Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United headed to The New Lawn yesterday evening to face off against Forest Green Rovers in our opening pre-season friendly of the summer. With us now entering the game portion of the season, preparations for the coming 2018/19 Championship campaign now step up a gear and fans will undoubtedly be hoping that signings feature in those preparations moving forward.
FULL TIME | A full 90 minutes for all 11 #LUFC players, and Marcelo Bielsa gets off to a winning start against Forest Green Rovers thanks to goals from Ayling and Roofe 1-2 pic.twitter.com/toz61YTFZZ
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 17, 2018
As for the game itself, Leeds did take a 2-1 victory with first-half goals coming from Kemar Roofe and Luke Ayling. The hosts got their consolation in first-half stoppage time and that was where the scoring ending.
???? | Miss last night’s game? Watch all the highlights from our pre-season friendly win against @FGRFC_Official now on LUTV
Watch ➡️ https://t.co/bKrFsI9c5r pic.twitter.com/BLlhCNpnLK
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 18, 2018
We did have chances in the second period to extend our lead but those opportunities were wasted. Given only 15 players made the trip though, this match can only be looked at really as an exercise in fitness rather than overly reading anything into Bielsa’s plans, what he’d asked the players to do and what it means potentially for the year ahead.
That won’t stop people mind you, but with neither of our loan signings featuring – even on the bench – it’s probably better for people’s sanity if this one is just scrubbed off and the win is taken as a win.
Luke on ???? during tonight’s 2-1 win pic.twitter.com/zfrOxmJ9zs
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 17, 2018
Forest Green:
Montgomery, Shephard, James (Trialist 74), Rawson (Hollis 68), Winchester (Simpson 76), Grubb, Doidge, Williams (Arcibald), Gunning, Mills (Laird 68), Reid (Brown 45).
Subs not used:
Thomas.
Grubb (45+1).
Leeds:
Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Cooper, Berardi, Forshaw, Phillips, Dallas, Alioski, Saiz, Hernandez, Roofe.
Subs not used:
Miazek, Dalby, Diaz, Rey.
Goals – Roofe (16), Ayling (25).
Att: 3250 (1161 Leeds).
Ref: S. Allison.
Average game by an average team.
Need new blood or it's league one for us next season I'm afraid.— tony robinson (@tonyrobonson) July 17, 2018
Great joke. After that performance we'll be lucky to stay up
— Reece Larner (@LarnerReece) July 17, 2018
???????????? that chap alongside Eddie wasn't very good was he..?
— Mark (@CarpieMarkie) July 17, 2018
Ye know I think he ye know might of ye know
— TeamFury ???????? (@oliversmith66) July 17, 2018
Good thing about this game is it shows manager how desperately we need a striker, 2 nil early doors but can't finish teams off as miss too many chances as we did last season, keeps even the poorest of teams in with a chance, cmon Leeds let's get quality in, ALAW
— Iljplumit (@Iljplumit1) July 17, 2018
Good start, we played some decent football. Looking forward to seeing the new lads play.
— Neil (@OooahhBerardi) July 17, 2018
Same glaring problems,lack of creation ,devoid of a finisher.
— Keith Walton (@KeithWa15914187) July 17, 2018
Same team, different manager ????
— Mobs (@MobsMowbray) July 17, 2018
wasnt exactly struggling, we looked very comfortable, just a few slip ups giving them some opportunities.
— Mauricesunderland (@Mozza_44) July 17, 2018