Early days but Jaka Bijol looks like he might have trouble getting his place back.
Nico Elvedi looks very assured. Leeds all over Forest, should be two or three goals to the good. But a few situations accuracy in the final third has been the issue.
Probably the worst half I’ve seen from Sean Longstaff in a Leeds shirt, not sure what is happening with him whether it’s a knock or confidence, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Anton Stach on for him early in the second half.
Special mention to Joe Rodon for one of the best tackles I have ever seen. Chris Wood was through on goal with only James Trafford to beat, Rodon extended a leg out of nowhere and crunched into a goal-saving challenge.Slid on his knees and roared in celebration after.
I don’t think Leeds can rely on Lukas Nmecha as backup if they are serious about making a big push this season. All up though a really solid away performance, dominating Forest in lots of areas.
There were many years where I dreaded the first round of the league cup, not now. Leeds played some brilliant football at times and have quality now all over the pitch.
Just need to be more clinical and effective in the attacking third. Stach for Longstaff for me and go out there and win it.
Leeds would quite happily play Forest another 37 times this season and walk the league.
Very easy for United today. Trafford pulled off a couple of fantastic saves and Rodon made one of the greatest tackles you will ever see.
From that solid defensive foundation, total domination of the game was constructed. A lovely Dan James goal broke the deadlock; wonderful transition goal and nice assist from Longstaff who had been poor before that.
Leeds’ second won’t be winning the Puskas award, but it defined the character of this side and how much more Leeds wanted this than Forest.
James Justin and Nmecha hounded and harried and left both Neco Williams, the ball and Forest’s dream of a cup run in the back of their net.
Outstanding start to the season. So many positive signs. The sky is the limit for this team. The squad is still around 4 players away from pushing on for Europe but there’s time and budget enough to do a little more.
And why wouldn’t you? Because what we’ve seen from Leeds so far has the fans dreaming and rightly so.
