Leeds Banter 2

11 Jul 2026 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Why Patience and McInnes Matter at Rangers

10 Jul 2026 21:52:34
Lammens anyone?

10 Jul 2026 22:02:02
Price has dropped recently. 😂

11 Jul 2026 05:37:51
Maybe KD did sign as #1?

11 Jul 2026 08:57:46
No. Hope they keep Lemmon as no 1.

11 Jul 2026 17:20:10
Not nice to say, but it's been a bit of a nasty WC for Manchester United. Ugarte injury (wouldn't wish on anyone) , and they have to pick up the pieces after Lammens' error. It's not even what I'd call a horrific error in a technical sense, but in a contextual sense it's disastrous.

I feel a bit for Lammens, given he came off the bench and into that environment. One of the toughest to be for a keeper, I imagine.

10 Jul 2026 14:37:03
It's pretty concerning that we're still talking more about outgoings than incomings. Pascal's gone for what I think is a bargain fee, Perri's out on loan, Darlow looks close to leaving, yet some of the players who are really inflating the wage bill are still here.

It feels like we're always slow in the market and end up getting beaten to targets by clubs we're competing with. I'd love to see us get our business done early for once, get the new signings settled in, and give them a full pre-season with the squad. Unfortunately, it looks like we're heading down the same path again.

10 Jul 2026 15:01:23
Trust the process? Nah.

The club very much needs an experienced, savvy Director of Football to steer this club. Marathe and 49ers should be strengthening our recruitment expertise.

10 Jul 2026 16:20:46
Is this a deja vu moment from last year, when Underwood's abilities, even his parentage, were called into question, and yet the large majority of the purchases were a success and arguably worth a good deal more than their original fees.

Due to ridiculous, top-six slanted regulations of PSR and profitability, we may have less to spend than the promoted sides.

Judge the window when it's closed.

Buying early doesn't necessarily mean buying better, and if we bought the next Raphinia in the last hour of the window, is that somehow less of a signing? WC hasn't finished yet, and all the big teams' dominoes will need to be played first, then we can hopefully buy a stronger player than we currently have.

It's crazy to think there's some weird conspiracy in not signing players or not spending all that we have.

10 Jul 2026 17:05:02
There has to be a process to trust, first of all, surely?

10 Jul 2026 19:59:02
Of course there's a process, it's just that we don't know what it is. If I were the club, I certainly wouldn't tell you, bunch of rascals, what it is, cos you'd just go and blab it to the rest of the world.

10 Jul 2026 20:04:28
Guaranteed the process didn't account for Darlow effing off?

10 Jul 2026 20:07:41
Definitely Corkey.

10 Jul 2026 21:02:47
Really, Corkey? They didn't think guaranteeing KD #1, or paying him the type of money he was after, would make him a flight risk?

I agree they wouldn't naturally expect KD to get better offers, but I believe (certainly don't know) the process in this scenario is focused on a keeper upgrade. I think we're all guessing to some extent. Time will tell.

10 Jul 2026 22:13:38
Don't believe for a minute they thought Man U would come in for KD.

10 Jul 2026 22:16:02
He wasn't regarded as first choice, so, as he was only likely to be no. 1 at a Championship club, he probably decided to go with the best offer. Man U obviously did that, especially as they are likely to dump Bayindir. It was a salary increase and the possibility of the FA Cup and maybe some European games.


We haven't handled this well. Darlow worked well with the defence last season, and there were none of the recriminations that Meslier had. We shouldn't be spending money on something that wasn't broke.

11 Jul 2026 07:19:01
Panic not, Alex Cairns has signed a new deal, we are sorted for a keeper. 🤣

11 Jul 2026 09:35:38
Couldn't agree more with the last part of your opening post, Class.
As for Darlow, it's pretty obvious to me that the bright lights of a so-called elite club have tempted Darlow to switch clubs.


I'm certain the club didn't want him to leave, and it was not a question of his salary.

Too many on here want to beat our owners with a big stick all the time. I really don't understand why.

11 Jul 2026 14:13:00
If the club didn't want him to leave, why not offer him a contract in the season when he was number 1?
And, not about his salary?
You must be a share holder. You talk pooh plops.

11 Jul 2026 15:16:02
Due to all the financial restraints, it would be logical, would it not, to keep Darlow, especially if he had a decent last season.
It's very logical to me that Darlow already had a whisper in his ear during last season from a certain club.

That's why he refused to talk about a contract extension.
I'm no shareholder, Pooh boy.

11 Jul 2026 15:29:48
Aus and OP Tom and Jerry act entertaining as ever.

10 Jul 2026 11:06:08
Can’t help but feel like Farke is spouting about reverting to a 4-2-3-1 is not helpful at all.
It surely make the recruitment strategy and targets look very different.

4-2-3-1 you need wingers.
The other requires CAM’s.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him go this summer still.



He’s an idiot if he reverts back to 4-2-3-1. A massive idiot.

Also I feel the club have dropped the ball with a lot of contracts, we’ve a load expiring next year as well, I know the window is open until September but given the numbers we now need, I think we are well behind where we should be.

10 Jul 2026 13:11:46
Made up by the YEP, we think. I don't know if Farke would be allowed to go back 4 even though it is his preferred line up.

Hope to God he doesn't.

10 Jul 2026 13:32:33
To say a manager/coach wouldn't be allowed to play his favourite tactics says a lot about the confidence in Farke.

10 Jul 2026 14:27:52
Said all along he is gone.
But also recruitment leaves a lot to be desired.
It's a bit weird. They back the man, Farke, but disagree with his fav formation. How do you plan transfers around that?

10 Jul 2026 15:04:05
What Aus said.
It's a mess.

10 Jul 2026 15:33:52
Nothing adds up other than confusion.
That's why it wouldn't shock me if he went soon.

11 Jul 2026 09:39:12
Sack Farke 🤣 already. It looks like personal hatreds and agendas are rising to the surface yet again.

11 Jul 2026 14:14:09
I've said sack him for over a year. Nothing rising here. Nothing to see here. Old news.

11 Jul 2026 15:18:26
I know you don't change your mind on the Farke subject, Aus, but your sidekick Baz is a turncoat.

11 Jul 2026 19:06:59
Bah humbug shareholder OP.

. Moi? A sidekick? Nope.

10 Jul 2026 09:32:09
Ok, the grenade has been thrown and Karl and possibly Lucas are off. But can we at least wait and check whether the pin was still in the grenade, by at least first assessing the replacement goalkeepers?

Clearly, our manager does not have complete confidence in either keeper or the money and promises of being #1 would have been made.



Who knows, it might just turn out to be fantastic decision, but the body is usually dead before a full post mortem commences.

10 Jul 2026 11:01:18
I don't have any confidence in the manager.

10 Jul 2026 11:33:17
Of course you're entitled to your opinion, Dave, but he is our manager, and football decisions are his until someone else takes over. I'm going to enjoy the ride whilst it lasts in the ridiculously corrupt EPL, where everyone outside of the top six or so teams tries to survive/compete with a third of the resources.

10 Jul 2026 12:13:00
I think most of us have questioned Farke at times during his tenure - we live in a throw away world, if something doesn't go our way, then get rid of it immediately!

However, he has done a first rate job for us.

He got us out of the Championship (which is notoriously difficult) and kept us in the top flight (also notoriously difficult for promoted teams) .

He's had the balls to change a system when it wasn't working into a new system that worked very well.

He's taken a number of players who many thought were questionable, and turned them into the type of player we all knew they could be (DCL being the perfect example) , and, finally, he gets what it is to be Leeds United.

Sorry, Dave, but as Class has said, you are entitled to your opinion, but please try and have some confidence in DF - slowly but surely, he's proving himself to be a worthy manager of our club.

10 Jul 2026 12:52:01
46% of newly promoted clubs to the EPL actually stay up the first season. Not as difficult as people believe.

10 Jul 2026 13:14:18
Please don't spoil the narrative with facts, Corkey!

10 Jul 2026 14:31:33
So he wasn't worthy at first, Cleggy? Why?
And who says he learnt and changed system when it's pretty clear it wasn't him.

10 Jul 2026 16:26:54
Preach it, Corkey.

10 Jul 2026 20:09:56
I'm on a holiday in Playa Blanca and I'm still talking to you bunch of reprobates. No matter where I am Leeds United is always on my mind. Sad but true.

10 Jul 2026 20:14:12
It's actually 53% of clubs that stay up. 46% was before last season!

11 Jul 2026 15:36:43
It all depends how you look into stats, because there is the stat that says 65% of newly promoted teams go down in their first three seasons in the Premiership.
Which would suggest it's hard to stay in the Premiership in the first few seasons.

10 Jul 2026 08:12:03
I am disappointed by the not keeping Darlow mainly cos we now have to focus and spending a % of our budget on a keeper which for I don’t think we really needed to do.
Unless he can trust Perri but either way we still need a keeper.

10 Jul 2026 14:32:21
Agree, mighty. But we can't trust Perri. Leopard and all that.

10 Jul 2026 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - WhyAreYouSoGoodBrian has posted a new article entitled, Rangers Fans Embrace a Purposeful Summer

09 Jul 2026 22:56:05
If Darlow would prefer to get splinters on his fat backside than play for us, then good riddance.
Seen them come and seen them go but we remain loyal and steadfast with our love and support for our team.
Zetterstrom will do or even Johanson at Stoke, perhaps they would like to represent the mighty Leeds United.

10 Jul 2026 06:28:56
Was Darlow even offered a new LUFC contract to continue to be number 1 at Leeds, though? Seems not.

And,

God help LUFC, if Farke reverts back to his previously failed formation and selection of the first half of last season: goalkeeper Lucas Perri and a back 4 defence this coming season. Nervous. 😓

10 Jul 2026 06:34:15
And, if Leeds United are attempting to offload Lucas Perri ..

Then our recruitment department are going to be heavily focused on signing 2 ( hopefully competent and reliable ) goalkeepers.

..And therefore possibly less focused on other key areas such as a much needed good striker.

10 Jul 2026 06:57:20
I expect Darlow going is a surprise to them, but quite possibly never guaranteed him number 1.
They could use the surprise of Darlow leaving as an excuse as to why they missed out on another key position.

Maybe.
As you say, Baz. Pray Perri goes to Torino and he sticks with 5 at back and not 4.
Quite possibly gonna be tough getting two able goalkeepers and leave enough time and dosh for other needed positions.

10 Jul 2026 07:13:42
Indeed, Aus.

How confident are you in our recruitment dept being able to get done deals for not 1 but 2 (at the very least reliable, preferably good) keepers in 7 weeks?

10 Jul 2026 07:27:49
Not confident on 2.
Plus all the other positions. Gonna be hard graft.

10 Jul 2026 08:04:00
I feel a bit of WUMing going on here.
Everything is falling apart at Leeds United.
We could sign Meslier's sister, I've heard she's better than him.

10 Jul 2026 08:16:48
She couldn't be any worse, OP. 😂 Zetterstrom is a definite possibility. We have watched him for a while, but after a good WC there would be competition.

10 Jul 2026 08:23:19
Indeed indeed, opti.
I think we are saying that signing two able goalkeepers in a transfer window will not be easy.

10 Jul 2026 09:51:21
Third keeper will be insignificant, either an old timer or, more preferably, a youngster.
I can see Peri, for the time being, being number two. I think Peri will improve with time, and will see an opportunity with the new keeper coming to the club.
So the club, in my estimation, will be looking for only one important keeper signing.

09 Jul 2026 19:25:06
Darlow to ****, I guess he never got it!

Time to make moves, Mr Underwood and co.

09 Jul 2026 20:26:34
Very disappointed by this.

I do wonder what contract offer our owners/recruitment team offered Karl Darlow.

Contract as a number 1 or 2?
Salary.. length of contract.

09 Jul 2026 20:33:05
Doesn't really matter, Baz, he's 36 soon and we need better as number 1, but turning down a renewal to go there is ill-advised on his side.

My bigger concern is that Underwood and co have known for 8 days he wasn't gunna re-sign. We all knew it when he let his contract expire.

09 Jul 2026 20:44:57
Yes Dave, .. but it is the same Underwood who failed last season in signing a good reliable number 1 keeper in Perri.

09 Jul 2026 20:47:16
Dave, don't get the ill advised comment. He's quite entitled to go where he wants especially as Leeds are looking to replace him as the number one keeper.
Man U most likely offered him double the salary Leeds had on the table. I don't blame the lad for his choice.

09 Jul 2026 20:48:41
But you're not bothered that he's naffing off over the Pennines despite Leeds resurrecting his career, and giving him his opportunity at #1? If Lammens stays fit he'll benchwarn for the rest of his days. Maybe just me, but that says more about him than it does anyone else at our club!

09 Jul 2026 21:18:54
Indeed, Corkey.. If Leeds were, as reported, looking to bring in a new number 1 with Darlow back to being a number 2

Then who on earth should begrudge that KD grasps the opportunity to move to Man U whilst doubling his salary.

And, if Perri is Leeds number 1 next seez, Leeds are in deep doodoo, imo.

09 Jul 2026 21:49:44
Not big news for me. I don't have a problem with him chasing his last big payday, but for myself that puts him firmly in the Jack Harrison, Wobber et al camp.

Neither Messi nor Darlow will get more than three games in two seasons at their respective new clubs, but that's their prerogative to pick up that sort of money, benchwarming but a cushy number all the same.



Going forward, I have no interest whatsoever in any player that doesn't want to stay and fight for the chance to represent Leeds United.

Thanks for last season, but he had clear weaknesses in terms of positioning, concentration, especially with the ball at his feet, etc., and I firmly believe we can find a top replacement in my personal opinion.

09 Jul 2026 21:50:21
It's likely his last contract at his age, so if he's getting paid a lot more, why wouldn't he leave.
Let's hope we have better lined up.

09 Jul 2026 22:16:40
Class, cmon mate, you can't lump in with those two. I'm 100% certain he would have stayed if he was to continue as the number one keeper. Don't forget he was the number one in our last Championship campaign and then Leeds brought Perri in last season.

He probably believes he deserves to be first choice next season after a good year?
Can't blame him for wanting one last big pay day considering his age.
Brighty, Leeds didn't resurrect his career. He did that himself, by hard work and proving people wrong.

09 Jul 2026 22:34:38
I've posted many times, Corkey. It's wholly irrational on my part (my irrational judgement) , of course Darlow has done nothing wrong in taking the best pay day, which I posted, and I don't have any ill feeling, especially given his horrible choice of club

I just swiftly move any player who doesn't want to stay and play for us to the meh collective, no longer interested in them.



Loved Raphinia, Rutter, but I'm meh about them too now, as I just cannot believe (well I can really, but choose not to) accept that anywhere is better than Leeds United.

On a serious note, he did very well last year behind a very organised defence, but if we are to become established in this division we need better than Karl imo and I believe we will find one.

09 Jul 2026 23:04:53
100% the last paragraph, Class.

09 Jul 2026 23:11:02
The problem is now we need two new keepers!

09 Jul 2026 23:36:49
..2 keepers needed (if number 2 Perri leaves) and no one incoming/lined up.. certainly not Trafford or Suzuku.

It's a bit of a mess right now. 😕
.

10 Jul 2026 05:26:02
It all came down to money. We were unwilling to match the wages offered by Man U or Everton.

10 Jul 2026 06:20:15
Nor should we have Alf, if he was gonna be #2 anyway.

10 Jul 2026 06:37:44
And, if the number 1, whoever that may be, proves to be no better (or less) than KD?

10 Jul 2026 09:42:57
I don't think KD is too bothered about being number one, he's certainly not going to be that at MU unless Lammens breaks a leg. It's all about money, he's 35 and wants one last big payday before he hangs up his gloves, and ####Chester United can afford to pay him more than we can. Don't like it, but can't blame him.