20 Jul 2025 00:30:15
Hello gents, just got off the plane and now sat on the bus waiting to go home having been at the Strawberry Friends Arena in Stockholm. First of all a big shout out to the organisers and officials, they were fabulous, extremely accommodating and not one bit hostile, so respect.

Then they say the Leeds and Manchester United rivalry is very volatile and that today has been proved a tad wrong, ok the shouting and singing was full of hatred, but when you are applauding your team and cheering for them while those sat next to you are not because they are Man Utd fans, this is extremely weird, but then again who would ever of thought that would work? Stockholm did and guess what it bloody did! No trouble and we even started talking about our team line ups to each other! Absolutely bizarre lads I tell you ??

Then to the game, well we looked good in many areas, Tanaka absolutely fabulous, Bijol looks ready made for the prem as does Gudmunsson both played well, in fact all the newbies did well, especially Longstaff. We looked solid throughout and apart from a couple of chances from them lot we looked comfortable. With other signings to come in, I and many sat round me today, including the red fans, were saying we will be ok in the premiership.

I also would like to say how good Piroe looked, he looked really fit and ready, his demeanour has changed for the better, his movement is excellent and he is ready for the start, he looks like a proper number 10.

On a negative note, I was disappointed ? and very peed off at having to endure Jack Harrison playing in a Leeds shirt. For me he’s finished at Leeds and should not be on the field, I would rather us play with 10 men than have him on. Sorry to the lads that like him but that’s how I feel.

Finally all in all, we looked good, sharp and comfortable. I liked how Willy played, he was full of flare and he also looked very fit.
A good all round team performance, we just need a couple more additions up front along with Stach and we are ready, and although we are all screaming out for a new keeper, I would like to add that a certain Mr Meslier played very very well and he must of been working hard because he’s another one looking a lot stronger, great shot stopping today and to be fare he stopped certain goals on 4 occasions, so well done Meslier.

Lots of lads over there today, great support and plenty of singing. We are Leeds, We are Leeds and Marching On Together.

Sorry for long post, thanks for reading lads ? ??.

1.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 01:18:46
Great post woodster. Agree with it all. Inc mez comments. Food for thought.

2.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 07:19:30
Good post Woody. I watched the game in a bar in Greece, not many in there as it wasn't advertised, maybe 10. 8 were Leeds, which was interesting. I thought we played well in parts, particularly the 1st half, and I do agree with you about Mez. He still scares the bijesus out of me when the ball goes into the box, but he did well. Do we keep him and save a few quid?.

3.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 07:29:40
Great post Woodster, great to get the views from in the ground as it a truer overall view of how we set up and played.
Watched on tv and thought we dominated in midfield, but the 3 in there, Ao, Gruv and Amp/ Longstaff all lacked the attacking ambition and drive to get forward. If we’re going to have 3 in there then one of them has got to join the front 3 more often and quicker.
Bogle was MOTM for me, prem ready. New signings all looked promising for a first start.
My worry is that Harrison started and the players that Farke doesn’t see as part of the squad for this season weren’t in Sweden. Is Harrison being reintegrated in to the plans for this season? I really hope not. Not because he went off a deserted us, just because he’s absolutely dreadful and not just based on yesterday’s performance. As a football fan we have short memories, if he came back and was a cracking player we’d all forgive if not quite forget, but he’s just not good enough for the level we need.
Overall, good run out yesterday, hard to make any judgement from one game but solid start.

4.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 08:30:52
got to agree with woodster regarding Harrison, even on the team photo before the game did look intrested, i watched the game and to be honest i didn't think he was bothered, thumbs up to all the other guys on the pitch and for me it was Bogle who impressed the most on the day, just mt opinion guys.

5.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 09:02:39
???????? Woody!

6.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 09:12:36
Excellent review Woody!

7.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 09:19:35
Brilliant match report as ever Woody, and agree with everything you said, including Mesellier shot stopping has always been a strength for him.

I thought Nmecha led the line well initially with very little support up there, but is as yet, not at the same fitness levels as the others.

Amps grew into it after being caught the wrong side of players early on, Casemeiro was deliberately passing through us into the 10 pocket, something we were very fallible to the last time we were up in the EPL but I’m hoping our new 6ft 4 “Stach attack” will plug that hole nicely.

Willy and Bogle our most creative players so we need something more yet, including someone for taking set pieces, but otherwise a very encouraging effort from everyone.

Hope. DF reads the room re JH as I believe the majority of fans would gladly give JH away for nothing.

For the same reasons MJ telling Farke he’s not ready, available for games, means we should quickly cash in on him and reinvest the funds.

Thanks again Woody.

8.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 10:49:23
Woody!

9.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 14:05:24
It wasa good report but I already said before every body against meslier and keeping on about his mistakes, but nothing about his shot stopping or saves he s made the gent loves the club and even since the talk of him going he s just said he would like to stay and fight for his place, but like I’ve also said before he s been at Leeds a long time and was put in goal still a kid I know he should take on board a little advice, but are they giving him any like myself the first thing to do would have been go away before pre season and come back in looking like bamford, bulk up.

10.) 20 Jul 2025
20 Jul 2025 17:49:26
Well said John!