QPR v Leeds Utd. 9th Dec 2017

A 3pm kick off on a Saturday is something of a luxury for Leeds so I was especially looking forward to the delicious combination of the 3pm kick off blended with a London away day and lashings of Xmas goodwill. With the obligatory Xmas jumper making up one of the many layers to keep Jack Frost out I boarded the train for the Capital.  Life was good as the eclectic mix of football fans, Xmas shoppers and hen parties added their own seasonal input to the boisterous atmosphere as the train headed south. My thoughts strayed onto Planet Leeds. Can we build on the recent improved performances and take 3 points from QPR? Will the Matt Smith v Pontus Jansson bout go the full distance? Will I be able to see all the pitch from the upper tier at Loftus Road?  With the pre match spirit flowing well we arrived at Kings Cross.

As expected the only change in the team was Roofe replacing the injured Hernandez. O'Kane, Borthwick Jackson and Cibicki were all on the bench as Leeds looked to continue their recent good form. With over 3,000 Leeds fans squeezed into the double deck away stand the game got under way. Ex Leeds centre forward Matt Smith showed there was no love lost with his old team mates as his first two challenges saw him lead with his elbow leaving Jansson and Phillips rubbing their heads. It was a scrappy opening with passes going astray on both sides. The first chance of the match went to QPR as Berardi slipped and let Wszolek free to run into the box and cross for Smith but a last ditch block from Ayling prevented the opening goal. Soon after Freeman clipped a ball beyond the Leeds back line for Washington but his shot went tamely into the baying away fans.

Leeds didn't have the same energy and confidence that prevailed at Barnsley as they stuttered and spluttered trying to get some fluency into their game. It took 18 minutes for Leeds to threaten Smithies in the home goal when Alioski swung a lovely cross into the box for Ekuban but his header was just too high.  That was better. The game wasn't a classic by any stretch of the imagination though as Leeds continued to struggle to stamp their authority on the game. Just before the half hour Smith got free from the limpet like marking of Cooper and Jansson but his header drifted over the bar. Phillips picked up a yellow for a clattering tackle that left the QPR enforcer, Luongo, writhing in agony. The natives were getting restless in the away end though and when Ekuban went down injured it started to look as if it was going to be one of those all too familiar Leeds days. As it happens this was the turning point of the game although we didn't know it at the time.

Cibicki replaced Ekuban and Roofe went up top. We now looked ever so small against the burly QPR back four. Could we keep it on the floor and play to feet of the front men? Cibicki was about to silence the doubters who are always too quick to judge players ability without really seeing what they can do. This was his first team debut and he formed an immediate understanding with Ayling down the right flank. I'm not sure we've ever had two players patrolling the right wing both wearing ponytails though.  I wonder what King Billy would have made of it?

Leeds finished the half well with chances for Roofe, Ayling and Vieira all putting pressure on Smithies. Half time 0.0.  I'd love to tell you what the Urinal philosophers thought of the first half but the concourse leading to the gents was absolute carnage. The crush in the tiny area leading to the toilets was as bad as I've experienced. The flare didn't help neither. It's a wonder there weren't serious injuries. Having survived the crush and returned to my seat the 2nd half got under way.

Leeds started the 2nd half brighter and with more purpose.  Cooper and Jansson were rock solid at the back and at last the talented Leeds midfield started to shine with Cibicki looking a real threat each time he got the ball although his first shot was a bit tame after excellent approach play. The visitors started to turn the screw as they played towards the hordes of away fans trying to suck the ball into the net. On the hour Alioski was fouled on the halfway by Luongo but somehow the ref not only gave the free kick to the home side he booked Alioski, presumably for allowing Luongo to kick him? On 63 minutes Leeds were rewarded for their improved 2nd half showing.  Saiz shovelled the ball out to Alioski.........the Macedonian stood his full back up and clipped a delicious ball into the box where Roofe leaped between the two centre halves and planted a superb header past Smithies and into the net.  1.0 Leeds and the 3,200 travelling army were in raptures behind the goal.  What a lovely goal.

QPR started to unravel. 3 corners in quick succession for Leeds as they piled on the pressure.  Jansson saw his header just go over the bar. Leeds were swarming all over QPR with Cibicki, Saiz, Alioski and Roofe all to the fore. The head of steam became a crescendo on 68 minutes as the impressive Cibicki fizzed a ball into the box where Roofe swooped to steer the ball past Smithies to double the lead and cause yet more carnage in the away end. Another sweet goal as the team celebrated in front of their fans. What's Roofe got on his neck I wondered? Looked like two pieces of tape on the back of his neck? Whatever it was it was working.

After the goal TC replaced Alioski with O'Kane. Is this the first time he has made a sub to see the game out I thought? Leeds were now in control. Pennington came on for Vieira to match QPR's threefold strike force but the game was meandering to a comfortable conclusion for Leeds.  Saiz should have completed the rout when released by Cibicki but he over elaborated and his shot went tamely wide. Then just as the home fans were streaming for the exits, despite Holloway's berating, QPR got a goal back on 90 minutes with a bizarre goal that was as sloppy as a Mr Whippy ice cream. Leeds defended a corner and headed the ball clear.  Wszolek hoofed the ball back into the box over everybody's heads straight to Wiedwald in the Leeds goal.  Unfortunately the German goalie must have been hit with a tranquillising dart as he appeared to freeze and let the ball bounce over him into the net.  Double Bollox! 2.1 Leeds and 5 minutes of added time still to go.  Suddenly QPR had a sniff of hope and piled forward.  Surely they couldn't could they?  Well actually they nearly did as Sylla escaped the vice like Leeds defenders and was one on one with Wiedwald but the German redeemed himself with a wonder save............well he saved it to keep the Leeds one goal advantage.  Phew! Heart attack alert in the away end.

Right at the death Saiz broke away after a QPR attack and fed Roofe who finished off to claim a well deserved hat trick and win the game for Leeds. A 3.1 win for Leeds that they deserved due to their 2nd half performance.  Cibicki had an excellent game as did Roofe especially when he went up top.  Cooper and Jansson were immense at the back.  Saiz was frustrating at times today intermingled with his usual magic. All in all a good three points and our run of good form continues.  People will look at the score and thing it was an easy win for Leeds but minutes after Wiedwald's aberration it felt nothing like easy.  Standard Leeds I suppose?

Norwich up next at home.  Could we get back into the top six by Xmas? At this rate yes and with games against Hull and Burton to follow there is a nice glow tonight on Planet Leeds. Mint. Here's to a white Xmas!

Can't wait.

MOT