The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 13th March) - Harrison makes amends in four goal thriller
Good Morning. It's Monday 13th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Harrison makes amends in four goal thriller
Leeds came from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils against European contenders Brighton at Elland Road at the weekend, but with other results going against them fell deeper in the mire. Over the last couple of seasons, Brighton have been transformed into a quality outfit; with relatively unknown players becoming household names. If there ever were a business model to copy, Victor Orta could have done a lot worse than to replicate what Tony Bloom at done at the Amex Stadium.
Leeds battled hard throughout the game, and made life difficult for their South Coast rivals,showing a well disciplined set up, and gritty resolve, but Brighton's superiority was plain to see. The visitors broke the deadlock on 33 minutes. Pascal Groß's deep cross was headed across goal by Mitoma, and there was Mac Allister, unmarked in the six yard box to open the scoring.
To their credit, Leeds didn't give up, and equalised five minutes before the half-time interval, when Bamford's effort cannoned in, off the woodwork, from the edge of the area, after good work from Harrison.
Brighton's retook the lead in the most bizarre of circumstances. Mac Allister released Mitoma down the left hand side by-line, before cutting the ball back, across the Whites penalty area. Mac Allister or March seemed destined to get on the end of it, but not if Harrison had anything to do about it. The Leeds No 11 nipped in front of March, before stabbing the ball into the back of his own net, much to the annoyance of the Elland Road faithful.
He made amends twelve minutes from time. Gnonto's short corner caught Brighton's defence napping. Harrison took full advantage, and bent a long range effort past the despairing dive of Seagulls shot stopper Jason Steele, sending a packed out Elland Road crowd into rapture.
ER faithful starting to turn on the players
There was a distinct chilly atmosphere at Elland Road on Saturday, and we're not talking about the arctic conditions. The Leeds Utd faithful have finally had enough, and although sympathetic to their cause, made it clear to the players, that they do not suffer fools gladly. If truth be known, its been simmering for a while, yet the fans chose to direct their anger towards Jesse Marsch, and after he left, the board! Now it was the players turn. Although far from hostile, the frustrations of a few started to consume Elland Road with large sections of the crowd making it abundantly clear that what they're witnessing just isn't good enough.
Leeds just don't look like they're going to win
Traditionally, at this point of the season, we see teams from the wrong end of the table, start to find some form and pick up points; and this campaign is no different. Unfortunately, there are no signs of this from Leeds. I can understand Gracia wanting to make Leeds hard to break down, but has taken away their creative influence in doing so. Picking up the odd point here and there will no longer be enough to keep Leeds in the top flight, and it's time to gamble. At this point of the season, I'd rather get beaten 4-0 and had a go, rather then 1-0 and play conservatively.