Leeds Banter Archive October 28 2017

28 Oct 2017 22:58:23
Great to read everyone’s views as always. This league raises more questions than answers, definitely the toughest league in Europe where anyone really can beat anyone. Lots of views on here about us requiring better quality players and reinvestment of the Taylor/Wood funds. Well I honestly believe none of us would have been very happy if we had signed anyone from either Sheffiled United or Cardiff squads before the season started but look where they are now.

Then contrary to this sits Wolves who spent biggest of all and ‘should’ be there or there abouts at the end of the season. then they lose to QPR! As people have said, we were lucky with results today, with only Bristol City leapfrogging us. Yes, same Bristol City we spanked at their home ground only last week.

Then you look at our individual players with many supporters saying Phillips just not up to the required standard, not certain is my own view BUT I know he ran and ran last night, so then you think is that it? In this league every single player must have to be fully 100% on their game every single week? Said it was more questions than answers, then it struck me! I can’t that’s no like previous seasons anymore bloody hell I’ve got to improve !

29 Oct 2017 10:46:35
I agree Classy. It seems the league has been stirred and is still spinning. It normally settles down around now with just one or two making a late run but this year there are still so many question marks floating around. Look at some of last years contenders. They can't have gone so bad in just a few months? As for us, we have shown we have the talent in depth the only things lacking are conviction and consistency. The first TC must man manage into them but the second is purely down to the players when they step over the whitewash.

28 Oct 2017 17:50:18
Looks like no one wants to win The Championship! The results went for us today but they are queuing up behind us so Tuesday nights game v Derby is a must win match or if we lose we are going to be dragged in amongst the mid table teams! Come on TC show us you have what it takes to take us forward! MOT

28 Oct 2017 18:51:50
Agree we got away with it thos time btu must start winning again wr need to put afew results together.

28 Oct 2017 18:40:33
Quite a few players are just not good enough for this Club or league. Better Quality is need in order to compete at the top of this Division for promotion. Including TC. It's as simple as that! MOT

28 Oct 2017 21:15:38
Steady on it’s a long season and there will be many twists and turns before May

29 Oct 2017 14:50:55
Hooks, what you having the rounds on me mate,

30 Oct 2017 14:57:27
All the rounds on you Whiteman 12. MOT.

28 Oct 2017 16:51:47
Funny reading all of the posts today, not sure there is much agreement on whohas done well or badly! If you just got off a long journey with no internet since august, i think yiou would be reasonably happy with where we are. Even big money doesn't buy success, look at everton and we haven't spent big so some will work some won't and some may need a bit more time! let's have faith with TC, for me if we are top six and still close to the top two in jan that will make for an interesting window and a good run in and after all that's what the target was!

28 Oct 2017 13:30:07
First all we were second best all round last night. Without Lonargon we would have lost 3or 4 - 1. I think this is yet another two season project. There are not many foreign coaches who can come in and build a team in their first season. They initially think they know what the championship is all about then realise they don't. Wolves might be an exception- but they have spent money. We have talented footballers who put in the effort. It's not effort that is the issue it's the physicality that goes with it that's important. Both in attack and defence we can be bullied and dominated. Lagogga is a big chap who can't or won't jump and can't hold the ball up under pressure. He is an excellent finisher so needs the service. Vierra is an excellent prospect and generally plays well enough but his distribution is lacking. O'kane is a good all rounder. We lack at left back. Anita is a good player but lacks pace and presence at full back. Beradi is an excellent defender but is lacking going forward. Saiz is one of the most talented footballers in the division when he is on the ball but does very little when he isn't. He has to be given the ball as much as possible. Pennington, Jansson and Cooper are all good but have too many off moments/games. Phillips has come on in the more forward role but is reckless at times and distribution is limited. Lonargon is a decent keeper. Waiting for one of Hernandez gems can be often a wait that is too long. Alioski is skilful and pacy but light weight. Grot is not nearly there yet. All in all we have a decent team but not one for promotion this year unless TC can put a bit more steel and sharpness into the squad in January. A good all round centre forward in the Becchio mould wouldn't go amiss but there are not many about at championship standard. A commanding midfielder to complement and Marshall the ones we have would also be positive. I think we have the makings. The club is stable so the future is brighter. More time and investment is needed and TC and the backroom staff need to get to grips with what it takes to get out of this division. Sacking the manager at this time would be a huge mistake. He needs at least a full season and then some to get things right.

28 Oct 2017 15:05:25
Is it only me that isn't over impressed with Lonergan ?

28 Oct 2017 15:34:24
No speedy

28 Oct 2017 15:54:55
Compared with what we've got Lonargon is decent. Doesn't bring on the panic attacks when the opposition are attacking. Not saying he is the best by any means but there other more pressing areas that need sorting.

28 Oct 2017 16:08:40
Lonergan was at sea for both goals last night and the great saves were straight at him

28 Oct 2017 16:20:31
Lonergen the better keeper we got at the moment, he was brought as back up to Felix as he was going to be our no.1 but proved to be not very good. We should have gone for David Stockdale before he signed for Birmingham, Lonergen is a good shot stopper but is poor with his kicking. Still feel TC will stick with Felix and bring him back into the team in the future rather than cut him free and buy a decent keeper.

28 Oct 2017 21:17:46
The great saves were straight at him? Which game did you watch? The save from Sharp by the post he was diving to make, and the double save from Sharp was a worldy. The other save in the second half he was going the wrong way and twisted back to save it.

29 Oct 2017 12:11:06
Well said Al_StaffordWhite, agree mate. Lonergen made some great saves, the double save was excellent.

29 Oct 2017 12:56:32
Our best keeper is out on loan.

28 Oct 2017 13:18:02
On the crest of a slump and still top 8 into November, would have taken that in August tbh but a lot of work to be done. Keep the faith!

28 Oct 2017 10:53:27
In fairness although we were pretty woeful last night. We should have had a penalty to put us 2 -1 up and saiz could not have been closer when hitting the post. We have not been at our best the last few weeks but last season we would have lost 2 nil and creating nothing. If anyone asked would we be happy to be in top 8 in November I think we all would have said yes

28 Oct 2017 11:37:19
I thought that we pkayed ok last night. A draw would have been fair, as would a one goal margin either way. Saiz and Lonergan played particularly well, but I had few complaints generally. Onwards n upwards!

28 Oct 2017 13:18:11
Don't agree. A draw would have been a travesty. We were pants, a poor second best and should have been down to 10 men. Kalvins booking as clear a red as I've ever seen.

28 Oct 2017 13:29:07
Have to disagree a draw would have been unfair on the blunts they were far faster, sharper and kept possession better only Lonergan and Siaz came out with any credit rest of the team were quite woeful to be honest, Siaz is the best player in this league for me he's too good for us and too good for this league without promotion he'll be gone in the summer only thing we'll get is big bucks.

28 Oct 2017 09:25:11
Third of a way through season, we can reflect a little on where we are . TC little naive on how tough this league is and the type of football required, he is on a learning curve. Team is a little light weight can't mix it up enough . Some of the players Coops, O Kane are ok squad players but are not, as regular starters, of the standard to carry the team to automatic . We need to strengthen the spine and a couple of players who can run at defenders with the ball (consistently) . Hope we can get Ekuban back as a scoring centre forward because on last night performance Lassy looked very poor. We have some good players and are loads better than where we have been, just need them few additions that will make the big difference.

28 Oct 2017 10:22:26
I fear for Ekuban. So many are willing him back as the answer to our problems, unfortunately before he disappeared to the treatment table he did not pull up any trees. Remember Lassoga seemed the real deal when he first started. I pray that if he does not come back all guns blazing he does not get ripped apart on social media.

28 Oct 2017 12:19:32
OKane and Cooper have been two of the better players this season. The likes of Jansson Ayling Beradi have been below par imo. The new signings, so far, have been disappointing apart from the excellent Saiz. Chris Wood has been missed greatly although i'm sure some will disagree. As Wex says top 8 in November ain't too bad.

28 Oct 2017 13:13:45
Wood hasn't been missed at all Cork. Our problems this season have been in midfield somewhat and defence substantially especially left back and goalkeeper. As for Swiss Army Knife, I see him as a spent force.

28 Oct 2017 13:26:13
Got to disagree with that George, wood was a handful last season for centre backs. they can have a cigar whilst marking 'lazy' lassoga

28 Oct 2017 14:00:57
Wrong George. Opposing CBs having it way too easy of late. i'm sure i saw Chris Basham light up a cigar in the 1st half!

28 Oct 2017 14:36:45
Did Lasogga light it for him too? Lassoga isn't the hold up player we need but this area of the pitch is second priority compared to the back 5 and defensive midfield.

28 Oct 2017 14:38:43
I tend to agree with George. Although cbs have not been made to work with our forwards we have been shipping an unsustainable amount of goals which mostly has to be down to the midfield and defence. I would say the midfield just to lightweight and don't give the defence enough cover. I personally would be wholeheartedly concerned in the window if we focus on attacking signings and not sorting the midfield and defence out, including if we get more like for like players, such as another o'Kane type.

28 Oct 2017 18:54:32
I see your point George but it wasnt too long ago we kept 6 or 7 clean sheets on the bounce. Janssons lose of form has been the main reason we are shipping goals, although i wouldn't say no to a new quality CB in next window. As for DM we have enough imo. Viera needs games and he will only get better with them. Maybe an old hand in there would help but the clubs recruitment is aimed at younger players. This league is wide open and we have a better chance than most.

28 Oct 2017 08:20:45
dissapointing first half but much better second half they scored against the run of play. We need a David Batty type player in midfield.