Daniel Wales and Lee Sobot discuss Leeds United’s goalless draw away at Burnley, Joe Rodon’s performance at Turf Moor, Cardiff’s visit to Elland Road, and latest January transfer news.
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00:00Hello and welcome back to the Marching On Together Leeds United podcast. We are back
00:18to look at, well, possibly one of the worst football matches I've ever watched in my life.
00:24And Lee, I don't envy you at all. You were there at Turf Moor on Monday night. Yeah.
00:29In the freezing cold, in the wet, in the rain and the wind. Have you recovered yet?
00:36Yeah, just about, yeah. Yeah, the weather matched the game, to be honest. An awful game
00:43of football, no doubt about that. But at the end of the day, like, not too bad a result
00:48really from a Leeds United perspective.
00:50No, I think, to be honest, you probably would have taken a point. Although from Burnley
00:55supporters, I don't feel like, it must be bad watching them, because I know they're
01:00up there in the top, towards the top of the league, but they've drawn their last three
01:03home games nil-nil. That must be, it must be awful to watch. But anyway, regardless,
01:08you are right. It was a good point for Leeds. I think it was just a case of just don't get
01:12beat really, because they still have the advantage in terms of the points and the standings.
01:16So the game itself was pretty dreadful, but overall it's left the table looking still
01:21relatively healthy.
01:23Yeah, 100%. I think you've hit the nail on the head. I certainly felt going there, the
01:26main thing was, wrote in the pre-match preview, just don't get beat, basically. And obviously,
01:30you know, had they gone six points ahead of them, that would have been absolute dreamland,
01:33you know, with 17 games to go. And obviously, you know, I mean, it's difficult because people
01:37will say they almost look like both teams played for the draw, but I don't think that's
01:40the case. I just think they're just both very, very respectful of each other and probably
01:43both just knew the damage it would do if either team lost, you know. And obviously, goalless
01:47draw, I mean, we know about the stats or lack of stats, obviously, the only shot on target
01:51finally arriving in the 88th minute through Dan James, and that's a pretty good chance
01:54really. And obviously, Bogle had one before then, Byron went down the first half, a few
01:58people thought that was a penalty, not too sure about that. And obviously, a couple of
02:01Burnley headers in the first half, but just a game of hardly any chances, basically. I
02:05felt like Leeds shaded it though. I mean, the possession tells you that as well, 55%.
02:08And I think if there was to be a deserved winner, it probably would have been Leeds,
02:11but it looked for a long way out, like it was going to be a goalless draw. And I mean,
02:14we said, like even beforehand, you know, it was one of the most obvious nil-nils you
02:19could ever sort of predict, really. And it was no surprise that it finished goalless.
02:22But look, it's left them in a very, very healthy position. And as we say, it would have been
02:25better had it been, you know, obviously, it would have been better with three points.
02:28But look, you know, look where they are. I mean, two points ahead of Sheffield United
02:30now, obviously, that extended the lead over them to another point. Three ahead of Burnley
02:34and obviously five ahead of Sunderland. On top of that, they've got a much better goal
02:37difference. I think it's plus seven better than everybody else. And there's only 17 games
02:41left. I mean, you're not quite in the home straight yet, but you're certainly turning
02:44for home, aren't you, and stuff in terms of the run and you're heading towards it. And
02:48they're in a very, very good position. There's no doubt about that. I do think the odds are
02:51a little bit over the top on it. I mean, Leeds are now one to 12 to get automatic promotion,
02:56which is like absolutely crazy odds. I mean, that's basically like if you're talking horse
03:00race in terms, that's like an absolute certainty, you know, and not that there are any certainties
03:04in racing or in anything else, really. But it's far from done, you know what I mean?
03:09But they are in a very, very good position. And obviously, you know, people will talk
03:12about potentially winning the title and they should go on and win the league realistically.
03:16I mean, without sort of, you know, forgetting the opposition, you know, who they're dealing
03:19with. But I mean, all that really anybody cares about is just finishing the top two.
03:23And, you know, Sunderland are still clinging on there and stuff. I mean, it is obviously
03:26a breakaway four. Whether they can stick around remains to be seen, but it's probably going
03:30to end up being a breakaway three, I would suspect. And the main thing is just finish,
03:33you know, in obviously, you know, first or second out of that three, if it's going to
03:36be Leeds, Blades and Burnley. So there's still a few more difficult games to go. But I mean,
03:40even against Burnley away, which is probably like one of the hardest games, if not the
03:44hardest game you can get, you know, Leeds, obviously they're left with a point and could
03:48and should maybe have got more. I don't think they were unlucky particularly, you know,
03:52but look, it's done now, isn't it? That's them out of the way. The worst case scenario
03:55would have been losing to Burnley and obviously they're right on the heels of level on point.
03:58So it's out of the way now. Now it's all about the running. But yeah, not a game that will
04:03live long in the memory. And I think everybody was just glad to get home, especially with
04:07the weather as it was as well. So yeah, moving swiftly on, I think is the way to conclude
04:11that one. But yeah, let's put it this way, Leeds are looking good.
04:15And we will move swiftly on from that ball fest that it was, let's be honest.
04:19Yeah, on to an individual, on to Joe Rodon, who has been one of the lead standout performers
04:25of Leeds. It's an interesting one because we've had various discussions throughout this season of
04:29individuals who have stood out at various times. Obviously, you've had the likes of
04:32Iwo Tanaka has done well at various points, Sloggy Ramazani has done well at various points.
04:36And at the minute, he's the one Joe Rodon. And so why is he standing out, Lee? Why has he been
04:41so good of late? I just think he's a very, very good player. I mean, I think the one that's
04:45standing out at the moment consistently, like over the last 10, maybe like nine, 10, 11 games
04:49is probably Jadon Bogle. He's like doing it week in, week out at the moment. I think he's been an
04:52excellent signing from Sheffield United, but Joe Rodon just really stood out for me in that Burnley
04:56game. And it was like, it was the typical game where you needed somebody like that, you know,
05:00like obviously like, you know, obviously you've got to try and keep a clean sheet and he was,
05:03you know, he was just so commanding in the air, you know, like winning lots of headers and stuff,
05:07like real, like, you know, big, powerful center half. There's more to him than that as well.
05:11He's got good passing vision and ability on him as well and stuff. And, you know, you're right.
05:15We talk off quite often about, you know, who's been the standout player. And, you know, often
05:18we've talked about who's lead is best player, you know, and obviously like sometimes it was easy
05:22back in the day, you know, when you had like Rafinha, it was just a no brainer and stuff
05:25like that. And then obviously I have people like Somerville and Routier and it's a bit more
05:28difficult now because it's like, it's more of a sort of like, you know, they all come together
05:31as one really. And there's not like one sort of standout shining player, if you like, they've just
05:35got lots of very, very good players. But he's definitely right up there, I think, at the moment.
05:39I think he's, you know, obviously it was massive when they signed him in the summer, £10 million,
05:43I think was pretty good business. The thing is Erodon as well, he's still only 27, you know,
05:46and for a center half, obviously that means he's probably got a long time ahead of him and stuff.
05:49And, you know, you look, you start looking already now at like, hopefully who's going to be able to
05:53do it in the Premier League. And he has played in the Premier League before, but he hasn't played
05:57that many games in the Premier League, you know, obviously he's sopped up and signed him a fair
06:00few years ago. Then he went out on loan and whatever, and obviously, you know, couldn't
06:03really get in the team all that much. I think it's, what is it, 819 minutes he's played of Premier
06:07League football. So it's not a lot really. And, you know, and I think it's only 15 appearances,
06:11a lot of which have been from the bench. So he's someone who'll be absolutely chomping at the bit
06:14to get promoted to Leeds United. And he said that was one of the reasons basically why he came back,
06:17you know, obviously after last year's near miss and stuff in the playoff finals. So,
06:21yeah, massive, massive player for them. I've said a few times, he reminds me of Jonathan
06:24Woodgate and, you know, that's, he's sort of like, that's how it feels, you know, like he's
06:28just a centre-back that you can really rely on and stuff. And he should score more goals,
06:31really, like in set pieces, but I'm sure that will come as well. But he's, you know, in terms
06:35of like important players for Leeds, he's right up there, no doubt about that. Very,
06:38very impressed with him and goes about saying that he will be key to them going up, hopefully.
06:42Yeah, it's certainly just one where he just looks composed and assured in his own ability,
06:48I think as well, because obviously you get like a lot of ballplay in centre-halves and you get a
06:52lot of confidence in the halves these days, but sometimes their overconfidence can be their own
06:56downfall at times as well. But yeah, he just, he does look quite assured and just composed at the
07:01back, which is what you want. Moving on then, we have next, of course, back to Elland Road,
07:07Cardiff City coming up to Leeds at the weekend. Now, to be fair to Cardiff, they have done quite
07:13well of late. They've hit a bit of a good patch. They were, of course, you know, not doing great
07:19for a large part of the season towards relegation zone as well. But I think especially that win
07:25against local rivals Swansea has really spurred them on of late, quite a competitive win. So,
07:30certainly not going to be an easy game given the format they're in. But again, as we say most weeks
07:35with Leeds, it's just a game where they have to turn up and if they do turn up, they win.
07:39Absolutely, yeah. Perfectly summarised. I mean, it's no good going, it's no good getting that
07:42goalless draw at Burnley, which, you know, when you look at it and think, you know, got out there
07:45with a reasonably good result and left them in a good position. It's no good doing that if you
07:48then don't go and beat Cardiff at home, you know, and that's no respect to Cardiff. But
07:52Leeds will be expected to go and win and they should go and win. And I think they have to go
07:56and win, you know, I mean, as I say, it's not quite the home straight yet, but we're heading
07:58towards it. And, you know, this is where they now really need to turn the screw, you know,
08:02obviously they've got this lead at the top of the division and the three-point gap in the autos. Now
08:06it's not just about keeping that, it's about extending that, you know, no one wants it being
08:09nervy towards the end of the season, looking over your shoulders, that sort of thing, or, you know,
08:12heaven forbid, even chasing down the top two, should they find themselves out of it. But
08:16they certainly shouldn't do, they should be able to keep going. Obviously, Ellen Rhodes
08:20has been an absolute fortress, you know, just that one defeat to Burnley. But I mean, obviously
08:24there's been a few draws in there, but I mean, I feel like they need to just go and win every
08:27home game now between now and the end of the season. And obviously that should hopefully
08:30lay the platform for success. And then hopefully the away form continues to improve as it has been
08:34doing recently. But you're totally right with Cardiff, I don't think this will be a walk in
08:37the park, absolutely not. I mean, I was quite surprised when we went through their results,
08:40actually, I think they were unbeaten in eight games and I wasn't really expecting that. I think
08:43four of those have been draws, but they got a draw at Borough, didn't they? So, I mean,
08:47that's obviously a decent result going there and getting that. They obviously had that win
08:51against Sheffield United in the FA Cup. Obviously, that was a bit of a weird game with weakened
08:54teams and stuff. But yeah, there's no doubt about it, they'll have a spring in the step,
08:58obviously one at the weekend as well. They've gone away from the drop zone a little bit now
09:01with the managerial change and they've got players that, you know, I've got decent players
09:04that can potentially cause damage. But I mean, look, so have Leeds, obviously, I mean, the squads
09:08are like poles apart. I mean, look at even the people coming off the bench for Leeds. So,
09:11you know, the way I would summarise it, I think, is that basically it's a game that Leeds
09:16should win and I think they will win. But I just think there might be a little bit, you look at
09:19that and you kind of look, you know, first against 18th and you probably think, well,
09:23that's an absolute home banker. They should win comfortably by a good few goals. And I'm not sure
09:27it'd be quite as straightforward as that, as I say, because I think Cardiff will, you know,
09:29they'll arrive with their tails up and whatnot. But, you know, hopefully I'm wrong and they get
09:32an early goal and continue to boost that goal difference because that is probably going to end
09:37up at another point, hopefully. So, yeah, it's imperative that they back up that Burnley draw
09:42with a victory this weekend. You'd think so, wouldn't you, given just how close
09:46it is at the moment and you can't really see, unless Warner Club puts just an absolutely
09:49mega run together of win, win, win, win, win, win, win, that it'll pull away a little bit.
09:54But if it stays the way it is, yes, goal difference will certainly come into it a
09:57little bit at least. And it's just that sort of insurance, isn't it? Like you've got that extra.
10:02Yeah. So that is to come. Obviously, we'll look back at that next week, but then
10:08we are still in January. There is still a transfer window going on. You wouldn't think it
10:12because it's not really happening, not just at Leeds, but anywhere.
10:16But is there anything to report, Lee, or is it just a case of...
10:22It feels like there's almost no point in pretending, really. I mean,
10:25like we're just expecting it to be quiet. And we've been saying that for a few weeks.
10:28The one thing that we have had in the last few days, obviously, is a few more developments of
10:31Emi Buendia. I mean, there's no doubt that Leeds were looking at him. He's a player that obviously
10:34Daniel Farke wanted. He's a player that Leeds wanted. And I think if they had got him in,
10:38that would have been absolutely fantastic. The problem with him, obviously, was, you know,
10:41was he willing to drop down to Championship level when other clubs were interested in him?
10:44And as we speak now, it looks like he's on the verge of joining Leverkusen on loan from Villa.
10:47So that was probably one that got away, but might have been a bit unrealistic. But someone like that
10:51would have been great. And that shows the players are looking at. We've talked before that Daniel
10:55Farke said, you know, a quality number 10 would be great. A striker is another option they would
10:59look at if something came up in the same of a centre-back. But that was really if Pascal
11:03Stroik was out injured for a long time, which he isn't. And the striker thing, you know, to a degree,
11:08obviously around Bamford being back as well. So you never know, because obviously, you know,
11:12especially heading towards the final days of the window, things can change quickly if someone
11:15becomes available. Like, you know, someone like a Buendia or whatever came up again, or someone was
11:18on the shortlist, if somebody became available, you couldn't rule it out. But basically, we're
11:22expecting it to be quiet. But I think they'll make even more certain of going up if it did
11:26strengthen. There's no doubt about that. But my gut feeling is they'll probably have enough anyway.
11:30So fingers crossed.
11:31Yeah. And that wraps things up for this week. As I say, not exactly a lot to report on the transfer
11:36front at all. As I say, not just at Leeds, but pretty much anywhere. It's been a very dull
11:40transfer window. So yeah, thanks. Thanks to PSR on that one.
11:46Yeah. But anyway, that is all. We'll be back next week to look at what happened at Ellen Road in
11:51Leeds against Cardiff. But until then, thank you all very much for watching and for listening.
11:55And we will see you next time.
11:57Bye for now. Cheers.