Leeds United v Hull City

Saturday 31st August 2024 - Elland Road, Leeds

2024/25 Season Friendly

I want to say a big thank you to everyone today for your support, love, hugs and comments after my husband’s recent stroke. As always, they are gratefully appreciated, and we are thankful that Phillip/Captain is one of the lucky ones as he seems to have only minimal issues. Although not without its challenges, it was nice to get back to Elland Road for some respite for me. I hadn’t felt 100% as I got to the ground but decided to walk to Holbeck Working Men’s Club. I didn’t think I did too badly with an approximate 15-20 minute walk each way, but it took me back in time. I remembered walking to and from Snaith to the train station from home and to and from Leeds station to the ground. As I was reminiscing, I saw someone walking towards me with his scarf tied around his wrist which was another throwback to then.

If you can watch Calendar on 12th September which is 50 years to the date of the Don Revie v Clough interview, my response will be seen as I was filmed at home during the week. Next week also sees me heading to Stirling on Wednesday for the unveiling of the blue plaque where Billy Bremner lived in Raploch. It will also kickstart the fundraising in earnest for a statue for him there too. Watch out for further details.

Sadly, I didn’t go past Chris and Kev’s plaque at Elland Road but have just seen online, about  a great gesture from the Hull City vice chairmen who laid flowers underneath it. Thank you.

As the last day for new signings and departures ended yesterday, luckily, I have taken a back seat just fleetingly looking to find out any news. The threads saw no end of posts, but I decided that I had no control over anything and what would be would be. With Rutter being the last one out although I was expecting more, we brought in Largie Ramazani from UD Almeria, Spain, Manor Solomon on loan from Spurs, AO Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf and finally Isaac Schmidt from Swiss side St. Gallen. As usual by just concentrating on Leeds United, I had not heard of any player and knew nothing about them which tends to work well for me. I judge them all by their performances on the pitch so go into the games with an open mind and no prejudgements.

Team: Meslier, Ampadu, Rodon, Firpo, Bogle, Gnonto, Solomon (home debut), Aaronson, Struijk, Gruev, Joseph

Subs: Piroe for Solomon (74), Ramazani for Gnonto (74), Byram for Bogle (83), Rothwell for Joseph (86), Tanaka for Gruev (86)

Subs not used: Darlow, Gelhardt, Debayo, Wöber

Leeds won the game 2-0 with Joseph (63), Piroe (82) scoring for Leeds

Attendance: 36,517, approx. 2,900 Hull fans.

Referee: Gavin Ward

Booked: Rodon, Gruev

The game started at a fast pace with Leeds on the attack with Gruev’s low shot saved comfortably by the keeper then Joseph’s shot pushed over the bar. Hull attacked in numbers and a wicked shot went just over Meslier’s crossbar. Leeds were unlucky not to take the lead when Gnonto put the ball into the net but was ruled offside. Hull came back with an immediate response and showed they could be dangerous on the break as they were in acres of space down the left-hand side of the Kop. Luckily for us we were able to keep the ball out although at times when bringing the ball out from the back, things got too close for comfort. To me the first half passed very quickly as we went into the break on equal terms. Saw Tony at half time and I love how he has changed the bulls to blue on the home shirt.

The second half once again started at a fast pace with Leeds on the attack, but Aaronson’s shot was straight at the keeper. With Leeds on the attack once more down the right-hand side, I thought Solomon had no chance of passing the ball into the middle, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The pass was class and the finish by Joseph sublime as the ball hit the back of the net to put us one goal up. With Leeds overall being the better team, we had another attack and Firpo on the right of us sent a fantastic cross to the left-hand side which Ramazani left. The ball was picked up by Piroe as he rolled the ball into the net to increase our lead. The score ended up 2-0 as we kept another clean sheet and three points. I do feel if Hull would have scored first; it would have been a lot tougher for us. Again, we didn’t have it all our own way but ground out a win amongst some good attacking football.

I thought our new players did well and the good thing for me is that it has given us some squad depth as that was a real concern for me. As we go into the international break with our first home win of the season, the game has given some hope back. I never predict scores as I don’t get them right and only make my observations by what I see on the pitch but all in all, there were a lot of positives. It was nice to see Tanaka passing the ball well too. I was definitely slow on the uptake as the crowd got going with A, O, Let’s go! Well, how was I to know they were Tanaka’s initials? See you after the international break with another home game against Burnley.

LUFC – Marching on Together!