IN LEEDS WE TRUST: West Ham game had a similar feel to our Championship losses

Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips and West Ham United's Vladimir Coufal battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Monday March 8, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER West Ham. Photo credit should read: Ian Walton/PA Wire.

RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips and West Ham United's Vladimir Coufal battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Monday March 8, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER West Ham. Photo credit should read: Ian Walton/PA Wire.

RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips and West Ham United's Vladimir Coufal battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Monday March 8, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER West Ham. Photo credit should read: Ian Walton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Another trip down to the capital, and at the London Stadium no less.

It was never going to be a night where luck was on our side.

It wasn’t long before that became obvious as the length of Helder Costa’s kneecap denied us the opening goal, and within minutes we had the ball in the back of the net once again - this time the ball had run out of play before Raphinha’s cross.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The West Ham game had the same sort of feel as many losses we saw in the Championship under Bielsa as chances were created but wasted only for us to concede a cheap penalty and a direct set piece goal.

But there were certainly positives to be taken from the game, not least the fact that Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo, Poveda and Berardi all found themselves back in the squad after suffering absences due to injury.

If the injury room continues to empty at this rate it will be interesting to find out how Bielsa sees his strongest XI.

In our next game, Chelsea will arrive at Elland Road looking a little bit different to the last time we saw them as our old friend Frank Lampard is no longer at the helm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under their new manager, Chelsea are in much better form, having gone unbeaten for their last twelve games.

But this season we have a luxury that we have never had before when playing under Bielsa - and that is that we can afford to lose sometimes.

A game against an in form Chelsea side that spent more than £200 million in the summer is a free hit if there ever was one.

Last week’s meeting with club CEO Angus Kinnear also proved to be very positive as many of you who are members of the trust will know from the detailed overview that was emailed out to you this week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Plans for season ticket renewal, the return of fans to games and potential stadium redevelopment were all discussed at length, along with a number of other topics.