Leeds Banter Archive February 01 2019

01 Feb 2019 19:16:38
See all the doom merchants and negative lovers are back at it with their posts.

Oh what a joy it is to read their doom laden tomes.

Nothing will please them better than a hammering for us tomorrow.

Sill, the rest of us will be Marching On Together. Win lose or draw.

MOT.

01 Feb 2019 20:30:10
Brilliant post Tewit, glad I'm not the only one to spot the usual suspects popping up 😉.

01 Feb 2019 20:39:36
Don't read them then!

01 Feb 2019 21:27:49
Martyn, how would I know what they wrote if I didn't read them? Doh!

01 Feb 2019 22:06:58
Tewit ✊🏻🍻🍻🍻.

01 Feb 2019 22:30:55
Doom and gloom, not picked up on that in any posts i have read. A few upset with missing out on James, as i was, but we got where we are without him so let's carry on. We will beat Norwich and only game we may drop points on is Middlesbrough so looking forward to a good month myself.

01 Feb 2019 23:20:20
So Tewit it never enters your thoughts with our history since relegation from PL the wheel might come off .
I have a lot of faith in MB and the team but I’ve got used to nothing being a cert with Leeds until fat lady sings.

I don’t think neg posts are wrong, some people are waiting for our form to dip because that’s what usually has happened if we’re being honest.

Here’s to chalking up next 9/ 10 wins ASAP .

Obviously looking forward to win tomorrow, just as important we have to perform well show the rest of League spirit, confidence is still high.

02 Feb 2019 06:35:20
Well said IBilko, some realism. It's the cautious approach to being a Leeds fan not negative!

02 Feb 2019 08:32:20
If you want to use the automobile analogy, I think during the course of our season so far at least one of our wheels had already come off and the car keeps on going. We’ve probably lost a wing mirror as well and the exhaust is dragging along the floor. Thing is we are still doing 80 in the outside lane! Roofe and Bamford out of the team for periods, Hernadez too. Many other injuries . Blackman and Baker return to the club. Saiz returns to Spain. During the course of the season we’ve played, Huffer, Davis, Aaapo, Clarke, Shakleton in league games. Oh yes and one of the clubs employees was caught hiding in some bushes.

I guess it’s a sort of “is the glass half full or half empty” sort of question! Is our success in the face of considerable adversity a sign that whatever happens for the rest of the season, we can overcome it and go up? Or does it mean that sooner or later disaster has to be waiting around the corner and we’ll be sunk or to continue with the car, we’ll spin over and finish in a ditch!

02 Feb 2019 11:04:53
Bige. Your last 2 posts.

Bilko. The "wheel might come off" the Russians might nukes us tomorrow. But I don't constantly worry about either. That achieves nothing.

Mezzer. Nobody won anything by being cautious.

Spainish. My glass is always half full. That is until I quickly finish it then get it filled again! . 🍺🍺.

02 Feb 2019 11:29:51
What so i think our squad could do with being bigger and not rely on young ones so much that is doom and gloom Twit. I am not negative and my posts were about use of U23s. Read all my posts and you will see i expect us to be in top two at end of season o sweat. Or is that negative not sure, maybe.

02 Feb 2019 13:21:39
There is no question we have done brilliant this season up to now. It is only my own personal opinion that I felt a couple of quality additions in the January transfer window would have strengthened our hand. We all know that not strengthening in January arguably cost us at least a Play Off place under Grayson and Monk, I just hope it doesn't happen again. Three points today would be brilliant to open a bit of a gap. I would like to see Brown make the bench as he might just add something if we are struggling a bit. MOT.

02 Feb 2019 14:22:20
Oh Bige, don't get too uptight just because someone disagrees with you.

Why resort to childish retorts. Never heard it before either! 🤥😉.

01 Feb 2019 17:04:44
The one thing to come out of this was, I believe, in a Bielsa press conference. I think he intimated that James was identified and chased by Orta and not instigated by himself. That's not to say that he was in any way opposed just all alog my bottom line was; if MB wants him it's good enough for me.

01 Feb 2019 16:28:10
Back to the serious business of the league and once again our biggest game of the season so far. Let's put the Swansea let down to bed now, that is something to revisit another day. Yes we have a small squad and some of our rivals have gone out and strengthen their squads. We are top of the league and no point worrying about what the others have or haven't got. We have come this far and will just have to keep plugging away, whether we win the league or not we will give our all . Bring on Norwich, let's make ER bounce. M. O. T.

01 Feb 2019 20:33:36
Don't we have "the biggest game of the season" every week? 😂😂😂.

01 Feb 2019 23:42:15
Hence the words "once again" in my post Stafford.

01 Feb 2019 15:21:33
Ed. do you think we are that skint that we couldn't afford the initial down payment? . that's a big worry if we couldn't get 1.5mil together? . lots of things flying about from both sides and it's who to believe? . cheers.

{Ed001's Note - not sure you are skint. I think it is more that you have a poor credit rating from previous owners which makes it difficult to get the short term loans clubs tend to use to fund transfers. Clubs do not sit with large cash reserves ready to stick in a carrier bag for a transfer, so they usually get a short term loan which is paid back from income.

I will have to see if I can find the explanation of how it works my friend once gave me. She was a decision maker at a finance company that worked with Spurs and other clubs, to provide those short term loans. They did other things too, but she worked purely on that side of things and, when she got married, because her hubby didn't like her to continue to talk to old erm friends, she typed me up a full explanation. I will dig through my files and see if I can find it.}

01 Feb 2019 15:45:42
Ok, thanks. I would have thought we would have that amount without having to borrow it, and if that’s the case, unless we get out of this league or sell players whilst in this league it’s going to be hard for us to get any new players?

{Ed001's Note - no club in European football, that I am aware of, carries that amount of cash in the bank, other than Arsenal. And that is more for Kroenke's own devices, as he uses that as leverage to borrow against. You are right, though maintaining full houses would bring in the money, and give something for the club to leverage for a loan in the future.}

01 Feb 2019 20:36:11
I know I'm old and feeble-minded but if there's nothing in the bank accounts where's all the money?

{Ed001's Note - like most businesses in the UK, clubs run on an overdraft. Money coming in is usually going straight back out paying salaries, back payments on transfers, agent fees, electricity bills etc. Clubs (as do most businesses) leverage future income to pay for things like transfers, then pay back the loans afterwards. It does not seem the best way of conducting business to me, but it is the way the Western world does it. Speculate to accumulate, rather than saving up and paying for it when you have it in hand.}

01 Feb 2019 10:22:34
Reflecting on the January window, we have brought in an experienced goalkeeper (which we definitely needed) and an attacking midfielder for the future. On the negative side, we have lost 3 players (Saiz, Baker and Blackman) from the senior squad and replaced with one player (Casilla) . There was clear intent from the club to sign James and there was clear intent from the player to sign for the club, unfortunately as we had only one target (Radz words not mine) , we put all our eggs in one basket and gave Swansea the opportunity to put a spanner in the spokes. I am not advocating that we bring in a whole raft of players as it would disrupt the squad that has got us to top of the league however I still believe that the squad required a couple of experienced players (loans rather than permanent) to help spread the load. The decision to focus our transfer efforts on one player, towards the end of the window, represented a gamble. The belief that Brown and Bamford will return from injury and will play an effective part in the run in, again represents a gamble. The belief that we will not suffer additional injuries in the run in, again represents a gamble, particularly as we have been suffering regular injuries in training and Hernandez, a player who we are reliant upon, has been close on a couple of occasions of missing games through injury. Yes, we can call upon a talented group of U23s however I feel that these players should be brought into the squad to support, not filling the entire bench as we have done in the past few games, again a gamble which we got away with. Look, we have the best coach in the league and a good group of players and therefore we still have a good chance of automatic promotion. Also, who is to say had we got James that he may not have performed to the required standards or may have been injured in his first training session with us. The point being, is that we have been denied the opportunity to add another player to the senior squad (albeit someone who was 21 years old) because we chose to gamble. I hope that these gambles pay off, we are due some luck!

01 Feb 2019 11:49:40
Good assessment Notts. like you say James may have not worked out or picked up an injury so we haven’t necessarily lost anything. Just hope our injured guys make a return sharpies and help us win the league. Now the focus switches to beating Norwich.

01 Feb 2019 10:08:03
As you know, I've become a real fan of the under 23s this season. I love what we are doing with this squad. To me this idea can be further developed in future years. Under 23, gives you a lot of scope, no reason why players 20-24 can't play a real role in the first team. So effectively your under 23 team becomes your bench for the first team when needed. As we've needed to do this year. If you concentrate on buying in youth at under 18 and 23 level through the lower leagues, it's less of a risk. You get a real chance to see how plays react, train, conduct themselves and they learn the club way and the style of playing. You need a Corberan type figure to act as the link between the two squads. Shorter term contracts, less money and yes you have to be ruthless and move out those who can't make the grade.

With this approach, you can plan for fiuture needs, when key players are likely to move on and retire. First team squad additions become less urgent and you are less open to the mad scramble of transfer windows.

To me this is a sustainable way of building a strong club. I hope that's the plan and if anything let's intensify it.

01 Feb 2019 10:59:49
U23s should be introduced into the squad, not entirely relied upon. Jack Clarke has been fantastic coming off the bench but when starting has struggled against teams that plan to nulify him. Yes, he can only learn how to overcome that focus through game experience but we are challenging for promotion. Is this the right time for an entire group of U23s to be cutting their teeth or should the cream just be getting the opportunity. Also, when push has come to shove, Bielsa has shuffled the senior pack and not used U23s i. e. Not playing Halme. I agree in part in what you are saying Spanish but not to the extreme that you are advocating.

01 Feb 2019 12:03:11
I have supported the U23s for decades, and only missing this season because of work commitments. Although i agree players are there to step up if needed i think we are over reliant on them this season. Luckily we have some talented youngsters but U23 league and championship are poles apart. Development is a key issue in getting players to where they are and getting a kicking every game from some towering center back chasing a play off spot at this stage of their career is not ideal. If a first team player is playing crap or is injured then yes its expected for someone to step up. I was one who was calling for Clarke months ago to replace Alioski then it would be up to Alioski to fight for his place back. However due to injuries we are reliant on young ones filling the bench and if they have a poor game they are slated online and then confidence levels go from sky high to zero. Fact is our first team squad is threadbare and you can not disguise it by adding U23s to the equation. a lot of our U23s have just stepped up from the U19s next we will have U16s on the bench.

01 Feb 2019 12:19:07
Couldn't agree more BIGE.

01 Feb 2019 13:28:47
Well for the rest of the year, we now have no choice but to work with what we have got, so I guess we will have a good chance to see how it works.

I agree about Aaapo, I think he could be trusted for more appearances, Bielsa has a clear preference to work with those he has worked with longer.

Te the difference in class between the under 23s and The Championship, I’m not so sure the gap is as big as I we make out, certainly not against all the teams. Clarke has struggled due to the amount of attention but to be fair so did Daiz and at times Hernadez.

I think we are stil only at the early days of this approach, more investment in better quality players will give us more options and less reliance on bringing loads of first framers in. To me the first team squad includes at the very least your top eleven under 23s, and you draw on them as you need them.

01 Feb 2019 14:00:41
Come on Spanish you have watched U23s and first team at ER and you are saying its not that different, really? Expectations in a team sat at top of Championship not that different to playing Doncaster U23s. Playing against seasoned professionals who know all the tricks and are two stone heavier than you not all that different? Getting slated on media for missing a sitter not all that different? Although i respect your opinions Spanish can not share that one.

01 Feb 2019 14:16:11
And let's not forget the biggest part of our U23s are out on loan, Sarkic, Dalby, Machuca, Rey Klitching, Paudi, Coyle, Pearce, Wilks, Huffer, Siddicki, and probably a few more.

01 Feb 2019 15:44:57
I’m not saying it’s not different, just the gap isn’t always as big as you might think and not unbridgeable depending on the players. I accept the point about weight, although that’s not always a disadvantage, but by the time they reach the under 23s, most of these players have played in structured teams and leagues for sometime. Tradecraft isn’t just restricted to championship games, these days it’s on display at all levels. These players are used to a lot by the time they are 21 plus.

BIGE, I don’t think we are too far apart in our approach, just about degrees. I think some players can make that jump and take the opportunity and some can’t .

Of the players out in loan . I’d expect each window for Bielsa and Corberan to keep close the ones who they want to be able to use and I think that’s largely what’s happened with the plans been reviewed and amended at each window.

Throwing an under 23 player into the championship is a risk, but these days so is paying up to 10 million for a player and in the premiership more.

All I’m saying is let’s get as much talent into the under 23s as possible, school them in the way of playing and see what happens. I’m not sure we’re that far away from that. I’m looking to forward to seeing Bogusz play.

01 Feb 2019 17:45:02
I think the benefit of an U23 side that it is like a finishing school for LUFC. Generating players walk, talk and play the MB/ Leeds way. I will always defer to you Spanish but having seen a few U23 games I see the main difference with U23 games as lack of intensity, tempo, pressure. I know we sit atop the division but results are a side issue. Each game is a schooling. As has been proved, it gives us a player who can seamlessly slot into his desired role in the first team. The only (good) fly in the ointment is that the first team is doing so well which brings with it added pressure when they are selected. This is why I believe a solution is to loan them into a performing L1 side (with a proviso that they get X percentage of games) out of the spotlight.

01 Feb 2019 19:04:26
My point being that this season you are looking at an U23 team made up of players who have just stepped up from U19 squad this season some have about ten games under their belt and now we expect them to be first team ready, for me that is pushing it a bit.

01 Feb 2019 09:19:49
Last night it was like going to bed halfway thro an England, Germany game with the score 3 - 3. Only to wake up and find we lost 6-5. Still Que sera sera As saint Doris would say. I feel sorry for the lad but if we still want him let's go again in the Summer.

01 Feb 2019 09:35:31
Yeah. Everybody with twitter should tell him we will see him next year and don’t sign a contract.

01 Feb 2019 17:52:46
Agree Aus hopefully he is of the same mindset and if he has a good run let's see what the summer brings. Hopefully it's Swansea staring at relegation.

01 Feb 2019 08:48:59
Think Swansea were playing a game whereby they needed to reduce overheads and get some cash in . James was only going to leave Swansea if the Bony deal fell through. Once that completed they did not need to sell James and changed the deal with us at the last minute to prevent him leaving . Same as the lad going to Villa. Stitched both lads and clubs up really. Saw some footage of James yesterday at Leeds and his facial expression made me think was his heart really in it. Did not look happy more of a scowl.

{Ed001's Note - they did a did with Tom Carroll going to Villa instead.}

01 Feb 2019 10:23:11
Ed 001 . Villa wanted Fer the Swansea captain . They only got Carroll to soften the blow from what Swansea actually did to them i.e pulling the rug on Villas main target. Leeds were left completely shafted. Furthermore the club left themselves with no alternative or back up plan . Lesson learnt . Move on . Its made round to go round. Hopefully we can get our injuries sorted Bamford and Browne fit for the rest of the season are like 2 new signings and maybe one of the U'23s can come through on the left side?

{Ed001's Note - actually I believe they got Carroll because Swansea wanted rid of him. They couldn't afford to play him as his appearance bonus was on the large side. His salary was not that high compared to others apparently but they had given him a large appearance bonus. Not sure why, maybe it was meant to be an incentive? But they wanted rid anyway, so it was an easy deal as Villa were willing to negotiate. Leeds were not interested in any other players, so it was either sort out the James deal or nothing. Not sure it is about being shafted though, it is just business.

Like buying a second hand car and the one you want is a much loved car that the owner does not want to sell but you know he is in need of money. If you can get in before he sorts out his money problems you can get a deal done. If you don't sort it before he sorts his problems, then it is not going to happen. No one is getting shafted though if he holds onto the car.}

01 Feb 2019 12:32:20
Yes ED001 but if you are negotiating to buy a player and the seller does not tell you that the player is only available, if, we do not shift some other players out. You are negotiating in good faith and they are not . There are conditions to allow the sale on behalf of the vendor that the purchaser is not aware of. Then if you put all your eggs in that basket as a result of them not being upfront. Call what you may but to me that to me is being shafted.

{Ed001's Note - but Leeds knew that was the case when they went into negotiations. They should have gone for him before deadline day really.}

01 Feb 2019 13:23:34
Sorry Ed001 as Rads says, we were trying to get him in all month, the way it all panned out think Leeds were naive and did not know what was going on behind the scenes . Obviously saw a bit of a fire sale at Swansea but would not have had the inside info of the financial figures and the changing position on outgoings once certain players had been moved on. Think they really really wanted James but don't believe that Rads and Orta would have been caught like that if they knew his leaving was only dependent on who else Swansea could shift out. Swansea kept Leeds on the hook right up to the last minute while they completed all their other business. Which in turn prevented Leeds from getting anyone else in. "What does not kill you makes you stronger" as they say.

{Ed001's Note - I very much doubt they were interested in stopping Leeds at all. They are not competing with Leeds.}

01 Feb 2019 08:35:30
If I were Radz I would make all the sheep botherers wait outside Elland Road on Feb 13th and at 7.44pm tell them we've had a change of heart and those away tickets are no longer for sale.

01 Feb 2019 09:33:28
What? . all 10 of them!

01 Feb 2019 12:19:50
Not the fans fault, they are going through the same sort of turmoil that we are well used to.

01 Feb 2019 12:52:13
I bet the swans directors are going to be made very welcome in a couple of weeks 😘.

01 Feb 2019 17:56:14
Oh to be a fly on the wall Alf.

01 Feb 2019 08:25:02
We could still manage promotion. The major problem is Harrison is not nearly good enough and Clarke who has made a major impact will have a number of off days. He's only a novice. On top of that Hernandez has to keep injury free as Roberts again is only a novice. We have little out wide so Roofe is often playing off scraps. We have an excellent work ethic and we keep getting results when it wasn't looking likely. If James was as good as was made out he would have gone a long way towards getting the squad more rounded. I'm not holding my breathe about Bamford and Brown. Norwich will be a good test. Last ten games will decide it.

01 Feb 2019 09:24:18
Hess, if/ when we get everyone back and fired up I still think we have enough to do it. We got to where we are with a depleted squad so whose to say we can't stay there. I have always maintained that the end of February will be the best indicator.

01 Feb 2019 13:19:32
I think Harrison is learning a lot by playing more regularly at this level of football. Still signs that there is a good player in there. We need to get the very best out of him for the rest of the season. Roberts will be very important. Showing that he can make a difference, fresh as not over played. Clarke, I think is better used off the bench to come on and go all out for 45mins to influence the game. Being realistic, those last 10 games are exactly when we might see the benefits of Brown and Bamford.

01 Feb 2019 06:28:11
If I was James I'd be informing Potter the Swansea manager not to pick me my heart is no longer in it for playing for Swansea and can't guarantee 100% commitment with my mind else where and make it clear he'll never sign another contract to the owners.

01 Feb 2019 06:42:41
Exactly what Charlie Taylor was slated for?

Nah

Keep playing well lad, see you in 18months and a tribunal can sort the compo.

01 Feb 2019 06:57:22
He might end up signing a new contract on better wages, Anautovic just did same at West Ham.

01 Feb 2019 07:03:41
Bit different to Taylor the lad was in Leeds several hours passed his medical and wanted to sign he made it clear to Swansea he wanted to join Leeds and to pull the plug like that on the lad he must be gutted, he may continue to play but can't see him wanting to sign a extension now and hopefully swans get next to nowt when he leaves which ever club that may be who wants him.

02 Feb 2019 08:34:03
I meant Taylor refused to play for Leeds

James should not refuse to play for swans as suggested

He should still put a shift in if selected and give 100%

If he signs a new contract it just means he costs more to buy. Doesn’t mean he’s staying.

01 Feb 2019 01:33:52
Poor James. Must be gutted. Terms in place then medical passed only for Swansea to move goalposts. Very unprofessional and risky! James won't be signing new contract guaranteed.
So we go to second half with same squad pretty much!
Hope brown and Roberts come on big time to help out.
Let's start with a battering of Norwich.
Has the team been announced? I can't find it online?

01 Feb 2019 03:43:17
Hi Ausman. It's on Bein2 over here. Last year you guys mirrored what we had here.

01 Feb 2019 05:11:37
Yeah. Know it’s on mate but someone said he had already named his team but I can’t find it.

01 Feb 2019 05:46:30
2 changes from Rotherham game Aus. Jansson for Phillips and Roberts in for Clarke.

01 Feb 2019 09:37:47
As with previous weeks he has anounced early, saves spying. and damn the torpedoes. To quote Saint Francis " I'lle do it My Way"

01 Feb 2019 00:38:12
Disappointed no further signings this window, especially when given the impression our scouts have been busy here, Spain, and in Portugal.

Move on and put James non-deal down to Learning but I've already stated which two players I would have liked brought in. Ones been snapped up by Dirtby.

Sorry for sounding negative but I can't help think here we are in a great position for promotion once more and we don't improve the squad in January for promotion push.

Been getting messages already from mates saying we're going to throw it away again.

Got the best manager, best team by far in the league, best fans, keep playing the way we have most of this season and we'll walk to the PL.

With players like Bamford, Brown, returning from injury will be like two new signings and we've got the young lad signed early this week. Why am I worrying, nothing to worry about.
Norwich will be a good contest, we win there massive confidence boost.

01 Feb 2019 05:52:23
People have been saying Bamford and Brown will be like 2 new signings for 2 months and neither still ready for the bench. if We fail everyone is going to point the finger at this transfer window, if we succeed I think it will be the managerial achievement of the season with the lack of squasdepth and injuries we have had.

01 Feb 2019 06:50:14
Keep the faith Ibilko

The vultures will always hover but this, time this squad is going to finish the job and in style

Make it loud on Saturday.

01 Feb 2019 06:56:07
We brought in a top keeper, beat off premiership teams for a highly rated player

James we did all we could to sign him

No one was sold

We are top of the league

We’ve exciting u23s pushing for first team places

After the last 15 years of January windows, this is one of our better ones

Keep the faith.

31 Jan 2019 23:42:58
It's not the end of the world that we didn't get this player. It is sad though as he was a player who Bielsa wanted and also sad for the lad himself. Not knowing the true facts but would not be surprised if the blame is on Swanseas part. Yes he is their player and I guess they feel they have the right to do what they feel is in their best interest. I hope that the young lad will remember who is to blame for stopping this transfer when his contract is nearing its end. Hopefully we can pick him up in the summer for less than what Swansea wanted.