Leeds Banter Archive February 22 2018

 

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22 Feb 2018 21:07:05
Good signs emerging from PH in my opinion. Firstly his introduction of substitutes has been quite exceptional, something neither Monk or TC were any good at. Secondly he obviously had a game plan against Derby, soak up pressure and then hit them in the second half when they tire and that nearly worked. I am warming to him and the improvement in the senior players to me shows they are buying in to his style and ethos. But he has some big calls to make over the remainder of the season. Felix has never been convincing and is a liability. His lack of command and communication is a real problem. I am sure those in front of him don't have any confidence and that creates uncertainty. Cooper never has been a good decision maker which is why he gets himself into trouble and he is also no leader. Being a nice guy on Twitter and popular in the dressing room doesn't make you captain material. A captain should be someone who leads by example and who others should want to follow. In my opinion PH should stamp his authority on the side by appointing Pontus now as skipper and Forshaw as his vice captain. Our last three games should point the way for us, both Sheffield Utd and Bristol City have a majority of British born players whose work ethic is good and whose team spirit is excellent. Derby have spent lots of money and have an ageing and no doubt expensive playing staff. For me getting a team is more important than spending millions on a name or tens of thousands in wages on a journeyman. We need a good experienced British keeper, a solid centre half and with Pontus, Forshaw and if we can sign up PML things will be looking up.

Believable4 Unbelievable4

22 Feb 2018 22:44:09
The only trouble is if as expected Orta will be in charge of summer signings were going to go backwards Heck can only play the cards he's dealt and if we lose our best players can't see us challenging again given time Orta will do to us what he did to Boro how much longer can Radz continue to give his backing I would give sole backing to Heck instead, under the current set up were going backwards

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22 Feb 2018 23:17:09
Easy to say that after will but had Derby taken there chances in first half hour we would have been 3-0 down, what would you have been saying then. he should have started saiZ, wrong to put cooper back in? . we rode our luck then played really well last 35 mins. that's the reality of it

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23 Feb 2018 05:54:58
If Derby had taken their chances ! They had 20 odd shots and only 4 on target ! Maybe because Pontus and Berardi were closing down and blocking those efforts came to nothing or that they were awful long range efforts. Felix thankfully hardly had a save to make. Some of our defending on Wednesday was excellent and that is that is every bit as important as the attacking side of the game. It showed me that PH had a plan and it nearly worked, if he had have started Saiz he would have been off after an hour himself through tiredness.

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22 Feb 2018 19:48:25
I see a pattern emerging Sheff - we get beaten. Bristol - we go behind and gain a draw. Derby - we go ahead first, still draw. I hate to even say it but the upward curve demands a win on Saturday. Just this once let's go with it and hope for the best.

Believable6 Unbelievable1

22 Feb 2018 15:55:34
How come, as some of us have been saying for a long time that Cooper just isn't good enough, yet very few of our many coaches he has played under seem to agree with us?

Believable3 Unbelievable3

22 Feb 2018 16:06:54
I hear you danum, the only thing I can imagine is that Heck thought he would be better than who we have played . Between Cooper de bock and gk I really struggle to say who is worst.

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22 Feb 2018 16:40:52
More down to the club not bringing in sufficient competition. Cooper has always been one of three centre backs.

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22 Feb 2018 17:17:19
Danum I'm sure they agree privately but they can hardly speak about him truthfully in public until a superior replacement sourced. To do so would undermine what little confidence and ability Cooper does possess and mean his performances get even worse. That said, making him captain was strange. If it means Dallas at RB for time being and Bera to partner Pontus in the centre of defense so that Cooper can drop to the bench so be it. This may mean starting Alioski and/or Sacko instead of Dallas occupying his usual slot but if that's what it takes to eliminate Cooper from majority of game minutes then so be it. He can still be club captain until May just from the bench and you give the armband to Pontus or Adam.

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22 Feb 2018 20:08:07
George is that the same beradi that not so long back everyone was calling for him to never pull the shirt on again? Gasp in horror. Beradi has been for some time the most dependable defender in our entire squad and imo should be captain

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22 Feb 2018 20:48:18
Not me Martyn old chum. Swiss Army Knife is a warrior. Sure he has some iffy moments but that's due to war wounds unlike Cooper where those moments are plentiful and could form several chapters in an educational video/DVD of how not to defend. Bera's attitude alone exemplifies what this great club used to be all about. Side before self, put body on line. Next season Coyle will challenge Ayling for RB berth, Pearce and Denton may do same for LB but we need 2 if not 3 new central defenders because apart from Pontus the rest are liabilities and cost us points!

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22 Feb 2018 23:33:17
Beradi is still seen by some with rose tinted glasses, he made a big mistake last night that could of cost us a goal, he is often a card (red and yellow) liability and is useless going forward, that said he is honest, great in the tackle and a good defender, no where near the same league as Aling though, to have beradi as captain seems odd when he is 2nd choice in position when all are fit. Wacthing EFL gold on sky, hudds leeds game, we lose 2-1 after (to quote commentator) a awful mistake by beradi, this is not me slating him he is a decent 6/10 but not promotion material unlike aling who is one of the best in the league

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23 Feb 2018 00:15:57
The Captain should come from Midfield, someone strong, success driven and respected, Foreshaw could be the one, we have to command from the middle, someone who can control all around him, I don’t rate goalkeepers, defenders and strikers as Captains! Get the midfield sorted and make one of them the leader! Bryan Robson, Gerrard, Lampard etc etc! MOT

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22 Feb 2018 14:43:01
Everyone is allowed one off day per season and prior to last night every game DeBock played was just about satisfactory however against Derby He had a stinker, 8 major mistakes in just the first 45mins. Losing hisman, flashing at balls and missing and for Coops back header getting caught way out of position. My only regret was he did not have this seasons bad spell early doors, before January. Now Hecky has a decision to make. Bad spell finished or just a plain liability. Many would say why do we have a squad if we are not going to utilise it. Try Pearce or even Dallas at LB.

Believable8 Unbelievable4

22 Feb 2018 11:38:13
Would like to see Anita played alongside Forshaw in midfield. He appears to read the game better than either KP or RV.

Believable7 Unbelievable3

22 Feb 2018 15:10:49
The man can hardly run Giles

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22 Feb 2018 11:36:21
A little unfair that DeBock and Cooper are getting stick again for their performance, bearing in mind they've never played together before. You could also add that Pontus changes position with Cooper in the team and Berardi has only recently reverted to right back and it's a completely new defence. You could even throw Felix into the mix as it takes time for a group to settle and gain an understanding of who's where and when. Let's give them time to gel and get behind the players, including Felix on match days.

Believable3 Unbelievable7

22 Feb 2018 12:21:55
Fetch Gary Strake back. He could make a howler or two.

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22 Feb 2018 12:29:39
Don't agree. Problems last night not about gelling. De Bock was woeful. Running around out of position like a headless chicken. Weidwald no communication and total lack of command of his area. Cooper his usual average self.

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22 Feb 2018 12:44:50
Gills, to be honest mate they were bad and as for cooper on another day he would have given a penalty he keeps getting caught out then pull at the shirt to make up his mistake some ref would easily have give it,

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22 Feb 2018 12:46:02
Cooper as always been a liability no way his he captain material needs dropping along with Vieira he needs taking away from the first team altogether and out back in the under 23s, as for De Bock to play so badly for 90mins is shocking I hope Orta is proud of himself!

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22 Feb 2018 17:10:07
New goal keeper and at least 2 new centre backs surely a must at end of season. The defence needs a major overhaul, flattered to deceive at times this season but definitely caught out more often than not. Can see Pontus leaving as I believe he will get fed up playing with poor players, he is very much a confidence type player who does great when the team is strong.

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22 Feb 2018 20:09:36
Yea from Italian 3Rd division no doubt

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22 Feb 2018 09:22:53
Top 6 is still achievable, but unlikely. However if we could find the form to get there with our upcoming fixtures we would be the form team and have every chance of the ultimate target. To do this need to stop giving the ball away. It's like we are feeding the opposition. Sickened we got done close home but suppose a point is a point.

Believable4 Unbelievable6

22 Feb 2018 10:07:52
I am ever the optimist and I still think we will be top 6 come the end of the season as under PH we have shown signs of improvement, we are gradually playing better football and wins are coming MOT

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22 Feb 2018 10:53:53
Unfortunately where not the form team no win in 10 and it won't be easy on Saturday but we have a chance for me with the best player in this league Siaz total cut above anything we have.

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22 Feb 2018 11:16:28
Love the optimism. Unfortunately my sensible hat tells me we will finish no higher than we are now. And next season will be starting all over again when we sell Pontus and Samu

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22 Feb 2018 13:58:11
Even I am against selling Pontus and Saiz even if it means turning down £65m. Since I am an advocate of sell for big money as Corky will testify that should tell you something about their importance and the need to improve the squad.

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22 Feb 2018 17:18:07
If we sell our best players for top dollar will not mean anything if we allow Orta to waste it all on dross . Would only pay off if we brought quality players to replace them. Orta seems to be a fan of quantity rather than quality. So unless we pay the top price for quality we are no better Off.

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22 Feb 2018 08:49:55
I have real concerns about our chances of getting promotion in the next few seasons. If we don't get promoted this year there will be big problems. Good recent signings? --Saiz, Forshaw and Lassoga. Poor or just not good enough signings? _ Weidweld, Grot, Klich, De Bock, Ecuban, Cisbicki and Roofe. Which players would make the difference to our chances going up and not staying down (or worse) ? --- Jansson, Saiz, Forshaw and Lassoga. These players will be looking to better for themselves and/or have heavy wage bills. If we don't go up I think Saiz and Jansson will go. Lassoga is too expensive and will go I think. Who is left then? - Forshaw and an aging Hernandez. The rest are just average. With our track record of player recruitment we will be lucky to stay out of league one next season. Unless there are some absolute gems in the under 23's we will really struggle. We will need in Summer a Goal Keeper a left back; two centre halves, a midfielder or two; a number 10; a striker and a wide player or two. A minimum of 8 very good/above average recruits will be needed. Do you think we will get them the way we operate at the moment? I think not.

Believable5 Unbelievable3

22 Feb 2018 09:48:32
Hernandez will be out of contract and a free agent, no imminent sign of the club offering him a deal, even though he has stated he would sign. would be a scandal to let him leave, we can't afford to replace him (with a player of similar ability or experience) .

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22 Feb 2018 10:58:02
If the owner doesn't alter his way of recruiting players and leaving it to Orta then you can expect more of the same I'm afraid, it's like feeding a drug addict your doing more harm than good feeding him the cash.

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22 Feb 2018 17:20:34
Forest have been sniffing around Hernandez. They want him on a free at end of season.

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22 Feb 2018 08:35:54
Not that I would want to see them go but £40m for Saiz and Pontus, if added to other funds to give us a £50m transfer budget. Think if Hecks had that kind of money he would surely get top two. Don't think I would give it to Orta to spend though. He seems to have a Rasputin like hold over Rads and keeps wasting money on poor players

Believable2 Unbelievable4

22 Feb 2018 09:45:40
50 million! Orta could buy 400 under achieving players for that

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22 Feb 2018 09:49:25
40 mil! . lol. how ridiculous. they are both very good in this leagu, but we would get nowhere near that.

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22 Feb 2018 10:36:47
I htink pontus youd get 10-12 mil for, and saiz 12-15, so realistically 25-30 mil. 40 is sillly money. but 30mil can get you a lot of player. thing is that's what leeds have been for years, a club who develops good players, then let's them go for cheap. i think youll all be surprised at how much radz and orta will want to keep the quality we do have and add to it. if you were to say to saiz and pontus, become a club hero and go up with leeds and then play your best football at your peak, or go to a watford which are poorly structured for 10k a week more, it will show the true colours of these players. 10k a week is life changing. but the contracts radz would give them would be immense if we were to go up

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22 Feb 2018 12:41:25
If we got £18m for Wood think Saiz is worth way more£25m to £28m and Pontus £12m to £15m

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22 Feb 2018 15:15:01
Samo,30 mil can get you a lot of players, but would you trust Orta with the recruitment? .

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22 Feb 2018 08:27:03
Wonder if orta will be as good at selling our dead wood as he is at signing it!

Believable4 Unbelievable0

22 Feb 2018 09:51:50
Exactly Martin, a few of us had this chat after the game on Saturday, all the players are sat on long contracts earning good money, who's going to buy dead wood. I can see a few luke Murphy situations on the horizon!

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22 Feb 2018 11:29:29
Yep going to be a big problem there Orta's signings so he won't want to see them moved on this guy will get more and more unpopular with Radrizanni sticking by him, when Cellino came to Leeds he was badly advised and now Radrizanni is being badly advised by Orta.

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22 Feb 2018 08:01:40
2 points dropped last night. Wiedwald simply not good enough. Rooted to his line for both goals, the first he could have closed the distance to Weinman to make the chance more difficult. The second, a good keeper would have infiltrated the crowd of players and would have probably won a foul. In the build up to second goal, a corner was given away because the defence do not want to pass back to the keeper. In regards the defence, De Bock was appalling and Calamity Cooper continues to be a liability. Yes, his pass helped to set up the first goal but his ability to head the ball the opposite direction he is looking gave away the first goal.

Believable6 Unbelievable2

22 Feb 2018 08:23:48
2 points dropped by them Notts, we were outplayed pal. On another day it would have been 4_1 at half time

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22 Feb 2018 15:57:37
Disagree Martyn, points are awarded for most goals scored not level of performance. With 2 mins to go we were winning therefore 2 points dropped

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22 Feb 2018 20:11:39
And they would feel the same having wasted 26 chances to our 8

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22 Feb 2018 21:06:53
Score was still 2-2, unless they won on points ?

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23 Feb 2018 09:59:28
Why are people obsessed with the number of shots Derby had compared to us? They only had 4 on target. I don’t give a rats if a team has 50 shots against us as long as few if any are on target and most fundamentally none of the on target shots result in a goal. Shots off target with few on target might indicate where the game is being played out but can also indicate that one team is limiting the other to long range shots with little chance of success. The only stat that counts is goals scored. Everything else is just something to fill up tv analysis.

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22 Feb 2018 07:00:32
Some really good performers last night, and some really poor ones. good: jansson, forshaw, saiz, dallas, lasogga which is good because generally these are our core central players. average: berardi, vieira, hernandez, phillips poor: wiedwald, de bock, cooper, roofe in heindsight i was fuming that saiz didn't play, but it was again as i said yesterday another very clever and tactical substitution from hecky. It felt good to have a team chasing us for once and us soaking up pressure rather than us chasing the game to salvage something. I thought that there were 3 individuals that let us down last night and you all probably think the same thing. IMO you need a solid centre half in summer hecky, and i hope he makes them all aware of that up at the top of the hierachy. Brentford team imo. BPF, Anita, jansson, penns, berardi, forshaw, phillips, dallas, hernandez, saiz, lasogga. 4411 with the boy at number 10 behind soggy.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

22 Feb 2018 07:40:00
There's no way he will play Anita or BPF. phillios was better than average but can never please people (even when he plays well) . viera was awful- or average. not sure what it looked like on tv but we said in the ground he couldn't even control the ball! .

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22 Feb 2018 11:19:55
Not sure I agree with playing BPF just yet. If he has an error or two it could destroy his confidence. Maybe with a few games to go if we think he is potentially our keeper for next season

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22 Feb 2018 05:47:24
It would have been lucky to take all 3 points but to concede that late hurts and needed the win to have any chance of playoffs. Massive positive having saiz back, he did more in 35 mins than roofe done in his last 5 games. Roofe is terrible and sub at best, saiz's linking of midfield to attack is fantastic, he wants the ball and makes things happen. As someone stated, he seems to make alioski better as well as the team. Also think lassoga improved and his goal ratio good now. I understand PH wanting to save saiz to make impact and it nearly paid off, but I would have preferred Ekuban over roofe. De Bock looks crap defending and Felix has no presence, he caused 2nd goal. He should have been out to collect the lobbed ball and instead it gets headed out and the score from corner. I think now that playoffs gone and need to look at next season, drop de Bock and play young LB (? pearce) . Maybe try Bailey PF in goal to see if he can be a first choice, or do we need a new GK.

Believable1 Unbelievable2

22 Feb 2018 06:53:06
To be fair roofe never plays the same position two games in a row

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22 Feb 2018 07:41:38
Roofe has had plenty of opportunities and continues to squander them. Played in a number of positions across the front line because no-one, including him, knows his best position

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