Leeds v Sheffield Wednesday

[winsomeyen]

Leeds and Sunderland are streets ahead of us as attacking forces. I don’t necessarily think they have better players overall, though our lack of pace all over the pitch was frightening on Friday (particularly Laurent, Roberts, Brownhill and Cullen, who all are as quick as a road roller), I just think that Parker’s tactics are horrendous. It’s so boring to watch, so slow, so negative and I think it will cost us in the second half of the season.

Leeds, Sunderland and Sheff U set up to win and actually try to do so. The way they play, Leeds and Sunderland in particular, has fans off their seat and it’s exiting to watch. Everything Parkerball isn’t. Look at the positive change the Sunderland manager made on Friday: 10 to go, 0-0 away from home. Settle for that? No, go two up front, go for it and two penalties (however dubious) and significant pressure resulted.

What did our manager do? Subs yes but changed absolutely nothing. Pass, pass, pass, sideways, backwards.

I hope I’m wrong but I’ve a feeling Monday’s match is going to be excruciating, which is so frustrating because I firmly believe that if we go for it we’ll overwhelm them, as with many other games I’ve witnessed home and away this season.

Half way through, the season just feels like a missed opportunity. We’re 3rd, which is great but with a tiny bit of ambition we’d have been ahead of the pack. Incredibly frustrating.

We could have Alan Shearer at his best and still not score under parkerball.

The problem lies with the manager and his setting up not to lose rather than the players.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Fairly confident Leeds and Sheffield go up as top two (as the squad currently stands) but things can change quickly.

[mdd2]

Fairly confident Leeds and Sheffield go up as top two (as the squad currently stands) but things can change quickly.

Agree with that unless we can start scoring goals

[Blyclaret]

Fairly confident Leeds and Sheffield go up as top two (as the squad currently stands) but things can change quickly.

How can you say that with over 20games left

[Blyclaret]

We won’t beat Leeds.

Thats it i like your confidence.

[equinox]

If we could just stop giving away silly goals.

[Goodclaret]

I don't get the "it's costing us" claims. We've conceded 9 goals in 27 games which is insane. We are 3rd, 3 points behind DL. We've lost 2 games all season. We've beaten both DL and Sheffield Utd. I get it we "could" be well clear without the 0-0's at the Turf but it's not like we are miles behind even playing as awful as some make it out on here. Statistically, if we continue as we have and don't lose against DL and SU, then the chances are we finish in the top two. Have a bit of faith guys - I know we aren't walking it like we did under VK but I fancy our chances more if we do go up under Parker than Kompany.

[IanMcL]

To win the league, you play with intent to score, knowing you will usually score more than the other team. Leeds to that. Sheffield U, although not very good, do that. We play not to concede and then hope we score.

The other 2 knock over modt lesser teams. We often can't.

We cut back and pass back, dar to often. The opposition put up tents, waiting for our return!

There were signs that we are getting players forward, against Sunderland but not decisively., as yet.

[Goodclaret]

To win the league, you play with intent to score, knowing you will usually score more than the other team. Leeds to that. Sheffield U, although not very good, do that. We play not to concede and then hope we score.

The other 2 knock over modt lesser teams. We often can't.

We cut back and pass back, dar to often. The opposition put up tents, waiting for our return!

There were signs that we are getting players forward, against Sunderland but not decisively., as yet.

Totally get that Ian and, definitely Leeds, are much better at going forward than us BUT then concede 3 against Plymouth, for example! The fact is, after 27 games we are all so close meaning, whichever style being played, is getting similar results overall and that is the situation over a 46 game season.

[Stonehouse]

To win the league, you play with intent to score, knowing you will usually score more than the other team. Leeds to that. Sheffield U, although not very good, do that. We play not to concede and then hope we score.

The other 2 knock over modt lesser teams. We often can't.

We cut back and pass back, dar to often. The opposition put up tents, waiting for our return!

There were signs that we are getting players forward, against Sunderland but not decisively., as yet.

Oh to have 2 pacy wingers that can beat the fullbacks on the outside,the best we have his Anthony whose ok but nowhere near dynamic enough and Koleshoe whose so predictable,it’s so disappointing because we’re very effective in what we do up to a point,and like GoodClaret says we’re still up,there but last time we were here just went from strength to strength.

[Hipper]

The beauty of football is that there are many different ways of playing.

We definitely do not have the quality to play like Leeds. They look the outstanding team, particularly in attack, and if Solomon and James aren't at it they can bring on Ramazani and Gnonto, all four of whom are better then anything we have. Bogle also bombs forward effectively and they are ably supported by a good midfield. The issue is their finishing that doesn't usually reflect all their attacking. They too do not have a conventional central striker. Their defence defence, particularly Struijk and Meslier, are suspect but they are also more exposed. Overall they are a very energetic side.

To be frank, I can't see how we can stop them and I expect a defeat on Monday. I hope I'm wrong.

[IanMcL]

Totally get that Ian and, definitely Leeds, are much better at going forward than us BUT then concede 3 against Plymouth, for example! The fact is, after 27 games we are all so close meaning, whichever style being played, is getting similar results overall and that is the situation over a 46 game season.

Except at the run in, the winners win and the safe sides don't always.

If you have watched us over the tears every promotion has had that intensity.

[Goliath]

I don't get the "it's costing us" claims. We've conceded 9 goals in 27 games which is insane. We are 3rd, 3 points behind DL. We've lost 2 games all season. We've beaten both DL and Sheffield Utd. I get it we "could" be well clear without the 0-0's at the Turf but it's not like we are miles behind even playing as awful as some make it out on here. Statistically, if we continue as we have and don't lose against DL and SU, then the chances are we finish in the top two. Have a bit of faith guys - I know we aren't walking it like we did under VK but I fancy our chances more if we do go up under Parker than Kompany.

You're right, it is insane and it's also part of the problem. We are now so focused on that record that it's becoming our primary focus going into games.

[aggi]

I don't get the "it's costing us" claims. We've conceded 9 goals in 27 games which is insane. We are 3rd, 3 points behind DL. We've lost 2 games all season. We've beaten both DL and Sheffield Utd. I get it we "could" be well clear without the 0-0's at the Turf but it's not like we are miles behind even playing as awful as some make it out on here. Statistically, if we continue as we have and don't lose against DL and SU, then the chances are we finish in the top two. Have a bit of faith guys - I know we aren't walking it like we did under VK but I fancy our chances more if we do go up under Parker than Kompany.

Statiscially we're currently on target for 90 points (Sheff Utd 94 and Leeds 95) which gets you promoted a bit less than half the time looking back. Although if you extrapolate based on the results from the last 6 or last 10 games we'd be coming top (with 97 or 99 points respectively).

We're the team outperforming their xG goal difference by far the most (mainly due to how many we've conceded compared to our xG against) which, in theory, suggests we will start to concede more as the season wears on (although obviously there is a chance of continuing to defy the odds). If that does happen, and we have conceded a freakishly low number of goals so far, then we'd really need to improve our attacking performance to stay in with a chance.

[taio]

You're right, it is insane and it's also part of the problem. We are now so focused on that record that it's becoming our primary focus going into games.

Has this primary focus on the record been confirmed by Parker?

[Blyclaret]

You're right, it is insane and it's also part of the problem. We are now so focused on that record that it's becoming our primary focus going into games.

I think you assume a lot. How do you know what we focus on. This is only an opinion of yours i presume or do you actually know. Have you heard it from the manager?

[Goliath]

I meant more psychologically than through instruction. You could see it clearly against Sunderland. We went into protective mode 2nd half and then went deeper and deeper when usually you'd expect the home team to push the opposition back towards the end at 0-0.

We looked terrified to concede