It was a whirlwind ninety minutes at Elland Road yesterday and if Leeds were looking to show everyone what Marcelo Bielsa can do with a squad that seemed very average then that was it. Stoke were shell-shocked from the word go, the fans were getting extremely worked up by the lack of ideas and fight shown by their side.
Baily Peacock-Farrell – 7 – In all honesty he didn’t have much to do but he communicated with his defenders and his distribution was brilliant. All it needed on the day.
Luke Ayling – 8 – He was very good defensively but he actually didn’t need to get forward time and time again because the players in front of him were bossing things. He was so composed and calm when in possession.
Gaetano Berardi – 8 – He made one mistake and his mate Liam Cooper pulled him out of it. Apart from that he was fantastic. The myth that he can’t play football is now out of the window and when Peter Crouch came on Berardi was more than happy to take him.
Liam Cooper – 8 – Fair play to Cooper, I have given him a tough time over the years. By tough time I mean I question his performances, I will never tweet a player giving them grief, I think that’s terrible. I have been a critic though and yesterday he led the team, top performance.
Barry Douglas – 8 – It’s nice for me not to have blurred vision because he’s the same nationality as me. Douglas is a player who will bring so much to the Leeds United cause. Top performance yesterday and his corners are something else.
Kalvin Phillips – 9 – There were a couple who really stood out for me but the spread opinion on who was brilliant and stood out should be something we embrace and not argue about. For me Phillips was fantastic, he, along with Klich dominated the middle of the pitch. More of the same.
Mateusz Klich – 9 – #T72MOM – Klich was the man for me yesterday. Everything he did was brilliant and when he went off with 15 minutes to go it was to one of the biggest receptions I’ve seen at Elland Road for a long time. He has arrived at Leeds United.
Pablo Hernandez – 8- He was on it yesterday. Flicks, passing, touch, he was incredible. For someone at his age he looked like he had more legs than the Stoke side all put together. They couldn’t cope.
Samu Saiz – 9 – The real Saiz was back yesterday. Thank you Marcelo Bielsa. Thank you Samu Saiz. On his day there is nobody better at what he does outside of the Premier League. Stoke couldn’t cope.
Gjanni Alioksi – 8 – I thought Alioksi had a shocker of a pre-season. When the article of him saying that he and the side were ready to explode into the new season came out I scratched my head. I’m so happy he proved me wrong yesterday. Everything he did was with intent.
Kemar Roofe – 8 – Sky Sports gave him the man of the match and although I don’t agree I won’t be making any complaints, people see games differently and I understand how good Roofe was. A very good performance, Bamford won’t be starting at Derby I don’t think.
Subs
Stuart Dallas – 7 – Worked hard and kept the pressure up in the middle of the pitch. Strange to see him in the centre of the park.
Lewis Baker – 6 – Was late by the time he arrived, kept the pressure on.
Jack Harrison – 6 – Showed good feet and worked hard.