Vieira proves a key element of Leeds United's winning formula

The Yorkshire Evening Post fans' jury has its say after Leeds United 3-0 victory at Ashton Gate.
Fans' man of the match, Ronaldo Vieira. PIC: Jonathan GawthorpeFans' man of the match, Ronaldo Vieira. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Fans' man of the match, Ronaldo Vieira. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

DAVID WATKINS

Well, I certainly didn’t see that coming! Leeds United found a winning formula again and came back to life as quickly as our form dipped about a month ago.

The inclusion of Ronnie Vieira – called for by most Leeds fans in recent weeks – made a huge difference as did the formation change to include a four-man midfield engine room of Samueal Saiz, Ronaldo Vieira, Eunan O’Kane and Kalvin Phillips.

'Spanish Wizard' Samuel Saiz. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe'Spanish Wizard' Samuel Saiz. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
'Spanish Wizard' Samuel Saiz. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Perhaps we also needed that bit of luck in the fourth minute as a clearance rebounded off Phillips into the path of Pierre-Michel Lasogga before a wicked deflection then guided Saiz’s shot perfectly into the back of the net.

You make your own luck they say and Leeds worked hard to press the home side from the start and they never really troubled us apart from a couple of solid saves from Andy Lonergan.

This was the perfect all round performance, and a perfectly timed one to calm everyone’s nerves.

Man of the match: Ronaldo Vieira.

'Spanish Wizard' Samuel Saiz. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe'Spanish Wizard' Samuel Saiz. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
'Spanish Wizard' Samuel Saiz. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

MATTHEW EVANS

A vastly-improved performance that was as much down to attitude and approach than personnel and positions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It’s true that Matthew Pennington and Ronaldo Vieira brought some fresh thinking to the side but the application of the players was far better than in recent games and we got exactly what we deserved.

Early doors it looked like Bristol could be in for a battering and it was clear that the do-or-die attitude of earlier in the season had returned to the United ranks.

City got a foothold in the game and we had some quiet spells but they never looked like threatening.

Their frustration boiled over late on with Taylor and Berardi shown deserved red cards. A solid performance at the back was topped by excellent performances from Vieira, Alioski and Saiz – further forward – while Lasogga enjoyed a best showing since his debut.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kalvin Phillips was the star of the show, however, just as the more fickle of our fans had begun to write him off – once again.

It was a much-needed boost ahead of a tough game at Leicester but we should go there with no inhibitions and try to make the quarter -inals for the second year in a row.

Man of the match: Kalvin Phillips.

KEITH INGHAM

Just when it seemed it was going a little sideways, Leeds stormed back with a fantastic 3-0 win over fourth-placed Bristol City.

The win ‘leapfrogs’ Leeds over their hosts and they now sit fourth in the Championship table. Leeds dominated the early minutes and were 2-0 up by the 15th minute, Samuel Siaz with both the goals.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds increased their lead in the second half when Pierre-Michel Lasogga headed in Kalvin Phillips’ corner.

The only blot on a superb performance was Gaetano Berardi’s sending off 11 minutes from time.

Bristol City’s Matt Taylor was also sent off for involvement in the same incident. Berardi now misses the next three games against Leicester, Sheffield United and Derby County.

Thomas Christainsen showed that despite recent set backs he has the tactical nouse to alter things to counter different teams. He certainly did his homework on in-form Bristol City and the results were there for all to see.

A superb victory!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A cup tie against Leicester City tomorrow awaits and expect a few changes with the Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United only a few days afterwards.

Man of the match: All the team deserve credit.

GARY NEWBOULD

As hurricane Brian descended, it was United who produced a barnstorming performance at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon to record a 3-0 victory and head back up to fourth in the Championship.

After three miserable defeats on the bounce for the Whites and the hosts unbeaten in more than ten games, logic suggested there was little chance of an away victory.

But when did logic ever apply in the Championship?

The loyal hordes, who numbered almost 4,000, welcomed the inclusion of Ronaldo Vieira on the starting XI, but were shocked by Pontus Jansson being dropped to the bench and replaced by Matthew Pennington. However, the Swede himself had described his own recent performances as, shall we say, ‘poor’ on social media over the week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United were quickly out of the traps and by the time 14 minutes were on the clock they were two goals to the good and leaving Elland Road’s ‘Spanish Wizard’ Samuel Saiz having over an hour left to claim a hat-trick.

The quality of football totally justified the change of personnel and formation and a third and final goal came just after the hour mark, courtesy of Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who looked much more full of energy throughout.

Man of the match: Ronaldo Vieira.

MIKE GILL

BRISTOL CITY boss Lee Johnson said before the game that City had not been comprehensively beaten by anybody this season.

Well they have now! As expected Leeds United strengthened up the midfield adding the muscular Ronaldo Vieira. Matthew Pennington was preferred to Pontus Jansson and Gjanni Alioski returned to the starting line-up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Vieira’s inclusion allowed the excellent Samuel Saiz to remind us what he is capable of.

Two well-taken goals in 14 minutes sent Bristol City reeling and United dominated the first half.

Apart from about ten or so minutes, the second half followed along the same lines.

When a revitalised Pierre-Michel Lasogga scored a fine header from a Kalvin Phillips corner on 67 minutes, the game was all but over.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The euphoria at the beginning of the season was probably misplaced – as was the doom and gloom of recent times.

What we do have is a strong squad and a good and brave coach.

Man of the match: Ronaldo Vieira.