With the 23/24 EFL Championship set to kick start in 5 weeks-time, indulge me as I attempt to offer the gift of prophecy by predicting the events of our opening fixture v Cardiff City on August 6th.
As we know, you predict the outcome of any Leeds United game at your peril, never mind a season opener. But just for the fun of it, let’s try and foretell what will go down on the opening weekend at Elland Road.
1pm: A frisson of excitement and anticipation is starting to build around the boundaries of Elland Road. Crowds are gathering for this sell out, new shirts adorned and the possibilities of the season dominate discussion.
1.45pm: Elland Road is half full, the sun kissed surface of the turf looks primed for battle. “Her mind” by the Sheratons bellows from the PA as the players warm up. Leicester have beaten Coventry City 1-0, Vardy with a late goal. Fans frantically scroll twitter for the starting line-up. It drops:
Team: Robles, Drameh, Wöber, Phillips, Manning, Greenwood, Forshaw, Dallas, James, Geldhardt, Rutter
Subs: Klaesson, Cooper, Ayling, Gray, Gyabi, Bamford, Struijk, Joseph, Cresswell
2.25pm: Both teams emerge from the tunnel. A rapturous applause from the packed home crowd welcomes the first X1 of the season. Some tops have been discarded in the sun and marching on together is sang in unison by the Elland Road faithful. Daniel Farke stands dutiful in the technical area, taking in the atmosphere as he contemplates the afternoons action. The former Borussia Monchengladbach coach the epitome of relaxed. Primary owner of the club Paraag Marathe and a number of executives look on from the directors box. Captain for todays proceedings is Stuart Dallas.
2.30pm: The 23/24 EFL Championship season kicks off for Leeds United as referee Keith Stroud gets things underway. After a loud roar of encouragement, the crowd falls eerily silent as fans begin to work out the shape and system of the team.
2.45pm: A stagnant start to the game for Leeds, Cardiff with the majority of possession so far. Farke has gone with a 4-3-2-1 formation with Geldhardt and James in behind Rutter who has struggled to keep hold of it up top. No major chances for either side at this point.
3pm: 30 minutes gone and Leeds are yet to put a spell of fluid possession together. Rutter is working the channels but the ball is not sticking in the final third. Manning has whipped two beautiful corners into the box to no avail. In a high tempo game, Stuart Dallas looks to be struggling to come up to the speed. No clear-cut chances for either side. 15 minutes until half-time.
3.10pm: With 5 minutes to go until half time, Cardiff City go in front. Leeds United carved open by some fine playmaking and the ball is fired high into the Leeds United goal from 12 yards out.
3.15pm: 45 minutes gone at Elland Road and it has been a disappointing half for Leeds United. Cardiff have won the majority of second balls and have had control of the midfield. Joel Robles in the Leeds goal has had to make two smart saves but could do nothing about the goal. Yellow card awarded to Sam Greenwood for a late challenge in the final moments of the half. The crowd have been very subdued and have been out sang by the travelling support. Cody Drameh has been the only standout player in a Leeds shirt, has got forward multiple times and has bene solid defensively.
3.18pm: Keith Stroud blows the half time whistle. Some groans of discontent emanating from the home support. Leeds will need to come out a different side second half. Lucky to still be in this one.
3.30pm: Both sides are back on the pitch, no changes for either team. Keith Stroud gets the second half underway.
3.40pm: Cardiff City continue to dominate this game as Leeds have struggled to keep hold of the ball. When they do get a string of passes together it is breaking down when entering the final 3rd. James, Geldhardt and Dallas covering a lot of ground but this is mostly defensive work. Defensively they have been relatively solid but do not look coherent in attack. Daniel Farke has sent all of his substitutes out to warm up.
3.45pm: Double substitution for Leeds United. Patrick Bamford replaces Georginio Rutter and Darko Gyabi replaces Adam Forshaw. Chants of “Marcelo Bielsa” ring around the ground.
3.50pm: Leeds finally begining to take control of the midfield. Darko Gyabi displaying some composure on the ball and starting to make Leeds tick in the centre of the park. Patrick Bamford causing problems for Cardiff with his hold up play as he brings James and Geldhardt into the game.
4pm: Dan James knicks the ball of the Cardiff full back off the back of some brilliant pressure from Leeds. His cross is deflected and its a corner for the home side.
4.02pm: GOAL Leeds United! A delightfully swung corner by Manning causes mahem in the Cardiff 6 yard box. After some pin ball action it lands to Patrick Bamford who smashes it home from 6 yards. The home side looking most likley to get the winner.
4.10pm: It’s all Leeds United at Elland Road. The home crowd are on their feet and for good reason. James, Geldhardt and Bamford causing no end of problems. Greenwood and Gyabi linking up brilliantly in midfield. Drameh and Manning playing all their football in the Cardiff half.
4.15pm: GOAL Leeds United! A brilliant piece of hold up play from Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford drags Cardiff’s central defenders out of position. He slips a perfectly weighted through ball to the feet of Joe Geldardt who rounds the keeper and finished into an empty net. No more than Leeds deserved as they have been fantastic since going behind. The home crowd are delirious and that looks like 3 points in the bag.
4.18pm: Keith Stroud blows the full-time whistle and Leeds United start their Championship campaign with a hard fought 3 points. The win looked unlikely for 50 odd minutes but they responded brilliantly to going a goal down. The introduction of Gyabi and Bamford pivotal to the win. Other performers of note were Cody Drameh, Joe Geldhardt and Ryan Manning on his whites debut.
