Leeds United’s fans have had their say on tonight’s massive Elland Road showdown against Nottingham Forest.
Leeds United face the very definition of a six-pointer at home to Friday night’s visitors Nottingham Forest - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on this evening’s 8pm kick-off at Elland Road including a complete agreement formed on the predictions front and a transfer window “annoyance”.
ANDY RHODES
Following the heavy defeat to Arsenal last weekend, Leeds United will be hoping to return to winning ways against Nottingham Forest.
Daniel Farke’s record under the lights at Elland Road is impressive, with 17 wins and three draws from 20 games – stats brought to you by friend of the club, Andrew Dalton.
There’s little wonder, then, why Farke referenced the need for the Elland Road crowd to be behind his side in his pre-match press conference.
That presser brought mixed injury news, with Anton Stach set to miss the game.
When you’re battling relegation, you need to have a settled and consistent line-up.
Farke is grappling with all the challenges of a relegation fight but he will know that the atmosphere of the ground can act like a real 12th man.
If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can find the back of the net and hit double figures for the season, that will go some way to getting the place rocking.
Whether we like it or not, this is a relegation six-pointer and is one that Leeds must win.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Nottingham Forest 1.
“May provide the key to unlock the defence”
NEIL GREWER
I view this as a “must not lose” game for Leeds United.
Points will be difficult to accrue for the rest of January so three from this game will provide a welcome buffer in addition to hurting our relegation rivals.
However, a draw will not be disastrous.
The transfer window closed with Leeds in a net gain position, effectively trading up on Jack Harrison to Facundo Buonanotte.
I would have preferred another addition – a cover centre forward – but options seemed negligible or over risky, so we go with the tight squad we have, at least safe in the knowledge that the strength of our team is greater than the sum of its parts.
Forest's perspective on this game will be interesting, but I expect a typical Sean Dyche “keep it tight” philosophy.
Leeds will need invention to crack a tight Forest team with commanding centre-backs so Brenden Aaronson or Buonanotte may provide the key to unlock the defence.
The atmosphere under the lights at Elland Road will also be crucial and I expect they will play a part in a Leeds victory.
Prediction: Leeds United 1 Forest 0.
“Not as solid as results over the last two months suggest”
DAVID WATKINS
The manner in which Leeds conceded four against Arsenal was disappointing, it sowed the seed that maybe our defence is not as solid as results over the last two months suggest.
Arsenal are a top side, but we’ll need a tighter display against Nottingham Forest to regain confidence and secure a positive result.
It feels like a must-win game to me, especially when we consider that the following three league games are all against sides currently in the top five, from which we probably can’t expect to get too many points, despite our recent excellent record against several top teams.
We need a performance on a par with what we produced against Chelsea and Crystal Palace recently, aggressive and error-free, but we all know it will be tough against a side managed by Sean Dyche.
Forest drew with Palace last time out, but it’s probably not a good guide as they played the second half without the red-carded Neco Williams, who thus misses the trip to Leeds.
Forest have won at Brentford and West Ham recently, though, so we’ll need to be at our very best.
I feel a defeat for Leeds would be such a hammer blow; my heart is ruling my prediction.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Nottingham Forest 1.
“It will annoy and frustrate many that the club didn’t”
KEITH INGHAM
So the transfer window shut with only one player, a loan coming in. It will annoy and frustrate many that the club didn’t bring a defender or a forward in before it closed.
Time will tell if that was a sensible thing to do or not.
Friday brings a really important game. At home to Forest, it comes between games with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City so it might be a really good idea if Leeds can get three points.
After Arsenal a lot of people questioned the line up and wondered where the only signing of the January window - Facundo Bounanotte comes in.
He’s not started a game yet and maybe this is the game to give him a full debut.
I’d like to see him and Brenden Aaronson in a two behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds need to have more of an attacking threat than they did last Saturday. Only one shot on goal just isn’t good enough whoever you are playing.
You have to think that Leeds have to be ‘at it’ early on, whoever lines up for them.
It has to be hoped that they can put on a barnstorming performance like they did against Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
We need, as fans, to back them 110 per cent from the kick off to the end.
I think this will be a very close game with one goal separating the teams.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Nottingham Forest 1.
“One group of people who won’t be too bothered”
The January transfer window passed as it often does with only one addition.
I’m sure that one group of people who won’t be too bothered about it is the current squad.
Friday’s game is a real ‘six pointer’ against an opponent who have traditionally spent heavily, but not always wisely.
This window, their spending was more conservative. signing left-back Luca Netz from Borussia Mönchengladbach but failing to land their main target Arne Engels from Celtic.
Last weekend, they drew with Crystal Palace at home after beating Brentford on the road.
Their points tally and goal difference is identical to that of United but it is reasonable to assume that Forest would be riding higher if their flamboyant owner Enangelos Marinakis was not so partial to hiring and firing managers.
Sean Dyche is now in charge and he has steadied the ship and Forest will be a formidable opponent.
United will need to rid themselves of any negative thoughts after their encounter with Arsenal as they try to regain the momentum which has carried them forward in the last two months.
I’m backing them to grab a narrow win.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Nottingham Forest 1.
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