Leeds United v Spurs 26th February 2022
It was lovely to meet up with some of our fans from the Leeds United Supporters Club, Malta before the game. They’d been in to see Bielsa before meeting me outside the Peacock and a big thank you for the support in buying two of my books and CDs. Thanks to Raki for buying some CDs too. It was nice to see the advertising hoardings at the start of the game showing support for Ukraine after the invasion from Russia which is why I wore my yellow Leeds shirt today.
Team: Meslier, Ayling, Struijk, Llorente, James, Harrison, Forshaw, Dallas, Raphinha, Koch and Firpo.
Subs: Rodrigo for Harrison (45), Klich for Struijk (45), Shackleton for Firpo (79).
Subs not used: Klaesson, Cresswell, Gelhardt, Roberts, Summerville, Kenneh.
Leeds lost the game 4-0.
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Booked: Firpo, Dallas, Klich, Rodrigo.
Attendance: 36,599 with approx. 2,690 Spurs fans.
Despite Leeds having an early chance, the game was out of reach to us when we succumbed to two early goals and by the time half an hour had passed, we were already three goals down. After Koch’s shot rebounded off the post and away that could have got us back into the game at 2-0, with such an uphill battle, many of us had resigned ourselves to a defeat. The rest of the half dragged, and I couldn’t wait for the whistle to blow to put us out of our misery and give us half time for some respite.
I was given a few home truths during conversations with my friend during the break and yes, I admit I am very opiniated. I didn’t take offence when she said at times earlier in the season, she couldn’t speak to me and wanted to hit me, oops! That said, even if we disagree, I’ll still respect her opinion because we’ve been friends for a very long time and that won’t change.
Despite the changes to the team at half time with both Rodrigo and Klich coming on, although we kept trying, we just couldn’t get that lucky break. Meslier saved what looked like being a fourth goal with a fantastic save when he was the last man and even when it looked like we could pull one back when Dallas rounded the keeper, sadly that was kicked off the line. Spurs got a fourth and then Leeds were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after Raphinha’s shot came back off the upright but ended as another defeat for Leeds.
With boos ringing out both at half time and at the end of the game, many fans had still been singing and getting behind the lads although our twelfth man was stung into disbelief early in the game. There may not have been singing but there was plenty of noise around the stadium. With rumours circulating that this could be Bielsa’s last game, I was hoping it didn’t come to that although I know the new stat of Leeds being the first Premier League Club to concede 20 goals in a month was horrendous. I’ve just stashed those scores in the back of my mind but there’s no getting away from them when written down. At the end of the day, I’m a Leeds United supporter and always will be, but I don’t have any influence over what the score will be or how the team plays. I don’t feel angry, just sad, resigned and disillusioned once again. I feel there is a lot going to happen over the next week though before we head to Leicester next week. What I don’t want to happen is for Leeds to jump out of the fat into the frying pan, which is why I didn’t want any changes until the end of the season. It’s out of my hands, so see you next week LUFC – Marching on Together!