13 Jun 2019 12:24:54
Although it might be seen as stating the obvious but without at least four quality players being added in the right position its not just going to be a difficult 'Summer' but Autumn Winter and Spring. Starting from the back we need another keeper unless the present incumbent makes massive improvements. The back four need another centre half and also cover at left back. In mid field we need a quality attacking player who can get up and down the pitch to take the pressure off when we are not in possession. Pablo is getting on a bit and he can't do what we need him to do all of the time. I said it before the start of last season and while he did well for most of the season he fell away towards the end. - coinciding with our overall drop in form. We need a quality winger who has some pace and can actually cross. As for strikers. - I was never overjoyed with the arrival of Bamford his form and confidence had deserted him a long time before he came to Elland Road. Roofe appears to be only able to play well as a central striker. He is decent but nowhere near the quality in front of goal that we need. In spite of this I think as it stands we will have a decent season winning more than we lose but as far as promotion goes - I don't think so. Last year was our best shot and chances like that don't come round that often at Leeds. All could change if we buy well and our loan signings turn out to be much better than our previous ones. It always fascinates me who makes these decisions at Leeds. We've brought in some real stinkers over the years. Last year was no different.

1.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 14:02:37
Very clear as ever Hess, don’t think your list is too far away from Bielsas, although he is more likely to skip over cb unless Pontus goes. There has been talk of Aappo going out on loan, I think Bielsa thinks he’s a bit lightweight. Pascal was on the bench at the end of the season and I’d really like to see him get some game time in preseason. He is strong and very mature for his age, comfortable on the ball. Love to see him as 3/ 4th cb.

I do agree with you that the quality of the loan signings we make and the output we get from them will determine how the season finishes.

2.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 14:21:32
Hess,

I believe we have 2 very capable keepers, I can't understand the knee jerk reaction to both of them not being world class keepers playing for a tier 2 league football club. They are good enough so yet another keeper would be a waste of money

Centre back is a position I am muddled on. Yes Pontus is better that tier 2. Yes Cooper has improved no end and was named in the team of the year. But in honesty, did i ever feel we had a rock solid defence as a platform, not really. I think at tier 2 level you don't need world class centre backs, just centre back who consistently defend properly. I think Pontus should be sold with our blessing and Cooper should start season, but without the captaincy, and promote from within

Cover at left back, are you serious?
Douglas is a very good left back.
Alioski has been a revelation when he covered for his injury.
Davis played well when called upon.
Beradi has never let anyone down in that position.
Peace has just represented England U20s.
Dallas has started to work out how to 0lay fullback.
And Denton and de Bock have returned from season long loans.

I agree that Henandez needs some help with the creative duties which, although I was never fully convinced by him, Saiz used to provide.

As far as strikers go, I think the stats prove that both Bamford and Roofe are 20 goal a season strikers. Provided they play all 38 games. Unfortunately Biesla plays with only 1 striker so that's only 20 goals from the striker position. Given the number of chances that are created for the strikers, either of these players should be hitting 30-35 goals a season. So I agree with you, a striker with a better percentage conversion rate is needed.

From what I read, Biesla is looking for better quality wide men, so theoretically there will be even more chances created in the coming season. I really hope we are not going to see the same wastage, if not worse.

3.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 14:38:32
a center back is a must,

cooper is not good enough if we have cooper as 1st choice center back it will cost us. it has every season so far, while will next year be different. the other must is a central midfielder who can run, tackle, read the game and offer some cover to whoever our centre backs are, then a replacement for harrision (hopefully better than harrision) , a replacement for pablo who as good as he is he can never do it over a full season and is getting on
finally but least importantly a striker.

4.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 14:57:18
Lots of good stuff Axe.

Goalkeeper not sure, Kiko has turned out to be a strange buy, last no contract and high wages. He has not proved as good as those numbers would warrant, yet! And don’t think Bailey will he thinks Kiko will be number one all season. So one of those could go. Would we then rely on the under 23 keepers, probably not. So you can see us picking up a goalie.

CB, I agree with Georgie on this one, keep Pontus if he fancies being captain and it won’t rip the squad apart and partner him with Struick, but Cooper needs to live with that. Easier to sell Pontus and bring in another and let the three compete. I would like Pascal to have a sniff and see how he does.

Up front, think he wants more attacking players on the way nos and potentially through the middle dole who can score.

Bamford is another Kiko, not quite come off yet, but both could be hard to shift. So Bamford stays and he gets the chance to pull his finger out, hopefully with Edmundson making the most of a few opportunities in preseason.

I think the club could see Sell Clarke as the way to fund other buys. The reason, other clubs can afford to wait for him to develop, we could use the cash now to fund next year.

5.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 16:18:06
Can see Diaz coming into the equation

Kid can play

Probably holding midfield rather than CB.

6.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 16:49:16
Other, just got a feeling that Bielsa isn’t as keen as Carlos on Diaz. If Carlos goes to Spain, I wondered if Hugo might go with him. Carlos seems to rate him as a player and leader and he could fit the leonesa project league 3 well.

7.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 18:18:44
Fair point, possibly not doing enough running for MB, but he has pre season to persuade him hopefully

He could be quite a player.

8.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 20:11:52
Think our GKs are good enough, CB in is a must and they need to be better than Cooper who should be relegated to the bench. I appreciate he had a much improved last season but he’s not a leader and he has an irrational impulsive rabbit in the head lights streak just like Berardi.

Denton and Appo, Diaz, Wilks, Edmondson, bring into first team set-up more.

Be interesting to see who we offload, De Brock, Berardi, Anita, Sako, O’kane.

Hopeful Incomings for me, Luke Freeman (QPR) , O’Dowda (Bristol C) , Costa (Wolves - No dithering) , Barry Bannan or Forrestieri (Sheffield Wed) - both would be great!
Che Adams (Brum) , Alfie Haaland’s son,

Possible FREEBIES to consider - Tommy Elphick, Daniel Sturrige, Craig Noone, Lee Gregory, Charlie Adam, James Collins, Ashleigh Williams (free agents) .

Just food for thought and would hope, MB, Radz, and Orta are already on the case 😜⚽️👍.

9.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 20:15:55
Other, you are right, he has some really nice touches and some Kalvin like passes. He is quite sleight, like him to be a bit more muscular. But good with the under 23s in front of the defence but he can drop into the line well and easily.

10.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 20:50:56
Well, CC has turned them down, so let’s hope that’s the end of this.

11.) 13 Jun 2019
13 Jun 2019 21:12:12
Bright, that’s great news, where did you hear or see that, haven’t found it anywhere yet?

12.) 14 Jun 2019
14 Jun 2019 16:09:20
I read that too, on NewsNow.

He sounds like he an important cog in the wheel of 1st team/ U23 set-up.

And after the calamities of the Ferguson-Moyes-Van Gaal-Moriniho or the whole Chelsea saga, it would be nice to think we can promote from within and keep some sort of continuity. A bit like O'Leary did with George Graham's excellent building blocks.

13.) 14 Jun 2019
14 Jun 2019 22:23:48
Delayed response, sorry Spanish. Dunno where I read it tbf, but it’s confirmed now! Good news!