27 Feb 2025 14:29:37
On the Junior Firpo topic, some have suggested that we should be looking for a new LB if we arrive in the Premiership.
The main problem that fans refer to concerning Firpo is his defensive duties.
Our wing backs do spend a good part of game bombing up the wings, assisting our forwards and attacking the opponents goal.
You can’t expect your wing backs to always be so effective in both positions, it’s a weakness in the press system and you can’t make them into Steve Austin.

Yes Firpo is very effective going forward and for that reason I want him to stay and sign another contract. If you want a defensive LB then we change our manager and the system we play.

Players have dual or multiple positions to play in todays football, it’s very hard to excel in all of them.

1.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 14:47:38
We can have 2 LBs . we definitely gonner need a better defensive LB vs better EPL teams.

2.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 14:49:45
OP Suggest telling Farkey to retrain Junior as a CF. Bet you he'd finish off a fair few chances and bury some headers.

3.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 15:19:52
Just to clarify I certainly never said I wanted a defensive LB, I said at EPL level we need a better left back than Junior.

One who can attack and defend with the same level of competence, now that may cost £20-£25million but that is the harsh difference between where we are playing this season and next.

I think we have to consider the level of opposition in both the Championship and EPL, Leicester, Burnley romped their respective promotions and then hit the cruel reality of what is the Premier League is and barely laid a glove.

Peoples defence of Illan in the epl centres around him playing in front of a “rubbish” defence of which Junior was a firm fixture.

I recall a flood of posts on this site stating Junior not fit to wear the shirt after the huge Citeh thrashing I many posters I remember wanted him gone for good.

In watching Ipswich, Saints and cheating Leicester this season, I’m yet to see any of those teams bomb up and down and attack against premier league opponents.

Simply because they are continually pushed back by teams with superior players, squads, Bielsa played that hand when we shocked the league to get 9th spot but at this level without reinforcements you get worked out very quickly, hence our 17th then 19th and relegation the following years.

My post (think George actually said it first) was my belief that Juniors technical ability, eye for goal and heading ability, pushes me to believe his biggest asset is as an attack minded midfielder/ forward, IF we were going to offer a new contract.

But then that’s just my own, nothing scientific personal opinion.

4.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 15:22:47
As in Stone Cold?

5.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 15:52:09
OP - the problem is that, if promoted, due to the significant step up in the opposition we would be facing, it’s unlikely we will be able to dominate possession and the quality of wingers will be far better. Therefore, first and foremost, our left backs will need to be good defensively - and yes, Farke will probably need to change his tactics anyway. Firpo could be a decent wingback if Farke made a significant change in going with three at the back.

It seems, as per one of my posts on an earlier thread, that Firpo’s defensive awareness has improved since our relegation, but it would be a huge risk not to bring in another left-footed LB who has a track record of defensive solidity (and a decent injury record) , preferably in one of the top leagues.

6.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 16:39:34
Cuppa yep the wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin one presumes

As OP would have been just a wee toddler in his jim jams to know of the 1970s Steve Austin Biocic Man TV series.

7.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 16:44:29
What Clu and Class definitely said re needing a better quality LB in EPL

Is OP seriously proposing a deja vu of Meslier and Firpo in a 1st choice Leeds United back 5 in EPL.?

8.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 17:23:08
The factor that jumps out most to me in most of the above posts, is the reference to tactics in the EPL, and that’s where the acid test will be for DF.
Irrespective of the playing personnel (unless we swiftly spend half a billion) , there will need to be an adjustment, and I hope that he is planning for this, and evaluating how each of our players, across the entire squad can, or indeed cannot, fit into those adjusted tactics. For me this is the core area that needs addressing over and above our LB. What and who, for where, may change if the system changes.

9.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 20:05:57
i hope we are talking hypothecially here because we are not in the EPL yet. i'm sure most of you like me believe we can do it. if we do it then it's a 48hr session on the lash for me, sober up then read all the posts on here on who we should buy and in what areas, who to keep etc etc. but for now let's win at least 8 out of the last 12 which on 99 pts should be enough.
and i am not sure but the stato's should know, but the all time record goal difference in any English league is +69.boy wouldn't that be good if we can beat that.

10.) 27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025 22:27:13
Interesting stat Revie but at this moment in time it’s one I couldn’t give two shites about. Let’s get up first hopefully as champions and then look back on our plus 99 goal difference!
As for Firpo I’d keep him but I’d say he’s definitely leaving. For me he’s been excellent this season and last season as well. Can he hack the EPL next season? I m unsure but some players get better with age.

11.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 06:30:12
Well I guess. nobody has considered that the structure of the whole team has changed since our last time in the Premiership with Bielsa. Meslier and Firpo have both vastly improved with Farke and a completely different squad.
Firpo is only 28 yrs old and still has more left in the tank.
For me it would be a prudent move to give both these players new contracts.
Firpo is a LB not a midfielder or an attacker and if he doesn’t decide to leave and is given a new contract I can see him holding on to that position in the Premiership.

12.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 06:50:43
On the subject of tactics in the Premiership if we get there, I don’t think Farke will be changing the system he has set up. Yes there will be new additions to the squad of which we will need improvements ie; Aaronson who I personally believe is not Premiership quality but could be back up, but where there could be changes in our formation would be against the top teams and perhaps not go toe to toe with them. This maybe a more pragmatic approach until we can improve our squad gradually as we progress through the seasons.
I don’t think we will play any different from how we do now against teams like Everton, West Ham and Man U.

13.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 12:29:30
Nee contract for Firpo?

Isnt Firpo ( a LB not a goalscoring striker) already on a whopping £60k a week thanks to you know who. Uncle Victor Orta ?

So how much would Firpo want a week in a new contract? £80 K a week a £100k?

So ' prudent' in offering Firpo a new contract questionable to say the least in terms of his EPL ability levels and very high salary demands

Firpo will definitely be off to pastures new imo.

14.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 14:10:05
Baz Or even pastures old with Betis.

15.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 14:38:39
Pay him, good LB’s are hard to find and he’s definitely fit for the Premiership in my opinion.

16.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 14:54:57
Based on what?
Firpo wasnt fit for tbe Premier League before . anyways.

17.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 15:11:59
OP Not as a LB. Second striker in a 4-4-2 situation, utility player, LWB with exceptional CDs covering.

18.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 17:40:07
In your book Baz no player ever improves regardless of any situation, they just stay static.
On that level of broad minded logic, we are a Championship club so we will always remain at the same level as a Championship club.

It’s time for another frontal lobe removal so I can get on the same level of absurd logic.

19.) 28 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025 20:17:15
OP. as with your backing of Meslier on Firpo you be in a minorotynof ONE.

No one wants him as our LB in EPL.

The guy is 28 he would now be EVEN SLOWER to be agwin roasted by EPL wingers.