Leeds banter 2

14 Apr 2024 09:19:56
Wanted to post yesterday after the game but couldn't think of anything positive to say, couldn't think of anything negative to say either - just dumbstruck!

From flowing along so beautifully before the international break more than one wheel has dropped off since.

As many others have said, the only saving grace is that Leicester and Ipswich don't want to win the title either but their fate is in their own hands, we are the ones playing catch up.

I'm forcing myself to be positive, so here goes - rewind 12 months; going down without a fight, on our third clueless manager of the season, an owner who no longer wanted to be there, a lot of players who no longer wanted to be there, and a director of football whom most of us no longer wanted to be there!

Fast forward to today - although the past five games have been far from ideal I for one have thoroughly enjoyed this season. We have played some lovely football at times, the players for the most part want to be here, the manager does know what he's doing (most of the time) and our new owners are genuinely interested in making Leeds United work.

And finally, we're still not out of this - come on lads, one final big push:)

14 Apr 2024 09:41:45
Great post mate.

It is dissapointing but all three top teams dropped off showing it is not easy.

14 Apr 2024 09:54:18
100% with you on all that Cleggy, that’s the spirit and our saving grace is that Leicester and Ipswich are also feeling the jitters.
I think if we can win these last three games were up, but who can tell wtf is going to happen in these last few games.
I you were a betting man you’d keep your money in your pocket.

14 Apr 2024 10:33:22
Top post Cleggy.
I'm still confident that there's going to be a couple more twists yet and we'll finish the season in the top 2
We are creating scoring opportunities, but they aren't going in
Tweek the attackers and the goals will come again, starting with Middlesbrough.

14 Apr 2024 11:03:37
Awesome! The Hot Tubbers live on, and live strong! Well said fellaaaaas!

14 Apr 2024 11:19:23
100% Cleggy, totally agree.

14 Apr 2024 13:59:50
Good post Cleggy.

Good positives.

Imperative that Leeds go up this season though as otherwise the manager will lose CS, GR, WG, EA etc in summer.

14 Apr 2024 14:26:56
With you Cleggy.

One way or another, it has been a great season, far better than anyone could have hoped for, given where we were in the close season.

We still have a chance and if it's to be the play-offs, so be it, another chance. Farke has earned these two chances. He's got far more right than wrong. When he has been wrong, and no doubt he's been off it since the break, the players have also been very culpable.

As you say one final push; every game is a lottery at this stage and you got to be in it to win it.

You then have to ask the sanity of wanting to be in the EPL; it is actually very unappealing:

> less prospects of winning games
> VAR
> hard [er] to get tickets
> likely more expensive tickets
> even more cheating

. and yet we are all desperate for it!

14 Apr 2024 14:37:14
Go tubbies.
Is that what you all really think or you just want to oppose negativity?
We had a great 2-3 months and we all were whooping and cheering. Myself included.
And then 5. Yes. 5. Of mediocrity and I’m not cheering any more but the gun hoers are?
You either go on form or you don’t. ?

14 Apr 2024 15:03:27
Ain’t cheering Aus. Far, far from it. But I ain’t going to give up, like others have, when everything is still there to play for.

14 Apr 2024 15:09:49
Spot on post Aus.

13 Apr 2024 23:36:16
I liked team selection from off, was hoping Piroe would step up but didn't, disagree with Farke and time for Joseph to lead line.
Thought Gruev and Roberts good but a few players very off, Rutter was terrible.
Strange subs, still using Barn door bamford is a mystery, had a huge chance and hits his shoulder, he is poor and costs us time after time.
Think Jan window biting us, needed a creative MF and goal scorer, if we had got Keefer Moore, big chance.
Poor slump since international break, 5 games and only 5 points and we were lucky to beat Hull.
Have a good break now and need to improve, luckily Ipswich and Leicester stumbling but saints back in form and back in mix.

14 Apr 2024 01:20:42
Farke gave a 30 minute speech to a reporter back in 2023 that Piroe was not a striker number 9.

Yet he then hypocritically played Piroe at 9 instead of an actual nunber 9 in MJ.

He then bizarrely takes off the best players today in WG, IG and CR. and loses us the match.

14 Apr 2024 07:00:34
Best player today and top 90 min points scorer for Leeds was firpo. Why he took him off I don’t know. I like byram and he is a better defender but not attacker. We needed a goal. No idea why he took off gnonto either. He seems to be clutching at straws with no game plan. Rutter and gray and amps were way off form today.
19 shots. 6 on target 0 goals.
V
3 shots. 2 on target. 1 goal.
Not sure if I mentioned before but do absolutely not ever let Bambi put on a Leeds shirt ever again.
Joseph and Anthony tbh must be well peed off.
From tearing it up pre international to complete crud after.
The wheels have well fallen off.
Gonna be a roller coaster last 3 games of which there is a good chance we won’t win any.
Luckily ips and Leicester have similar wheels.
Anyone for Southampton as champions?
We need to get back to form and now.
Criticism of Farke is deserved. He is the man in charge and although he has done better than most predicted it still dosent excuse him from being slated for obvious errors.
You are correct too baz. Spent months telling us Pirie was not a striker then plays him instead of Joseph.

14 Apr 2024 09:10:30
We couldn’t spend in January, so that puts that to bed.

14 Apr 2024 14:08:13
Really Bright .

Leeds were very close to signing a CAM in Amari . no plsn B alternative looks foolhardy now in hindsight .

Keiffer Moore on loan in Jan would have helped Leeds be way ahead of Ipswich

Funds were there to buy. a CAM in summer and bring in a loan in Jan.

14 Apr 2024 15:04:06
By spend, I meant “buy”.

13 Apr 2024 23:12:09
Just my opinion but our best 11 currently available:-
Meslier
Gray
Rodon
Ampadu
Byram
James
Grueve
Kamara
Gnoto
Summerville
Joseph

Instructions
Do not play for set pieces as we do not score from. them
Shoot and don't keep short passing
Play Sommerviile at 9 and drive at their backline
Attack throughout with pace and conviction. Nine points might just do it? MOT.

14 Apr 2024 01:26:13
I like that line up Coxy . esp the 2 vital away matches

#pace on break . Gnonto, DJ, MJ, CS

Cresswell coming on, push Amps into mf we might score from corners / set pieces if we still ridiculously still unable to score from open play.

14 Apr 2024 01:26:51
It's over Coxy. We won't even make Wembley.

14 Apr 2024 06:04:14
George I reckon your tip of Ipswich winning league is looking more likely now.

With Norwich looking pretty much sealed for top 6, Hull and Coventry may not be tough away matches for Ipswich after all.

14 Apr 2024 06:11:03
If we don't even make Wembley George . I wonder what Mr Marathe and co will assess Farke ability and performance this season .

14 Apr 2024 09:09:14
I wonder what mr Marathe and co will think about pocketing the parachute payment and not investing in a creative midfielder and a striker in January even if just on loan.

14 Apr 2024 09:44:03
Baz if we don’t make Wembley I’m sure the powers that be will realise bubs didn’t make Wembley either and he went on to be idiolised

We were a mess this season… no one expected promotion.

14 Apr 2024 14:14:25
DF will get next season Berm

but pretty sure Marathe won't be impressed if League 1 Ipswich finish ahead of Leeds despite £ 120 million worth front 5.

14 Apr 2024 16:13:56
Go for Bub again.

13 Apr 2024 22:53:52
One thing that was evident from the West Stand today.
Connor Roberts, constantly barking at Piroe/ Rutter/ Summerville, trying to gee them up
I heard him have a niggle at Rodon too, but he just waved him away.

14 Apr 2024 01:27:46
Good on CR.

13 Apr 2024 20:22:30
Honestly the goldilocks mentality that I though belonged purely to the youngsters of today is all too apparent on here from our elder members. You wanted changes, you got changes and it didn't work. Clearly what we have here is a young inexperienced team who are struggling under pressure. So are Ipswich and Leicester and even Soton. This is football - if you don't like it then I suggest you pick up your dummies and maybe find another hobby - might I suggest Crown green bowling?

13 Apr 2024 22:10:27
Good post Alf. In saying that Farke obviously thought changes were needed as I don’t think he reads this site.
Personally I wanted changes made basically to freshen things up. But as you say it didn’t work 😔
We still in it though!

13 Apr 2024 22:23:57
Cuppa, whilst you put kettle on (black coffee, 2 sugars, thanks).

Did MJ start? Did DJ start?

I agree teams are feeling pressure obviously.

But DF is plenty experienced and it sounds like your goldilocks nonsense is just bitterness on your part you having championed him, and him coming up short.

A slice of cake would be nice too Alf. cheers.

13 Apr 2024 22:30:52
Love it alf my thoughts exactly

Yes I’m dissapointed and gutted but still think we’ve done well. And still proud to be leeds.

13 Apr 2024 22:36:21
DJ has been awful since international break, MJ did zero after coming on.

13 Apr 2024 22:50:17
DJ almost scored ; has 21 goal contributions

MJ given just 9 mins this match 7 mins previous match . Ridiculously by Farke

Leave your bias to one side Alf.

13 Apr 2024 22:54:57
. and perhaps go easy on the young rhetoric

AG and WG yes

But DOL babes team was younger overall

Smith, Woodgate, Kewell, Harte, McPhail, Robinson. all teens .

13 Apr 2024 23:09:00
Great post Alf 👍

Baz, DJ didn’t warrant a starting place after the last couple of outings, he was truly awful against Sunderland.

13 Apr 2024 23:19:11
James has been piss poor for a number of weeks now and well before the international break.
But because Baz bigged him up pre season he won’t let it go.

14 Apr 2024 00:54:39
Alf Oversimplified analysis. This is what you get when you ignore tiredness.

14 Apr 2024 01:33:54
Whar yer on about Corky . take 3 matches immediately prior to international break DJ was scoring winner against Stoke, scored against Millwall .

MG . no one played well against Sunderland. prior to that DJ scored the wonder goal against Hull

Keep it real fellas.

14 Apr 2024 02:54:38
Baz They can't. They also ignore how we correctly predicted our demise. Name me any trade or profession where tiredness doesn't affect performance. Sport and football ⚽ not exempt. This is why rotation is a thing. All stemmed from there. One person responsible. Farke.

14 Apr 2024 09:12:15
DJ has been terrible, like Alf said. I wouldn’t have even brought him on yesterday.

14 Apr 2024 14:26:59
Incredulously not much " hot tubbung " by the hot tubbers bashing DJ . without his 21 goals contributions Leeds wouldn't even be in top 6

Furthermore DJ player rating higher than many other Leeds players

Leeds Live ratings vs Blackburn

JP 3, CS 4, PB 5 GR 5
DJ 6

Graham Smyth YEP
JP 4 CS 5 PB 5 GR 5 DJ 6

Keep it real fellas.

14 Apr 2024 15:06:09
We are talking form there Baz. You can’t deny he has been off it since the internationals. No one has slagged his performance as a whole this season, only sung his praises.

14 Apr 2024 15:07:34
I’m not sure what saddens me more.
The defeat yesterday, or reading someone revelling in predicting a downturn of results, and wanting credit / recognition for it. Very, very sad.

14 Apr 2024 15:16:47
Bright keep it real / factual fella

Last 5 games I have predicted Leeds wins.

14 Apr 2024 16:05:07
Wasn’t talking about you Baz!

14 Apr 2024 16:17:30
No credit or recognition sought. Gives me no pleasure. I saw it coming and advised OP strenuously for Farke to rotate but my warning wasn't heeded. Usually, when you ignore George advice, you pay the price.

14 Apr 2024 16:17:58
Bazadamus Bright referring to yours truly.

14 Apr 2024 16:48:11
OK Brighty and George.

14 Apr 2024 17:22:03
Erm. OP can’t influence team selection, and no one here has the influence at club level to “heed” any warnings at all. You have the wrong website, and / or, are talking to the wrong people George!?

14 Apr 2024 18:24:49
Brighty the 👢👅😋.

14 Apr 2024 20:21:27
Lol! Wow! That doesn’t even make any damned sense! 🤣🤣🤣🥴.

13 Apr 2024 20:04:19
It’s going to be a very tight finish, I think most of us already agreed on that a few weeks ago.
The fact that Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich are all having bottling issues is not really a surprise.

Definitely am not losing my head over today’s result, but I do very clearly understand that nerves have got a hold of our team as it has Leicester and Ipswich.
A special note to Optimistic Baz, if Southampton do win all their remaining matches including us at Elland rd then they deserve to go up.
Still think we’ll make it even if it’s play off’s.

13 Apr 2024 22:31:28
Good balanced post as always mate.

13 Apr 2024 22:37:38
Yep close finish awaits between 4 teams . Saints have more momentum right now.

13 Apr 2024 19:55:24
On the one hand going will probably mean been smashed nearly every week. On the other staying down will probably mean losing our best players and the sense of missing out on achieving what the season was about. Co flictrd there.

13 Apr 2024 18:18:04
Firpo to Byram remainder of season please.

13 Apr 2024 18:43:39
Possibly but that feels like a lesser issue right now. the main issue right now is scoring .1 goal in 3 games form will ensure Champo not EPL.

13 Apr 2024 19:54:33
Farke was a striker himself but his judgement calls on this most important area of the pitch is breathtakingly poor atm when the stakes are high and the pressure at maximum you have to be able to recognise what is lacking and what is needed.


I think although not impossible realistically we have only a slim chance of going up automatically now and that's because Farke's decision making these last few games has been so erratic when calmness is required and a clear tactical gameplan deployed which isn't happening and the players now look unsure and low on confidence and I'm struggling to see where we get a win from unless there's an Epiphany inside Farke's head and he seriously rethinks his current strategy that looks destined to end with Leeds playing in the Championship next season.

13 Apr 2024 20:50:25
Only a silm chance?

We are two points behind Ipswich who are dropping points, one point behind lecstoer who lost back to back games to relegation fodder… and have guns from 18 points ahead to only possibly four.

It’s tight. We are outsiders but it’s far from a slim chance.

13 Apr 2024 22:34:58
On paper 2 points behind with 3 to play is a good chance but like I said I think it's a slim chance because of Farke's team set up and substitutions over the last few weeks demonstrating to me unfortunately Farke is not seeing things clearly and so he doesn't fill me with as much optimism anymore.

However I'm hoping he has a few wise heads around his coaching staff at least that can persuade Farke to tweak his rather stubborn and predictable approach.

I think maybe have Gray instead of Rutter at 10 with Gruev and Kamara holding and then I would find a spot for Joseph interchanging with Gnonto and Summerville out wide. Just mix it up now and be more attack minded.

I think Farke's reluctance to not start Joseph today was a very bad error of judgement and then the subs were all over the shop as was the gameplan but we will see in 9 days
time if Farke changes to a more pro active side.

If we don't go up Automatically or the play offs then so be it I'd still keep Farke despite my critisms I'm just disappointed that so late in the season the wheels look like coming off but I do think either way Farke will learn from this and be a better manager for it.

At the end of the day people make mistakes, we all do, were only human but also when a big red flag keeps constantky waving at you and saying things ain't working as they are, you need to take notice and change the approach.

I still wish the team and Farke all the best and will be cheering them next season whatever league we are in and would love us to still make top 2 or go up via the Play offs at Wembley so where's their life but
today and the last few games have been sobering and my initial reaction to today's defeat is we've blown it now but time will tell.

13 Apr 2024 22:41:54
Great Post Bermo. Baz you constantly contradict yourself with your nonsense. 5 mins ago you were saying we have £100m attacking talent up front and now you say they can't even score. I wouldn't pay £100m for attackers who can't score. £100m worth of attackers shouldn't need a manager to tell them how to score. Give it up mate and become a spin Dr. That's where your talents truly lie.

13 Apr 2024 23:04:51
A very good well balanced post Macc .

13 Apr 2024 17:50:35
The sucker punch was almost inevitable. Personally not bothered to go up and watch the big boys give us a beating week in week out.

This was in our own hands and in typical Leeds fashion we have effed it up. Strikers are woeful, on thousands a week and can't even get it on his head and not his shoulder. My great a7n5 Florence would have done better.

But, as OP points out we shouldn't expect to score if the box is "congested" ( sorry, I still find that the most inane remark of the season)

13 Apr 2024 18:45:04
How many matches have Leeds truly convinced

A handful.

13 Apr 2024 19:47:51
1970 no need to worry on that we ain’t, we will Lose many players and who are we going to get no better so we’ll be here for a few seasons more.

13 Apr 2024 19:55:43
They have convinced every game they win baz… lots of games!

How many have your loves impwisch convinced with last minute scrappy wins… the negatively is starting to kill me… we are two pints of top and been cheating out of 5 points

Get a grip people.

13 Apr 2024 20:09:08
Spot on Bermo. The meltdowns on here are hilarious. It's like a bunch of primary school kids crying because someone bought them a toy digger in the wrong colour rather than grown men talking about a hobby.

13 Apr 2024 21:26:34
Bermo : the “we’ve been cheated out of 5 points” is a totally pointless statement. We have had more than ample opportunities in front of goal but have persisted with mis firing strikers. There ain’t no point throwing you toys out the pram complaining about refs.

13 Apr 2024 22:33:28
How is it pointless?

It had literally cost us points that would make us top.

Refs cheat us wholesale to the point if it being a joke.

How about this… take five points off every other team in the table… where are leeds? Top!

The Sunderland game was poor … the sort of game you can win by having a penalty or two.

14 Apr 2024 01:55:38
Good grief, it’s like being back in primary school.

14 Apr 2024 08:41:52
Don’t matter how you twisted it cheated drop lost, it all add to the same thing. We need 9 points nothing more can we do maybe, others need to drop points that’s possible who knows but the are not the same side we were and just look at yesterday game we where dog 💩 now make a pizza out of that.

14 Apr 2024 20:23:57
Indeed Alf! And now George is throwing every playground insult around his addled brain can create through the artistic use of emojis! Hilarious innit!?
Crayons and finger paints tomorrow!

13 Apr 2024 17:42:47
Saw something never seen before in any football match in any country at any level in the context of drawing the game. Saw our best 3 players get subbed. Roberts, Gruev and Gnonto. If we were winning, it's a move one could make but drawing the game to withdraw best 3 players is unfathomable. Farke has gone mad.

13 Apr 2024 18:47:40
Farke lost the plot George.

13 Apr 2024 20:01:00
Baz Wonder 🤔 what propaganda the remunerated one shall serve? If he even shows himself at all.

13 Apr 2024 21:32:33
For me, Summerville should have gone not Gnonto.
Rutter not Gruev
Firpo not Roberts.