Marching On Together

Got myself a good seat in the middle of the main stand - among the Hearts fans as the away end tickets were for ER season ticket holders. Fortunately there wasn't much for the Hearts fans to cheer so apart from sitting on my hands and inwardly celebrating Luke Ayling's first half goal there wasn't much acting required. Biggest crowd I've been in for quite some time - 16,641 - an order of magnitude up on Spartans' usual attendances and double any United game I've been at in recent years. I think I have to go back to the Scottish Cup Final in 2014 for the last time I was in a bigger crowd.
As for the game, Leeds controlled it for most of the time, and yet still only won 1-0 (how very Leeds!) Rutter went off injured, which brought Bamford on. He looked good, chasing down Hearts defenders and looking to get onto long balls. My favourite moment in the match was when he brought down a long pass from Cooper in the box, but sadly only hit the side netting. Although Ayling scored the only goal, I felt he got into great positions down the wing but didn't really do enough with most of them. Ampadu looked comfortable in midfield, Summerville had some neat touches up front but he and Sinisterra both seemed to run into clumps of defenders at times. Meslier didn't inspire complete confidence that he wouldn't make a mistake in possession but he dealt with the few Hearts chances and kept a clean sheet so I probably shouldn't complain. Dan James had the ball in the net but was ruled out as someone had strayed into an offside position in front of the Hearts' keeper but James seemed to always want to shoot rather than putting in early crosses. Gnonto was lively when he came on and Leeds had other chances as the second half wore on. Bamford pulled up holding his hamstring so hopefully that won't turn out to be serious. Hearts did very little. I was disappointed with Shankland, who looked to be a bit heavier than he was when he was with United, but maybe he needs better service than he was getting. Overall it was quite similar to the Leeds v United game we went to see at Elland Road in early August 2014 in which Leeds somewhat outclassed their Scottish opponents. Almost nine years ago to the day.