If you are not familiar with Stephenson’s classic novel ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, let me fill you in as it certainly sums up Leeds United down at Oxford tonight.
In essence Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde are one and the same person. Yet they are two distinct personas created as Dr Jekyll tries to isolate his good side and his bad side, with Mr Hyde being the bad side. At first it is controlled through potions, but later takes on a life of its own.
Leaving aside the Literature lesson, and turning to Leeds United – what fans got tonight was a definite lesson of two halves down at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium.
First half – Mr Hyde Unleashed
Take nothing away from home side Oxford United, ignore pleadings that Leeds United were no more than a cobbled together under-23s side, because the side the Whites put out were spanked in the opening 45 minutes by Oxford. With their nicer, ‘good’ side supressed, Leeds United unleashed all manner of badness in a 3-0 horror showing.
Oxford 1 (James Henry 7′) – 0 Leeds
Square pegs round holes again
— Matt Hill (@MattyHill83) July 24, 2018
We’re going down aren’t we Phil?
— Tony (@Tonylufc28) July 24, 2018
Oxford 2 (Rob Hall 26′) – 0 Leeds
Lol, we’re not doing very well this pre-season are we
— Batesy Southgate (@BatesyLufc) July 24, 2018
And with each passing day, my optimism for the upcoming season drains away… We all 💛 Leeds #lufc
— Scott Carney (@Carnage_SC) July 24, 2018
Oxford 3 (James Henry 43′) – 0 Leeds
— Jack (@Jlawrence_M) July 24, 2018
Oh no not looking forward to this season. It’s like Groundhog Day with Leeds.
— Ryan Hickman (@Ryanlufc1992) July 24, 2018
Thankfully that was as bad as bad got for Leeds United. There was nowhere to Hyde for Leeds from the pain and suffering being wrought upon them by home side Oxford who went in to the break 3-0 up.
Second half – Dr Jekyll Restored
There’s not much that you can do when you are 3-0 down and staring a long 45 minutes in the face. You either lay down like a dog and get resoundingly beaten or you front up and duke it out for want of a better phrase. It was the latter that Leeds United chose to do. Leeds made three changes at half-time with Jamal Blackman coming on for Will Huffer, Tyler Roberts coming on for Yosuke Ideguchi and Ryan Edmondson for Sam Dalby.
Oxford 3 – 1 Leeds (Roberts 54′)
comeback is on!
— George (@GeorgeWLUFC) July 24, 2018
Sex wee, OMG I’ve done a Sex wee
— j lamb (@whitevanlam) July 24, 2018
Oxford 4 (Obika 61′) – 1 Leeds
Nah, we don’t need to sign any defenders
— Fried Lice (@eggfriedlice) July 24, 2018
Comeback off
— Amanda 💜💙💚💛❤ (@mayogirl04) July 24, 2018
Oxford 4 – Leeds United 2 (Baker 63′)
This is going to be our whole season… just like this craziness
— Dirty Leeds Scum (@DirtyLeedsFC) July 24, 2018
Change my mind again. Champions
— Tim (@MadeInSheppy) July 24, 2018
Oxford 4 – 3 Leeds (Clarke 72′)
Announce winning the championship by a clear 25 points
— Tony (@Tonylufc28) July 24, 2018
Will someone tell me if there’s any shape, pattern or rhyme and reason to our performance?
— Tony Goodwin (@TonyGoo51910248) July 24, 2018
Try as they might, Leeds couldn’t find another goal to bring the game level. But at least in bringing out their Dr Jekll persona they banished the woefulness of their Mr Hyde game.
