George Lee realized that if his team continued to develop, it might fall deeper and deeper into the quagmire.
It is necessary to regain control of the situation on the court and regain the rhythm.
Irving's injury gave him a chance to adjust.
Owen and Martins are both fast forwards, and they are very restrained against the two Nordic tall and strong central defenders that Leeds United sent today. Now that Irving is gone, Leeds United's defensive pressure is much less.
In the 38th minute of the game, Baines made a decisive move and cooperated with De Jong to force Newcastle's right midfielder Solano to the sideline. In desperation, Solano wanted to cross the ball to Sibirski.
But the intention of this pass was too obvious. Graveson, who did not retreat, grabbed the position in advance and intercepted the ball.
This kind of passing error in the midfield is very fatal in the game against Leeds United.
And the one who got the ball was Graveson, the offensive and defensive hub of Leeds United's midfield.
The Danish bald head was looking at the team's right wing when he stole the ball, but Milner's position was not very good. Newcastle's Scottish full-back Peter Ramage was next to Milner.
Graveson intercepted the ball and turned to look to the left. Smith was advancing. But the timing of the pass is not very good at this time. A short pass will be blocked by O'Brien, and Newcastle center back Bramble is filling in for a long pass.
Neither wing was suitable, so Gravesen prepared to advance on his own.
"here!"
Kuyt retreated from the front, preparing to meet Graveson.
The Dutch forward retreated a little from his original position on the right in the frontcourt and reversed to the left position.
The ball was passed by Gravesen to Kuyt.
Bramble saw Kuyt coming to his defensive area and let go of Smith to guard Kuyt.
It's just that Kuyt was waiting for this time.
After receiving the ball, he went straight to the wing and made a pass behind him.
Smith had sped away from O'Brien and completed the cut.
"Ah~" The fans at the scene became excited after seeing Smith get the ball, and stood up to watch Leeds United's attack.
After the Leeds United captain got the ball, O'Brien was behind him and Bramble was next to him. In fact, the chance was not very good.
Seeing that Bramble was about to reach him, Smith quickly dunked the ball back with his left foot, trying to shake Bramble away.
But Bramble was very experienced and stuck Smith with his body. He wanted to first make Smith lose control of the ball through physical confrontation, and then complete the steal.
But before Smith lost his balance, he used his right foot to poke the ball back to Kuyt.
Chance!
If Kuyt receives the ball, he can directly enter the penalty area and form a single shot.
But because Smith was not too comfortable when passing the ball, he did not pass the ball in front of Kuyt, but passed the ball behind Kuyt.
The Dutch could only turn around and get the ball.
By the time he got the ball, Newcastle's other full-back Steven Taylor had also arrived.
But Kuyt was not ready to wait for another opportunity. After a fake shot, he slightly deceived Taylor's center of gravity, moved the ball to the center, and kicked off directly.
The ball was hit very well, with good arc, power and angle, and it flew directly towards the upper right corner of the goal.
Newcastle goalkeeper Given kept moving to the left, trying to save the ball.
It's just that Kuyt's shot was too good. Given jumped up hard, but still couldn't reach the ball.
But it’s just because Kuyt’s ball is too focused on the blind spot, so it’s just a little bit short.
"duang~"
The ball hit the crossbar of the goal and bounced into the air.
After Ji Wen landed, he quickly jumped up and hugged the ball.
"Huh~"
Seeing that this shot was just so close, the Leeds United fans at the scene expressed pity, and then started to applaud, expressing that they were quite satisfied with the attack just now.
The Elland Road stadium, which had been depressed for more than half an hour, became lively again.
As if infected by the enthusiasm of the fans, Leeds United began to change back to their familiar style of play, no longer tight.
Given just passed the ball to center back Bramble.
Kuyt started to come up, and behind Kuyt were the two shrinking wingers Smith and Milner, plus central midfielder Graveson.
The four people stood in a diamond shape, keeping a firm eye on Newcastle's midfield.
Bramble can only pass the ball to O'Brien on the wing. But as soon as O'Brien caught the ball, Bynes was already in front of him.
"What!"
Off the field, Newcastle coach Roeder was dumbfounded. You, George Lee, are pressing from a high position. Can you press so far forward?
Your full-backs are all in front of my full-backs. Have you let go of your wide backcourt?
At this time, if my full-back directly makes a long pass to find the full-midfielder, wouldn't it be a long drive?
"Pass it, O'Brien!" Rodel kept chanting silently.
On the court, O'Brien could also think of Rodel's idea, but it was difficult to actually implement it.
Because Baynes was on defense, he couldn't turn around at all, and he couldn't switch the ball to his dominant foot to find the full midfielder Solano.
Moreover, Leeds United's frontcourt has shrunk to the center, freeing up the two midfielders. De Jong on the left is next to Solano, while Parker is in the center.
After a while, if Newcastle moves the ball to the right, Mills will grab it, Parker will mark the wing, and De Jong will be in the middle.
O'Brien couldn't take off his feet at all. After trying to get rid of it twice, he found that Baynes was getting closer and could only pass the ball back to Bramble.
Bramble was also helpless. He finally got rid of this hot potato, but why did it come back?
Directly pass forward with a big foot.
This was Leeds United's trick. As soon as the ball flew into the frontcourt, Granqvist, who was already in position, passed it to Parker. Irving, who was under Granqvist, didn't even think about taking off.
After Parker got the ball, he distributed the ball to Milner on the right.
Milner used his speed to get rid of Ramage and then made a cross. Under the interference of Steven Taylor, Kuyt did not hit the ball and the ball was confiscated by Given.
Ji Wen hugged the ball and prepared to launch a counterattack, but he was in a dilemma as to who to pass the ball to.
If you use a big kick, Leeds United's two central defenders will definitely push back. If you pass it to the backcourt, Leeds United will press high.
As I walked, I thought about it. I was almost out of the penalty area, but I still couldn't think of a way. I found a good ball release point.
He had no choice but to throw the ball to the full-back.
O'Brien saw the ball flying towards him and his head was spinning.
Could you please not give me the ball?
Didn't you see the opposite full-back No. 21 coming up again?
Just a big kick, looking for Solano. But the ball went out of the sideline while in the air.
Leeds United's throw-in.
^^^
"Du, du~"
The referee blew the halftime whistle.
Newcastle players felt a sense of powerlessness and almost sat down on the ground.
Finally free! It’s finally time to take a break!
They didn't know how they spent the last 10 minutes of the first half. It felt like as soon as they looked up, there were Leeds United players around them; as soon as they got the ball, two Leeds United players were coming to defend them.
One or two Newcastle players walked slowly towards the locker room, but they saw the Leeds United players running back to the locker room quickly, as if they had endless energy.
The Leeds United players returned to the dressing room, quickly took off their clothes, wiped themselves, put on clean clothes, and drank water.
After finishing this set, they were all waiting for their head coach George Lee to arrange tactics in the midfield.
