To say yesterday’s Leeds United v Everton match was a tough watch is an understatement. We’ve needed to strengthen all summer especially when we lost so many players and the recruitment hasn’t been good or quick enough, we are still well short of players. I find it astounding that we are in this position.
How do you start the season without a left back, so a midfielder fills in and a centre back filling in at right back? Honestly, it’s laughable. It’s abundantly clear where we need to strengthen. A right back and right winger has been a priority for years now and we are still waiting! Another striker is surely on the cards even if it’s a loan deal because Beto isn’t the answer. Not enough creativity from the midfield either. A cameo from Grealish, but he should have started for me. Barry not really given much time and I would rather see him than Beto. Garner filled in ok at left back even though I wasn’t convinced early on in the game.
Take nothing away from Leeds though, credit to them. They deserved the win overall because we offered nothing. They huffed and puffed without really creating much, but it was still miles better than our performance. We played better in the second half, but you can’t go into games like that. Iroegbunam was by far our worst player. Gave away stupid fouls and was all over the place. Granted there are a few more candidates for worst player after that game.
Kavanagh the referee is inept, imo and we have previous issues with him. The City game a few seasons ago where Rodri clearly handles it and he was on VAR – nothing given. Kavanagh hardly gave us anything all game either and then gives the penalty which he cannot see. Allegedly told by the linesman / referees assistant it was handball. The same linesman who didn’t see the ball clearly go about 2 foot out in the 33rd minute in the game and we should have had a corner.
It deflects and yes it hits Tarkowski on the arm, but it’s not an unnatural position and I don’t know what he’s supposed to do with his arms. He leans into it but obviously not intending for it to hit the arm more the chest I’d say. You can’t always react as quickly as you’d like. I felt it was extremely harsh for that to be given with regards to the position of his arms by his side. You can give the officials all the tools in the world, but it’s their ineptitude that gets it wrong and creates controversy.