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5 key positives against Bolton

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After an eventful game today, Leeds left the Macron Stadium with a point following a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

Austin opened the scoring early on, with a 3rd minute penalty. However, shortly after half-time Gudjohnsen brought the scores level with the second penalty of the day and that’s how it remained until the final whistle.

Unfortunately, this left Leeds in 21st position in the Championship table, a sight certainly not for the sore eyes of us Leeds fans.

Here are 5 positives that I have taken away from this game. There are also some of your thoughts at the end of this article.

Formation

Finally we appear to have found a formation that can actually compete in this league, at least we were only a couple dozen games too late, eh?

The 4-2-3-1 formation appears a lot more useful than the 4-1-2-1-2 formation we were previously playing in a number of certain ways. Firstly, having the 3 advanced midfielders means we have two players pushed out wide throughout the game. This offers support for our fullbacks in both and attacking and defensive aspect.

Secondly, by playing to holding role midfielders, we no longer have a forward aimlessly wondering about, not knowing where to place himself. It gives our defence some cover and allows us to control the midfield a little better than previous.

A Point

With our away form so far this season, a point against an inform home side is hardly the worst result ever. As frustrating as it was to yet again throw away a half-time lead, anything more than a loss was always going to be a bonus for us.

As long as our home form picks up, an average of a point for an away game will suffice if we are wanting to stay up this season.

It is easy to forget just how important a point may be come the end of the season. Hopefully this one will benefit us.

Sam Byram

Leeds+United+v+Nottingham+Forest+npower+Championship+C3yPAWjiTzflIt’s only like people have been calling for this for months now. Due to his strength and age, having him at fullback is always a risk. Having him play further up the pitch was definitely one of the better tactics from today’s game.

Although I was only able to listen to radio commentary, it sounded like Byram was finally finding some confidence in his ability to go forward, and he even managed to win us the penalty that Austin put away within the first few minutes of the game.

He also had a couple of shots himself and created a few chances for others. We may have that winger we have been begging for.

Luke Murphy

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Even I am surprised about dedicating a whole positive to Murphy, but from what I have heard, he was one of our better players today, despite conceding the penalty that led to the equalising goal.

I have spent months screaming for Murphy to show a bit of enthusiasm and to put a shift in, and today seems like he’s finally started to listen. I’m not sure whether it’s the formation or if he just realised that we were in a bit of a relegation battle, but it sounds like Murphy worked his socks off for us today.

He finished the game with 5 shots (I know), he created a chance or two for his team-mates, made a few tackles and blocks and even a attempted a cross!

Fullbacks

201149Finally, we played a game in which both fullbacks looked competent. Berardi managed to stay on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in this game and people have said it’s his most convincing performance for he has made for us so far!

Then there is Charlie Taylor. He has being given his chance during the Leeds United v Dundee United - Pre Season Friendlyabsence of Stephen Warnock. It looks like we actually have a future option for left-back now. Taylor, though only still young, possesses a decent ability getting forward and isn’t the worst defender in the world. It sounded like he had a good game today.

It would be fair to add here, in fact, that the whole defence were on form today and dealt with what was thrown at them fairly competently. They actually won 50% of aerial duals. Something that is unheard of here at Leeds.

Fan Thoughts

Earlier, I took to twitter to ask what some of your positives for the game were, and the responses were generally similar on the whole. Here are a few examples:

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0 comments

  • Gary Johnson says:

    Just needs to improve his finishing, had chances yesterday to win us all three points

  • Shabaz says:

    Was at the game, we should have won, away support was great though we only brought near to 4000 when allocation was 4600, loved to hear why the taking of your shoe chant re red scum is not to be heard, well done to the boys

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