Leeds Banter Archive August 23 2018

23 Aug 2018 20:19:39
Evenin peeps. Lots of opinion on the CB situation. Mr Bielsa is not concerned, that's good enough for me, who am I to question The Master.

23 Aug 2018 20:45:00
Vid Cover for KP concerns me more.

23 Aug 2018 20:56:58
Well George, the thing is, the guy is a genius. He has obviously identified a lot of talent in the 23's, no coincidence he used them pre season. He knows what he is doing, trust him and smile and wave along the way.

23 Aug 2018 22:52:56
I agree with George. The way we play, defensive midfield is a crucial role. Its also very demanding and prone to bookings, fatigue and injury. It’s not completely clear who is the number 2, Klich? It seems like three people Phillips, Forshaw and Klich for 2 places. Not sure who in the under 23s would be ready to move up for that position?

23 Aug 2018 22:53:08
Vid I'll certainly smile and wave.

23 Aug 2018 19:05:02
I can't really understand Bielsa's insistence not to go for another central defender (if true) . I don't believe we will get promoted with only two central defenders in the squad. Coops is already injured and Pontus is bound to pick up a suspension on the way. That leaves us having to rely on Ayling who would provide good cover but is much better in his natural position (and suits Bielsaball) and Berardi who can be reckless at times. Bielsa can be forgiven for not knowing the demands of the championship but surely he would take advise from his staff on this one.

Down the pints, 3-1 to The Whites.

MM.

23 Aug 2018 19:18:22
He is well known for being stubborn, so that seems to fit and he seems to have a very broad view of who can do the CB role. He thinks that Pontus, cooper, Shaunessy, Phillips, klich, Ayling, Berardi and a few of the under 23s can do the job. To us, it seems a bit “loco” but who would have thought we would employ a coach who sits on a bucket! You wouldn’t catch Steve Evans doing that!

23 Aug 2018 19:20:00
Can't understand why we havnt picked up Robert Huth on a free, his experience would be of great benefit in the squad.

23 Aug 2018 19:27:59
Or Pennington, who knows the club and really seems to want to come back. It seems to come down to the fact, he doesn’t want another CB!

23 Aug 2018 20:14:22
Kray Huth was detected dining in Leeds recently. Wondering if he joined on a secret trial?

23 Aug 2018 22:52:28
I doubt Huth would be able to keep up with the team at his age.

24 Aug 2018 11:47:49
agree MM

if we don't get another Cb or some guy from a pub who is over 6 foot then that is real madness.

24 Aug 2018 13:11:09
think the bucket would collapse Spanish!

I'm also in the camp that think we should sign another CB personally, but time will tell if the decision is the right one.

23 Aug 2018 14:35:59
Don't know about u lot but I'm soo over collecting points.
Might have to start supporting stoke to remember what being a Leeds fan is like!

23 Aug 2018 18:05:44
They showed highlights and the fans were really giving it some .
Stoke won't be the first team to come down and struggle .

23 Aug 2018 12:06:54
Saturday Team:

BPF
Ayling Berardi Shaugnessy Douglas
Klich
Roofe Saiz Hernandez
Bamford

A little unfair to move Roofe out of position, but nobody else has impressed enough to play the wide role. At least with this we keep two active goalscorers on the pitch!

23 Aug 2018 12:15:14
Dropping Shacky an act of lunacy.

23 Aug 2018 12:21:21
Well he is “ el loco” got a sneaky feeling he will have Shackleton on the bench Saturday and play him against Preston!

23 Aug 2018 12:58:46
George: Where does Shackleton play though? As far as I'm concerned there's only 'cb' 'cdm' and 'winger' positions for stake at the minute? Potentially try him on the wing?

23 Aug 2018 13:40:52
All positions are at stake due to a long season. Don't think all posters appreciate we are going to play numerous midweek fixtures. Every player needed. I'd like to see Shacky play right midfield or right wing. Way he got to that byline was great. Can see him doing that all season. I'd drop Alioski and play Pablo on left. Give Ayling rest for Norwich but ultimately Ayling and Shacks on right could be too hot to handle for opposition. With Harrison and Alioski on bench there's squad depth in midfield. Would like to see another central defender added if nothing else.

23 Aug 2018 13:52:10
Shocking as this may be to you George but I agree 100%.
I like what I've seen of Shackleton so far and think his energy out wide could produce a very potent partnership with ayling longer term.

23 Aug 2018 14:44:56
Right idea with Shakelton, like the idea of him on the wing, but not sure if Bielsa will go for that on Sat. Might depend on whether Pontus is able to start and the knock on effect. If on the bench on sat, he should go with the idea against Preston.

23 Aug 2018 14:58:08
Thanks 🇨🇦.

23 Aug 2018 15:15:39
Agree George. Shackleton for Alioski as he gives the team so much energy. He looks like he can run all day and can pick a pass. As for moving Roofe our wide, no chance. You don’t move a striker out wide who’s been scoring regularly no matter how much you’d like to bring in Bamford in.
Not sure about the keeper situation as haven’t seen much of Blackman so can’t say he’s the better option, we’ll just have to leave that like everything else to Bielsa.

23 Aug 2018 15:35:14
Only 10 players sherburn.

23 Aug 2018 15:38:01
Thumbs up from me George. Think the lad would do well in a wide attacking role!

23 Aug 2018 15:58:28
I think Me Bielsa will tend to pick the same starters week on week whilst they win and show energy levels to meet his approach. When team loses or individual commitment levels slacken he will make changes to the starters or as on Tuesday during the game to rectify the issue as he perceives it. One thing about Mr Bielsa is that he is not afraid of shaking things up and making changes that he believes to be right. He is not a ditherer and will not tolerate 100% commitment on the pitch. That inevitably means some degree of rotation during the season.

On a separate note, he seems to favour players that can operate in more than one position/ role as that makes his team more fluid and adaptable in a game.

23 Aug 2018 16:15:08
It's really a good feeling that we are debating who is the best for a role, and can't agree. As opposed to just plain "drop him he's rubbish" MB has the managers - good - problem a choice of permutations with a feeling that they will all work and one is not necessarily weaker than the other. Having said that it would be nice to bring in a new CB.

23 Aug 2018 17:28:34
Think its right in saying Bielsa wants players to fill in more than one position so there is more fluidity in our play. However i think he has three or four players he sees as playing a vital role and as long as they are performing will be in team. Roofe in my opinion is one of those and as long as he keeps doing his job he will keep his place up front. Bamford will get his chances no doubt but he may have to wait a while. Think Nessie will be in the mix in a couple of weeks as he did miss a bit of training. I am quite happy with the players we have for the style he is playing. Would obviously like to see a couple more signings as like most i think the depth of the squad could be better. Bielsa obviously has his own vision of how players will fit in so am happy to leave it with him at the moment. As for us crashing and burning let's cross that bridge when we get to it and enjoy the moment and the football because we actually play football now. Onwards and upwards.

23 Aug 2018 17:37:32
Leo You're right. It's called a good problem to have from Bielsa's perspective. Recruitment and management much better this season than in a long time. I just hope Radz makes at least one more quality loan addition over the next week because we ought to be pressing home our advantage not just sticking to what we have. Villa are going for it. We should try match them. Ideally I'd like to see 2 new faces. Central defender and defensive midfield back up to KP.

23 Aug 2018 08:56:23
Team selection for Saturday shall be interesting. Certain players need dropping, others resting. My team would be Blackman Bera (RB) Pontus Nessy Douglas Phillips Baker Shacky (RM) Pablo (LM) Saiz Roofe. BPF had to go, bring in Nessy, hopefully Pontus fit, rest Ayling, switch Bera to preferred right back, tell Shacky to play right midfield, drop Alioski put Pablo in his place, Phillips keeps place in front of back 4 because he only played half hour and you hope he plays better, rest Klich for Baker with eye on Tuesday. Simples.

23 Aug 2018 10:29:27
I think you are right on shaunessy and Phillips. I think he might start Harrison and Hernandez on the wings and Shackleton with his versatility on the bench.

23 Aug 2018 10:51:37
Oh sorry missed another one, No change to the goalie, another game and then change for Preston. My ideas are more what I think he will do.

23 Aug 2018 17:33:02
Got a feeling we will not see Berardi playing right back much. Would like to see Shackleton wide right though.