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Downcast after the Norwich drubbing and with low expectations, we made our way across the Pennines on an unusually warm winter’s day, to Elland Road.
Thankfully, we were again welcomed into the Drysalters, following the regrettable actions of some idiots last season.
The pub has been redecorated with some great murals of Leeds players, past and present, including Gary Speed and there was a terrific atmosphere as supporters mixed and enjoyed the live singer.
We couldn’t see us getting much out of the game, but we hoped we could at least prevent any more serious damage to our goal difference.
To the surprise and delight of the Bolton fans, Phil Parkinson persisted with two up front again and he welcomed back Gary O’Neill and Joe Williams, replacing Josh Vela and Luke Murphy.
We went for this from the start with Josh Magennis forcing an unbelievable save in the first minute.
Although Leeds enjoyed more of the possession, we looked dangerous on the counter and created some decent chances in the first half. Then Leeds got what looked like a soft penalty to put them ahead, but we didn’t fold. We fought back and Mark Beevers poked home the equaliser in a crowded box.
We deserved to be level at half-time and we more than held our own in the second half, only to lose out to a horrible fluke of a goal, when a deflected shot looped just under the crossbar.
It was a cruel way to lose and a cruel result after what had been a real determined and fighting effort. Passions ran high, especially in response to Leeds’ theatrical diving all over the pitch and the Bolton fans responded and got behind the team. Phil Parkinson got a rousing round of applause after his emotions boiled over and he got his red card, as did the whole team at the end.
We showed a lot of fight and we deserved to take something out of the game.
If we can play like this in our remaining matches, it’s not over yet.
All we want as fans is that, if we are to go down, then at least let’s go down fighting and in the last two away games, we have seen that.
Off the pitch, whatever will be, will be. Meanwhile, we have to get behind what we’ve got and hope that the Great Escape is on again.
Source
Thankfully, we were again welcomed into the Drysalters, following the regrettable actions of some idiots last season.
The pub has been redecorated with some great murals of Leeds players, past and present, including Gary Speed and there was a terrific atmosphere as supporters mixed and enjoyed the live singer.
We couldn’t see us getting much out of the game, but we hoped we could at least prevent any more serious damage to our goal difference.
To the surprise and delight of the Bolton fans, Phil Parkinson persisted with two up front again and he welcomed back Gary O’Neill and Joe Williams, replacing Josh Vela and Luke Murphy.
We went for this from the start with Josh Magennis forcing an unbelievable save in the first minute.
Although Leeds enjoyed more of the possession, we looked dangerous on the counter and created some decent chances in the first half. Then Leeds got what looked like a soft penalty to put them ahead, but we didn’t fold. We fought back and Mark Beevers poked home the equaliser in a crowded box.
We deserved to be level at half-time and we more than held our own in the second half, only to lose out to a horrible fluke of a goal, when a deflected shot looped just under the crossbar.
It was a cruel way to lose and a cruel result after what had been a real determined and fighting effort. Passions ran high, especially in response to Leeds’ theatrical diving all over the pitch and the Bolton fans responded and got behind the team. Phil Parkinson got a rousing round of applause after his emotions boiled over and he got his red card, as did the whole team at the end.
We showed a lot of fight and we deserved to take something out of the game.
If we can play like this in our remaining matches, it’s not over yet.
All we want as fans is that, if we are to go down, then at least let’s go down fighting and in the last two away games, we have seen that.
Off the pitch, whatever will be, will be. Meanwhile, we have to get behind what we’ve got and hope that the Great Escape is on again.
Source
