Leeds banter 5

15 May 2024 07:39:36
{Ed's Note - iwillbered has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool FC Players Overview

14 May 2024 20:20:28
Have just read last few days posts and thought I would add my two pence.

VAR. - should not be anywhere near our sport. It absolutely ruins the flow and is often open to debate anyway.

Promotion - don't really care if we go up or not. Don't get me wrong I want to win every game but just feel we will be cannon fodder in prem.

Farke - needs to be brave enough to gamble on some young uns - we have to find goals. We will probably have 75 % of the ball v canaries, likely lose at least one goal to them on a break - then hope someone can actually get something for us.

14 May 2024 22:11:31
Agree, agree and agree 1970 👍.

14 May 2024 23:23:44
The VAR technology is excellent but the rules associated with it and it's operators, decision makers are the issue.

14 May 2024 23:57:14
I too don't like and haven't missed var it can really ruin the flow of a game and still makes too many mistakes.
As for promotion. It might not hurt leeds building for another year in the championship. Getting all the loans and want away players sorted and get in a few more farke players.
It will be a hard year if we go up.

15 May 2024 04:57:00
Have we the money for another rebuild Ben. Rumours are that we are walking a fair play tightrope.
Will possibly scoop 50 for Jimmy. Maybe 30 for gnonto. If we can keep the ones we need to Roden and roberts mainly.
Still need a goalie, central defender for cover, left back, attacking mid, 2 wingers and a striker.
That’s 7 players that are good enough for promotion for 80 mill ish?

15 May 2024 07:59:55
Another rebuild, the second in two seasons, is a massive undertaking. Wanting us to stay in the EFL is a death nail imo. We're going to be a drastically different team if we fail to get promoted, and not for the better, so I don't agree with that line of thinking at all.

We need promotion. We get promoted we have more chance of keeping our best players, whilst attracting a better standard of player, as we will inevitably be recruiting in the summer.

Promotion is key to not becoming a mainstay in the EFL, which I think may happen if we lose players then have to sign worse players to replace them.

Doesn't make any sense whatsoever wanting us to stay in the EFL. Will we lose more games next season? Yes, more than likely. Can we stay up and try and root ourselves in the Prem once again with some key signings? Yes, absolutely.

Without wanting to sound alarmist, the health and future of the club relies on EPL football next season.

15 May 2024 08:16:04
Thought about being a motivational speaker 1970, I don't know what it is but if we was at war I'd really like to be in the trenches with you. You just ouse positivity. I also very much look forward to playing football in the same league forever, for no gain other than entertainment. Really🤔.

15 May 2024 10:22:57
for me, the scouting team proved their worth last summer under very difficult circumstances and I am confident they will be able to find us the right players to give Farke what he needs for a reasonable cost. The way of football is to change personnel and we will still be here afterward regardless of league. a lot depends on being able to shift the rats though and pay what we owe for them to get rid of that amortized debt which was accrued by The Skint One.

15 May 2024 10:41:36
On the subject of VAR I find myself agreeing with George. The basic premis of the system is sound it's the operators (and the law) that fails.
If they are down to arguing millimeters (and terrified of getting it wrong) then you are obviously going to get delays. Surely this game is all about goals. If when drawing the line the player is CLEARLY offside then so be it. Immediately put the lines in, but if there is so little in it that there is need for debate then Do Not give offside.
Let's have some common sense and let the game flow.
I would also ask that all deliberations are transmitted to show the problems and to underline the competence of the officials.
My last plea is to the media. Please do not try to sell papers on the back of decisions. Do not fan the flames. For once back the officials accept it's not an easy job and cut them some slack however with minor tweaks 3 and 4 minute discussions will become a thing of the past as offsides become clear and obvious.

15 May 2024 11:43:43
What Dillinger said, totally, what's the point otherwise.

15 May 2024 13:54:04
Nice pic vid.

15 May 2024 18:21:19
Thanks Aus, was new year weekend when my son flew over from Pheonix on a surprise visit, lovely.

15 May 2024 19:06:36
As mentioned by one or two already, VAR is not the problem, it’s the implementation of it.
VAR initially was to aid the referee on the pitch, but it appears in the Premiership it is Stockley Park who are making the rules and decisions. Far too much meddling is confusing the basics of video technology.

On the continent there is not the same animosity towards it by fans and media.
We must remember that VAR is not a computer based decision, it’s a man behind a screen, so it will never be 100% correct in its decision making.

I believe VAR can work only if it’s used as a tool for the referee to use, if he wants to.
The referee must be in control of the game but with this implementation, he is simply not.

15 May 2024 20:39:31
Football, the only sport that is so corrupt that officials are "incapable" of implementing correct decisions from numerous advanced replays.
Cricket, tennis etc puts football to shame!

15 May 2024 23:43:11
What Baz said. The reason for the objectionable decisions is neither ineptitude or being under pressure. It's the c word Baz cited. All part of the retaliation package for the failure to launch ESL.

14 May 2024 14:05:30
I watched the playoff between mkdons and Crawley the other night. The dons were absolutely hammered. Max Dean and Lewis bate played for mkdons. Dean was lively but bate was very average I cannot see us offering lewis a new contract not really improved any in his time with us.

What really confused me was mkdons with a average gate of just below 10k per week are in a 30k stadium. The ground the other night was shockingly empty.
I know the owners are hoping for the championship or even Prem football, but surely have a stadium that big with little atmosphere is a disadvantage?

I always thought when hull city built a 20k stadium it wouldn't be filled.
It's like the Saudis. You can build as many big stadiums and have big stars to play in them but if there are no fans it is not going to work.

14 May 2024 14:36:57
Ben
I always liked Max Dean whenever I saw him play

Georgey and I lamented the sale of Max Dean ( another potential Leif Davis )

Aa for Lewis Bate . nope.

14 May 2024 18:59:24
I’m sure you praised Lewis Bate on several occasions Baz!

14 May 2024 19:05:57
The club obviously decided Joseph was the better prospect. Can't keep every player who comes through, epsecially when others are better. Move on, pal.

14 May 2024 20:22:41
Nope OP shock horror you be wrong . Lewis Bate has never impressed one . not that he had many chances in 1st team. but even in U21s he was meh.

14 May 2024 23:51:48
Yes baz I've never seen anything from bate even 21s gyabi always looked a better prospect.

14 May 2024 09:18:01
Although I don't like saying it because he isn't a goal scorer we are not nearly as good a team when he isn't playing. He provides the cohesion and shape going forward. We papered over the cracks when Rutter was playing well before his injury and Summerville and Gnonto were chipping in. That's gone now. If we get past Norwich on our present form which is possible I don't think Southampton will do us any favours. Expecting them to win their second leg.

14 May 2024 10:55:01
I assume you are talking about Bamford?
If so yes I agree.

14 May 2024 10:57:18
Assuming you're talking about Bamford, Hess, as you didn't say who, haha.

14 May 2024 11:32:11
Baggies to win at Saints .

PB mentality is a bottler / awol expert for the biggest end of season matches ( 3 seasons in a row) . He is and would of be of little to no use for playoff matches.

Farke needs to be fricking " brave " / wise and play MJ . give him much more game time in play offs.

14 May 2024 11:38:37
I wholeheartedly agree if its Bamford, I have said this all along, he is needed in our current set up, and a huge loss. He is marmite, and I like marmite, but even those that don't should at least agree his is a huge loss to us at present.

14 May 2024 12:30:56
Baz I agree with you 100%.

14 May 2024 13:28:30
That’s ridiculous Hess.
Let’s fill the team with strikers that can’t score. Midfielders that can’t defend or create. Defenders that can’t defend. And goalkeeper that can’t goal keep.
I know it sounds strange. But I think we play better if we can do that.
Bambi is useless. Let’s not beat about the bush. The man is not NOT a footballer.
Where’s my pills.

14 May 2024 13:49:25
Bamford has missed weeks of training now so even if he does make the final he won't play much part.
I think mj would give us that thrust up front . Piroe or gray behind. I think rutter is done for this season.

14 May 2024 13:51:29
He's a mental midget for sure, but unfortunately he's the best we've got when fit as he helps the team play better. Even if his finishing leaves a lot to be desired.

Need to start Joseph Thursday!

14 May 2024 14:44:57
Indeed Hooksie .

Leeds United played really good football for 90 mins bossing a lot of game against Chelsea with MJ leading the line

(Bamford bench warmed the entire match)

Memo to head wobbling Farke : play MJ.

14 May 2024 14:50:21
Aus that was quite funny for you ☺. albeit hyperbolic re Bamford isnt" useless" and " he is a NOT footballer' .

Go watch Leeds United first season back in EPL 20/ 21 for instance

He has talent, his issues are not playing well under pressure etc.

14 May 2024 15:10:52
Baz, If Patrick Bamford is wearing a Leeds Jersey next season (Whichever division) we are finished. His only talent is holding up the ball and shielding off his marker. Other than that quite frankly HE IS A BLANK! and always out injured.

Don't get me wrong he is a true role model professional for our youngsters and a pleasant and humble person from what I see.

The best ability is availability!

14 May 2024 15:27:11
With Bambi, in a nutshell when on song he genuinely assists our formation but lacks end product for himself when presented with goal scoring opportunities. He lacks the appropriate mentality, panics under even light pressure and is very injury prone. Strikers need to be clinical. He's the opposite. Ironically, we have a fairly clinical in front of goal nondescript type player in Piroe but his all round play is next to woeful. We require a huge rebuild in the summer.

14 May 2024 16:10:18
Agreed Hooksie and George.

14 May 2024 19:16:06
Pretty reductive breakdown of what Bamford offers tbh, Berm.

He holds up well, interlinks play, occupies defenders to allow others space (Cry/ Rutter) , runs good lines off the ball, presses well from the front, and gets himself into scoring opportunities, albeit he is NOT clinical and is a mental midget. Two aspects of his game that do hurt us. The rest he's well above average at, especially with how we play.

14 May 2024 21:22:53
Yes of course I meant Bamford who else would it be. No Bamford then I would play Joseph every time in the current situation.

14 May 2024 08:08:18
I see Jesse Marsch has been chosen as the Canadian national coach.
Not a surprise to see him get a free ticket to a major competition with a team that will lose every game in the group stages.
It’s embarrassing and humiliating in the knowledge that he was actually our coach.
Makes me cringe whenever I hear anything about him.

14 May 2024 11:10:33
Have to disagree O/ P. I genuinely believe we wouldn't have been relegated had he stayed in charge. Additionally, I don't think the players would have essentially down tools had he been there. We weren't going gang-busters under him, granted, but we were not getting thrashed every game either, which was happening before him and after him. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he was a good appointment in the first place, and his credentials for a EPL team very questionable, but we all sort of know why that decision was made. Notwithstanding that, he was doing enough to keep us in the League in my opinion.

I think he might surprise a few folks going forward.

14 May 2024 11:20:45
Few decent players there tbf. Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan and Stephen Estaquio are all quality players.

14 May 2024 11:55:37
Interesting post Ani

I think the players would have found it more awkward and difficult to so blatantly down tools had Brenty remained in charge.

That said they could still easily ensured they wouldn't win enough/ get enough points to stay up

Leeds 4 wins out of 20 with JM

Leeds 3 wins out of 18 without JM

Rodrigoal injury missing lots of games second half was imo a very big reason Leeds went down. ( all on JM)

Rodrigo unnecessary injury all down to the clueless stupidity of Marsch of needlessly bringing Rodrigoal on in a FA cup game already won against a team of dirty clogges and on an awful injury inducing pitch.

14 May 2024 11:59:09
I would be amazed if Brenty ever got a club job in Europe again . an absolute bluffer.

14 May 2024 13:26:16
I don't think you can really blame a manager for a player injury Baz; any more than arguing a player didn't warm up properly; he's in the squad and you want the best players playing, especially when we don't have many. I agree Rodrigo was a big really big miss.

I know we won points in fits and starts under JM, but we were still on a basically a point a game, which would have been enough, plus our goal difference utterly collapsed after he had gone. We won another 10 points after he had gone, from 18 games! It's all very small margins when you're at the bottom.

14 May 2024 13:32:21
I liked watching them at World Cup. Attacking and talented team. Which he will ruin.

14 May 2024 13:53:03
Bang on Baz. Woefully inept tactically. In over his head mentally.

14 May 2024 14:57:05
Indeed Dill.

Come on Ani .100% blame on Brenty re Rodrigoal.

Please give even ONE good reason for bringing on one's top scorer by far, the player we entirely relied upon for goals . against a team of L2 kickers on a dodgy pitch when you are 3 nil up. 🤨🤔🤯.

14 May 2024 16:52:42
Hey Baz. no one complained at the time he was brought on. No one was screaming, "hey don't risk him, he might get injured, " not least Rodrigo himself, who seem pretty pleased to come on.

It was only when he wasn't available for the next game, that it became another convenient excuse to have a dig at the manager; no one complained at the time, but were happy for another tenuous opportunity to express their displeasure at having a American in charge, which some could never get over, no matter how well he may have done.

A case of serendipity in my opinion. One of his biggest issues was he was often injured, playing on "billiard table smooth" EPL pitches.

He was injured under Bielsa and under Gracia. but no one complains about them?

14 May 2024 17:46:01
Au contraire my Ipswich centric amigo Ani I was cussing the Yank pretender the moment he needlessly brought on Rodrigo. pinky promise

Rodrigo probably fancied an easy goal or 2 so he personally may have been happy to come on; but that doesn't make it a wise decision from a coach

As the very fact that Rodrigo was injury prone again reemphasises the foolishness of bringing him on. nothing to be gained from it.

Sorry Ani zero logic/ common sense being applied by you on this thread.

14 May 2024 18:56:07
We agree to disagree Baz.

14 May 2024 19:48:30
Marsch is an opportunist with some low to moderate knowledge of the game I guess.
The whole Premiership experience blew him completely out of the water.
Perhaps this opportunistic appointment as Canada’s national coach is where he belongs.?

14 May 2024 19:49:06
Yh, I seem to remember quite a few kicking off about Rodders getting played in a game when he didn't need to, myself included.

14 May 2024 20:25:18
Indeed Dill

I was definitely one of them also (as one would naturally expect).

15 May 2024 08:32:08
Can’t believe the guy is still getting air time on here tbh.

14 May 2024 07:39:40
{Ed's Note - gdog55 has posted a new article entitled, Current State of Glasgow Rangers

13 May 2024 15:53:54
Just had a thought bubble.
Do you think VAR should be used in the play off semi finals?
My personal opinion is yes, there is so much at stake and any little error is critical to both clubs.
Is it used in the final?

13 May 2024 16:44:02
Agree d.

13 May 2024 17:26:27
Defo yes, but with more time, and more VAR officials who are proven to be neutral, involved in the decisions.

13 May 2024 17:31:41
Should be VAR for semis

Read somewhere that VAR is used at playoff Wembley finals.

13 May 2024 17:34:03
It wouldn't be a tickle though Woody and Dougie . more a Baz Bazooka Special.

13 May 2024 17:41:36
Sadly it is being used in the final.

13 May 2024 18:10:10
Sadly Ani, it's necessary in my opinion. Why would you not want it for something so important?

13 May 2024 18:59:50
Ironically it never worked for us in the Premiership and it for sure doesn’t work without it in the Championship, in my opinion.

13 May 2024 19:24:39
I know what Ani is thinking…. You can guarantee that it won’t be used to our advantage, first penalty shout, offside, red card or disallowed goal, it will be us on the wrong side of it! 🙃🫣🙃🫣.

13 May 2024 19:36:33
Well Dougie, when we have goal given on field, but then ruled out with VAR, I won't be thanking VAR.

I just prefer the decision, right or wrong, done and dusted in 3 seconds; not 3 minutes. and even after 3 minutes still probably controversial.

13 May 2024 19:47:12
Same Ani.

13 May 2024 21:19:26
Two points to make around this.
In the first leg, was any Leeds supporter thinking willy should have had a penalty or at the very least a free kick?
Was Firpo offside?
VAR would have at least analysed it, but all we have done is moaned about the decisions made thinking we were hard done by.

13 May 2024 23:36:27
Spot on Dougie.

14 May 2024 00:27:05
OP Reason it didn't help us in the EPL is because we are not part of the top 6 elite.

14 May 2024 06:53:03
…and Dougie, VAR wouldn’t have overturned the penalty decision, so those moaning would still be moaning. 99% of folks are not moaning either way; they moved on 3 seconds after the decision.

I watched the Villa v Liverpool game last night, great spectacle spoilt by nearly 8 minutes of VAR interventions.

I don’t like VAR, simple as, and I firmly believe unless it’s universally used (prefer universally unused) , it is unfair. Look at the FA Cup, only used when games played at EPL grounds. EPL team advantage? Do you think Coventry would have preferred to be celebrating their 4-3 comeback win at Wembley, or moaning about how VAR saved Man U.

It is what it is, I think VAR overall has ruined the game, solved problems that really didn’t exist, and left fans moaning just the same. Refs get decisions wrong, Linesman miss things, players make mistakes, fans see different things; it’s the fabric of the game in my opinion.

14 May 2024 08:00:08
Have always said that VAR isn't the problem - it's the people who use it!

14 May 2024 11:11:34
Bit like guns Cleggy. but I think we would all prefer a world without guns nevertheless!

14 May 2024 11:23:26
I'm with Ani on this. Var has ruined too many great moments in games. Idiot officials can't use it properly so it's not really fit for purpose as is.

14 May 2024 11:42:54
If you can't make a correct decision in slow playback time then you should be a ref. The Coventry game you mention, that goal wouldn't have stood anyway, it's Manure we are talking about after all. We agree to disagree, but the point is this, if its there then it should be used in matches such as the playoffs due to how much is at stake, with good refs of course.

14 May 2024 12:04:30
Dougie 100%

If you can't make a correct decision in slow motion and numerous replays then you should NOT be a ref

VAR officials that get it wrong should be suspended/ sacked.

14 May 2024 13:37:02
Aside from the obvious errors, I hate how it is distorting the game play, e. g. defenders holding a ridiculous high line because they no longer risk the linesman missing an off-side. You see this day in day out. It doesn't happen in the championship, but it's in every game in the EPL. In my opinion, the only thing VAR should be involved in, is serious foul play and goal line tech; everything else destroys the spectacle.

Ref's not making decisions, or linesman flagging. Allowing play to continue when routinely a flag would go up, then when nothing happens, i. e. the ball goes for a goal kick or a save, ignore the offside and play-on with a goal kick, rather than a free-kick 40 yards further up field.

It doesn't really solve the contentious issues, just changes who to blame and has changed the way the game is being played.

14 May 2024 19:27:31
Great points, Ani!

13 May 2024 13:44:16
My team for Thursday would be as below, even though I know it won't be anywhere near that.

Messlier
Roberts
Byram
Rodon
Creswell
Amps
Gruev
Kamara
James
Summerville
Joseph.

13 May 2024 14:38:50
Unfortunately Mick, the boy Cresswell doesn’t play the DF way, he likes his left and right backs to go forward and make runs, Cresswell just like an old fashioned centre back and I can’t see DF replacing Amps or Rodon in that area. I totally agree with the rest of your picks though although maybe rest Cry with Gnonto as Cry seems to be missing his mojo, either that if he can’t wait to get to Liverpool eh! 🤔🤔👍.

13 May 2024 14:42:46
Did anyone notice how many times Cry pulled out of 50/ 50 even 60/ 40 tackles yesterday? I know he’s not known for his all out tackling display, but yesterday he just seemed to pull out of most if not all of them. Maybe he’s frightened in case he gets injured therefore any move to another club is scuppered! Any thoughts peoples? 🤔🤔🤷🤷.

13 May 2024 14:58:41
As I said a few days ago, he's readying his showroom day in the final should we make it. There is an air of poor body language around him that I have pointed out for weeks now, something going on I believe.

13 May 2024 15:07:20
Mick Why are you dropping Firpo?

13 May 2024 15:09:44
What Woody and Dougie said

That's also further why it should be strongly considered to drop CS to bench.

We need ALL players starting on Thursday 120% fired up committed . CS is evidently not!

13 May 2024 15:51:23
Maybe he needs a Baz tickle uder his belly to get his going, what you think Grey Cloud?

13 May 2024 16:55:49
Now wouldn’t that be an event Dougie! lol 😂 while your on with the tickle under his belly any chance you could include Meslier in that? Will have to be one big tickle but it’s for the team Baz! 🙃👍👍.

13 May 2024 22:18:13
I did read that if he doesn’t get his move to Liverpool he’s up for the lead role in purple rain the musical.

13 May 2024 23:38:16
C&J 😆.

14 May 2024 08:18:49
🤣🤣🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

13 May 2024 08:39:33
Reading through the comments and I think although it was a cagey game I think most of us are pleased we kept quite solid and didn't give much away and controlled the game quite well.
It definitely gives us a good platform to build on
I also second some of the comments that Rutter has been very ineffective lately, maybe since the hernia?
I really think when we win the ball back we need to be a lot sharper and quicker with our passes, we gave Norwich time to get back as build up too slow .

I've gone from being a 3 out 10 confidence of beating Norwich to probably a 6 out of 10 now.

13 May 2024 09:16:04
Yes mighty I'm fairly pleased after Sunday. In the first half Norwich really pushed and I thought one of those succession of free kicks and corners for them would go in. Second half we controlled more and more. Even looked like we might nick it in the last ten.
And we had ball in the net and rutter and byram air shots could have gone in. So reasonably pleased.

13 May 2024 09:48:00
Yes. Calls to drop Rutter are just and you are right about too slow from the back.
We did control the game mostly and although mez makes me very nervous, I didn’t feel they could score.
Failing giving the game away I can’t really see them being able to beat us.
Keep midfield three. Joseph for Rutter. Jimmy to up his game and job done I reckon.
We were denied a good goal so Norwich fortunate to be on level terms.
Bit concerned about our slack passing creeping in again. Need to sharpen that up.

13 May 2024 13:23:00
Mighty, DF has played slow out the back all season, 15 passes to each other in our own half before trying to go forward. You think it will change now. We started 8 players from the back to midfield that have 2 goals between them. Don't think they are capable of playing quicker.

13 May 2024 13:30:08
Looking at both yesterdays games, you got to be very fearful of reality of going back into Prem

So many positions need upgrades that it will not be financially possible to achieve .

The standard of football in both games was woeful.

13 May 2024 15:16:09
' Very fearful ' Chris? .

Leeds United would at very least be able to strengthen the squad and team for a bottom 6 battle

We all love Leeds to win so it could be another tough watch season . but it's more than feasible to stay up ( just )


Bottom 6 next season likely

Brentford Everton Forest and the 3 promoted teams.

13 May 2024 17:41:38
Agreed Baz, think it will be a struggle if we go up. We need a number of quality players that I think will be too expensive and break FFP. But then, let’s spend £500m, finish mid table and take a 4 point deduction and finish 11th?

13 May 2024 17:51:48
I think we would be battling with Leicester, Forest, Brenford, Southampton, Everton, Wolves and Fulham. I know, I will be castigated, but Ipswich will really struggle more in my opinion, though they could confound again I suppose.

I think with a decent pre-season, with some strengthening, we would be "14-16th" sort of side, perhaps winning a third of our games, 40 or so points, be on the wrong side of a few hidings and perhaps give a few shocks of our own. If we had any kind of form in those last 10 games, that's where we should have been last time.

13 May 2024 18:05:31
Sounds like a good plan MG 🤗.

13 May 2024 19:01:39
Err Ani my new " Goto Back Up Buddy" a couple of observations.

1) how the heck is it possible BOTH Leeds and Southampton are in EPL next season in your scenario 🤔

2) So are the Ipswich "Gonners" now going to be known as " The No Hopers" . or perhaps " don't Bother Turning Uppers " 😅.

13 May 2024 20:28:53
Typo by me Baz. At least you’re paying attention! .

Ipswich probably will be known as “even worse than the blades”. Let’s be brutally honest, Ipswich should have been no where near the EPL. It’s only our unbelievable capitulation, 4 points from 18 that have got them there. Their defence has been awful, in a dreadful championship…it will be murdered in the EPL. You will be utterly right, “they were a league one side last season, ” and that’s what they’ll look like.

All my opinion of course.

13 May 2024 07:39:37
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Hidden Gem Players Manchester United Could Sign