Leeds United big brother act is just enough but Whites have needs - Graham Smyth's Ipswich Verdict - YEP 27/8/23
A week is a long time in football and what a difference it can make. The one just gone has changed the mood at Leeds United dramatically.
By Graham Smyth
No wins in three, two key players training away from the
team and little external evidence of the work Daniel Farke insisted was being
done on recruitment had made things a little fraught around Elland Road. But
when Saturday came Luis Sinisterra and Willy Gnonto were back in the fold, a
new star had been introduced in Joel Piroe and all three hit the net in the
most thrilling of 4-3 victories.
Wins and signings were always going to drag the Leeds
fanbase out of any late window pessimism and the week that was brought one of
each. More than that, however, it was a week that showed the Peacocks can strut
around in the Championship like the big club they are.
Others wanted Piroe, particularly at a price just north of
£10m but still south of what he's probably worth, and yet Leeds went and got it
done. Being Leeds United still counts for a lot.
As a newly promoted club Ipswich Town brought momentum,
form, a highly-rated manager and a stylish way of playing into this game. As a
newly relegated club Leeds brought a Premier League front four and that was
that, almost.
Though Farke named a stronger starting XI than many of those
that started games last season, this game was no walk in the park and the big
brother act of fielding such a potent attack was no protection from Ipswich's
relentless windmilling.
Make no mistake, it was a positive day. Leeds came out with
the three points and a tantalising glimpse of how good things could be this
season. Each of Farke's four attackers scored a goal. Each away fan got their
money's worth and then some. Supporting Leeds was fun again.
The Whites also came out of Portman Road positively aware of
the need to follow up the Piroe signing with others, to make sure one good week
begets another. As good as the front line looked, Leeds at times looked shaky
at the back and couldn't quite control the game. And though there was finally a
game-changing option or two on the bench in the shape of not-yet-quite-fit
Crysencio Summerville and Joe Gelhardt, Farke might have killed for an
experienced midfielder to come on and steady the ship.
Sam Byram, a right-back playing left-back, picked up a first
half injury and Farke then tried two other right-sided players in that
position.
The day got off to an inauspicious start, too. Farke's
attacking riches watched in horror as Ipswich set off the better side and went
1-0 up inside seven minutes. Luke Ayling appealed for an offside that never
came and Joe Rodon put a low cross through his own goal. Had it not been for
Byrams last-ditch challenge, Wes Burns might have made it 2-0 almost
immediately.
When the Whites did get the ball back downfield their top
flight worthy attack made its presence known in a big way. First Georginio
Rutter twisted and turned to create space for a shot that he squeezed in off
the far post to equalise. Gnonto got in on the act four minutes later. A
well-worked move put Sam Byram in possession level with the area and he swung
in the perfect delivery for Gnonto to nip in ahead of Vaclav Hladky. And by the
19 minute mark it was 3-1, Piroe finishing off from close range after Sinisterra's
drive brought a save.
In amongst the goals was some lovely link-up stuff, a
wonderful switch of play from Archie Gray, a Byram cross that could not be
defended and a sense that Leeds could do frightening things to defences.
Sinisterra, in particular, had the look of a man playing below his level.
The away end was bouncing and Ipswich were tasting
Championship reality for the first time since promotion. What they weren't
doing, however, was panicking and because Leeds could not squeeze the life out
of the game through possession, chances kept coming at the other end.
Byram's groin injury handed Cody Drameh a chance, albeit on
the opposite side to his natural position, and he was unable to grasp it. Balls
in behind him and giveaways were a problem even before he undercooked a back
pass that led to Nathan Broadhead's scoring with virtually the final kick of
the half.
Farke had seen enough in that 20-minute cameo and subbed the
sub, Jamie Shackleton next to have a go. An early booking in the second half,
for time wasting, was not the start Farke wanted from his third makeshift
left-back of the afternoon.
Ethan Ampadu and Sam Morsy went to war in the middle of the
pitch and attacks flowed from one end to the other around them, wasteful
finishing keeping the scoreline the same.
What the game called for was a moment of real quality to
make a difference and Sinisterra supplied it. Shackleton's through ball was
good, it gave the winger a real chance and yet he still had it all to do. His
strength held off a challenge, his pace took him into the area and his
technical ability took his shot across the face of goal and into the corner of
the net.
That ought to have been all she wrote, but to their credit
Ipswich continued to swing wildly in Leeds' direction and Illan Meslier was
called into action twice in quick succession.In the sixth minute of time added
on the hosts were rewarded for their endeavour with a third, Charlie Cresswell
diving in and not making a challenge, Conor Chaplin punishing the substitute
with a drive beyond Meslier.
There was time yet for a delivery into the Leeds box, there
just wasn't time for an equaliser and a breathless, entertaining advert for the
second tier of English football was brought to a standstill, players on both
sides having just about punched themselves out.
Attack won the day and if Leeds can reach the transfer
deadline with that front line intact then attack will win more days for Farke's
side. The German was happy at full-time but careful not to lose the run of himself.
The next corner and whatever lurks behind it are never far away, as he noted.
But this was a good week for Leeds. What difference will the next one make?
