* The Unofficial "Official" Boro v Leeds Match - Day Thread *

One of the toughest opponents the Boro will ever face in English football

Tough place to go
Tough team to play

We can win and I think we will. Will be **** nippy though
 
FLASHBACK:

Saturday 22nd August 1992
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[Edited]
It was only six years after we nearly went bust and disappeared off the football league map. From training on Albert Park, picking up dog muck and using kit for posts, we were playing the likes of Leeds, Manchester United, Liverpool.....There were also teams who would not visit the Premiership again, or disappear into the Third Division and come back up, like Manchester City and Forest. The league table after the article makes interesting comparison with today`s Premiership sides.

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Goalscorers: Paul Wilkinson 7, 8, Tommy Wright 47, John Hendrie 59, Eric Cantona 68
Teams:
Middlesbrough: Ian Ironside, Chris Morris, Alan Kernaghan, Jimmy Phillips, Derek Whyte, Tommy Wright, Andy Peake, John Hendrie, Paul Wilkinson (Robbie Mustoe (45), Willie Falconer, Bernie Slaven (Jamie Pollock 77)
Leeds United: John Lukic, Jon Newsome (Gordon Strachan 45), Chris Fairclough, Tony Dorigo, Chris Whyte, David Batty (Steve Hodge) 76, Gary Speed, Gary McAllister, Lee Chapman, Eric Cantona, Rod Wallace

Referee: David Allison, Attendance: 18,649

Leeds United were the defending English top-flight champions and they were expected to turn up and produce another skilful and effective display against a newly-promoted team in Middlesbrough. Boro had finished runners-up to Ipswich Town in Division Two the previous term and were expected to struggle. However, they were coming off the back of a Bernie Slaven double that had beaten Manchester City in the midweek round of fixtures.
Leeds had a physical side not afraid of a battle but with the guile of Gary McAllister, finishing qualities of Lee Chapman and French flair in Eric Cantona, they also had the skill to unlock opposition defences. Instead, it was their backline that was made to look very ordinary, especially in the first 10 minutes.

New Middlesbrough signing Tommy Wright found some space out wide in the seventh minute. He delivered an inch-perfect cross and Paul Wilkinson slotted home from six-yards out, neatly getting ahead of his marker Chris Fairclough to open the scoring. That was his second of the season and his third would arrive just 60 seconds later.

Wright again was given bundles of space on the left-wing. Again, his cross was a dream and Wilkinson was once again on the end of it to produce a diving header that left John Lukic helpless. Lennie Lawrence’s side now had a two-goal lead to defend.
Leeds did create chances with Cantona giving the Boro defenders some headaches but even his shooting boots seemed to have been misplaced. Despite losing two-goal hero Wilkinson to an ankle ligament injury before half-time, confidence was at an all-time high within the Middlesbrough dressing room and they increased their lead just moments into the second half.

Jimmy Phillips’ corner was met by the impressive Wright, who deserved a goal for his huge contribution throughout. Lukic left completely flummoxed by the scoreline and the defensive display he was witnessing right infront of him. Was this just a very bad day for the reigning champions?

It got worse. John Hendrie made it 4-0 in the 59th minute. He went on a dribble and as the defenders backed off, encouraging him to shoot, that’s exactly what he did. Again, the finish was clinical and decisive. Cantona did pull a goal back with just over 20 minutes remaining but this was a reality check for Leeds and their manager, Howard Wilkinson. They would go through the entire season without winning a game away from Elland Road.

Afterwards, Lawrence admitted: “That was the most professional performance; I have ever been associated with.”

Relegation did follow at the end of the season but this still remains one of Middlesbrough’s finest 90 minutes in their Premier League life.
[https://premierleague25years.wordpr...s-middlesbrough-4-1-leeds-united-august-1992/]
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Other Premier results that day, plus Boro / Leeds Recent Record and the Form Guide up to that game. It was a difficult season for the Boro, but we enjoyed the ride.
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[https://www.premierleague.com/match/26]
 
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What are the chances of DJed Spence playing? The pessimist in me (ie me) can see him and Bamford playing a blinder and scoring against us !
 
"Those few minutes from the bench and the debut of young Boro Academy GraduateLaw McCabe really impressed:"

Well he ran on to the pitch in style in the 88th minute.
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
"Those few minutes from the bench and the debut of young Boro Academy GraduateLaw McCabe really impressed:"

Well he ran on to the pitch in style in the 88th minute.
Click to expand...
From Michael Carrick`s Media Conference Thursday 30th November 2023:

Matt Clarke after so long out - `especially welcome`?​

That was the biggest thing for me .....along with young Law [McCabe] making his debut, were the two standouts for me on the night. The game was good when the game was good, but to see `Clarkie` back on the pitch from….the kind of whole process he`s been through really, to make it was great.​

What makes Law McCabe `special`?​

He`s trained with us and its great that he`s made his debut, but I`m not going to put loads on Law`s shoulders you know. He`s a young boy, he`s making his way in the game [and] he`s learning. The biggest thing about him for me is his attitude, character and personality. He`s a humble lad, works hard...listens and does all the right things. He`s given himself the best chance to have a good future and he`s certainly got attributes and ability to be able to do that. He`s got to be patient, take it step by step. Its a long road but he`s certainly making good progress at this moment.

​
 
Happy Engel is back already, though that bench does show how light we are with all the current injuries.
 

[Will this lad come off the bench this afternoon?]​

​

Major Leeds Utd coup confirmed, as sixth signing shares Farke vision after leaving Tottenham​


By Samuel Bannister.
30 Aug 2023 10:10 AM
Djed Spence signing his Leeds United contract


Djed Spence signing his Leeds United contract (pic via LeedsUnited.com)

Leeds United have announced the arrival of Djed Spence on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the season.
Spence will provide fresh competition at right-back for Luke Ayling after the loan exit of Rasmus Kristensen to Roma, and is back in the Championship after previously winning promotion with Nottingham Forest when he was on loan there from Middlesbrough.
Opportunities were hard to come by for Spence after a move to Tottenham last summer, so they sent him on loan to Rennes in January. Now, his next step will be to spend a season with Leeds.

Spence told the club’s official website: “It’s good to be here and I can’t wait to get started.

“It’s a big club, obviously there’s a good squad and there is ambition at the club to get back to the Premier League.

“I just want to get playing again. There’s a good manager here, I’ve heard a lot about him and way he wants to play attacking football. I think that will suit my style of football.

“I’ve spoken to him [Daniel Farke] and he’s orchestrated in the way he wants to play, it sounded good and for me it was the right decision.”

Reports have denied that Leeds would have any kind of option to buy Spence at the end of the season, but he should be an immediately useful player for them. They are reported to be paying his wages in full after giving a £1m loan fee to Tottenham.​

Spence secures Rodon reunion​

Spence is the sixth new signing for Leeds this summer after permanent deals for Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Sam Byram and Joel Piroe, plus a loan for his Tottenham colleague Joe Rodon, who was also at Rennes with him last season.

“Yeah, I know Joe from my parent club and from when I was out on loan last season,” Spence continued.

“It’s good to have a him in the building as well, someone that I know.

“It’s just exciting now to join the team and hopefully I can impress everyone here.

“I’m looking forward to playing at Elland Road, I’ve heard a lot about the fans. They are meant to be very loud.

“We want to win as many games as we can now.”

The 23-year-old could make his debut for Leeds on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road. He remains under contract with Tottenham until 2027.
​

 
Think we could get a little bit of joy down their right hand side, but in any case this will be the toughest test so far this season.
 
I do like a settled side, hopefully the right side combo will pay dividends and a run for bangura in the side might see him start to produce the goods on the left….
Project Latte Lath needs some results now, I’d still like to see him and Coburn out together up front…
 
Teams much as you would expect. Leeds over commit so I like lath up front.

As someone said, the bench has 3 or 4 you wouldn't mind seeing and then the kids.
 
I was in Leeds at lunchtime and there weren't many Boro fans milling about. And coming home past Elland Rd I wasn't held up in too much traffic. Mind that was probably a bit early. I noticed plenty of the Boro coaches were already in the car park.
 
Just put my IPTV. OMG not sure if I want the match to come on or keep watching the blonde lass showing so much thigh on the Leeds channel. 😍
 
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