Leeds Banter 4

22 Apr 2026 07:30:19
I hope Farke goes for it tonight, same side as Saturday please. A tough game I know, but a win would as good as guarantee PL safety, a point would be very useful as well. No need to even think about Sunday till tonight's game is over.

22 Apr 2026 08:46:27
Totally agree, LUFCfeath.

22 Apr 2026 07:18:04
Looks like Chelsea are a sinking ship, I watched the game last night and you can see there's no bite what so ever in them.
It may be like taking candy from a baby this weekend and I can't see how they going to turn this around.

Their club could be circling around around the plug hole next season, financially they could be heading for ruination if they don't make some very dramatic changes very soon.

22 Apr 2026 07:36:33.
Their form is atrocious. We're in with a chance. I'll be watching from Perth Airport as I fly to Cambodia an hour after the game. Pray no ET and penalties.

22 Apr 2026 08:02:12
Totally agree, lads, it's a mess, no doubt. Think we have to go for it from the off, a la the Man U match. Get an early goal, and it could be a mauling. The environments around our two clubs are poles apart. Here's to a second Wembley appearance. 😁

22 Apr 2026 08:26:51
It's a shame, as Rosenior is a promising young manager, and this Chelsea situation could halt his career.
There are a few jobs at the moment that are not worth taking, it seems. Chelsea have financial difficulties and a squad that's not gelling.

Tottenham, who look dead and buried, whoever tries to manage them. And Man U, who have gone through a heap of managers.
Poison chalice anyone.

22 Apr 2026 08:48:39
Chelsea being in a mess is absolutely delightful.

Not sure Rosenior is a promising manager, Ben.

22 Apr 2026 08:51:05
Mirrors how Leeds were viewed for a long while, Ben. Austerity of Papa Smurf, carnage of GFH, the bizarre King of Corn, manager merry-go-rounds. Thank goodness those years are behind us.

22 Apr 2026 09:36:57
I saw quite a lot of Rosenior at Hull, Baz, and he got them playing attractive football. All that stopped them from the playoffs that year was Delap getting injured.
Then he did a good job over in France with Strasbourg.


I think his style of touchy feely management is not what Chelsea need.
I hope he comes out of this with his reputation unharmed, because he is a good guy and we need English managers to succeed.

22 Apr 2026 10:04:35
Talent is only part of football, getting players with good character is just as important.

22 Apr 2026 11:20:35
They say you can't turn down the job if a top 5 is calling you. (I leave out Spurs because they are definitely not an elite club.)
Quite literally, Rosenior should've turned Chelsea down. If anything, it's going to damage the positive credentials he's already taken from the game.

He's got nowhere near the experience in top-flight football to be able to deal with the job of being coach for Chelsea.



When we beat them on Sunday, he'll be sacked. It's so predictable, their owners are completely clueless about Premiership football and how to make it work for them.

Rosenior is, as our old owner Cellino would say, a watermelon!
He's just expendable fodder, serving no real purpose at Chelsea other than being a yes man.

22 Apr 2026 12:52:04
Indeed, OP, short stints at Hull and Strasbourg are no grounding for the madness at Chelsea. Seems to have all been tied in through BlueCo, same bosses, different situation.

22 Apr 2026 13:34:09
I agree, Vid. Nothing at his previous jobs would have prepared him for Chelsea. Like a lot of promising players and managers who make the leap to a big club too early or without proper thought.
Especially Chelsea. Too many problems for an experienced manager to cope with.

22 Apr 2026 14:56:55
100, Ben. Ego ego though. Money money. Fail. You fail. No executes. Take the job and money. Oops.

22 Apr 2026 16:59:52
Like Vid says, same bosses. If he'd turned it down, he may have been biffed from Strasbourg too, for lacking drive and ambition etc.

21 Apr 2026 21:43:16
Leicester relegated 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Enough said.

21 Apr 2026 22:07:59
Good riddance and reap what you sow.

21 Apr 2026 22:09:44
Justice MG!

21 Apr 2026 22:31:39
Cheats never prosper!

21 Apr 2026 23:09:48
Have to say I enjoyed this one. Have a dislike for all the ones who've cheated their way up.

22 Apr 2026 06:24:26
Explain City, so Class, as they seem very prosperous.

22 Apr 2026 07:57:51
And Everton, who somehow always come up smelling like roses.

22 Apr 2026 08:04:53
Aye, Chris, of the EPL, crown jewels they are, disgusting it is.

22 Apr 2026 12:51:52
Good point, Chris, I still think their (Citehs) time will come, Chris. I mean, they practically run the EPL, so it's going to be very slow, but what goes around generally comes back around, no matter how much money you have.



But the EPL board are cheats themselves in that there's a closed shop for the top six teams, and I, for one, truly wished that the Euro League had gone through, when football would have been returned to its true supporters once more.

21 Apr 2026 15:07:47
On the subject of player of the season, can I nominate our medical team for keeping DCL fit all season (nearly) . Seriously, I think Jayden Boyle has been a revelation stepping up from the Championship. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious and he thoroughly deserves any plaudits coming his way.

Finally, can I wish all my Leeds brothers and sisters a safe and enjoyable day out at Wemberley on Sunday. I got no tickets in the ballot so will be watching on telly cheering the lads on and having a pint or two!

21 Apr 2026 18:40:09
Bogle was excellent in the first half of the season, but recently he's not been as dynamic going forward, but still solid defensively.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but at this moment in time, I'd have Justin ahead of him at RB.

22 Apr 2026 08:01:52
My votes would be:
1 Gabby
2 JJ
3 DCL.

22 Apr 2026 10:06:47
I wouldn't argue with them 3, JR.

21 Apr 2026 08:31:28
Unexpected bonus yesterday. I applied for the ballot on Thursday as a Leeds member. The club site said if you don't hear by midday on Monday you are unsuccessful in the ballot. But at 2.45 yesterday afternoon I got an email with tickets, yippee, can't wait. 😀
Anyone else going?

{Ed025's Note - great stuff Dougie..

21 Apr 2026 08:47:27
Yes - exact same happened with me, Dougie!

21 Apr 2026 09:50:37
Are you in gods too, Manston?

21 Apr 2026 11:02:02
Nice one, Dougie, lucky you.

Enjoy us beating Chelski at Wembley this Sunday.

It's happening.

21 Apr 2026 12:05:30
Awesome stuff, Dougie! Not at all jealous! My last Wembley visit with Leeds was the Cup final defeat vs Villa! Hope you get a better outcome, and a great day, fella!

21 Apr 2026 12:09:51
Yes, I am going with our Supporters Club branch. We have 4 coaches going. I have done every home game, and a few away this season.

21 Apr 2026 12:12:59
Nice one, LUFCfeath. Enjoy it, pal.

21 Apr 2026 12:26:23
Dougie, yes. Level 5.

21 Apr 2026 15:58:21
Thanks, Baz.

21 Apr 2026 18:40:57
Level 5 too, row 548 in the gods, but just thankful to be there. I reckon they released some more, hence the late email.

21 Apr 2026 20:58:59
Enjoy, lads.. Up The Whites Down The Pints. 🤍💛💙

21 Apr 2026 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Everton v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

21 Apr 2026 00:34:32
I wonder if/ (when) we do stay up, are there players who we'd identify as thanks for the service, but time to move on if we can entertain bids for them? Apart from stars, Kalvin, Raphinha, Archie, Georgie, Crye we've been really awful about moving on squad players for fees for a long time:

Meslier (contract expiring) thanks and not quite good riddance - I remember his first 18 months fondly and somewhat tantalisingly of what could have been so not an entire disaster, really hope a change of scenery helps him.

Wober - still has a year on his contract. We may have to eat that.

Byram - not a prem full back but must be a great lad. If he'd be willing to wind down maybe transition him to the Jonny Howson role with the U21/ 23s? Only if he's game for that if he feels he has another season or two in champ, then good luck.

Dan James - Also feels he's not a Prem player a classic too good for Champ, not Prem standard. Getting older, more injuries surely about to hit his best asset, his pace.

Piroe - Same too good for Champ, not Prem quality. I'd harbour ambitions of trading him to Burnley either in full for Flemming or part exchange for Flemming and Hartman.

Harrison - Awful contract, like Meslier don't let that entirely detract from his Bielsa days. Also played a huge part in keeping us up with a hattrick at West Ham and Brentford final day goal.

Joseph - just done a major injury so no suitors in summer for sure.

Gelhardt - seems comfortable in Champ, second season he's done quite well there. A final look in the summer pre-season or offer him to Champ for £7-10m? Ironically one of our best saleable assets that obviously doesn't impact first team having not been here. Intrigued, because the lad has quick feet, pace and a bit of flair, which the squad lacks in general.

Paraag 'deals in my sleep' Marathe will do well to get £20m and you'd have to say most of that would come on Gelhardt, James and Piroe.

Finally midfield has been excellent this season and all the lads deserve praise. But do we look to move on from Longstaff after one season or perhaps Gruev? The more vulnerable two but I've got to say more pressing positions to worry about for now.

21 Apr 2026 07:21:59
I think and hope that Wober and Harrison's days at the Club are over and done with. So, if Marathe is the deal maker he makes out to be, negotiate to pay them off and get rid of them. Regarding Meslier, he needs to move on for his sake and ours.

If we do sell the likes of Piroe, James, Longstaff, Gelhart, and Gruyev, don't let them go on the cheap. They have a value; top end Championship or promoted sides would probably be interested in them.

21 Apr 2026 07:36:21
Agree with all that. I'd keep Gruyev. If he's looking at centre back, then Bornagain can go. Namecheck, too. If it were up to me, another player too. Try to keep Tanaka unless big coin comes in.

Do we give Darlow another year? I'd let Perri go, too, and sign another goalkeeper. Get rid of as many of those we said. Buy a bloody good creative and a bloody good striker or two.

21 Apr 2026 08:52:12
Good post, Ealing.

Certainly need to say thanks and goodbye to Meslier, Wober, Harrison, Gelhardt, Piroe (if at all possible) .

Still, I think Joseph has something to offer, but I can't ever see him forcing his way back into the team (pity) .

Personally I'd like to hang onto James, Longstaff and Gruev - we need to strengthen the squad, of course, but these three are capable replacements as and when injuries and suspensions happen.

Agree with you, Aus, that we definitely need to strengthen what is effectively the spine of the team - new centre half (upgrade on Pascal) , crying out for a creative midfielder (have been for years - unless he gives Tanaka an extended run in that position) .

And finally a striker to play off DCL. Nmecha is okay and useful off the bench, but we need an Alan Smith (or better still an Allan Clarke!) . Someone who can form a partnership with DCL and bang in 20 goals in a season.

Point tomorrow night on the south coast and three more at home against Burnley (plus squeeze in a cup semi victory against Chelsea) and we can all start drawing up our 'most wanted' lists.

Just one thing I would ask of our recruitment team - please get the business done early for a change! Buying/selling players well into August is no good. Team/squad needs to be settled going into the first match of the season, not halfway through October!

21 Apr 2026 10:48:04
We'll need all of them next season with European football on the menu. 😆

21 Apr 2026 11:02:38
What Canada said.

21 Apr 2026 18:54:04
Excellent post Ealing.
Unfair on Byram saying he's not EPL standard. Maybe you mean at this point in his career, because if it wasn't for injuries, he would have got England caps. He could have been a top player imo.
Piroe has to go, as he's not getting game time.


If we could get 15 million for Aaronson I'd sell, and hopefully a newly promoted team will pay a similar fee for Longstaff. And if Hull get promoted, expect another 12 million plus for Geldhart.
As for Harrison and Wober, well we all know what we'll get for them.

21 Apr 2026 19:25:45
I think all of those listed, or speculated on, could do jobs in the other top leagues in Europe, inc Joffy. No reason for them all to end up in the champo.
And keep Longstaff! He's hardly had a crack of the whip this season with injuries. He seemed to be hitting form just as he got crocked.

21 Apr 2026 19:53:22
Keep Longstaff?
Tell me, Brighty, what is he good at?
Ok, he runs around a lot, but what does he do that's good?
He's a very average midfielder, and if we want to progress, we need better.
I'm still astonished he was above Tanaka in the pecking order earlier in the season!

22 Apr 2026 01:44:25
Starting with the obvious candidates:
Meslier & Byram - out of contract this Jun.
Harrison & Wober - get rid, permanently if poss.
Darlow - offer a contract extension.
Perri - has looked better of late, so maybe keep for now.
Bornauw, Longstaff, Piroe, Ramazani & Gelhardt - accept any reasonable offer.
Joseph - will need to stay whilst injury heals.
James - keep for now.
Harry Gray - new loan deal to a Championship outfit, no lower.
Nmecha - keep for now. As he came on a free, might his amortisation value for SCR be low?
Some also suggest losing Struijk, but not me.


All the rest keep, and firmly reject any offers. Under no circumstances get drawn into any discussion of our valuation of players, as someone is sure to offer that much and unsettle them in the process.

What we need:
Quality striker to partner DCL.
Left back cover for GG - Krejci?
Attacking Midfielder - Scienza?
Plus quality replacements for any that do go to maintain the current squad format.

20 Apr 2026 21:59:14
Jack Harrison on fire! Let's hope he carries it on and we can actually get a transfer fee for him.

20 Apr 2026 22:21:22
Masterclass from Jackie.

He played very well, setting up the winning goal for Fiorentina.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

20 Apr 2026 22:56:56
It was a draw, Baz.

20 Apr 2026 23:32:37
I was referring to last week's Fiorentina Lazio match, Corkey.

21 Apr 2026 00:49:11
Give them a small financial incentive to sweeten the deal and finally get him off our books.

21 Apr 2026 06:42:29
Class is permanent, Baz?
Why did all the Everton fans want him gone?
Why did 99.99% Leeds fans want him gone?

Same with James, you told us he was also a cracking player, yet it's been shown he's not good enough and it was said numerous times on here that he wasn't good enough.



No disrespect to those lads, but just calling it like it actually is, is all.

{Ed025's Note - Everton fans wanted him gone because he is a very poor football player Chris, we were also linked to James who is just as bad or maybe even worse if thats possible, its all down to opinion though i suppose mate..

21 Apr 2026 07:30:44
If form is temporary, that's been a pretty bad 3 season long run of form for Jackie Boy!

21 Apr 2026 11:04:50
Ahh, some Leeds fans have short memories.. Shame.

Jackie was excellent for Leeds United for 5 seasons, the Bielsa effect on him.

Dycheball ruined him, as it did with others.

21 Apr 2026 11:06:55
..And what's with the DJ lack of appreciation from some, jeez.

Leeds would still be in Champo this seez without his crucial 21 goals and assists.

And he has been injured mostly this seez.

21 Apr 2026 11:46:17
Who cares, Baz, whether he had a brief half decent period with us. Harrisson is a player who is nowhere near Premiership quality; he might find a club elsewhere in some other lower grade European league, but here he is barely Championship quality, and that being kind.

James is also a player who has yet to prove himself in the Premiership, when he’s not injured.



You know you can admit that you are wrong sometimes, Baz, it’s ok. 😉
If it’s any consolation to you, I can admit that I was wrong about Meslier, but, in fairness to him, he hasn’t really been anywhere else other than Leeds, and who knows how his future may pan out as a goalie, being relatively young still.

21 Apr 2026 12:09:26
OP, prepare yerself a lurvely Gin and Tonic (or 2) and sit back and rematch all of Jackie's 50 Leeds United goals and assists in EPL with Leeds United. Enjoy!!

And yes, of course you were wrong with ahem in your fanciful words "World Class ' Mes.. Listen to your Uncle Baz next time.

21 Apr 2026 12:11:28
* Re-watch.

21 Apr 2026 13:11:25
Hmm Baz, I'd love to re-watch his 50 EPL goals and assists, but it would be impossible as he has 21/16, so 37 in total for us, I believe.
Even with Everton included, he's only at 45 total, from what I can see.
Maybe 50 with Championship included?

21 Apr 2026 13:41:44
Canada, your belief in your assist figure looks wayyyyyyyy wrong.

BBC stats

20/21 8 goals 8 assists.
21/22 8 goals 5 assists.
22/23 5 goals 11 assists.

Total 45 goals and assists (possibly 1 or so includes Cup matches but don't think so from memory) .



The point is, those are Very good figures for a winger who was playing in a newly promoted EPL side, in a Leeds United team that was relegation threatened for 2 of the 3 seasons.

21 Apr 2026 13:46:04
Fairly ironic retort, Baz.

Some Leeds fans shirt memories.

Dare I suggest the same should be said about Jack.

Down we went and off he went, somehow he was too good to take a pay cut and help us get back up.


No, Jack's mother told us all he's better than Leeds 🤣, that aged magnificently, don't you agree?

Also short memories! Remind me again what club made Jack a multi millionaire?

Shirt memories indeed.

21 Apr 2026 14:03:05
Chrissy.Jackie had been at Leeds 5 seasons
.not just one season. like multiple others who jumped ship such as Tyler Adams, Sinisterra and co.

where's your angst for them also?

Players leave for higher leagues and much more money all the time.Everton offered him a 100K a week ( more than double what he would have received with Leeds in Champo) .money talks

As for his mum's comment.laugh it off fella.what does she know.seriously

21 Apr 2026 14:17:11
And, as well as 5 years of very good service at Leeds United, Jackie played well.

He helped keep us up in 21/22.

I don't begrudge him wanting to keep playing in the EPL.

21 Apr 2026 14:39:54
Baz,

EPL stats.
20/21 - 8G 8A
21/22 - 8G 1A
22/23 - 5G 7A

Total 37.

Maybe you are including cup games, but in the EPL, these are what I see.

I do agree he was an asset under Bielsa, but has significantly dropped off since those days, unfortunately.

21 Apr 2026 15:05:19
No angst whatsoever, Baz.
Just replying because you bigged Jack up initially, then you claimed amnesia from some fans.

I replied with 2 exact opposites very relevant to Jack.

Of course they all left, but you only mentioned Mr Harrison, hence my replies.

21 Apr 2026 15:12:46
Ok, fellas, good debate .. enjoy your day.

21 Apr 2026 20:40:56
His name is Jack, not Jackie, way too familiar!

21 Apr 2026 22:26:11
And he is crap!

20 Apr 2026 21:38:33
Watching the game tonight and it's pretty dire.
Palace, Sunderland, Brentford. Fulham and Everton are all teams imo we are better than. We should be top half not fighting relegation. Maybe next season with a bit more nous we can challenge top 6.

20 Apr 2026 22:25:01
Indeed Corkey,
But we all know why we are where we are in the league; it's due to the humungous amount of our late goal concessions.

If all our EPL matches this season ended on 86 mins, we would be near enough in Champions League spot fgs.

21 Apr 2026 01:18:06
On the table from matchday 12 on (Man C home) , we are 12th, just above Chelsea, and the bottom 4 are the same as now but in a different order.