I’ve spoken to Connor Southwell on more than a couple of occasions recently. The Norwich City fan wasn’t impressed after the defeat at home to Leeds on Saturday and has given his views. It’s great to hear other fans calling Leeds “United” again, a club that hasn’t always looked or felt like that, from inside or out.
Leeds Review
I’ll be honest, prior to Leeds United arriving at Carrow Road; I didn’t buy into the hype.
And that’s coming from somebody who adores Marcelo Bielsa and the manner in which he gets his teams to operate.
Leeds United oozed quality. Their power surges were aesthetically pleasing and back up their league position.
They were the better team, they played the better football, and there is no denying that. But the space they were given to operate in, coupled with the lack of tactical nous to change things was self-destructive for the hosts.
The Championship is a division all about levels, and Leeds displayed why they are the early pacesetters in the league.They possess both quality on the ball and off it, and are coached in a contemporary method.
Although, I will say this, they didn’t reinvent the wheel. It wasn’t a formidable and unpredictable method of winning a football match, but it was an incredibly effective one. Simply, Leeds full backs retained the width, and this allowed them to move the ball with ease. From there, it was all about overloading the wide areas and penetrating Norwich with balls round the sides and through the middle.
There should be some warning around Bielsa though, despite his undisputable coaching capabilities, his teams have history of imploding around Christmas due to intensive training sessions and his desire to have small squads. Leeds may hope they are run away leaders at that point.
Leeds is a club supporters love to resent, and their supporters thrive on that. United they stand against opposing chants, and this siege mentality brings them together. The away contingents that travel all over the country are incredibly vocal and supportive, they feel this year is the one and who can blame them?
For my money, they are the side to beat thus far.
They possess qualities of a modern, zesty and tactically aware side, in some ways, their characteristics are similar to Fulham and Wolves.
They are everything Norwich aspires to be.
