The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 2nd October) Well earned draw or two points dropped?
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 2nd October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Well earned draw or two points dropped?
Norwich City and Leeds played out a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road in-front of 28,283 rain soaked fans (2,022 Leeds fans). Without the services of Rutter and Summerville, and with Solomon, Ampadu and James injured, Farke's side looked far less menacing (both on paper, and the rain drenched pitch) than they did last season.
In truth, there was little to pick between the teams, especially when taking into account referee Stephen Martin's home bias. The man in black was out of his depth; making decisions based on complaints and crowd reaction rather than what had seen himself.
The Canaries took the lead on 15 minutes when Rodon failed to take the conditions into account, and took Josh Sargent off his feet, deep within the six yard box. With Meslier as useful as a cardboard cut out at saving penalties, there was only going to be one conclusion, however bad the resulting spot kick was!
Throughout the monsoon like conditions and swirling winds, one player shone. Wilfred Gnonto was the standout player on the pitch by a country mile, and almost equalised before the interval, weaving through a packed sea of yellow before striking the post with the keeper stranded.
Eventually his dogged persistence paid off. His through ball put Ramazani clear through on goal, beating Gunn at his far post, fifteen minutes into the second half. The visitors had both the opportunities and impetus to get a winner, until Farke's substitutions snubbed out any chance of three points. Based on the balance of play, a draw was a fair result; but undoubtedly, this would have been a game we would have won last season!
Gaffer widely criticised for substitutions last night
Daniel Farke has been widely criticised by Leeds fans on social media for his substitutions last night. Having just equalised, Leeds looked the side far more likely to claim three points. The shift in momentum was definitely with the visitors, only for the gaffer to freshen things up with Piroe, Bamford and Gelhardt, in place of Gnonto, Ramazani and Joseph.
True, we go to the Stadium of Light on Friday night, but the changes destroyed Leeds chances of a winner when they had the bit between their teeth. Gnonto and Ramazani were by far the most dangerous players on the pitch. The trio brought on may have offered fresh legs, but their lack of pace was never going to worry a well organised Norwich defence.