LEEDS STUCK IN RUT
Joy for Forest but that’s four losses from five as it’s slipping away again for Bielsa
IT IS 16 years since Leeds last adorned the Premier League. They have now spent 10 of those in the purgatory of the Championship, that realm which always promises elevation to a higher state but only after sufficient suffering has been borne. Just now it seems their fate is to be stuck here. The purification of their souls will seemingly take a time longer.
The promised land loomed large two months ago when Leeds went top and had a comfortable 11-point cushion between themselves and third place. The promotion slots looked, if not taken, reserved.
Now just three points separate the top five. Leeds remain second, but for how long? Fulham are on equal points and their conquerors here, Nottingham Forest, just a point behind. They have lost four out of their last five Championship games. Everything is slipping away.
Nothing is quite going for them. Here, at the end, they at least showed heart. They threw men forward. They scrambled to get their point.
In the 76th minute, skipper Liam Cooper directed a firm header towards goal. Though Brice Samba saved, he could not collect and the ball fizzed up, spinning in the air. For all the world it looked set to bounce over the line. The Leeds fans behind the goal willed it in. Samba flung in a desperate arm in the air. He clawed at t he ball , connected and thrust it away. And the moment was gone.
In injury time, they would desperately throw men forward for a final free-kick. They jostled on the edge of the area, awaiting the last chance. Yet somehow you sensed what was coming — the breakaway to finish them off.
Ben Watson would smash the ball clear in desperation rather than with any precision. Jack Harrison faltered, unable to bring it under control. Joe Lolleypounc ed, robbing Harrison of possession and sprinted forward.
Leeds were completely exposed and the City Ground delirious in excitement. Alongside Lolley was substitute Tyler Walker, son of Des, keeping up stride for stride in the manner of his stylish father. Lolley simply rolled the ball across so Walker would smash it into the net. He would claim he was too tired to shoot. He had covered half the pitch in double quick time. But it meant that Leeds were utterly broken.
Of course, Forest boast an even proud er pedigree than their opponents. ‘Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,’ they chanted at their counterparts, who merely have a European Cup final to their name, not the trophy itself. As second-tier matches go, there would not be many in the world to match this for status. A capacity 29,455 crowd and an atmosphere to shame the average Premier League corporate bowl, spoke of t he illustrious histories of these respective clubs.
A glorious past can be a heavy burden. The visionary Marcelo Bielsa came to lift that weight, an inspired choice. Except that, after another fine start, his side is faltering again. Bielsa’s crouched pose in the technical area somehow seems apt when his team are chucking the season away. He looks like a nervous ball of angst. His team play in his image.
SabriLamouc hi’ steam, by contrast, have momentum and the wind in their sails. The aberration at Birmingham City last week aside, they have not lost in the league since Christmas. Their promotion credentials grow ever stronger. In short, they have paced themselves well. And now they are hauling in the early pacemakers, who are falling aside.
Leeds had to contend with the erratic performance of goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. One quick throw out,
intended to launch a counter-attack, was flung directly at the feet of Forest skipper Ben Watson. Really, he should have just sent it back first time, over the head of the goalkeeper. Instead he took a touch and drilled it well wide. It was a calamitous moment from Casilla.
Yet it was Forest’s opening goal in the 30th minute when he was truly exposed.
Sammy Ameobi exchanged passes down the left and ran directly into the Leeds penalty area. And though his run, poise and strike was not without merit, the positioning of Casilla, who seemed to be expecting ash otto his far post, was questionable. Ameobi used the gap at the goalkeeper’s near post to beat him. It was no more than Forest deserved. Leeds had only shown in fits and starts. Ezgjan Alioski’s turn and shot in the 29th minute, just before the opening goal, being the best effort, deflected wide.
Forest though had the bulk of possession, greater energy and more intent. They could not turn that into clear goalscoring chances but Tiago Silva went close with a fine strike from 25 yards which Casilla did well to tip wide.
In truth, both sides were wasteful with possession. The prize that awaits them is so great that nerves infused much of the game. Quality will have to improve if either make the step up. Yet Forest stayed on top when the teams returned after half- time. Their energy is more frenetic than nervous.
They looked sure to extend their lead when Lolley dashed down the right. Cutting inside, he sold Casilla a dummy and, with the goalkeeper on the floor, pushed the ball to Grabban. Inexplicably, he shot straight at Casilla.
Leeds would survive that. They would rally. But they would ultimately be beaten.
Right now it is a habit they cannot shake.