Morning, chaps! It's been a couple of weeks since I was in my favorite spot in the Cottage watching the matches, so it feels particularly great to be back. I'm enjoying the beginning of a three-day weekend here in Fred-town. First up this morning is Watford v. Spurs. Will the resurgent Watford make Mourinho's Spurs grumpier? At the same time, my beloved Leeds are away at our bogey team QPR at Loftus Road. With Fulham winning yesterday, the gap between second and third is down to four points, so a win is crucial for us today.
After that, we've got the 3pm kickoffs, including Arsenal hosting the upstart Evil Blades at the Emirates. I'll be hoping that the Gunners can do over the nasty. Finally, we've got Newcastle v. Chelsea on NBC at 12:30pm. Join me for all of the Saturday action, won't you?
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You know we've hit the big time when the Guardian blog is featuring our match with QPR today. Let's hope that the spotlight is kind to us today.
The team news out of West London this morning:
QPR: Kelly, Kane, Hall, Cameron, Masterson, Wallace, Amos, Osayi-Samuel, Chair, Eze, Wells. Subs: Barnes, Pugh, Scowen, Ball, Manning, Leistner, Clarke.
Leeds United: Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Hernandez, Bamford. Subs: Meslier, Casey, Alioski, Struijk, McCalmont, Shackleton, Stevens.
I'm particularly delighted to see that Pablo Hernandez is back in the first team. Boy, have we missed his invention in the past month.
Good Morning, Bob. Here to join you for all the action. How was your week?
Wow - I was just having my usual sing-a-long with MOT and right at the end, the coverage on ESPN+ started up.
Just turned on the match from Shepherd's Bush. Bob would love Leeds to make Shepherd's pie out of QPR. BOOM BOOM!
Morning, MUR - I had a great week. It was the calm before the storm of the semester, so I got a lot of back burner projects done.
Shepherd's Pie would make a delicious lunch for the lads after this match.
The Hornets vs the Spuds in a local derby is on the telly.
Jacquelyn started classes on Monday. Melanie starts up on Tuesday
LOL! I thought you would say that. A perfect way to celebrate a Leeds win in a must win match
Teams coming out of the tunnel now. Leeds led out as usual by the skipper Liam Cooper. Bright sunshine in the capital today.
We're starting on Wednesday, but I've got a busy day on Tuesday with new student orientation.
A nice sunny day in West London as QPR plays with their reserve keeper since their starting keeper has a neck injury.
Bob will be pleased to note that only Southend on Sea has a worse home defense than QPR in the top four divisions.QPR also has horrible record against the higher ranking teams
They're off from VR
All the evidence points toward a freewheeling match with lots of goals today. Come on, you Leeds!
Still waiting from Loftus Road
Nice to see both teams in their traditional kits at VR as yellow has clashed with white in other matches
We're all set to get underway at Loftus Road. Come on!
They're off from Leeds.
COME ON LEEDS!
MOT!
We're on the front foot right from the off, just as the boss likes it.
Furious pace to the match so far.
Leeds in charcoal gray with QPR in their traditional hoops
QPR appear to be trying to play quickly out of the back through their two speedy wingers.
QPR attack and Casilla has to dive to prevent a dangerous pass coming in
Helder Costa goes down in the QPR box, but the ref , Peter Banks says nothing doing
Oh - Helder goes over in the box. Nothing doing from the referee. That was obstruction more than anything. But that's never called.
QPR manager , Mark Warburton, doing his best George C Scott imitation. Sound about right, Bob?
Don't like how the big stand at Loftus Road is casting a huge shadow over two thirds of the pitch.
A lot of the attacking for us is going through Helder Costa down the right.
A must win for Leeds not just due to the Cottagers win, but the Bees being in superb form
Leeds faffing about at the back
Patrick goes for a Pele effort. A bit wayward.
Then Patrick wins a tackle at the halfway line and catches the keeper, Liam Kelly off his line. A chip from near the halfway line is not too far wide
Don't like it at all. Nice run then by Helder.
Leeds now doing all the attacking, but that elusive final pass is just off
The pitch seems a bit bobbly, almost as if they're playing of astroturf, which used to be the case at Loftus Road. Do you remember that?
I sure do. QPR would win almost all their home matches then lose almost all their away matches due to not being used to playing on natural grass. That was when we were students at LHS
Casilla does well to turn around a QPR long range effort
Kiko is forced to save from that Amos shot there. First action for him. Out for a corner.
Nice last ditch tackle by Ayling on Eze
Some spicy challenges coming in from the QPR boys.
Merely a lecture for Todd Kane from Peter Banks after a chap shot on Mini Cooper
OH! A miss kick from Patrick ff a juicy pass from Ayling. Should have given Leeds the lead
Oh - Ayling got to the by-line and pulled back but Patrick's shot was blocked out.
Helder Costa wins a free kick just outside the QPR box
Nice free kick chance now for us out wide right.
Oh - White got a head to the free kick but it was poked over by Kelly in the QPR goal.
OH!! Liam Kelly forced to tip over a free kick from Hernandez that was nearly an OG from Connor Masterson. Great reflexes
Bright Samuel wins a free kick in the Leeds D on a solo run on the break
Free kick now in a dangerous area after Samuel goes on a weaving run.
think the Hornets just missed a sitter
Bugger! The free kick came off the wall and was turned in by Nicky Wells.
We're 1-0 down.
BUGGER!NAHKI WELLS GIVES QPR THE LEAD OFF THE FREE KICK. A REALLY FORTUNATE GOAL AND CONTROVERSY AS THE FREE KICK FROM BRIGHT SAMUEL DEFLECTED OFF OF AYLING THEN HAND BALL BY THE BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL PRIOR TO HIM SCORING FROM CLOSE RANGE
Sorry, Bob. Where is VAR when you need it? Also a really luck deflection off the free kick
We were robbed on that goal after seeing the replay several times. Definite handball from Wells. Grrrr!
Still 0-0 at VR
Bob would love to see referee, Peter Banks, sent to the Bermuda Triangle after hand ball by the Bermuda international
Great long diagonal out to Ayling by White but the fullback's control let him down.
Oh - Klich fed Patrick in a tight angle. Blocked out for a corner.
Bamford wins a corner off a nice pass Kliched o him. Great block
Rash effort from Helder in the end.
A lot of pressure now from us. Come on!
Not sure what's going on at VR, but a really lengthy stoppage of play. Looks like a linesman may be injured
Helder wins a free kick out wide left now.
Quick break through Samuel again and Scher came on to it late for a shot well wide. Phew!
QPR break off a free kick from Kal Phillips that was headed away. Then Elias Chair wins a corner on that break as he combined with Eze. Actually shot wide
Bob wishes Elias chair would take a seat.
Helder says hello to the cameraman behind the goal.
Leeds still having trouble getting a shot off despite doing the majority of the attacking
Serge Aurier with a trip on Deulofeu
On this evidence, Marcelo is surely going to have to be in the market for some players in the transfer window.
So sunny at VR that both Nigel Pearson and the fourth official are shielding themselves from the sun
Ayling gives up a free kick now, chopping down Eze.
Capoue booked for an agricultural challenge
Oh - Wells was free in the box again, but he missed his shot this time. Close call.
PHEW! Free kick from Eze should have been an Eze finish for Nahki Wells , who scuffed a volley wide.
Oh - Patrick was through there but he shanked his effort well over when he just needed to pass it into the net. Big chance spurned!
BUGGER! Patrick put through then chips the on rushing Liam Kelly, but it's well over. Should have tied it up
Finally, referee Banks produces a yellow card for Wells.
Sarcastic cheers from Leeds fans as Nahki Wells is booked. Even Orson Wells would have been shocked by that challenge
Another corner now. This one needs to go in!
Masterson blocks for a Leeds corner
Pablo hasn't been sharp enough today. Finding his way back into match fitness perhaps.
Agreed, Bob. Leeds could use some reinforcements as their squad looks a little thin with lots of matches ahead on the schedule
Hand bags between Kal Phillips and Elias Chair after Phillips was knocked on his "seat." Both booked.
The free kick comes to nothing as Helder tries to thread a ball through.
Helder Costa with a shot deflected for a Leeds corner
Helder wins yet another Leeds corner - we haven't scored enough from corners this season. And that one is cleared out.
Troy Deeney with a free header straight to Gazza. A minute earlier Lucas Moura dragged a shot wide with just Ben Foster to beat
Another needless foul there, this time by Stu Dallas who goes into the book.
Stupid foul by Stu Dallas on Samuel near the corner flag and deservedly booked
Perhaps Bright-Samuel would be a good Leeds signing. Leeds could use another creative player
An LOB blogging duo of stoppage time minutes at VR
A minute of stoppage time to come now.
A minute of stoppage time at Loftus Road
Harrison wins a late free kick near the QPR corner flag
Nice - Jack Harrison wins a foul out wide right. Let's make use of this now!
Free kick from Kal Phillips gathered at the near post by Liam Kelly
Kal tries a cute one to the near post but Patrick can't find a telling touch. And that's half time. Not happy to see my boys trooping in 1-0 down.
QPR one up at the half with a goal that should have been disallowed. A decent Leeds performance
It's 0-0 at the half at VR
The second half is underway from VR
Back for the second half with the official brekkies of the LOB. Gianni Alioski coming on for Stu Dallas for the second half. Come on, you Leeds!
Second half underway from Loftus Road and Bielsa has seen enough as Ali is on for Stu Dallas
Great choice, mate. Hopefully that provides some much needed Leeds energy
We were trying to walk it in there. Have a shot!
Helder Costa with a pass cleared for a corner off a spell of Leeds pressure. Mini Copper "drives" a header well over from the corner
For once, Big Liam gets his head on a corner. He hasn't scored yet this season.
More passing on a Leeds break and Harrison with a cross easily gathered by Liam Kelly
OH! Jack Harrison heads wide off an Ayling cross off a nice back heel from Helder Costa
Oh - Harrison should have scored from the Ayling cross there. Couldn't direct his header toward goal.
Troy Deeney with a shot deflected for a Hornets corner
Cameron concedes a free kick to Leeds
Free kick now that Pablo can swing in. Come on!
Poor delivery there and QPR break.
Ali tackles Samuel for a QPR corner on a QPR counter
Corner from Eze harmless goes out for a goal kick
Well, that's news. Our LUFC Academy boy Jack Clarke has joined QPR! I hadn't heard that. He wasn't getting much playing time from Marcelo so I suppose that Spurs who signed him in the summer wanted him playing for a lower club.
Ayling with a looping cross that Patrick gets to but can't direct on goal.
AN Ayling cross is headed wide by Bamford in a difficult position
I was surprised to hear that about Jack Clarke too.
A fight breaks out at VR. It started with Harry Winks stupidly pushing Doucoree off a minor foul
I like how Jack Harrison is finally getting into this match. Nothing was going down his side in the first half. Corner.
Helder Costa wins yet another Leeds corner
Both players booked at VR
Another poor delivery from Kal. I would really prefer Jack taking those.
Number One Son shoots high and wide on a Spurs break
Ayling's cross wins another corner. Got to make this count!
The corner from Kal Phillips headed away
Yes! Penalty to us! Patrick is upended by the keeper.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! LEEDS WIN A PENALTY AS QPR KEEPER, LIAM KELLY TRIPPED BAMFORD
Bamford to take.
bugger! a poor penalty is turned around by Liam Kelly
Bugger! Patrick takes and it's saved by Kelly. Not a good pen.
Sorry, Bob. Leeds for some reason are just not taking their chances
We should be level, by rights, but we're knocking on the door.
They're queuing up for the chances now. Come on!
Liam Kelly spills a shot from Kal Phillips then grabs at the second attempt
The odd thing is that Patrick took the spot kick left footed. I had always thought that he was more naturally right footed. Odd that.
Agreed. If anything Leeds should be leading. They're dominating. As I type they win yet another corner
Harrison fails to divert a scuffed volley from Hernandez off the corner
Oh - Great volleyed effort by Pablo but no one could touch it in. It's all us now with still twenty five minutes to go. We must win this one.
That penalty miss will do Patrick's confidence no good at all at a time when we need him to be free scoring.
PENALTY HORNETS. IT LOOKED LIKE HAND BALL BY VERTOGHEN ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK A SHOT FROM DEULOFEU.A BIT HARSH, BUT I'VE SEEN THOSE GIVEN
Deeney to take
Cooper upends Samuel. QPR fans baying for a card but nothing doing.
WOW! TROY DEENEY MISSES AS WELL. GREAT SAVE BY GAZZA FROM TROY DEENEY
Bit of frantic action in the Leeds box.
A missed penalty in both matches
Hey Boys
We just got our power back!
I am going to try and get a link going for the Leeds match
Still 0-1?
Twenty minutes left and QPR are introducing two players.
Masterson is booked for time wasting now.
Connor Masterson booked for time wasting on a QPR free kick
Morning, UWS - I didn't know your power was out. Have you had a big storm?
Good morning, UWS. How have you been?
Yes. It's 1-0 at Loftus Road and 0-0 at VR. A missed penalty in both matches
Leeds missed a pen too?
Still time!
Nice ball in there toward Helder who seemed to be held back.
Who's bee the better team in both matches?
Hope everything is okay in ENY , especially if there was a storm
Yeah - it was handball on their goal and then Patrick missed a pen this half. Not a happy chappy.
Correct. Bamford with a poor penalty saved
We've been by far the better side. 70% of the possession and all of the chances.
Jack Clarke coming on for QPR to face his boyhood club now. What a shame.
Leeds have been the better team, but their final pass has been off. The QPR goal should have been disallowed for hand ball by their goal scorer
As I said, we had no power!
No storm but just cold
We are getting a lot of snow this afternoon
An even first half at VR, but the Hornets have been the better team in the second half
Wells is getting perilously close to a second yellow card now.
Clarke on for QPR
I don't get what happened with him
A star young player
Sold for the money but came back on loan and then never played
Glad your power is restored. Make sure to stay warm
Oh - great ball in from Klich to Patrick who just couldn't get onto it.
Bamford at the back post... HE MISSES TOO MANY CHANCES!
He had a bad injury toward the end of last season and never seemed to recover from it. I'm frankly surprised that Spurs came in for him.
The announcer said Clarke was allowed t go due to lack of playing time. Looked promising last season , but made a move to Spurs that in hindsight never should have been made. Far too soon in his career
Agreed, mate but now that Eddie Nketiah is back at Arsenal, he's really all we've got up front. We desperately need a signing in January.
That missed chance by Bamford sums up the Leeds performance today. Dominant, but poor finishing
Well now - we've got a tasty looking free kick. There is the spot from which QPR scored in the first half. Let's hope it's a lucky one for us now. We need it - come on!
Come on Pablo....knock it in!
Lee Wallace booked for a foul on Helder Costa just outside the QPR box
Pablo over it now - it's definitely his territory.
off the post...bugger
Oh - off the post from Pablo!
OH!!! Unlucky as the free kick from Hernandez clips the outside of the post and goes out for a goal kick
We could use another sub but I'm honestly not sure who that would be.
Stupid foul from Helder there - the guy was going nowhere.
Helder Costa fouls Masterson not too far outside the Leeds box
Don't know what goes thru players minds!
Terrible throw out by Kiko....they survive
Thankfully, it was a wasted free kick. QPR then gifted possession and a close range effort is wide by Nahki Wells.
Handy Man , Nahki Wells replaced by ex Cherries midfield player, Marc Pugh
The guys said the goal should have not counted
Why?
Inside the last ten minutes - honestly, we need two goals.
Corner chance now - come on!
Yet another Leeds corner, but they've done nothing with those so far
Because of the obvious handball from Wells on the effort.
It was hand ball by Nahki Wells then he shot and scored. it should have been disallowed for hand ball.
It's true - our set pieces have been woeful today.
No real attacking options available off the bench for us so Marcelo will ride this one out and hope for the best.
Leeds will not be pleased as QPR have the worst home defensive record in the division and second worst in the Football League
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