Mighty Leeds Weblog

WHAT A SCREAMER Written by Moscowhite • Daniel Chapman My favourite part of my favourite Alex Mowatt goal is one of my favourite celebrations. For the second time in a week, from stupendous distances, he’d just lashed a football into a top corner on the run. He didn’t look like he could believe it. The excitement and the pleasure was all too real. It was all disbelief. But there’s no disbelief any more, probably not for a long time. Mowatt is over it now. He only scores bangers and he only scores them all the time, and he’s not the one who can’t believe it. It’s everyone else, the people who wrote him off, and the people who even if they accept he’s brilliant now can’t accept he can keep getting away with this. Isn’t there a limit on the number of sweetly struck long range bangers one player can score? Not, apparently, for Alex Mowatt, who probably grew up doing the rap from No Limits as he morphed from childhood into MC Freestyle, the hedgehog haired star of many a Doncaster t...

RISE OF THE RE-GENS Written by David Guile For some, it’s the discovery of that first grey hair. For others, it’s when part of your body decides it doesn’t like you any more and starts hurting for no apparent reason. For me, the moment I became most aware of my own mortality was during a six-a-side match at Goals in Kirkstall, when a kid who could have passed for twelve came off the bench and megged me on the way to scoring. The instant the ball went through my legs and the little shit gambolled around me like a spring lamb, my life flashed before my eyes. A disappointing amount of it (in fact, pretty much all the adult bit) was spent waiting for Leeds to return to the Premier League, grinding down the starry-eyed optimism of childhood, year by year. Now I’m old, bitter and broken, and I’m watching the rise of the next generation with envy. Here we are in the future, and the rise of the re-gens has begun in earnest. If you’re not familiar with the term ‘re-gen’, it’s from the p...

Kalvin Phillips has opened up about fame after an impressive performance at Euro 2020 raised his profile this summer. By Flora Snelson Growing up a Leeds fan, a packed out Elland Road singing his name is about the best thing a young Kalvin Phillips might have dreamed of. But this year, the Yorkshire Pirlo has found fame on a scale he would never have imagined for himself. Following his England debut against Denmark last year, Phillips was once again called up by Gareth Southgate as England made preparations to compete at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament this summer. Phillips played a central role as England excelled, with the 25-year old playing 665 minutes for his country as the Lions reached their first major tournament final since 1966. The Whites are only just getting started💪 #LUFC https://t.co/q9QBQNKfAe — Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) September 29, 2021 And it wasn’t just Phillips’ footballing contributions that impressed fans - the midfielder found a w...

Lewis Bate took a huge step towards becoming the midfielder Leeds United want him to be at Oldham on Tuesday, says Mark Jackson. By Joe Urquhart The Whites earned a first ever EFL Trophy victory in midweek at Boundary Park, which has left the club's academy with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. A penalty from Crysencio Summerville, a Latics own goal and a deflected Max Dean strike was enough to earn all three points in a 3-2 victory in Group B. United controlled the game for much of the night with a strong performance in midfield, dominating and creating a number of chances before the opening strike moments ahead of the half-time interval. Bate was at the heart of the Whites' dominance against their Football League counterparts in Lancashire, putting in an impressive performance in both defence and attack. Leeds saw the 18-year-old's signature from Chelsea as a major coup in the summer and have been working away with the highly-rated midfielder be...

Mark Jackson was left delighted with how his Leeds United youngsters responded to the pressure of a must-win game in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. By Joe Urquhart The Whites sent an Under-21s outfit to Oldham Athletic knowing three points were required if they were to give themselves any chance of progressing from Group B. Leeds exited the tournament at the opening stage without a win in 2020 and were up against it following defeat at Tranmere Rovers two weeks ago. United were searching for a first three-point haul in the competition since taking up the invitation to join the tournament last season at Boundary Park. Jackson, though, saw his development squad produce an impressive performance to secure a historic 3-2 victory over the League Two Latics. A penalty from Crysencio Summerville and a deflected effort from Max Dean fell either side of an own goal from Oldham captain Harrison McGahey as United were clinical. Keith Curle's side gave a better look to the scoreline ...

By Lucas Sposito ESPN Argentina this week featured an interview with Godoy Cruz manager Diego Flores, who’s having a great start in his coaching career. The 40-year-old is one of the pupils of Marcelo Bielsa, having worked as his assistant at Marseille, Lille and Leeds United, who he left in the summer of 2020. So Flores’ chat with ESPN obviously had a few questions about his former boss. The young manager made it clear he didn’t want to talk about their personal relationship too much. “I keep my contacts with Bielsa for my privacy, I feel very loved by that coaching staff and I have very big love and gratitude,” Flores told ESPN (via Infobae). But there was one specific question about Bielsa that Flores did agree to answer, and it was why the manager has never taken charge of a big European side. He claims it was simply because of his choice, rather than being overlooked. “If he did not manage the greats, the powers, it’s because he did not choose to do so. I don’t know wh...

Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips has already made his feelings towards arch rivals Manchester United abundantly clear. By Joe Urquhart The Yorkshire Pirlo, as he is affectionately known in West Yorkshire, is Whites through and through - becoming the face of the club he supported as a boy growing up in his home city. "Describe what Man United means..." Phillips was asked by BT Sport ahead of August's opening day trip to Old Trafford in the Premier League. "To me?" he responded with a large smirk. "It doesn't mean anything." Phillips has enjoyed a stunning 12 months since stepping into the top flight limelight with his boyhood club following his rise through the Thorp Arch ranks. An impressive first season of Premier League football, where Marcelo Bielsa's side finished ninth in the standings, was followed up by featuring in every game for England under Gareth Southgate in the Three Lions' charge to the Euro 2020 final. It is,...

The Daily Star are reporting (so it must be true) that Manchester United have lost interest in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, in favour of England teammate Kalvin Phillips. Bringing a top drawer defensive midfielder is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's wish list, but they believe West Ham's valuation of 90m is too high, and have turned their attention across the Pennines! They estimate a fee between 50m - 60m would be sufficient to lure the 25yo to Old Trafford. The Yorkshire Pirlo came close to leaving Elland Road in the Summer of 2019, in favour of Aston Villa. Only a timely intervention from Victor Orta, and wise words from his late grandmother, spared Leeds heartache. Later that Summer, Phillips signed a new and improved four year contract that expires in the Summer of 2024. Having not strengthened sufficiently in the Summer, many questions have been raised about their lack of ambition. Whilst I'm sure all Leeds fans are grateful for what Radrizzzani has done for the...

  NEXT TIME, EH? Written by Moscowhite • Daniel Chapman I went to Elland Road expecting Leeds United to lose to West Ham United, and that happened. But I didn’t expect Leeds to play brilliantly while losing, and their being so good made everything much worse. It might even be why, despite leading for a long time, they lost. Marcelo Bielsa’s winless wonders had the happy Hammers right where they needed them in the first half. Everything was going right for the home team and wrong for their guests. Said Benrahma kept forlornly trying to pull Kalvin Phillips out of position so his team mates could dominate midfield and get at the centre-backs, but Phillips and Jamie Shackleton had him all sorted, and all Benrahma’s runs only made him a spectator. In a five minute spell near the first half’s end, Benrahma didn’t touch the ball. He’s one of their best players, deleted by his own plan. Leeds United’s plans were working well, despite being dented out of shape by injuries from fron...

Charlie Cresswell says that the Leeds United squad must “stick together” in order to get results after losing to West Ham United on Saturday. By Flora Snelson Leeds United dropped down the table following Saturday’s loss to West Ham United at Elland Road. The defeat allowed Newcastle United to leapfrog the Whites on goal difference, meaning that after six games, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are in the relegation zone. The outcome is particularly galling as the Whites were 1-0 up for a large part of the match. Leeds looked to be in control after Raphinha put the hosts ahead, but gave way in the second half as an unfortunate equaliser, which took a lethal deflection off Junior Firpo, took the wind out of the Whites’ sails. As West Ham turned up the heat, Leeds crumbled, and there was a feeling of inevitability to Michail Antonio’s last minute winner. A tough afternoon out for all of Bielsa’s men, perhaps none more so than the 19-year-old Charlie Cresswell, who made his first Premi...

Leeds have an abundance of star quality on the pitch and in the dugout... but aligning them into an orderly team is where they fell short again as West Ham go marching on Leeds fell to third defeat in six games after the 2-1 loss to West Ham on Saturday Marcelo Bielsa's men took the lead in the first half through Raphinha's strike West Ham fought back and won it in the dying minutes through Michail Antonio Leeds sit in 18th place and they are yet to pick up a league win so far this season By CRAIG HOPE The form of goalkeeper Illan Meslier should be a concern for Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa. Not because he is playing poorly. The problem, rather, is how much opportunity he is getting to impress. The brilliant young Frenchman has made a league-high 27 saves this season. He is also in the top three for high claims and punches. In short, he has a lot to do. But here is the worry — only Norwich’s Tim Krul has conceded more goals than Meslier, and the Canaries look ...

Marcelo Bielsa felt Leeds United did not deserve to lose Saturday’s clash against West Ham at Elland Road. By Lee Sobot You can see why. On another day, the Whites could have been out of sight. So too could the Hammers and the problem for Leeds is that ruing what might have been is becoming more and more common. Yet six games in is still far too early to panic for a side who will be intent on executing plan A better although the time also feels right to now unleash Joe Gelhardt too. As has been the case with plenty of games during Bielsa’s tenure, Saturday’s clash against West Ham is a difficult one to look back on and assess, hence Bielsa’s analysis in his post match press conference. “I don’t think that we deserved to lose but I imagine that the opponent’s manager thinks that they deserved to win,” said the Whites head coach. The stats lean towards any arguments suggesting that the visitors were worthy winners as West Ham side mustered 20 shots on goal of which seven we...

Star winger Raphinha has issued an upbeat message after his withdrawal against West Ham, which was followed by late Leeds United heartache at Elland Road. By Lee Sobot Brazilian ace Raphinha fired United into a 19th-minute lead in Saturday's Premier League clash against the Hammers but the visitors equalised as a Jarrod Bowen strike deflected in off Junior Firpo in the 67th minute. Raphinha was then substituted two minutes later after indicating to the Whites bench that it was becoming difficult for him to continue, having only just recovered from a hip injury suffered in last Friday's 1-1 draw at Newcastle United. It meant Raphinha was once again taken off against the Hammers, replaced by Tyler Roberts, and Raphinha then looked on as Leeds suffered late heartache via West Ham's Michail Antonio bagging a 90th-minute winner. The defeat left Leeds third bottom and still seeking their first win of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign. The Whites are now in the divis...

After seeing Leeds United defeated 2-1 by West Ham, chief football writer Graham Smyth runs the rule over who had a good day, a bad day, the turning point and some off camera moments at Elland Road. By Graham Smyth Good day Charlie Cresswell A momentous week that he will never forget. The result will have put a downer on it all but he can be rightfully proud of making his Leeds United dream come true. Acquitted himself well against an awkward, elite customer. Didn't fully contain Antonio but defenders of greater experience struggle to do that. Illan Meslier With each recent appearance he has added to the growing feeling that he will go on to become a great. This wasn't a perfect performance but he made some terrific stops and refused to wilt under a lot of physical pressure and an elbow to the face. A star. Raphinha The nutmeg on Benrahma that left the West Ham man looking for the nearest exit sign was exquisite, just as the little shimmy to ghost between two de...

For Leeds United's season to start getting better they have to risk it getting much worse. By Graham Smyth Bravery was at the heart of a 65-minute performance against West Ham United that deserved something, before the nous, quality and unerring confidence of David Moyes' side took over for a 2-1 Elland Road win. What was evident from much of this game was that Marcelo Bielsa's players remain convinced in his style of football. He spoke beforehand about the key to coaching being the ability to turn footballers into followers and already this season, particularly when Leeds have been in need of a late goal, we have seen evidence that they remain his disciples. Sticking to the plan when things aren't going to plan, even when doing so puts you in the way of further harm, is a sure sign that you believe it works. That takes bravery, especially when the plan is Bielsaball. He once talked about things Leeds needed to do to be better in a game being the very same t...

 

Defender speaks to the media. Charlie Cresswell spoke to the media after making his Premier League debut for Leeds United, at home to West Ham United. Leeds went into a first half lead through Raphinha's strike, but a second half own-goal and Michal Antonio's winner gave the visitors all three points. The defender impressed throughout the 90 minutes despite the late defeat and he shared his thoughts following the conclusion of the match at Elland Road. “Both teams battled hard today, so it was tough to call,” Cresswell explained. “We have just got to keep working hard every day. Sometimes results happen that shouldn’t happen. “That’s football, you never know what can happen. We just have to stick together and work as hard as we can. “Hopefully that win will come soon, very soon. “I am gutted to have lost, I will have to watch it back to see how I did individually, “I was told about five minutes before the warm up that I was starting. I went into the dressing r...

Marcelo Bielsa says his Leeds United side did not deserve to lose 2-1 to West Ham United at Elland Road. By Graham Smyth The Whites went ahead in the first half through Raphinha, who posed huge problems for the Hammers throughout until coming off having complained of difficulty. Fresh from his call up to the Brazil squad, Raphinha scored a fine goal, hit the post and looked unplayable on the counter attack, having recovered sufficiently from a hip problem to play at Elland Road. But West Ham stayed in the game, survived a number of scares and levelled through a Junior Firpo own goal with 23 minutes remaining. And as the game neared stoppage time the influential Michail Antonio was found by Declan Rice and produced the winner with a cool finish. It was not a result winless-in-six Leeds' performance merited, said Bielsa. "They are two teams with different realities," he said. The player ratings as Leeds United lose late on to West Ham United. https://t.co/6ENSTe6...

Raphinha's first-half opener proved in vain as Leeds United fell to a third reverse of the Premier League season in Saturday's hosting of West Ham which ended in a 2-1 defeat. By Lee Sobot Leeds went ahead in the 19th minute with a brilliant composed finish from Raphinha whose drive from the edge of the box flew into the bottom left corner following strong work from Rodrigo and Mateusz's Klich cool's pass. Raphinha was then denied a very similar second goal as another shot from the edge of the box cannoned back off the post and Stuart Dallas was earlier kept out by a fantastic save by Lukasz Fabianski. But Illan Meslier had earlier pulled off two fine stops to deny both Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma as the Hammers made a bright start and the Frenchman thwarted the visitors in first half stoppage time to deny Pablo Fornals who had been played in one on one. The returning Jack Harrison then replaced Dan James at the interval and West Ham looked to have equal...

Michail Antonio's 90th-minute winner left Leeds still searching for a first Premier League win of the season as they were beaten by West Ham at Elland Road. In a match that saw 35 attempts on goal, Marcelo Bielsa's side had the better chances in the first half but the visitors grew into the game as excitement turned to nerves among the home fans in a cagey encounter. Raphinha had opened the scoring for Leeds on 19 minutes with a clinical low finish from outside the area. West Ham thought they had equalised eight minutes into the second half, but Tomas Soucek's effort was ruled out after referee Kevin Friend checked the pitchside monitor and spotted an Antonio foul on goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The Hammers eventually found a way through when Jarrod Bowen's shot from inside the box deflected off Junior Firpo and into the back of the net. In the first minute of injury time, Leeds were caught out on the counter-attack as Antonio knocked the ball past defender Jamie...

IN HIS PROGRAMME notes, Eddie Gray - such a shrewd judge of all things Leeds United - was on point. By Leon Wobschall “A win today would take the pressure off”, the Whites legend correctly opined. In the event, Leeds suffered a punishing late defeat, made all the more sore by the fact that looked like their old selves, in terms of their effervescent attacking work for much of the game. Granted, they were indebted to some quality goalkeeping for spells from Illan Meslier, but their performance in the other direction was eye-catching. Unfortunately, games are often decided in quick-fire pockets of play and this was the case here. Leading 1-0, thanks to an excellent 19th-minute strike from the irrepressible Raphinha, Mateusz Klich had a golden spell to double the advantage on 64 minutes when played in by the gifted Brazilian. Instead of scoring, he missed and the game switched. Three minutes later, a shot from Jarrod Bowen hit impressive debutant Charlie Cresswell and then...