Leeds Banter 2

04 Jun 2026 20:49:46
Gonna put it out but does anyone believe DF stumbled upon the new formation at HT against City?
Or was he just waiting for the right moment?
It's an interesting topic to me. Was he just trying to keep the score down or had he practiced the formation?

04 Jun 2026 21:42:48
He did it at Norwich, switching from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 to achieve better play, although Norwich struggled to score goals.
He also used that formation in his earlier days with Dortmund reserves.
I have mentioned this before on here, and, no, contrary to what everyone wants to believe, he did not stumble on this like it just dropped out of the sky.

04 Jun 2026 22:02:11
Love to know, Corkey, my hunch it was the players proposed the change, (don't know, but Farkey hadn't used the formation previously) , it really doesn't matter to me though, whether Farkey introduced it, or he was big enough to give the players idea a try.

Irrespective, it transformed our season and enabled Gaby and Bogle to get forwards and add to our up to then, much needed creativity.



Also made us so much harder to beat and certainly got the best out of Bijol who I thought grew into one of our most rugged and dependable defenders as a result.

04 Jun 2026 22:45:43
Really feels like Leeds players insisted on change of formation to 3 5 2.

Farkey very rarely played 3 5 2 for Norwich in EPL. He played 4 3 3.

And, as a result, Norwich managed to have a horrendous minus 120 goal difference combined over the 2 EPL seasons 19/20 and 21/22.

04 Jun 2026 23:35:38
We will never know who made the decision, but in his comments after that game, or maybe the next one, when asked about the formation, he replied 4-4-2 wins the PL and it's my preferred way of playing, and he wanted to go back to it.

Over the season, his management of the team got better, his sub timing got better, and he actually started to show some emotion and pride in the team.

So, imho, whether it was the players, or his coaches, or management, it was good that he listened to them and stuck to it; otherwise, I think we would be playing Championship next season.

05 Jun 2026 00:18:34
But, according to reports, he wants to go back to his more favoured 4-4-2 next season. The losing formation, which we would have got relegated with, had the players not suggested a change at half-time v City.

05 Jun 2026 06:05:45
He changes three, then to four at the back during certain games, depending on the opposition and their tactics. Nothing wrong with that, and it shows his flexibility to adapt.
Absolute, baseless nonsense that the players are making all the tactical decisions for him.

05 Jun 2026 06:16:43
I think we all know why Norwich did so badly and were relegated twice. Their owner refused or couldn't spend money on new players.
It seems to me that for some Leeds fans, they still can't accept that DF is our manager, and that continues to really irk them.


Pity that he doesn't receive the credit he surely deserves, or is it just an ego agenda from some fans?

05 Jun 2026 07:09:27
They'd clearly been doing it in training as a different option. I've never, in my life, seen a team switch formations, not having practiced it repeatedly! This is pro football, not a rush goalie scenario in Roundhay Park.
Maybe players "suggested" switching? No one will ever know.

05 Jun 2026 07:43:38
Rumours at the time were that Ampadu and DCL were behind the halftime change at Man City. Does seem plausible.

05 Jun 2026 08:08:33
There's Opti's fave phrase when people disagree. Some Leeds fans. Cheer up, mate. Some agree with you, some don't.
I have no doubt it would have been practiced. It doesn't matter if it was him or, more likely, the players' suggestion. It 100% saved his bacon.

05 Jun 2026 06:50:40
OP I think that you are reading what you want from the posts. First off Norwich has nothing to do with the last season. Leeds gave him most of what he wanted, not everything, but most things.

He then played 4-4-2 and lost 9 games, and at half time at chity decided to change, so the fans will always be questioning what happened.

It was a different season from the Chitty game, we got to the semi's of the cup and could have easily swept them aside, and we had some great game to keep the team safe. Now he has a foundation to build on. and hopefully we do
MOT

05 Jun 2026 09:18:36
Who knew OP watches Dortmund reserves. 😳

05 Jun 2026 10:23:15
Come on Corky, you can read and inform yourself or you can be like a sheep and just follow and repeat what others have guessed or simply made up.
It's only my opinion for Christ sake or am I not allowed to have one Aus?
What's wrong with you?

05 Jun 2026 14:08:08
Some Leeds fans opti. But not you. 😬

05 Jun 2026 15:15:05
Only jesting, OP, mate.
It was a fair question, I thought?

05 Jun 2026 17:39:20
Fair enough lads. 😎

04 Jun 2026 20:06:18
Lads watch on YouTube Leeds Leeds Leeds. A tribute to Leeds United fans.
Song released three days ago.
I enjoyed it, great craic.

04 Jun 2026 12:25:35
Amps signs new four year deal. Good news. Hope we keep the rest of the midfield but suspect one of Tanaka/ Gruev will go to free up space for a no.10.

04 Jun 2026 13:04:04
A good start to the close season business.

04 Jun 2026 13:07:50
No bids or interest in Amps from other clubs, perhaps telling. But, yep, good news, one supposes.

04 Jun 2026 13:39:00
Gruev is a definite keep as Amps backup unless a direct replacement is brought in.

04 Jun 2026 13:40:20
You're a hard man to please, Baz. Amps at £7m is great value when compared to what's been asked for the likes of Anderson and Fernandez. We're not in that spending bracket-yet.

04 Jun 2026 14:04:44
With respect, Baz, how can you possibly know whether or not there has been any bids or interest in Amps from other clubs? Just because it's not been reported in the media, doesn't mean it's not happened!

04 Jun 2026 14:22:00
Yep, ok, very fair comments, both Dune and JR.

04 Jun 2026 14:45:26
By all accounts, both Villa & Spurs were expected to bid for Ampadu. A new contract keeps him here or massively increases his value.
Either way, he gets what it is to be Leeds, he gets and embraces that iconic #4 shirt.
He stays.

04 Jun 2026 19:46:14
Our first signing of the new year.

04 Jun 2026 21:58:08
Ampadu is integral to how we play, and a very good leader on and off the pitch, I imagine.
Without his presence in our team, I seriously doubt we would be enjoying our next season in the Premiership.
Ampadu might not only be signing a four-year contract, but also could be leaving his future legacy in the history books at Leeds United.

05 Jun 2026 00:22:46
Still Doesn't mean he stays. Puts another 10-15 on his worth, mind. Think owners have really got to show ambition this window to placate the better players. They have said they are targeting impact players, so if it gets crossed, we get some goodens.

05 Jun 2026 07:11:31
That's true, Aus. Whichever way it plays out, it's a very, very good move.

04 Jun 2026
New image uploaded to the
Leeds Player Sightings page entitled, One of Leeds Utd best ever strikers Mr Viduka in our fab new kit ...I'll buy two

Click picture for larger image

04 Jun 2026 11:07:26
If only!

04 Jun 2026 12:04:00
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Surprised it wasn't The Road Runner.

Meep Meep. 🤣

04 Jun 2026 13:11:25
Chris, ..Yep, I was thinking of doing so especially for you. 😆

Indeed, LUFCfeath! ...What an absolute game changer Viduka would be for this Leeds United side!

04 Jun 2026 21:08:04
Indeed, if only someone could find us a new V Bomber, strength, speed, shooting and heading power, he had the lot.

04 Jun 2026 07:59:43
Is there still goal and save of the season awards?

04 Jun 2026 09:50:37
We have already done GoS.
Team goal vs Sunderland away, clear winner.

Save of the season, so many by Darlow to mention.

04 Jun 2026 10:14:46
I meant MOTD or BBC or 90 Minutes. Used to do like top 10, and way back, used to be able to vote for it too.

04 Jun 2026 16:20:03
The EPL have issued their official Top 10. I'm not convinced personally.

04 Jun 2026 21:32:35
You will probably have missed it in Oz, but the BBC goal of the season went like this. Every month from August through to April, a goal of the month was chosen following a viewers' online vote. Our goal at Sunderland, finished off by DCL, was the clear winner for December, with all the commentary team agreeing that it was a perfect team goal.

So, by the end of the season, 9 "goals of the month" had been chosen. At the end of the last programme of the season, viewers were presented with 8 goals from which to select the "goal of the season", and guess which one of the 9 was not included - typical BBC.

05 Jun 2026 03:22:28
Wow. Bad.

05 Jun 2026 07:17:42
Don't get to watch MOTD anymore, JR, thank Bod for that, from what I read and what you've just said! That is unsurprisingly shocking!

05 Jun 2026 10:47:22
I've emailed the BBC asking for an explanation, but will not be holding my breath awaiting a response.

04 Jun 2026 00:10:03
As alluded to further down about players staying or going. With parathe stating his ambitions to tread water over next two seasons and become established.
It could mean our main stays who I’m sure have more ambition than that could be tempted away by a club in euro spots or even a club that are showing more ambition.

Players like amps, Rodon, stach, gabby etc etc. Leaving us with the also runs that no other club wants.

04 Jun 2026 09:53:53
Gabby Gudmunsson? Not that good defensively. Zero EPL goals and assists.

Junior Firpo offered more, arguably.

Leeds United's greatest left backs, Terry Cooper and Tony Dorigo. No one else close.

04 Jun 2026 11:09:26
Willie Bell and Ian Harte are worth a mention, Baz.

04 Jun 2026 13:15:06
Willie Bell is a very good shout, LUFCfeath, defensively especially.

As for Ian Harte, a good shout. Going forward, very good, absolutely sensational on free kicks. I just wish he had been quicker and a better tackler.

04 Jun 2026 13:28:22
If Harte had been a yard quicker, he would have been top class. Same goes for many other players, though! After Leeds, Harte continued to do well, especially at Reading.

04 Jun 2026 22:00:09
I think we missed a trick with Firpo. Defensively, he was a bit shaky and caught out of position too often, but great going forwards. I think he could have been a great am, which is essentially where he plays for Dominican Republic.

As for Gg, I think he's better than simple stats suggest, not a Dorigo or a TC (yet) , but shows promise, and has the right attitude. Definitely a keeper for me.

05 Jun 2026 07:20:31
Exactly right, JR, on both fronts.
Gabby has been excellent this season, and to say otherwise isn't fair. Yes, he's had errors in him, but so has every other player. That's just the level we're at for the moment.

03 Jun 2026 23:53:01
Just read that Longstaff is the second highest paid player on the active roster after DCL.
He's on over 4 million a year, almost double Stach's wage. Unbelievable.

04 Jun 2026 01:01:40
Ridiculous wage for a non starter. Ridiculous wage actually. Shoulda tried harder at sports when I was a lad.

04 Jun 2026 06:24:21
Injury blighted last season. If he stays fit, he'll be starting alongside Amps and Stach.

04 Jun 2026 07:40:29
If he's starting games regularly next season, we might as well pack up and go home. I'm just hoping a team like Hull comes in for him this summer.

04 Jun 2026 16:22:22
When he's played, he's done pretty well, setting aside some very crucial goals. I hope he gets the chance next season to show that.

03 Jun 2026
New image uploaded to the
Leeds Player Sightings page entitled, Seemingly new away shirt

Click picture for larger image

03 Jun 2026 23:08:10
That shirt's a 10 from Baz. Blooming delicious.

04 Jun 2026 06:25:36
Ditto. Love it. You can see the detailing on this pic too!

04 Jun 2026 08:19:46
Looks like grandma's wallpaper. 1 out of 10, and that's for matching the logo to the stripes. Next season is gonna be painful on my eyes.

04 Jun 2026 10:00:45
So, Southern, I am curious to know your ranking for Leeds multicoloured 3rd kit this completed 25/26 season.

04 Jun 2026 11:10:24
I will have one of those!

04 Jun 2026 13:11:14
Baz, that one's a strong 8 out of 10 for me. One of the few shirts I've bought and actually worn.

04 Jun 2026 13:23:12
Really!! Southern, please tell me you are joking.

04 Jun 2026 20:23:01
The long sleeve version is even better still!

03 Jun 2026
New image uploaded to the
Leeds Player Sightings page entitled, Next season away kit ?

Click picture for larger image

03 Jun 2026 11:52:53
Another beauty imo!

03 Jun 2026 12:16:33
Loving the retro badge.

03 Jun 2026 13:18:43
Is this an official LUFC photo?

DJ and BA here next seez then.

03 Jun 2026 13:34:17
Don't like it. Anything can happen between now and then, Baz. Think 3 of the 6 could be gone maybe. Don't get why they use players. Should use youth or models. Anyway. Don't like it.

03 Jun 2026 14:05:05
What's not to like, Aus?

It's yellow! As it always should be!

It's a billion percent improvement on the monstrosities of the 2nd and 3rd kits of 25/26. Kits in which we again failed to win even one EPL game!

All eleven of our EPL wins in 25/26 were in our white kit. Let that sink in.

03 Jun 2026 15:28:00
I don't get this home and away kit business. We should play in all white, every game, home and away, except where there's a clash with the home team (eg Fulham) . Liverpool never come to Er and play in anything but all red, so why should we go there and play in anything but all white? It's all about money really, to sell more versions of the replica kit to supporters.

03 Jun 2026 17:30:52
Photos were supposedly taken over a month ago, so I don't think it guarantees anyone's stay at the club.

03 Jun 2026 19:32:07
Hopefully we won't see Baracus & Roadrunner in that kit next Seez.

03 Jun 2026 19:51:16
Maybe not BA, as only one year left on contract.

But..

You'll defo be seeing Super DJ in that kit next seez, Chrissy.

Meet meep.

03 Jun 2026 22:09:43
Oh, that's shirts a keeper. Love the retro badge. Player wise, Mrs Class says snog Joe, marry Amos, avoid Ba. 😱

03 Jun 2026 23:09:44
Amos? Sounds like someone from The Archers or Emmerdale.

03 Jun 2026 23:33:02
Blooming predictive text Amps 🤣 But Mrs C is getting on, ya know, and easily confused!

04 Jun 2026 06:27:50
Amos Brierley and his famous mutton chops!
When Emmerdale Farm was actually about a farming community!