📰 Whimpering Wolves, Ampadu’s Glue & Adams’ Return: Leeds, That! Review

Image from Leeds United Instagram

📰 Whimpering Wolves, Ampadu’s Glue & Adams’ Return: Leeds, That! Review

The Wolves Game: Three Points, Three Smiles, No Panic

Life is always sweeter after a win at Molineux - our unofficial happy hunting ground. We’ve done it again: three wins in a row, Wolves still stuck on zero, and Leeds fans heading home on trains with £10 off Rail Cards (cheers TrainSplit).

It wasn’t perfect. We went 1–0 down and you could hear the collective groan of “here we go again.” But this time was different or the same... Leeds didn’t panic. We looked settled, brave, and actually clinical for once. That’s the real story: same XI as Fulham, but with confidence, rhythm, and a touch of ruthlessness.

DCL: A Proper Striker at Last

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds’ new Yorkshire hero. We’ve been crying out for a proper No.9 for years - someone who can bully defenders, put themselves about, and stick their head on a cross. Enter DCL. His goal was textbook Dom: deep cross, sandwiched between two centre-backs, bang - header in the corner, lovely stuff!

And it wasn’t just the goal. He battled, won fouls, wound up defenders, even threw in a cheeky elbow. Leeds finally have a difference-maker up top. And yes, the fact he’s from Yorkshire makes it twice as satisfying.

Ampadu: The £7m Bargain Who Runs Leeds

We need to talk about Ethan Ampadu. £7 million is theft. He’s the glue, the tone-setter, the captain at just 25 (Happy Birthday cap). Against Wolves he read the game like he’s got cheat codes turned on. Blocked runs, dictated tempo, even took a speculative shot just to send a message: “Lads, if it opens up, have a crack.”

He’s not just leading with the ball. He’s leading with intent. One crunching tackle and the whole team steps forward. One calm pass and the crowd exhales. Whisper it, but Ampadu looks every bit as good as Phillips in his prime. Stick an “80 million” tag on him and Leipzig would bite.

The Okafor Conundrum (And Why He’s Exactly What We Need)

Here’s the deal with Okafor: yes, he’ll lose the ball. Yes, he’ll frustrate you. But he’ll also make something happen. His goal summed him up — direct, quick, clinical. And for every groan when he runs into trouble, there’s a cheer when he gets us 40 yards up the pitch and makes defenders panic.

This is what Leeds have been missing. Too often we’ve been safe, sideways, waiting for someone else to make magic. Okafor tries. He takes risks. And that’s how goals happen. So next time someone moans about him online, remind them the last episiode was called “Are We Ever Going to Score Again?” only a week ago.

Darlow > Meslier?

Let’s say it: Karl Darlow is making Meslier and Perri look very bench-shaped right now. Calm, commanding, and completely unflappable. That low save in the second half was pure class. And unlike Meslier, he doesn’t look rattled after every stop - he just dusts himself off and gets on with it.

Goalkeepers set the tone for the defence. With Darlow, everything feels calmer. With Meslier, it often felt like a bomb might go off at any second. The shirt’s Darlow’s to lose now.

Unsung Heroes: Longstaff, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson

• Sean Longstaff – covered every blade of grass, bailed out Ampadu when he surged forward, and even has Darragh naming his house after him. He’s quietly becoming vital.

• Joe Rodon – pace, composure, line-breaking passes. Doesn’t shout for attention, just does his job. A Rolls-Royce in disguise.

• Pascal Struijk – quietly solid too, no grumbles he’s our favourite dutchman.

• Gudmundsson – two byline bursts, flashing it across like a Furpo tribute act. Steady at the back, adventurous going forward.

Wolves’ Goal: A Mix of Sloppy and Quality

Some said it was poor defending. Others, a rare flash of Wolves quality. Truth? Bit of both. Leeds were caught open, Longstaff chased the run, Rodon lost position, and the finish was tidy. But given Wolves’ season so far, we’ll let them have that one.

Farke’s Big Call Pays Off

Let’s not forget: Daniel Farke stuck with the same XI after Fulham, including the much-maligned Aaronson. Brave move, because if it went wrong, he’d have been hammered. Instead, he was vindicated. Leeds looked organised, sharp, and together. Aaronson even did his job — not glamorous, but disciplined.

Farke deserves credit for trusting his players, setting a settled team, and drilling that resilience. It finally feels like we’re not just a yo-yo side - we’re growing into the league.

Bournemouth Preview: Adams Returns 🐍

Next up, Bournemouth at Elland Road. Tyler Adams’ grand return. He’ll probably get a “warm” welcome (read: the loudest boos of the season). It didn’t have to end badly, but Adams chose to lawyer up (maybe, dunno, there might be legal ramifications for us saying this…so let’s say allegedly as that’s probably the case), burn bridges, and leave as a villain. He’ll hear about it.

Bournemouth are flying under Andoni Iraola, sitting in the top four, pressing hard, running non-stop. They’ll try to swarm Leeds - but with Ampadu and Longstaff snapping into tackles, plus the Elland Road crowd baying for Adams’ blood, Leeds should relish it.

Home style vs. away style matters here too. At Molineux we were organised, disciplined, and clinical. At Elland Road, Farke will want us aggressive, front-foot, and suffocating. Leeds v. Bournemouth could be chaos. We’re here for it.

Final Word

Leeds fans have waited for this: a spine that looks solid, a midfield that snarls, a striker that scores, and a keeper who calms everything down. Wolves whimpered, Leeds roared, and Elland Road is ready for a reunion with Tyler Adams.

Mid-table might not sound glamorous, but it feels a lot better than yo-yo misery. And if this lot keep playing with this spirit? Whisper it again… we might actually be alright. ★

Written by James