Ricardo's report v Leeds (Playoff 1st leg)

[ricardo 8,041]

It was shorts and T shirt weather in Norwich today and there was a rather large queue for the River End stand when I arrived at ten to twelve. I think there had been some trouble with the scanner at our entrance but we just made it to our seats as ref Josh Smith blew for kick off. The crowd were certainly in good voice and the stands were a sea of yellow and green as City were quickly out of the box and buzzing round the River End goal.

There was a fair pace about the game as Kenny flicked on a corner from the left but the visitors managed to smuggle the ball away to safety. City seemed anxious to gain the upper hand and we saw little from Leeds until the sixth minute when Rutter couldn't get anything on a  low ball in from the right. It was soon apparent that Leeds were not going to be too adventurous as the home attacks continued to run into a solid wall of defenders. Sainz was upended as he tried to wriggle free and ref Smith seemed to err on the lenient side as both Rowe and Sargent were fouled to bring an end to promising moves.

Stacey finally found a bit of space down the right as a Leeds move broke down and his cross looked taylor made for Sargent but the City strker, under pressure from a defender, could not get full contact and his glancing header spun wide of Mesliers right post. City were now having the bulk of attacking pressure but found it hard to create anything clear cut from open play. A series of free kicks offered promise but Meslier wasn't seroiusly troubled although he did have to go to ground to hold Sara's low shot round the wall.

Leeds back line looked nervous at times and almost got themselves into trouble playing out from the back on a couple of occassions but the home side failed to capitalise and became difficult to see where a breakthrough was going to come from.

On the half hour Leeds had the ball in the City net after a slick passing move but the flag was already up for offside. In truth though it was a rare moment of danger for a City defence that for the most part had looked pretty solid. Niether Summerville nor Gnonto were given space to cause much trouble and consequently most of the half was a stalemate.

H.T.     CITY   0      LEEDS   0

The game had all the hallmarks of a no score draw but I guess I was not alone in hoping for a moment of inspiration but when things resumed it began to look like a pattern had set in. City still couldn't find a telling final pass despite some neat play in midfield while the visitors seemed content to bide their time until the home fire burned down. There was a flash of hope when Gianoullis found space wide left a whipped a low pass in to Sara on the edge of the box, bit the Brazillians first time effort was well well wide of the mark.

The game now became littered with fouls and Duffy was deservedly booked going right through Gnonto but I thought Gianoullis unlucky to see yellow for what looked like a perfectly timed tackle. Rowe was replaced by Fassnacht on the hour and it did seem that from that stage that the home side began to fade a bit and Leeds began to dominate possession. Gunn had had little to do up to now but did have to field a couple of on target efforts although nothing that really stretched him.

Apart from the odd free kick and corner there was little pressure on the Leeds goal and as the pace died down and with a couple of stoppages for drinks I think we all felt the the game had run its course and Leeds would be happy to walk away all square. There was a worrying moment when Sargent had to go off to be relaced by Hoojidonk but hopefully its just precautionary and nothing seroius.

So, not the result we had hoped for but its still only half time and being as we all know that football is a fuuny old game, its not over until its over.

Plenty of effort from everyone today but no flash of magic to turn the tide. Anything can happen Thursday.

OTBC.

F.T.    CITY   0     LEEDS   0

Edited May 12 by ricardo

[Monty13 2,738]

Thanks Ricardo, definitely roll on Thursday anything can happen.
 

FYI Giannoulis was a bad foul and definitely a yellow.

[Robert N. LiM 6,303]

Great report as always Ricardo. You saw the same game I did from my sofa

 

[ricardo 8,041]

5 minutes ago, Robert N. LiM said:

Great report as always Ricardo. You saw the same game I did from my sofa

 

Look on the bright side, you didn't have to bike home.

I was gasping for a cuppa when I got back.

[essex canary 623]

Ricardo's last sentiment is spot on.

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

We are 5/1 to win in ninety minutes on Thursday, 11/4 to qualify though is huge. 

[A K Narey 239]

Thanks for the report, @ricardo, a pretty fair summary from my point of view in the River End.

Highlight of the afternoon was probably the pint in the Trafford Arms, after struggling up the hill to Bracondale!

OTBC 🍺

[Myra Hawtree 140]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much yellow in all the stands at Carrow Road.  The sunny day helped of course but a great sight.

[ricardo 8,041]

1 minute ago, Myra Hawtree said:

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much yellow in all the stands at Carrow Road.  The sunny day helped of course but a great sight.

👍 

[Indy 3,477]

12 minutes ago, ricardo said:

Look on the bright side, you didn't have to bike home.

I was gasping for a cuppa when I got back.

Great report as always Ricardo, hope you enjoyed your cuppa…..by the way it’s going to a heck of a bike journey on Wednesday!

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

Just now, Indy said:

Great report as always Ricardo, hope you enjoyed your cuppa…..by the way it’s going to a heck of a bike journey on Wednesday!

Match is on Thursday but maybe set off on Tuesday. 

[Indy 3,477]

4 minutes ago, Midlands Yellow said:

Match is on Thursday but maybe set off on Tuesday. 

Is it, I just assumed Wednesday , anyhow to get there for Thursday he’s going to have to leave on Wednesday!.😂

Edited May 12 by Indy

[shefcanary 2,956]

41 minutes ago, ricardo said:

not going to be too adventurous

That's all you had to say! 😉

[......and Smith must score. 1,600]

35 minutes ago, Robert N. LiM said:

Great report as always Ricardo. You saw the same game I did from my sofa

 

 

29 minutes ago, ricardo said:

Look on the bright side, you didn't have to bike home.

I was gasping for a cuppa when I got back.

Cuppa ? More like an ice cold Peroni….

[Alfie54 83]

Gibson and Duffy were awful, worth trying Sorenson and Hanley I think

[Badger 2,745]

Thanks Ricardo. Really tense game: one of those days where 1 outstanding moment will settle it. I saw nothing today to make me worry on Thursday, but I think we're sunk if we fall behind.

[Fen Canary 1,456]

7 minutes ago, Badger said:

Thanks Ricardo. Really tense game: one of those days where 1 outstanding moment will settle it. I saw nothing today to make me worry on Thursday, but I think we're sunk if we fall behind.

It was a cagey affair but I actually don’t think it was a bad game to watch (until it petered out in the last 15 mins or so). Agreed Leeds aren’t anything special, play as we did yesterday while being slightly more clinical with our final ball and we’ve got a decent chance 

[Helsinki canary 302]

Great report as usual, who was your pick for MoM? 

[ricardo 8,041]

4 hours ago, Helsinki canary said:

Great report as usual, who was your pick for MoM? 

I thought Nunez had one of his better games and Stacey also was well in the mix.

[komakino 282]

I found yesterday a curious game, where both teams played within themselves and both managers seem content with the result. 

This does beg the question - Would the play offs be better over a single game in a neutral venue (not Wembley)

Edited May 13 by komakino

[Christoph Stiepermann 1,261]

4 hours ago, komakino said:

I found yesterday a curious game, where both teams played within themselves and both managers seem content with the result. 

This does beg the question - Would the play offs be better over a single game in a neutral venue (not Wembley)

In isolation yeah because the first leg is often a dead rubber but then the team finishing higher loses the advantage of playing at home in the second tie.  So not only would there be less incentive to finish in the higher positions there would be no reason for teams to not be on the beach for games when their play off spot is secured (and if there's no hope for automatics) which could lead to some odd results influencing other outcomes in the league. I think you're more likely to get teams playing within themselves or resting players if they have the play offs coming up than the situation you get with midtable teams who still have professional pride, a place in the side next season and maybe new contracts or moves to play for who don't have to worry about getting injured ahead of a big game. 

There has to be some kind of advantage to finishing higher and I honestly can't think of a better solution than 2 legs with the second leg being at home for the higher placed team even if the first leg always becomes about not losing or still being in the tie. 

Edited May 13 by Christoph Stiepermann

[Yellow Fever 4,415]

10 hours ago, Christoph Stiepermann said:

In isolation yeah because the first leg is often a dead rubber but then the team finishing higher loses the advantage of playing at home in the second tie.  So not only would there be less incentive to finish in the higher positions there would be no reason for teams to not be on the beach for games when their play off spot is secured (and if there's no hope for automatics) which could lead to some odd results influencing other outcomes in the league. I think you're more likely to get teams playing within themselves or resting players if they have the play offs coming up than the situation you get with midtable teams who still have professional pride, a place in the side next season and maybe new contracts or moves to play for who don't have to worry about getting injured ahead of a big game. 

There has to be some kind of advantage to finishing higher and I honestly can't think of a better solution than 2 legs with the second leg being at home for the higher placed team even if the first leg always becomes about not losing or still being in the tie. 

Could always be single home tie for the higher team.

[Branston Pickle 4,151]

27 minutes ago, Yellow Fever said:

Could always be single home tie for the higher team.

It’s what they do for many non league playoffs, seems to work fine, but can’t see them changing the two-legged semis.

[Six Pack 105]

On 13/05/2024 at 05:42, Alfie54 said:

Gibson and Duffy were awful, worth trying Sorenson and Hanley I think

Duffy made multiple errors but we were lucky. To my surprise Gibson's performance was ok, joined the attack well - he's actually been good in the last couple of games ???? Not sure if Sorenson (strength) and Hanley (agility) are capable - Danny Batth perhaps ?