Leeds Banter 3

09 Oct 2026
New image uploaded to the
Leeds Player Sightings page entitled, I’m not one for nostalgia but did dig out this old program from me yoof, hope we can repeat the same scoreline this weekend.

Click picture for larger image

09 Oct 2026 20:56:36
Happily Leeds United often beat Arsenal in the 1970s including this match 2 1.

09 Oct 2026 22:48:36
A match that featured goals from Allan Clarke and also a very rare event, one from Norman Hunter!

09 Oct 2026 23:01:34
Indeed JR

And Gooners goal was scored by Brian Kidd (former LUFC coach in the DOL era )

09 Oct 2026 23:44:46
I am hoping for a big improvement on last season's performances against the Gooners tomorrow. If we get one who knows? I don't think anyone is really expecting us to win there, but to get a point would be excellent. Fingers crossed.

10 Oct 2026 00:38:46
But then again, nobody expected them to lose 3:0 away at Brighton last time out, the same Brighton who only managed a 1:1 draw against us. 🤞.

10 Oct 2026 10:57:10
Honestly feel that any outcome is possible today! Even a win! Big games required from everyone!

08 Oct 2026 16:03:18
Going to Emirates on Sat. Bro is season ticket holder and invites me along. Last year was a humiliation. All his mates wanted me to come to every game after 5:0. 😢. Will be interesting to see how much we've improved since then. I'd settle for a narrow loss but have a feeling it might be a 1972 repeat and we sneak it.

09 Oct 2026 22:49:25
Not excepting much from this game, as we normally play like crap after one of the breaks. But expecting a decent game and an improvement from last years two embarrassments - a point would be amazing and 3 would be out of this world.

08 Oct 2026 14:02:41
DF: Rodon making good progress, DJ is out for VARsenal, Bahoya had an ankle sprain which is better and Wilson back in team training.

08 Oct 2026 14:09:00
Great that JR is making good progress.we need him back.

08 Oct 2026 20:02:33
Baz 100% agree.

08 Oct 2026 20:40:21
Said it at the time of injury, he seems to always get back quicker than expected. A fast healer apparently.

08 Oct 2026 23:17:14
Thanks for your concern Baz, but I'm fit and ready to play - if there's a vacancy in the tiddlywinks squad.

09 Oct 2026 01:11:58
Haha JR we need you and the mighty Joe Rodon

But I had you down as more of a crown green bowling maestro ; something slightly more energetic than tiddlywinks for sure.

09 Oct 2026 20:02:45
Defo not bowls, I'd probably be banned for making divots on the green with my size 10s. Badminton used to be my game, but dodgy ankles and advancing years put a stop to that.

09 Oct 2026 23:45:34
Absolutely Baz.

08 Oct 2026 05:29:00
Back in business at last and a very difficult game coming up.
My line up as long as no injuries would be.
Trafford. Bogle. Justin. Elvis. Gary. Gabby. Amps tanaka. Stach. Noah. Dcl.
Be happy with a point.
Think we will do Devon.

08 Oct 2026 07:29:56
Seems like the right starting lineup to me. In terms of injuries from what I read we can add Wilson and Bahoya to Rodon, so no new key injuries. Any other I haven't heard about? Arsenal missing saliba havertz tzolis and konsa with white and Mosquera also struggling so CB could be problematic for them albeit they should have more strength in depth to cope than us.

08 Oct 2026 14:04:44
Hoping
Arsenal 0 vs Leeds 1

Expecting
Arsenal 2 vs Leeds 0.

08 Oct 2026 19:25:42
Sounds about right.

08 Oct 2026 23:14:19
Think I might go for Bijol in place of Elvis Aus, but otherwise my choices would be the same as yours.

06 Oct 2026 22:37:46
Kane has had a bit of stick on this site but tonight as usual he's been all over the place. Spent a lot of time sweeping up in defence but then pops up twice in the Couchal own goal and then to slot one away from a first time cross. Remember watching Shearer at Blackburn a few times and was always impressed that he wasn't just a centre forward but worked for the team all over the pitch. Bellingham showing his class but some of the others don't have his touch and some of the opportunities have been wasted by poor final passes.

06 Oct 2026 23:43:08
Kane is top class

Saw a video of a goal he scored for Bayern ; in which the move comprised of him defending and gaining possession at CB position in his own penalty area from a corner

before making 4 passes in a sweeping move up pitch at CDM, CM,CAM positions and then scoring in CF position in opponents box

Poetry in motion.

07 Oct 2026 08:12:42
Was at the game. Kane is absolute class, can play multiple positions.
Belling ham cruised through the game, Hall gonna be an absolute star, Trent was ok. Rest of the team mediocre. Best moment was a Jimmy Trafford save in the warm up :-)

08 Oct 2026 00:46:19
I'm particularly disappointed with Eze. When he was at Palace he looked top class, but since his move to Arsenal he has gone backwards, and was possibly the worst man on the pitch last night.

08 Oct 2026 07:23:36
I would say undoubtedly not possibly JR. when you consider our left wing had been so potent with Flash and Hall previously, absolutely nothing was created down the left with Eze there. Always slows the game down and turns back, just like rashford used to do for England. And doesn't work back at all or track runners.

Flatters to deceive with some nice bits of skill but end product = zero. Anyway, who cares, Leeds are back and it is a free hit. Can't say I fancy us much but hopefully we can put up a good fight and winkle a point or three - we are a lot more robust this year so touch wood can't see us shipping 5.

05 Oct 2026 20:23:27
Still one more international game to go before learning of what players are potentially injured or fatigued in playing possibly four games in nine days !

Bohoya could be one such player who could have I believe an ankle injury, the severity is unknown for the moment.
There could be a certain amount of fatigue with Amps and Gudmundsson but I think the rest should be ok fingers crossed certainly with our CB's as they are doing so well for their club.

I'd be happy for DCL to get more minutes for England tomorrow and it's possible he will with Tuchel announcing some changes for their match against the Czech Republic.
Still think Kane will start but Calvert Lewin could get 20/30 mins, hope so for him.

05 Oct 2026 21:45:26
Well hopefully plenty of Gooners internationals are a combo of fatigued and injured also.

Just as Leeds won a league game at OT last season for the first time in 45 years, I think its been 23 years since we last beat Arsenal thanks to Aussie greats Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka. Lets do the Goonners. more than time.

05 Oct 2026 23:15:09
Can't say I've checked this time but I'd say Arsenal normally have the most players who withdraw from internationals due to 'injury'.
If that's the same this time they'll be fresh!

05 Oct 2026 07:39:21
{Ed's Note - OptimumShots has posted a new article entitled, Everton Scouting: Page, Porto Trio and Ebnoutalib

04 Oct 2026 09:08:53
Can anyone of you wise folks tell me what is the point of taking DCL if he's not going to come on for the last 30 mins even when we're 4 or 5 up? That would be the perfect time to try out different systems in case Kane is injured.

04 Oct 2026 09:17:38
Yes ilk I bet he was pee'd off not to get a few mins in a rout like that.
He may get mins against the cheks.
And less chance of injuries if he doesn't play!

04 Oct 2026 09:19:17
Picking the in form striker ( ? ) in England to cover one's arse with no intention of playing him much.

04 Oct 2026 10:49:28
He should pretend to be injured like the rest of them and come back early.

04 Oct 2026 12:42:36
Yes it does appear Tommy Tuchel haa seen enough of DCL in England training not to rate DCL at this level.

I do not forsee nor expect Tommy to pick DCL in England squads again.

Also looks like he has seen enough to not trust Jimmy Trafford that much either with Pickford brought back into goal.

04 Oct 2026 13:39:51
TT said when the squad was named that Jt would play the first 2 matches and JP the second 2, so how you can try to read into that actually happening that he doesn't trust Trafford the lord alone knows. Try not to be so negative all the time - you might enjoy it.

04 Oct 2026 13:48:35
He did indeed know Matt. I read that. Two each.

04 Oct 2026 14:29:14
Two games each ok fair dos.

But Trafford didnt do well vs Spain thats for sure Matt

5/10 rating across the board.

04 Oct 2026 17:59:12
Trafford has a future in gaining the number one shirt, it's not going to be given to him on a plate though.
Trafford is Pickford's first rival since he took over from Hart, he will be for the first time since he's been England's number one concerned for his position and he knows it.

04 Oct 2026 18:27:04
We all know Baz you don't rate any Leeds keepers since Nigel Martyn, but what did Trafford do so badly wrong against Spain ?
Again, was the defense not responsible ?

04 Oct 2026 18:39:22
Pickford is 32 in his prime, vastly experienced 91 caps.

I predict that he will be England number 1 keeper till next World Cup in 2030.thereafter Trafford who will be 27 will likely take over the number 1 spot.

04 Oct 2026 18:43:48
OP contrary to your mistaken assertions I rate plenty of Leeds United keepers including Trafford.

Trafford is already pretty good and very likely to get better.he will be England number 1 in four years time imo.

04 Oct 2026 18:58:52
It's not my question Baz, what did Trafford do so wrong against Spain for you to comment about it ?

04 Oct 2026 20:00:06
Trafford was average at best 5/10 rating fair

No blunders but no difference making star quality either

Top keepers like Peter Schmeichel do much better on 1st and 3rd goals in closing down and blocking

Being beaten from outside box on 2nd. not even close to saving it.

04 Oct 2026 21:08:47
So you don't rate Trafford then ?
Or perhaps you do when it suits you.
Hmmm.

04 Oct 2026 21:28:55
Trafford had a meh match OP but good news is he is generally ' pretty good' and much better than Mes.

04 Oct 2026 21:44:42
Baz don't worry mate he always reads the narrative,

04 Oct 2026 21:57:10
Who shook your cage Whiteman ?
You can never post anything constructive or debatable about football after I've posted only something derogatory about me.
Looks like I live in your head rent free,

05 Oct 2026 08:03:34
Not sure whether Pickford will remain No 1 choice up to age of 36, so Trafford still has a chance up to WC30, unless some previously unkown talent emerges.

05 Oct 2026 12:33:30
Baz, you say Tuchel probably thinks DCL not up to international level. I would say international football is a step below EPL standards.

05 Oct 2026 12:35:16
How long has the OP n Whiteman feud been going on?
Not very nice chaps.

05 Oct 2026 13:02:52
Hi Corkey. possibly so re levels.

05 Oct 2026 14:12:56
Yes Corkey, too long.
Think I'll be the grown up one from now on and ignore his posts, he's trying to have a dig and that's fine but I'm bored of it now and I'm sure everyone one else is on here.

I enjoy my little tussles with Baz, got not problem with him at all, I don't agree with anything he posts but at least he talks football which is more than Whiteman does when responding to my posts.

We move on or I move on.

05 Oct 2026 14:56:04
Yep OP to keep it factual we do agree on some things, not many granted.

04 Oct 2026 07:39:11
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Can Rangers Replace Morelos's Tactical Impact?