Leeds United were a team that started the season at a gallop, charging to the top of the Sky Bet Championship like a thoroughbred. It wasn’t to last.
Seven games in, 17 points gained and top of the table assured, Leeds United were looking imperious to the point of arrogance. That all came to nothing as the Whites stumbled to just one more win in their last five games.
Only a scraped Elland Road win showed any positivity between losses to Millwall, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading. From conquerors to conquered in the space of just five games as positive turned to negative with almost consummate ease.
Bristol City were unbeaten in 12 games heading in to today’s encounter at Ashton Gate, with many Leeds United fans fearing the worse – fearing that a proper spanking at the hands of a surging Robins side.
That fear has been alleviated somewhat with a blistering start to the game – with Jedi attacking midfielder Samu Saiz the scorer of two early, and most welcome, goals.
0-1 on 4 minutes
Samuel Sáiz 1st GOAL v #bcfc#LUFC pic.twitter.com/c0IiwYop7C
— #WALMOT (@WALM0T33) October 21, 2017
0-2 on 14 minutes
Samuel Sáiz 2nd GOAL v #bcfc#LUFC pic.twitter.com/KcTf2WpFZU
— #WALMOT (@WALM0T33) October 21, 2017
These goals put Leeds into a very good position early in the game, two-up with less than 15 minutes on the clock.
Leeds United fans react to Saiz goals in blistering Whites start
We’ve got Saiz! #LUFC
— Joe O'Neill (@JoeManager) October 21, 2017
Leeds looking dangerous and competitive again. Alioski and Saiz both started wel #lufc
— LucasLeeds (@LeedsLucas) October 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/BigJimmy_V/status/921745547286990848
that was goddamn cheeky and almost worked. Saiz is not of this world.
— Through It All Together (@ThruItAllLUFC) October 21, 2017
REMINDER:
Saiz was worth less than £3million. #LUFC
— Felix (@FelixLUFC) October 21, 2017
THERE’S A HAT TRICK WITH SAIZ’S NAME ON IT! #lufc
— 🪩 ✨ (@ShutupDobs) October 21, 2017
I don't want to imply Saiz is the second coming or anything, but is there any evidence to suggest this isn't true?? #lufc #wguafc
— Josh Cawthorne (@cawthornejosh) October 21, 2017
Super Samu Saiz – the little magician! #lufc
— Jamie (@LUFCjamie1919) October 21, 2017
Saiz is a class above. Blessed with low centre of gravity and knows how to use the ball #lufc
— Oz 👑 (@ozzieh10) October 21, 2017
Early observations: Saiz is murdering them on the left, turns out he can play wide. Also everything looks like it might go in & we know it. #lufc
— 𝕋𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕪 (@tommy_lufc) October 21, 2017
HOW DID WE SIGN THIS MAN
— ben ♣️▪️ (@BenLUFC_) October 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/BigJimmy_V/status/921741045590904832
Saiz is magical, if you didn't know already. #lufc
— Joseph Brook (@JBSports_lufc) October 21, 2017
Are Leeds United back to their imperious, swashbuckling former selves from the start of the season? With the Whites two to the good at the half, is this evidence that they are back to their table-topping form? Who cares, it looks like United have turned the corner and put their last few games of inadequacy and non-performance behind them.