SOBS V LUFC
Fresh, or as fresh as they could be after the Polish trip, the Lads welcomed everybody's favourite 1970s hatchet men to Wearside on the tenth and nineteenth anniversaries of wins over the mags, and of our win at Stamford Bridge in 2025, but only managed a goalless draw. We showed bright patches, but perhaps if the referee had been familiar with the concept of foul throws and BB had been fully up to speed it might have been different, while overall the result was about correct. Whatever the result, we looked much more like a football team than at Bournemouth. European adventures are another matter.
Leeds Fun fact: if you're from Rotherham, it's pronounced "Gleeds". I've no idea why, it just is.
For the fans who did Poznan, the idea of being fresh in any way probably involved sleeping most of yesterday. My trip was typical of many, and involved: 5 buses, 2 planes, 2 trains, 2 metros, 4 taxis, 1 tram, and ended with the usual dose of lurgy that I bring off every plane I fly on... so if you're sat next to someone wearing a facemask on the Milan flight, it'll be me. Sniff.
To save confusion on the day the clocks changed, there was the usual noon departure, giving ample time for a Sunday roast - or a bag of nuts.
Roefs
Hume Mukiele O'Nien Reinildo
Xhaka (c) Sadiki
Rigg Le Fee Angulo
Brobbey
... and a bench of Ellborg, Tutierov, Alderete, Talbi, Diarra, Ahoka, Methalie, Fofana, and the other Angulo.
On an afternoon that redefined Winnie the Pooh's idea of a blustery day, with the drummer nearly being blown off the bridge, we faced north and Leeds kicked off. When we tried the "high press" Leeds banged it over the top, and when we played it about, so did they. Having said that, we looked the more likely to do something until the last few yards, with the final ball being... meh.
Brobbey was virtually anonymous in the opening exchanges as he strove to get back into game mode - but still held off his marker when he did appear.
After quarter of an hour we saw our throw given to Leeds because we'd taken too long, but that was the last time the ref applied the rules regarding throws and goal kicks. Just before half hour Angulo, who'd looked dangerous, was fouled for a Leeds yellow, but the free from just outside the box came to nothing. We followed that with a spell of good pressure that got the fans going, but as for getting through the visiting defence... another matter. In keeping us out, Trafford exhibited behaviour that did little to endear him to our fans and moved him closer to taking over from Donnarumna as the keeper you'd most like to see hit in the nether regions by a rocket of a shot. Basically, if he were made of chocolate he'd have licked himself to death on the bus up to the game.
As if to show them how to be hard but fair, Hume did a Huuume on 37 to lift the crowd and scare the Yorkshire puddings a bit, and it did raise spirits on the field for a while. Unfortunately, whenever we got close to the opposition goal, we either turned back or were closed down and denied the opportunity to get in the killer pass.
A single added minute was announced, in which we pressed forward and Brobbey got a shot away - but it was saved, making it the second effort from our returning Big Bloke that Trafford had kept out.
Level at the break, and that was about fair.
No changes for the second half for us, and there was very soon a lengthy stoppage when Nordi was hurt. He limped on gamely for a few minutes before being replaced by Alderete, and we in the seats wondered if our favourite Paraguayan had had finally got his game together after a few shaky games. Thankfully, he had, as he didn't bother with any of the nonsense that had blighted his recent performances and simply hoofed it clear when he had to.
Both sides kept at it, but shots on target were a rarity. Brobbey, still getting up to speed, was replaced by Tutierov in 65, then Leeds really got away with one. A bit of a naughty challenge by Bogle on Reinildo only brought a yellow, when our favourite Mozambican's collection of stud marks on his flank pretty much prove it could well have been a red.
Pah. If that wasn't bad enough, Leeds produced several obviously foul throws that went unpunished, and we fans were struggling to come to terms with the difference between Premier refs and European refs.
With just over ten to go (a bit late in my opinion) Talbi came on to rapturous applause - get, we'd been shouting for his introduction for a good while - alongside Diarra, as Enzo and Angulo went off. There were more shots that didn't go in, with Trafford getting down to tip one just round his left hand post, but we also needed Roefs to be on his game.
Six added minutes were announced and the crowd howled for something but when we got a corner on the left, it was hit way to deep and the chance was gone.
A vast improvement on that nonsense at Bournemouth, but, unfortunately, a repeat of our finishing in Poland. Still, it's a point and a decent showing - sort of.
Man of the Match? Rigg had a good afternoon, Angulo looked dangerous, but for me it was Luke again as he held the central defence together. Play like that every week with more efficiency in front of goal, and we'll be fine.
