By Keith Ingham
Leeds after a poor defeat at Portsmouth came back to Leeds 11 with some stinging criticism going around social media. It was their first defeat since November, 17 games unbeaten but a well organised, determined Portsmouth side took the honours by the single goal. All four defeats this season have been by a single goal.
Keyboards were attack with vengeance as a majority of players were criticised by many. It needed a re set so a midweek fixture with a team that had beaten us 1-0 in the league and 2-0 at Elland Road in the cup filled quite a few with nerves going into the game. Many, myself included had said that attacking wise we look so much better with a certain Joe Rothwell in the team. The Bournemouth loanee certainly pulls the strings alongside Japanese international AO Tanaka when picked.
A nervous start saw Millwall put Leeds on the back foot, but not for long. With a matter of minutes played Joel Piroe found Manor Solomon who drove into the area, the winger put a ball across the six yard box. The ball hit Cooper and the hand of Jensen to give Leeds the lead. They should have made it two but for a ludicrous offside call by the linesman, the same one that denied Willy Gnonto at Coventry City that was also onside.
It wasn’t the best first period, but in the second half Leeds went to town with only the bar and a couple of near misses kept the score to 1-0. With it only being a slender lead you might have thought a slip might cost Leeds... but not tonight. A good move saw Firpo find Tanaka who absolutely buried the chance to make it 2-0. It wasn’t perfect, a little too nervous at first but Leeds grew stronger and were fantastic in the second half and the score didn’t show how much the they battered Millwall.
I believe the inclusion of Joe Rothwell was key, he was literally everywhere, linking up play, always moving forward and for me was the Man of the Match. Daniel Farke has a decision to make. He’s opted for Gruev in away games, but with only 9 games to play surely it’s time to keep Joe in he side. I think once the dust has settled, this is one player that definitely needs signing permanently.
Well done Joe and the lads. Calmed a few nerves with a bloody good win over a team we really don’t like. MOT
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