WBA v Leeds United

Saturday 17th August 2024 - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich

2024/25 Season

Team: Meslier, Ampadu, Rodon, Bogle, Firpo, Struijk, James, Piroe, Gnonto, Gruev, Josep

Subs:  Rothwell for Piroe (64), Aaronson for James (64), Bamford for Joseph (79)

Subs not used:  Darlow, Crew, Debayo, Gelhardt, Byram, Wöber

Leeds drew the game 0-0

Attendance: 25,329 - 2,535 Leeds fans

Referee:  Sam Allison

Booked: Bogle, Firpo

The game wasn’t a classic by any means but the positives we have to take from it are that we kept a clean sheet and gained a point. Not getting defeated was the main thing as I really thought we’d get hammered at first with everything going on in the background. Ampadu sent a long range shot from the halfway line when he saw their keeper off the line and Struijk came nearest with a couple of headers, one in each half. As half time was approaching, I found myself nearly falling asleep. To be honest there wasn’t much to shout about during most of the game but what was annoying, was getting a throw in in front of where the Leeds fans were in the second half only to see the ball thrown back and it ended up with Meslier. That was frustrating. WBA did look threatening at times but both teams seemed to settle for a draw.

Thanks for all the support from our fans today, who as always are second to none when looking after each other. They are what gets me through games when things are tough as well as joining in the singing. With a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, we will see whether we have any further outgoings or indeed incomings, but we are not starting the season in our strongest position as I thought we would.

Not knowing who will be here or not makes it the same unsettled start as last season for me which in the end, cost us promotion as far as I’m concerned. There’s a long way to go to see whether we will be able to put a challenge in this season now and as always, only time will tell. See you next week, LUFC – Marching on Together!