Goal difference lives to fight another day
Leeds United remained outside the Premier League’s drop zone on Saturday night because of their goal difference. If that is the case on May 28, everyone can look back on yesterday’s trip to Manchester City as a major success.
On any given day, of course, any team can beat anyone on a football pitch, but when you drew up the list of realistic outcomes pre-match, a one-goal defeat was right up there among the best results for the Whites. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal have all conceded at least four goals on league visits to Etihad Stadium this season.
For Leeds, fresh from 23 concessions in their last seven games, to return home with a one-goal defeat is huge in the grand scheme of things. Yes, they lost and nobody is going to celebrate too wildly, but the big fear going into Saturday was the punishment the goal difference could take.
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One of the few cards the Whites had left to play was a goal difference which had remained just about competitive despite April’s problems. It’s now level with Everton’s, but crucially seven clear of Nottingham Forest’s and Southampton’s.
This was always going to be a match which City, the champions-elect, dominated. There was always going to be a way of losing for Leeds, with Sam Allardyce in the dugout for the first time.
Much in the way Liverpool were expected to beat Leeds last month, the manner of that defeat proved concerning, in stark contrast to what we saw yesterday. It was not a particularly special day for anyone in Leeds colours, as they spent the afternoon chasing shadows, making blocks, tackles and clearances, but the fight and organisation can at least be a platform for the side.
If Leeds can bridge the gap to City like that after just 72 hours with Allardyce in the post, there will be hope things only improve as he takes a full, clear week into the Newcastle United match.
Allardyce gets the big call right
The new head coach had not shied away from the biggest call of the week. Illan Meslier had become the punchbag and embodiment of United’s steep, recent decline.
For the first time since the 23-year-old first came into a league line-up for Leeds, Meslier was dropped on form grounds yesterday. Allardyce admitted it would be the biggest decision of the week, but he did not shirk that responsibility.
The former England boss has risked upsetting the apple cart for the greater good of the team. Allardyce admitted Meslier had not, understandably, taken the news well, but he could not see any other way when the stopper had been in such a poor run of form.
As it was, Joel Robles barely put a foot wrong. There was one awkward moment when he spilt the ball after colliding with Rasmus Kristensen, but he mopped up his mistake and did not allow it to derail his afternoon.
There was the early boot on Erling Haaland’s shot from a one-on-one and while Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty did hit the post first, the Spaniard was within an inch of clawing it away himself. There were no reasons to believe Meslier should be immediately restored next weekend.
If anything, it’s easier to believe the French stopper’s season is over, barring a catastrophic collapse in one of the next two games from Robles. Meslier will have to stew on the decision and use it as one of the first learning curves he faces at Leeds.
He will be angry and upset, of course, but he needs to take this time out of the firing line to rebuild his confidence and prove all over again why he’s the best goalkeeper in this squad.
Forshaw returns
The last time Adam Forshaw reached 80 minutes in a Premier League game was April 2 last year. As ever, fitness has been the main barrier standing between Forshaw and a consistent role in the United side.
After cameos in the matches with Liverpool, Fulham and Bournemouth, Allardyce went further than Javi Gracia seemed willing to. The midfield has been crying out for reinforcement and help for Weston McKennie and Marc Roca.
Forshaw brought that and dovetailed nicely with them in the circumstances. Of course, it remained a backs-against-the-wall afternoon with little opportunity for enterprising, creative play, but in the moments Forshaw was able to get on the ball he showed some class and vision.
There were some welcome clatterings across the game too, providing a reminder of the bite Forshaw has been known to bring to the midfield at times. Forshaw’s a wise head Allardyce is bound to lean on through the next three games, presuming the midfielder’s body holds up.
He has, of course, a contract extension to play for too. The club holds an option to extend his deal if they wish, otherwise, Forshaw is looking to impress potential summer suitors.
Bamford vs Rodrigo: Chapter 49
New head coach, same debate in the frontline. Once again, we came away from a Leeds game debating the merits of the club’s two senior strikers. Patrick Bamford had been given the big name drop in the run-up to the game and promptly started the match.
However, the number nine failed to make a serious impact on the game. It was a thankless task, trying to deal with three centre-backs virtually on his own while the rest of his team-mates dug in on the edge of their own box.
Although, in the moments the ball did reach the nine, he failed to make it stick or give his team a platform to build from in getting upfield. In stark contrast, Rodrigo, once again, managed to get his name on the scoresheet.
It was the Spain international’s 14th goal in 32 appearances for what continues to be an impressive, if injury-hit, campaign. It may well prompt a rethink from Allardyce next week.
If you had your last fiver to spend on one of Bamford or Rodrigo to score from a one vs one situation, you would give it to the Brazilian every time at the moment. It will be intriguing to see what Allardyce says about that role ahead of the Newcastle clash.
Into the business end
There was a wry smile on Allardyce’s face when he admitted he could finally confess his job was always going to be about the last three games. It’s a four-game project, but the new boss knew going away to City with three days in the building was mission impossible.
Allardyce and Leeds can now return to West Yorkshire, lip bloodied, but absolutely standing tall with easier tests ahead. They will now have the benefit of a full, clear week to prepare for the visit of third-placed Newcastle.
The league situation, of course, remains perilous. While the goal difference survived a battering, this was still another game with zero impact on the points column. Leeds are vulnerable and face the real possibility of dropping into the bottom three before they play again.
Leicester City, Forest and Everton all play on Monday. The Foxes visit Fulham, while Forest host basement boys Southampton. Wins for either would put them three points clear of Leeds with nine still to play for.
The Toffees visit Europe-chasing Brighton & Hove Albion and the form book would suggest they should remain one point behind the Whites. Leeds have to mentally prepare themselves for that bottom-three pressure.
Everyone knows their most winnable games come across the final fortnight. They have to accept they may drop into the relegation zone and then lose ground to their rivals next weekend too, before mounting their own rescue operation against West Ham United and Spurs.
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