All Leeds Aren't We?

QPR 2

Lynch 17, Ngbakoto 90+1

Leeds United 0

The fixture computer threw up a tough ask for Leeds on the opening day, with a trip to QPR, who the Whites haven't beaten since May 2011.

Leeds were the first to threaten. A first time ball from Pontus Jansson released Alfonso Pedraza down the left, but the Spaniard's cross was headed inches wide from the edge of the six yard box by Chris Wood.

A few minutes later, Leeds were punished for not taking that opportunity. Jordan Cousins rose to meet a Ravel Morrison corner, with his header off target, Yeni Ngbakoto got up at the back post to head it across the goal mouth, where Joel Lynch was waiting to head into an empty net.

QPR threatened again shortly before half time. Kazenga LuaLua headed Nedum Onuoha's cross across the face of goal, but this time, Rob Green was equal to the header on the other side by Ngbakoto.

With 15 minutes left, Leeds made their only other threat of the game. Kemar Roofe released Wood on the counter attack, but Leeds' number 9 was forced out onto his left foot by Onuoha, and the New Zealand international fluffed his lines inside the area.

QPR punished Leeds' lacklustre showing a minute into stoppage time. Jake Bidwell's cross found Ngbakoto at the far post. The Frenchman hit a looping header that left Rob Green with no chance.

Ratings

QPR:

Alex Smithies 7

Nedum Onuoha (C) 6.8
Steven Caulker 8
Joel Lynch 7.9 (sub 79)
Jake Bidwell 7.6

Jordan Cousins 7.7
Ravel Morrison 6.9
Massimo Luongo 6.7 (sub 69)

Yeni Ngbakoto 8.4
Kazenga LuaLua 6.7 (sub 74)

Idrissa Sylla 6.4

Subs

Grant Hall N/A (on 79)
Matt Smith 6.7 (on 74)
Karl Henry 6.7 (on 69)

Leeds:

Rob Green 6.8

Luke Ayling 6.8
Kyle Bartley 6.7
Pontus Jansson 7.1
Samuel Souprayen 6

Liam Bridcutt (c) 7.2
Pablo Hernandez 6.7 (sub 74)
Eunan O'Kane 6.7

Stuart Dallas 6.4 (sub 60)
Alfonso Pedraza 6.6

Chris Wood 6.2 (sub 79)

Subs:

Kemar Roofe 6.7 (on 60)
Cesar Falletti 6.6 (on 74)
Souleymane Doukara N/A (on 79)

Attendance: 18,224 (2,500 Leeds)

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Leeds United manager Josh Townend says the instant return to action tomorrow night is an opportunity for his team. Townend's team lost 2-0 in their opening fixture at QPR yesterday afternoon, and they return to action at Elland Road for their EFL Cup tie against Carlisle United.

"It's a big opportunity for us to be playing so soon after a defeat. It's not nice to have too long to dwell on such a disappointing result, but to be have the chance to put a few things right so soon can only be good for us"

"Of course, we have to respect Carlisle. We can't just turn out and expect a win to come to us, we have to work hard for it. Carlisle are a decent outfit that will hunt us down if we take it too easy"

Asked about team selection, Townend seemed to hint at rotation, potentially with the opportunity for some younger players to impress.

"We have a good squad of players. There are players that didn't play well last time, and there'll also be players in no fit state to start, so it's a chance for others to step up to the mark. I'm impressed with the young lads here, if I can give them a chance, it can only be great for them and great for the club"

With the exception of Marco Silvestri (shin splints) and Gaetano Berardi (hamstring), Townend has no other injury or suspension concerns for tomorrow's clash.

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An unfortunate defeat to QPR man but you're right the immediate return is an opportunity for your side and hopefully you can take it!

Just one thing I noticed though, from a personal perspective the yellow in the match report was a little bright for me to read against the default background on fmscout! Not intended as a criticism mate, as so far this story is looking very good!

Unlucky against QPR mate, however I think you'll bounce right back against Carlisle.

Hi guys, apologies about the delay in posting, my laptop screen broke and it took a while to find somewhere to get it fixed. Anyway where we? Ah, Carlisle...

Leeds United 1

Chris Wood 108

Carlisle United 0

John O'Sullivan sent off 53

It took Leeds United almost two hours to finally find a goal to put minnows Carlisle out of the EFL Cup. Chris Wood's goal in the second half of extra time was enough to put Leeds into the hat for the next round.

Although many will criticise Leeds for playing too negatively against much smaller opposition, manager Josh Townend has defended his approach, claiming that Carlisle set up to be difficult to break down.

"When I saw the team sheets before the game, I thought 'this is going to be a nightmare' As you'll have seen out there, they set out with everyone except one striker in their half, and I tried to set up a system to lure them out of position. I'll hold my hands up and say it didn't really work in practise so we had to take a more direct approach, but I'm glad we finally got the winner"

Carlisle were giving Leeds a hard time, but sometimes Leeds made life harder for themselves. They handed corner after corner to their League One counterparts, through sloppy backpasses to Green and sometimes through sloppy handling from the former England number one.

Perhaps one of Carlisle's more threatening moves came from a Danny Grainger corner. It was initially cleared back out to him, but the ball back in met the head of Macauley Gillesphey. Gillesphey flicked it on for Michael Raynes, but the cenre-back's effort was tipped onto the post and behind by Rob Green.

Leeds were booed off at half-time, with fans taking issue with Townend's 'fight fire with fire approach', and although their overall game was sloppy, they became visibly more direct after the break.

There was drama 8 minutes after the restart, as Carlisle midfielder John O'Sullivan was shown a straight red card, for a two-footed lunge on Pablo Hernandez.

Probably the closest Leeds came without scoring was midway through the second half. A long free kick floated into the box by Eunan O'Kane was met by Liam Cooper, whose header flew inches over the bar.

As the match wore one, Carlisle began to tire more quickly, which led to Leeds growing back into the game and eventually becoming the better side, only marginally however.

Ronaldo Vieira showed he can hit a ball from distance twice in the first half of extra time. The first was deflected into the hands of Mark Gillespie, the second was tipped over, seemingly destined for the roof of the net.

Leeds finally found the elusive goal shortly after half time in extra time. Kyle Bartley released Luke Ayling down the wing and the former Bristol City man made for the box. When he got there, he whipped a low ball across the face of goal. It was met on the volley by Chris Wood at the far post, and the relief was tangible around Elland Road.

Better late than never for the Whites, who'll need to up their game against similar opposition in the future.

Ratings

Leeds:

Rob Green 7

Luke Ayling 7.7
Kyle Bartley 7.1
Liam Cooper 7
Francesco Migliore 7.7

Ronaldo Vieira 6.9
Pablo Hernandez 6.8 (sub 61)
Kalvin Phillips 7

Stuart Dallas 6.7 (inj 34)
Kemar Roofe 6.7

Chris Wood 7.1

Subs

Pontus Jansson 6.8 (on 45)
Eunan O'Kane 6.7 (on 61)
Alfonso Pedraza N/A (on 34) (sub 45)

Carlisle United

Mark Gillespie 6.8

Macauley Gillesphey 7
Michael Raynes 7
Ben Wynter 6.3

Tom Miller 6.7 (sub 66)
Gary Liddle 6.8 (sub 61)
James Bailey 7.1
Danny Grainger 6.4

Mike Jones 7
John O'Sullivan 6.8 (off 53)

Jamie Proctor 6.5 (sub 53)

Subs

Jason Kennedy 6.9 (on 53)
Alexander McQueen 6.8 (on 66)
Luke Joyce 6.8 (on 61)

Attendance: 9,978 (566 Carlisle)

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Not the greatest of results, however you've progressed which is the main thing. Carlisle can be a very awkward side to play, Keith Curle definitely sets up his side to hit you on the break which can be difficult to face.

2017-07-09 12:49#244633 ScottT : Not the greatest of results, however you've progressed which is the main thing. Carlisle can be a very awkward side to play, Keith Curle definitely sets up his side to hit you on the break which can be difficult to face.

Like you said, at least we got the result. Onwards and upwards, I guess

A win is a win in cup football! You're through to the next round and ultimately that is what matters!

Ahead of Saturday's clash with Birmingham City, Leeds United manager Josh Townend has chosen to remain upbeat about his team's chances.

This week has seen each of the two sides in EFL Cup action, with Leeds beating Carlisle United 1-0 after extra time, whilst Birmingham beat Stevenage on penalties, following a 0-0 draw.

"If I'm being perfectly honest, neither of us did ourselves justice against our respective opponents in midweek. They'll be looking to bounce back as will we, so it should make for an interesting contest"

"We'll take the confidence from our win, and hopefully we can use it to put our best football on the pitch. We have to be ready for their reaction as well however. You want to win every game, but in particular, both of us are looking for our first win so there's that challenge"

"Fortunately for us, we have home advantage. We obviously have to play well enough to make that count, but if I had to choose between going on the road and playing in front of our own fans, I'd definitely pick Elland Road"

The game on Saturday will mark Leeds United's first league game of the season at Elland Road. Leeds have an impressive record on the first home game of the season, having won 14 out of their last 20 first home games.

New injury news for Leeds is that Marco Silvestri is likely to sit the game out with shin splints. Otherwise, Gaetano Berardi is the only other absentee with a hamstring injury he picked up towards the end of last season.

Birmingham will be without Emilio Nsue who is struggling with an ankle injury, meanwhile Adam Legzdins also looks likely to miss Saturday's encounter with a shoulder injury.

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Leeds United 0

Birmingham City 0

Neither side was able to fashion out a quality scoring opportunity at Elland Road, as Leeds United and Birmingham City shared the points in a 0-0 draw.

The draw means Leeds have their first point of the season. However, this will doubtless be frustrating for the Birmingham City fans, who have seen their side start the campaign with three 0-0 draws.

Birmingham had the best of the opening exchanges, as Maikel Kieftenbeld and Clayton Donaldson both hit efforts from distance, but neither troubled Leeds keeper Rob Green.

Leeds' first effort came as Chris Wood floated in a cross from the right-hand side. His ball found Alfonso Pedraza- the only Leeds player in the box- whose header was well held by Birmingham keeper Thomas Kusczak.

Birmingham's best chance of the first half fell to Maikel Kieftenbeld. Lukas Jutkiewicz's cross was headed clear by Kyle Bartley, but only as far as David Davis. Davis played in an open Kieftenbeld, who lashed a high effort at goal- seemingly destined for the top corner- which was tipped over the bar by Green.

The closest Leeds came to scoring in the first half was through Chris Wood. The New Zealand international had picked the ball up outside the box after good work from Pablo Hernandez. Wood's long range effort flew inches past the top corner.

Liam Bridcutt came on to replace Ronaldo Vieira half time, as Townend looked to add some substance to an otherwise lightweight midfield, which was losing the battle in the middle.

Birmingham's best chance of the second half came on the hour. Cheick Keita had played in Ryan Shotton on the left hand side. The former Derby man's cross found the head of Clayton Donaldson. Rob Green showed quick reflexes to change his direction of movement to hold onto a header that would have otherwise caught him wrong-footed.

In a game where Birmingham were fashioning out the better chances, Leeds struggled to create anything significant on their own. The best they could muster in the second half came from Pablo Hernandez, as the Spaniard looked to curl a free kick into the top corner. He couldn't quite get enough swerve on the ball, which rippled off the side netting.

Ratings:

Rob Green 6.9

Luke Ayling 6.8
Kyle Bartley 7.8
Pontus Jansson 7.1
Francesco Migliore 7.1

Pablo Hernandez 6.7
Ronaldo Vieira 6.8 (sub 45)
Eunan O'Kane 6.8 (sub 61)

Hadi Sacko 6.6 (sub 69)
Chris Wood 6.3
Alfonso Pedraza 6.7

Subs

Liam Bridcutt 6.7 (on 45)
Kalvin Phillips 6.7 (on 61)
Kemar Roofe 6.6 (on 69)

Attendance: 25,766 (2,276 Birmingham)

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Leeds United manager Josh Townend has said he doesn't feel worried that his team have failed to win either of their first two league games. Townend's side were beaten 2-0 at Loftus Road by QPR before being held to a 0-0 draw at Elland Road by Birmingham City on Saturday.

"This is all a part of a process. There's a lot of new faces here, myself included, some that were signed before my arrival but after last season ended. I'm not here to whine about that because some of them are cracking players, your Roofes, your Sackos, your Janssons et cetera"

"We're all gelling, and that process could be complete by the end of next month or the end of December. This club is in a period of transition and I'm here to put the building blocks in place, Rome wasn't built in a day as a wise man once said"

"As for results on the pitch, no one wants to wait too long for the first league win, but it's coming. There's an air of confidence in the dressing room and I've seen some encouraging signs in training that this club is on the right track. We played well against Birmingham. I thought it took us a while to get into the game, but once we did we looked pretty comfortable"

"Fulham will be a big test. Like us, they're still searching for a first win so we won't take them lightly"

Leeds have no new injury concerns, Marco Silvestri is still doubtful after a knock he received in training earlier in the week, Berardi is still out with a pulled hamstring.

As for Fulham, Ryan Fredericks (ankle) and Floyd Ayite (knee) are both expected to miss Tuesday's clash at Elland Road.

The last time these two sides met was also at Elland Road on a Tuesday night, a magnificent 35-yard screamer from Lewis Cook cancelled out Tom Cairney's volley, as the sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

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Townend has every right not to be worried! Plenty of time to put something special together and really take Leeds back to where they belong!

Fulham are a difficult side to beat so you'll have to graft hard in order to get your first three points of the season. Although you haven't been getting the perfect results in your first few games, I'm confident that you can turn it around too.