Leeds Banter Archive September 04 2017

04 Sep 2017 19:34:18
Beradi and Pennington back in training. Great news. They will have to play themselves back into the team though with the way things have been going.

04 Sep 2017 23:50:29
Yeah but beradi has 11 positions to choose from. Although bw only thinks 10

05 Sep 2017 00:26:51
Well put Aus

05 Sep 2017 10:46:29
I think we should get Beradi to play upfront in a cup game, finally get him his first senior goal

06 Sep 2017 13:46:51
we'd be on the pitch Elephant!

04 Sep 2017 12:27:30
I am thinking TC has put himself under enormous with team selection. After bringing in 15 new players over the summer he now has a large squad to keep happy and he can only please 11 (poss 14) at any one time. Take, for instance, upfront. From relying on one man for the goals he now has to find one man from 5. Does he persevere with his first choice or does he chop and change. Arguments for both and I guess if we don't come out firing then arguments will rage. Does he drop Roofe, at present no reason to. Does he play Lassoga, not a good track record. Does he play Grot, looked full of potential but not proven. Does he bring Ekuban back when fit, did not disgrace himself in the minutes he played. Does he try the untested Cibicki, again a total unknown quantity. Some would say it's a good headache to have but, rather him than me. Certainly a test of his man management skills, if nothing else.

04 Sep 2017 13:12:48
I have just been thinking about how well, at a glance, they seem to have gelled in a short time. I have observed managers of largely unchanged teams, with two or three signings, saying things will improve when they learn how each other play etc, whilst we have loads of newbies, bit watchinh them play, you could think that they had played together since they were kids in the playground. I don't think he will run with one up front. I have a feeling that whilst he may put that on paper, in reality shots on goal will come from several of the players that you mention Leodis, on the pitch at the same time. It just feels as if we may see something a bit special this time around. Probably just my baseless optimism kicking in again, but one can hope.

04 Sep 2017 13:14:02
Also, having a Plan B during difficult games will give more of the boys a run out.

04 Sep 2017 14:04:26
Leodis, you can't have it both ways. You can't recruit well and not have selection headaches. I said a few weeks ago TC would need a good supply of paracetamol for the season. Selection headaches are a byproduct of good recruitment. We will need strength in depth to cope with injuries, suspensions, fatigue and dips in form. Also way TC has us playing we attack with real vigour. We are going to need these players. Everyone shall get their chance. In terms of the next game, you play Roofe because of his goals and he will realize Grot and Lasogga are vying for his place. Think we will see more good performances from him because of it. When he inevitably gets dislodged from the side he will fight to get shirt back. These are good problems to have. We might just win the league because of these problems.

04 Sep 2017 14:07:30
The squad provides more or less two players for every position and therefore competition for places should keep players honest. TC also can change personnel without affecting the strength of the team.

04 Sep 2017 14:08:59
You need to have a number of options in the squad if you are to challenge for promotion. The players we have gone for seem to be versatile and many can play in more than one position. This will allow players to get a run out even if it is not in their favourite position. for example, Cibicki is one of many who can play as a lone striker, part of a striker pairing or as a winger. Depending on what formation we play, who we are playing and who is available / in form this gives us plenty of options. I also think that TC will want to switch things mid game to confound opponents, so don't be surprised to see players interchanging with each other during games and switching positions momentarily - particularly the front 3/4. this makes them a devil to mark and to play against.

04 Sep 2017 14:55:06
Except in defence Notts

04 Sep 2017 16:01:09
I would imagine T C will make decisions based on what players are doing /playing and how fit they are in practice. Lasogga may not have the best record but was playing in a good league and at a decent side . Al's point well made in that we have signed players who can play in a number of positions also I think teams worked us out last season that we would build slowly from the back, very slowly . Put pressure on and bingo .

04 Sep 2017 16:23:57
Struggling to see the problem TC has - Ekuban injured for a while, Grot U23's to start with (could see him going out to Lg1 in Jan when Ekuban is back) , Cibicki starts on the bench because he is versatile and can replace anywhere in the attacking line. Roofe will probably keep his place until Lasogga is match fit then the one doing better starts with the other as back up (as it should be) . It just looks like squad depth not too many to handle. As for defence Martyn LB - Anita CBJ CB - Cooper Shaugnessy Jansson Pennington RB - Berardi Ayling. don't get me wrong I would like us to bring in another senior CB but we do have 2 in each.

04 Sep 2017 17:40:53
I think TC will welcome the choice and make the most of it on the training ground, match day squad and starting eleven. He can rest players, pick squads and teams for certain games. He has already shown he can do that and I expect more of the same. Hernandez will probably be better not playing every game and I can see him using Okane, Phillips, Viera and Kiltch more in rotation as well. Great news, a wide selection of fit, skillful players bursting to get on the pitch!

04 Sep 2017 18:26:57
Great post George! Totally agree every manager/coach longs for this positive dilemma

04 Sep 2017 18:34:07
Agree with some previous posts that Roofe has earned his place up front for our next match. Roofe has come out and said it's a squad mentality this year with the players onboard with TCs vision and he for one welcomes competition. It's refreshing that we now appear to have decent competition for places this season. Time will tell how the new forwards fit in with the squad and life in the championship. Iam sure if they don't work out then they won't hang about. Trust in TC and his team.

04 Sep 2017 20:48:55
Good post George. Its dilemmas like these a Leeds manager hasn't had in a long long time.

04 Sep 2017 22:24:25
Thank you DJ and Cork. On and on.