The Hollies?
And what ? COV-19?

[blahblah]

One of the coolest finishers I have ever seen, and ridiculously underrated....

[Malrom]

One of the coolest finishers I have ever seen, and ridiculously underrated....

True!

[Surprised]

Allan Clarke.

He and Norman Hunter were my favourite players as a child

[Malrom]

Allan Clarke.

He and Norman Hunter were my favourite players as a child

Good boy!