Hammered 3-0 tonight, and now Dan James has gone and got himself suspended for the remainder of the season and the start of the next, I think, with another first half red card. Marsch simply looked bereft on the sideline when that one happened. On top of that Raphina, pulled up holding his hammy late on. Perhaps the only silver lining is that Everton only eked out a draw against Watford so they're not actually out of sight, but it's all down to what Burnley can do now.
Hmm...this is polar opposite of general consensus on Leeds fan forum I've taken to lurking on since Marsch's appointment. I've not been able to watch games myself, so can't comment one way or the other, except to say that the disconnect between views is remarkable.
I haven't even looked at the fan forums. They're too involved in the drama (naturally) so it's bound to be pretty bipolar, but the pundits and writers have been pretty positive. Since taking over, Leeds' record is P10 W4 D2 L4. The 10 before reads W2 D1 L7 - against weaker opposition. If there's been a change, it's because of losing three games on the bounce. Then again, those games were against 3 out of the top 4.
With both of them in the first half of each game. Equally troubling is conceding a goal in the first 10 minutes in each of the last 3 games.
Fair enough. One minor nitpick though - Leeds' record in last 10 is: 1. Leicester City (A) L 1-0 2. Aston Villa (H) L 0-3 3. Norwich City (H) W 2-1 4. Wolves (A) W 2-3 5. Southampton (H) D 1-1 6. Watford (A) W 0-3 7. Crystal Palace (A) D 0-0 8. Man City (H) L 0-4 9. Arsenal (A) L 2-1 10. Chelsea (H) L 0-3 P10 W3 D2 L5 So 2 of the 3 wins against bottom-feeding Norwich and Watford.
Burnley-Spurs has just finished 1-0 to Spurs, despite Burnley playing very well. Leeds and Burnley are now level on games played . Leeds have in-form sides Brighton (4 wins and 2 draws in 6) at home and Brentford (4 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw in 6) away. Burnley have Aston Villa (2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses in 6) away and Newcastle (3 wins and 3 draws in 6, with losses in the last 2) at home. It's advantage Burnley, sad to say.
It's nip and tuck to the final whistle on the final day. Everton: vs Crystal Palace, @ Arsenal Leeds: @ Brentford Burnley: @ Aston Villa, vs Newcastle I predict that none of the 3 teams gets any more points and the table stays as it is, leaving Burnley relegated.
They didn't just lose, they imploded. Leeds, to their credit, are clearly showing a lot of heart with all the late goals. Burnley went on a bit of a tear but perhaps it won't be enough. Everton, on the other hand, look like they're losing just to spite themselves. If they don't get a point at CP, that last matchday gets really, really interesting.
Quite a lot, potentially. Potentially. Yesterday morning, 3 points from anywhere would leave Leeds unable to catch Everton due to their vastly inferior GD. Even a point would have left Leeds needing all 3 points against a very capable Brentford side, away, or Burnley needing the same against Newcastle, at home. Now they need the same from Palace, at home. Get nothing and they start away against a CL-chasing Arsenal side, knowing that they had all 3 points in their hands yesterday and they let it slip because they had no discipline and defended pitifully. I wouldn't put tuppence on them staying up and I'm off to the bookies to put a tenner on them going down (honestly). If they lose against Palace, I'd put serious money on them losing against Arsenal as well.
After a lot of thought, I have changed my mind and I have to think that with everything on the line, Leeds will get a point at Brentford. That leaves Everton safe and Burnley needing 2 points or more from Aston Villa away and Newcastle at home. I believe that Burnley will get that point from Newcastle, but they will get nothing from Villa. Their whole survival, then, is down to getting something from Villa on Thursday. I think they will only get humiliation.
As it happens, Burnley have played Aston Villa at home already this season. "No shit, Sherlock" you may say, and ordinarily, you'd be entirely right, only "already" means all of 9 days ago. They lost 3-1 and were well, well beaten.
Arsenal lost to Newcastle today. That means they have to go and win at Everton on Sunday. Thursday and Sunday will be a living hell for me.
Big game, just kicking off. I've done my best to digest the expert analysis from all quarters, and there seems to be a solid consensus. A loss would be bad, a draw somewhat better, a win best of all.
Well, well, well. It's half-time in the Everton game, and they're 2-0 down and playing shite. Playing at home is no help either - their players are wilting from the tension. Edit: And Burnley have gone 1-0 up against Villa on a how-against-the-run-of-play-can-you-get penalty.