Lucas

Saturday 13th April 2024 Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham, 12.30 Brentford 2-1 Sheff Utd Burnley 1-2 Brighton Man City 3-0 Luton Nottm Forest 1-1 Wolves Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd, 17.30 Sunday 14th April, 2024 Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace, 14.00 West Ham 1-1 Fulham, 14.00 Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa, 16.30 Monday 15th April, 2024 Chelsea 2-1 Everton, 20.00

27th 16th

I don't mind it. Either that or keep the regular £10 play and incorporate maybe the £25 one maybe 6 or 7 times during the season with the caveat that on that designated week of your choosing, we all use the £25 one so its easier to track. Makes those weeks quite unique when they come round so you can try to maximise profit. Something I was gonna suggest also at the end of the season so it encourages people to keep betting, if you go maybe two/three weeks without a bet, you incur a £10 fine. I thought about this earlier in the season when I had a big win and thought, you could just sit on that. Or if someone didn't play for like like 3 or 4 weeks, it keeps the competition active. Seems a littke harsh you can have people that participate every week and be so far behind someone that's maybe bet like half or a quarter of the bets.

I dunno if I can get on board with that. We've stuck four goals past them in two games. Six points. It was pretty convincing so for me we are definitely a better side than them. They've not beaten yourselves either where as we have twice. Outplayed by Southampton that Monday last week and only won due to Saints missing chances and getting a dubious Red Card. Hanging on at Blackburn the game before that. They have very good character and team spirit but not a better side. But I don't think Ipswich have to contend with the same factors that we do, and I'd include yourselves in with us too as you carry weight in this league too with what you've done in recent history. For example, Sunderland, absolutely nothing to play for last night but come to Elland Road to park the bus and not get beat because they are playing a big side at a prestegious ground with a superious home record. They would rather do that than go for a win. They celebrated point at the end which vindicates my point. There's no way they have that same approach at Ipswich, it's not quite the same buzz the opposition get. I think the pressure we put on ourselves (as well as the media) also is huge because of our expectancy levels and what comes with representing the club, where as that's not the case with Ipswich. They literally have nothing to lose and no expectations. They are an underdog and they are playing that tune well. Let's also remember that when you get promoted from League One, you often run the wave and have a good season in the Championship if you got something about you. No upheaval at their club in the summer, able to get a good start on the board and continue momentum. We weren't able to even settle with a team till October with all that's happened at the club post relegation/takeover, so we've had a lot of ground to make up. But all that said, you have to accept all this stuff when you come down to this level. At the end of the day, we have bigger squads, more money. We are a prize scalp for the others in the league and everyone else tries that extra bit harder against you. I know there is the old addage of "if X finish higher they must be the better team" but I simply can't buy into that with Ipswich. They've got lucky so many times. But they are in a position where it's all in front of them and if they hold their nerve, they've done incredibly well and they will have deserved it. But better team? Not for me.

The one plus point of the evening. Flew in before HT with how those games went. £50 richer this evening as a result too.

I wasn't gonna lay into them Saturday but tonight they can get fucked. Sunderland, or rather, Jack Clarke FC have absolutely nothing about them. Farke waiting till 80mins for a triple sub when we hadn't managed a single shot on target or created anything of note is ridiculous. He should have changed way sooner. That result is on him. Bamford, start after start and is a virtual passenger. What's he giving to the team to justify this? It can't keep happening. Leeds always, ALWAYS do this. That's why we have a song about us falling apart. The club's never handled the pressure down the years. And you just know Ipswich win in 90+3 tomorrow. See it a mile off. On a side note, these officials are absolute dogshit. I'm fed up with seeing penalties turned away and we've had two tonight for clear and obvious handball, including this 2nd one. Not one person hasn't said it wasn't, so infuriating. But penalties aside, we didn't do enough. Just look a complete different side since Internationals and that break may well have ruined our flow.

Saka, Kane, Haaland and Vinicius, 1 SOT each Skyboost 5/1. £10 wins £60.

31st 17th

This will feel a little ironic given what happened in the game but I really like the look of Quansah. Shame for him really as I thought in the main he had a great game, and I really like for such a big tall lad, how much skill he has when he goes forward. Never looks like doing that classic centre back thing of playing a hopeless ball or pass and some real moments where he showed great skill to keep an attack flowing. Big future that kid. Also on Bruno's goal. If Allison is playing, I don't think he get's beat there, no way. Just saying.

Bad time to chuck in a performance like that, although I don't think we've been right since Internationals tbh, its really ruined our flow losing a few of the guys. Just the timing of the loss really given Ipswich's result is what makes the result feel so crucial but you can't be too brutal on them really. How can we be harsh on a team that were 17pts behind Leicester on 29th December and then put together a run that milked 41 out of 45pts? It was an incredible sequence of results and yet, we still don't know if it will be good enough for automatic. Sometimes you just need perspective, they are not robots after all. Very hard to blame individuals. Bamford missed another shocker and Piroe has to score that last minute chance obviously, but for the best part, the performance was miles off it by most of them, including fan favourites like Rutter, Ampadu and Rodon. There's no doubt this will hurt because they had got used to not losing. It's now about staying calm, and reacting in a positive way, coming out all guns blazing v Sunderland. Back to back home games now, Elland Road is where we've been at our strongest and we know it has to be 6pts from those games.

Crystal Palace 0-2 Man City Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford Everton 1-2 Burnley Fulham 2-1 Newcastle Luton 1-2 Bournemouth Wolves 1-1 West Ham Brighton 1-2 Arsenal Sunday Man Utd 1-3 Liverpool Sheff Utd 1-2 Chelsea Tottenham 3-1 Nottm Forest

People wonder why Leeds fans sing "Sky TV, are fucking shit..." Well, not content with moving our away game with Middlesbrough to a Monday night, they've now moved the away game at QPR to a Friday. So from both games being 7 days apart, we've now got to to go to Boro and QPR in the space of 5 days, the penultimate week of the season. Last sort of thing you're wanting as you come to the end if a gruelling season. This will mean 7 out of our last 8 have been moved for Sky and the total for the season is beyond ridiculous compared tot he others. They've well and truly milked this cash cow dry.

Leicester will still win the title. They have had their wobble and in some respects, been taken down a peg from what seemed like a cakewalk, particularly Enzo Maresca. Think he's shown a little naiveity as a manger new in the game the last couple months and I'm sure he's learnt some lessons. But they remain a top quality team and the fixtures are too good. The West Brom/Saints double header in April is maybe the one bump in the road you could see but you'd fancy them with two home games. That was a big psychological win for them Monday, a release for players feeling the pressure and feels like the moment they got their house in order despite everything going on around them off the field. Either us or Ipswich for 2nd. I look at Ipswich's games and think surely they'll drop points but I've been thinking that for a while and they just don't go away. They deserve the plaudits for everything they have done absolutely. However, I do feel like they've rode their luck and some. Can that keep happening? I've got to believe it can't but as I said before, they have so much momentum now I just don't know. I'll be gutted to finish below them given we've stuck 8 past them in two games and IMO, a much better side but I know Football doesn't always work like that. I also know supporting Leeds, we'll find any way we can to wobble and shoot ourselves in the foot so I still expect a wobble. We really need Gruev back as soon as possible. Losing him, Gnonto and Connor Roberts over Internationals was brutal. But we do have a manager with prime experience of this situation and he won't panic. Can't call it though. Playoffs are interesting because whoever falls in there between us and Ipswich will obviously possess a massive danger still, albeit, be on a massiver downer. I'd fear for us if it was us given our history in these, where as I feel Ipswich could go again given they've surpassed so much expectation. Southampton will be like a wounded animal and possess a lot of class still. West Brom are tatctically the best well drilled team. Then it's a toss up between Norwich and Coventry for the final spot. Kinda feel Norwich might just keep it together and get over the line so there is huge potential for an Ipswich/Norwich playoff semi which would be pretty epic. But I'd find it hard to back against Southampton I think. Over two legs they beat West Brom for me and I'd fancy them in the final.

Rotherham are gone. I fear for Plymouth, it's just not happening for them. I was certain Warnock was going there when I saw they had sacked their manager, but they have refused that option. You'd have fancied him to keep them up, not so sure now, think they'll regret not going that way and drop. Last spot for me is a toss up between Wednesday, Huddersfield and Birmingham. Always find it humourous how terrible Wednesday are but how massive they think they are. And I really don't give a jot about Huddersfield who absolutely despise us. But being honest, and I think many may agree here, if you're wanting poetuc justice, you're wanting Birmingham to drop. It'd be the perfect ending to shitting on your own doorstep. Firing a manager when you are in the playoffs to getting relegated. Fingers crossed.

17th 22nd

all kick-offs 19.30 (BST) unless stated Tuesday 2nd April, 2024 Newcastle 2-1 Everton Nottm Forest 1-1 Fulham Bournemouth 1-1 Crystal Palace, 19.45 Burnley 2-1 Wolves, 19.45 West Ham 2-2 Tottenham, 20.15 Wednesday 3rd April, 2024 Arsenal 4-0 Luton Brentford 2-1 Brighton Man City 2-1 Aston Villa, 20.15 Thursday 4th April, 2024 Liverpool 5-0 Sheff Utd Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd, 20.15

Horrible game for us that but we've dragged ourselves over the line. Just felt like it was going to be one of them nights from Bamford's miss. It was so nervy tonight. Think there was a ton of pressure on us playing last with the other two winning, especially kicking off about 20 odd mins after seeing Ipswich nick a 96th min winner yet again. That would have deflated the atmosphere somehwhat as it looked a nailed on draw and a potential gain. But sometimes you just got to tough it out and keep going. Hull really had us on the ropes at times and they were silly really because that was such a needless penalty to give away near the end. All in all though, they had played well, better than us in my eyes. Jesus Christ do we miss Gruev. Gnonto too but Gruev is the key man. We need him back soon. That international break has been a big hinderence for us but we've negotiated two very tricky games playing last both times in four days and just need to steady the ship now with a few days training and normal routine. If Ipswich win at Carrow Road Saturday lunchtime then I feel like they are going to do a 2016 Leicester.

16th 21st

Personally don't see a massive deal as to Arsenal being cautious to get a draw. Their record at City is horrendous, so a point is decent for them. Yeah ok, it's a gamble that hands control to Liverpool for now, might backfire but it could be a good calculated gamble by the end, we'll see. Let's be honest, if Trossard plays in Martinelli there for that chance near the end, they've actually put in the perfect away performance. Fine margins. I thought City looked flat and out of ideas tbh. Foden and KDB were nullified and City really missed Walker's overlapping runs. Build up was too slow. City also miss a specialist LB too for me. So often it's Ake or Gvardial who are CB's by trade, and they just have to check back and play the ball inside. Don't offer nothing on the outside to the man wide left.

We'll have to take that. It was a 5/10 performance from us. So many issues we had to contend with. Its been a great time for Watford to catch us fixture wise. But as the saying goes, if you can't win, don't lose. Could turn out to be a massive point. Had so many players away on Internationals, the Welsh lads had extra time on Tuesday night too, 3 of our boys come back injured which was also key, especially Gruev and Gnonto. Rutter had his hernia op, Firpo played Wednesday then had a 20 hour flight back, not one session with the team together. Farke's messed with the centre back partnership by breaking up Rodon and Ampadu and bringing in Cooper and we looked all over the place back there. Cooper is finished, a liability, just as Ayling sadly became. When he changed it back 2nd half, we took total control. No shock. Watford were very good first half, they pressed us hard, very athletic side, and went at us and we were miles off it. They deserved to take the lead twice. Unfortunately we came back into it too late. If that game goes on another 5mins, we probably nick it. You could moan the changes were too late. You can't win them all though. It's not Football Manager. Leicester and Saints haven't won so thats a little bit of insurance at least. Fair enough, Ipswich did but they were fortunate to. And they have Saints next. Someone there is dropping points, maybe both. Got to win our game Monday though. Home games are key now. Got 4 of them left and if we can win all of those, we have to be there or thereabouts.

Absolutely terrible. Solid for a side like Brighton but at the top level his skills are limited and it's shown. Basically been at fault in two games. Bit of a mockery putting Branthwaite in and not playing him. We had the chance to view him against good opposition and Southgate chose not to so answers on a postcard with that one. Kobee Mainoo excelled for me last night. Took his chance and some. Can't remember the last time a youngster like him came out of nowhere and was fast tracked so quickly, possibly Walcott maybe when he appeared on the plane to Germany '06 out of nowhere, but it's great to see Henderson and Gallagher fall down the pecking order as a result. Someone like Bowen is going to be very unlucky. We're just stacked in those wide areas and I don't think there's space for him. Same for Gordon I think. Toney is just ahead of Watkins in the order for me as he can fit into the system easier if Kane's not available. Both will probably go. Got to sort out the full back situation though, especially the left. Can't be having centre backs playing as a full back at that level, it holds you back, but I'd genuinely go Tripper as LB if Shaw can't make it. Chilwell is miles away from it at the moment and is only in because options are minimal. Think I'd rather have Alfie bloody Doughty there than Chilwell from what I saw...

It's just too obvious to say France although they clearly have every base covered. Let's be honest, if they play to their standard, they probably do win. I know it's all about Mbappe but Griezmann in that little pocket behind the main forward is still unreal, he makes them tick if he's fit as it all goes through him. But I do really feel like Portugal might do it. They have a lovely group. Turkey, Czech's and then either Georgia or Greece. They should come through that fine. And their path to the semi's look pretty good too. Crucially, they should avoid France/England till the final as long as nothibg silly happens. They have a very well-rounded team with a great blend of youth and experience. They can be attacking when needed, but also able to shithouse when required. If you fall behind against them, last thing you want is to be chasing the game with Bernado, Bruno, Paulinha, Pepe, Cancelo etc And of course, they have Ronaldo who if he gets a chance, you expect him to still be clinical. Rafael Leao will be one to watch for me too. This summer feels like it could be his real breakout tournament. At 8/1, that's where my money would go anyway. France are too short. Germany will have a decent run purely as they are on home soil. Their team was quite weak in the 2006 World Cup and they weren't really predicted to go as far as they did, but they got to the semi's under Klinsmann and it was a new age for their up and coming players. Can see something similar happening but they won't win it for me. We will naturally find a way to lose it. As good a team as it looks on paper, I just don't think Southgate has the nous to get us over the line. Psychologically, I don't know if we have ever developed that ruthless winning mentality you need and we still get rattled by gamesmanship from other sides who will 100% target us in that department. I'm still a little worried about us defensively too. I don't fully trust Pickford, Maguire etc, I'm worried about the left back situation as it looks vulnerable but any alternatives just haven't established themselves yet have they. They do a job for us for sure but at a winning tournament level, I still think they fall short.

Has the missus given you permission to resume Sheep @Mel81x or is she still waiting on you to get through your list of household chores?

52nd 17th

Surely that is worth a pound of your own money now, just incase it comes in. I'd be livid nailing a bet like that without real profit