Leeds Banter

07 May 2024 10:01:30
Fair enough Dougie my post is pretty despondent regarding Leeds play off chances which reading it again this morning I forgot to take into account that Bamford and James should be rested and fit to play who we missed really badly at QPR and Southampton so even as I write this now the doom and gloom is starting to lift and is being replaced by genuine excitement and a beautiful euphoric visualisation of Farke's men being triumphant at Wembley with 40,000 ecstatic Leeds fans giving it back large to the rival supporters who mocked us.

Our form has not been great, hense my original pessimism but with a couple of key players back plus Roberts too we can get our early 2024 impressive run going again and experience promotion Wembley style that Leicester and Ipswich fans will be extremely envious of.

Yes positive thoughts Dougie you are right, it's impossible for me to be neutral to not care and switch off my Leeds United allegiances I was kidding myself or meakly protecting myself, so yes I shall man up wear my lucky Leeds socks and suffer and then enjoy the ride these next 3 games takes us all on. MOT.

07 May 2024 01:24:33
I was quite resigned Saturday night to our season being done regarding promotion as I convinced myself that the side are shot and look incapable of beating anyone.

A few days later and although I still don't feel that confident about first overcoming Norwich and if we did manage to do that then it's difficult to see anything other than final disappointment against Southampton or WBA who we've only managed a solitary point against both sides and that came courtesy of a late marauding Luke Ayling leaping like a salmon to equalise.

So accepting another season in the Championship is odds on and taking all the social media teasing from other clubs fans on the chin I have freed myself from any anxiety or expectations in the 2 Norwich games and feel almost detached and a neutral observer which I shall be for both games on tv and see them as a free hit and with nothing to lose.

Nowr maybe my emotional switch off and relaxed attitude will change if the Norwich tie ends up being decided on penalties but I'll face that possibility if it comes and similarly in a Wembley final which apart from a 4-3 Charity Shield win against Liverpool in 1992 I have never seen Leeds win there and again would go into such a game with pretty low expectations but first things first Norwich.

I personally feel if Leeds are to have a chance of getting through the tie they need to win at Carrow Road by 2 goals as I am not convinced the first team can put in another strong performanc in only 3 days later and anticipate Norwich beating us at Elland but
again that's my resigned to another season in the Championship mindset speaking which I sincerely hope is wrong.

Till Sunday then and let's hope this board is a wash with complimentary remarks about Leeds dominate performance which sees us going into the 2nd leg at least 2 goals to the good. MOT.

07 May 2024 06:52:31
Cheshire, if football was played on paper meaning stats etc we’d probably lose these play off games, but football often goes against statistical information and turns results upside down.

Anything can happen pal, especially in the play offs.

Nothing is decided, it’s simply like a random roll of the dice in my opinion.

07 May 2024 08:24:07
Crikey Cheshire hope I don't get stuck in a lift with you. So you are a Leeds fan that wants to be neutral, as you expect us to lose and therefore won't be dissapointed.
Pal, life is a rollercoaster you just got to ride it. You got to have faith. We need to get Physical, then it's Que sera sera. And when it's all said and done we will all be Happy Talking.
I hope you all noted the songs 🤣.

07 May 2024 09:45:44
It was life is a minestrone dougie. Not roller coaster.

07 May 2024 10:11:28
Personally, I think we'll easily beat Norwich.
I also think WBA will beat Southampton and it'll be a Leeds v WBA final 🤔🤔
The winner of this clash, will hopefully be Leeds United 👏👏.

06 May 2024 21:30:37
You cannot feel sorry for those Londoners who have travelled all the way to Crystal Palace to see their beloved Munchester tonight.

06 May 2024 22:09:55
I do hope prem that they serve a good prawn sandwich at Palace.
Mind you might be a few choking on them tonight watching this.
Some good goals from Palace tonight!

06 May 2024 23:25:33
I think teams have found us out, do you remember when teams found out MB’s teams?, well I reckon it’s happened again, here’s why;

1. Cry Summerville, great player but only has one trick, his right foot, he’s now getting found out and shut down, as soon as he gets it out on the wing the opposition smother him, his head goes, sulks and starts becoming sluggish.

2. Georginio, fabulous player, great turn of foot, again been found out and other teams players now surround him and don’t let him play. They foul him, roll him, shirt pulling and little trips on him, he then tends to start wayward passing, his tricks don’t work and the odd shot goes high into the stand or becomes a mishit. Subbed and then sulks!

3. Willy Gnonto, again great player but he’s been found out and other players wind him up, he gets fouled, little niggly fouls, shirt pulling etc etc and they get a reaction, he then commits fouls, his head goes down and that’s it he done and subbed!

4. Patrick Bamford, he’s slowing down now and the opposition know it, they then know that they can give him a few yards start and still catch him, so they play to his weaknesses, he gets frustrated and then tries to do things he can’t and ends up looking stupid, again he’s either great or crap. He puts in a shift and does track back but he’s easily worked out when in attack!

5. Finally the other 7 play to their strengths every game but when you have 4 players taken out like we have had done of late it does not bode well. DF needs to give us a new dimension, he can do this by using DJ from the start along with Jayden Anthony, MJ, and Joel Piroe. Kamara and Gruev need to stay in midfield and Archie needs to go back to RB while Firpo stays at left back. Amps and Rodon speak for themselves. We then have plenty of pace on the bench for him to use for the last 15/ 20mins.

But what do I know eh, I’m just a Leeds fan who like all the other Leeds fans thinks he knows it all and should be the next Leeds manager! In the words of Manuel, ‘I know nothing’! 👍👍🤷🤷.

07 May 2024 07:40:35
Woody, my issue with Cry, at least what I've noticed, is that he's become less and less likely to play inside the lines and get the ball to feet wirh his back to goal, where he was very effective collecting the ball and turning and running at players.

Recently he seems to hug the line more. This along with him generally being doubled up has made him less effective as he only has one channel to go - inside.

We need continual overlap from Firpo (or whoever is LB) to make that play effective. But again, can't have Firpo bombing on every instance as we've become more porous defensively and it makes us easier to pass through after losing possession.

I'd like to see him collecting the ball to feet closer to the centre circle again. His press resistance is phenomenal in those situations and he's a much better creator when he has more options a little further in the pitch, with his head up running at people. Allows for a give and go, a through ball or a dribble or a shot on goal, rather than leaving fewer options and passing routes from out wide.

{Ed001's Note - that sounds like a coaching problem to me. Players usually naturally tend to drift into the centre without instruction, as they want to get involved in the play more and be closer to the action. If he is now playing wider, it is likely that is what he is asked to do in order to create more space in the middle by drawing players out to mark him.}

07 May 2024 08:44:20
Sounds like it could be, Ed. Problem is there's no one else occupying that space for us if Cry is perpetually hugging the line. Kamara and Gruev rarely make positive runs or crash the box etc. Always hovering around the half way line. Means we're always a bit fractured between our midfield pivot and offensive players.

06 May 2024 19:58:13
I don't really buy into all the talk from Farke about a young, inexperienced squad tbh. Yes we have some young players, but the large majority hav plenty of first team experience in good leagues.

Meslier had played 107 EPL games before this season.

Firpo had 62 La Liga appearances, 43 EPL appearances and 10 UCL appearances before this season.

Rodon had 52 Champo appearances, 16 Ligue 1 appearances, 15 EPL appearances, 5 Europa appearances and 4 conference League appearances before this season.

Ampadu had 60 Serie A appearances, 26 EPL appearances, 3 UCL and 3 Europa appearances before this season.

Kamara had 166 SPL appearances, 43 Europa appearances and 8 UCL appearances before this season.

DJ had 106 EPL appearances, 33 Champo appearances, 13 Europa and appearances a couple of UCL appearances before this season.

Piroe had 91 Champo appearances, 29 Eredivisie appearances and even had a Europa appearance before this season.

Bamford had 168 Champo appearances,
102 EPL appearances and has been called up to England before this season.

Add in Roberts, Struijk and Cooper who all have plenty of experience.

Even Rutter had 57 Bundesliga appearances, 1 UCL and 2 Europa apps

Plus, both Cry and Gnonto had a full season at EPL level prior to this season, although admittedly they had little first team experience before that.

The majority of the first team have ample experience. We may be a young squad but we are certainly experienced enough, so that can't be used as an excuse imo. Seems like a nonsense excuse to explain away some of our troubles, while demonstrably not being true.

06 May 2024 20:24:44
More Spin from DF.

06 May 2024 20:53:12
In this instance, I agree.

06 May 2024 21:14:37
I get what you’re saying Dill. Maybe he should have said team leaders? Because we have zero imo.
Even in saying that how many 28 years old plus experienced players do we have?
O’Leary brought in Batty to give experience to the side and Wilko same with Strachan. Revie with Collins exactly the same.

06 May 2024 21:43:18
I think dill what you get from young players is energy and enthusiasm or a lack of fear. The downside is that young players form can be erratic and they don't have the same physicality or stamina as older players in general.

Also as with our archie not all young players play their first games in their best position.
I think it is OK to have a young squad but when you are relying on 4 or 5 in your first team to produce regularly I think it can go wrong.
It is good to have a blend specially in the spine of the team.

06 May 2024 22:02:01
You are right corks. Young teams do need a few older heads now and again to settle nerves or encourage.
And I said a lot earlier in the season the tempo of a game can be controlled by someone with experience.

06 May 2024 22:11:30
Farke full of spin. He said Rutter alone made the choice to return to the team early but also said it was only the medical team that sanctioned it and he was fit to return. Farke also said there was no pressure on Rutter to return quickly but that he was "forced" to return quickly. What was this compelling force? Something out of Star Wars?

06 May 2024 22:25:56
Emotions, not able to deal with big pressure moments because of not enough experience, like now.

07 May 2024 07:42:46
Some good points, chaps.

07 May 2024 07:49:21
Personally, I think there is enough experience, especially given a lot of these players are fully-fledged internationals on top of their league experience. But, as Ben mentioned, leadership on the pitch seems to be an issue. No one is driving the team forward and getting their teammates up for it. Seems like everyone is waiting for someone else to do it. We need that heart and determination to drive us on in some games and atm we've lost that.

I'd probably consider starting Cooper at Norwich and moving Amps back into midfield.

What changes would you guys look to make to try bring some more leadership into the team?

06 May 2024 18:32:00
Blimey, I am vomit induced by the Richard the III's and Massey Furguson brigades wallowing in our misfortune. But he who laughs last. Go up in glory and watch them struggle next season. Honestly. The media are doing a great job of creating a seige mentalty, which suits us well. Again, we are Leeds, we don't care what you do or think, it affects us not and we will be back to haunt you.

06 May 2024 18:58:00
Mainstream media Sly, Beeb etc on both news, politics, current affairs and yes on sports much less relevant than they used to be.

06 May 2024 22:58:02
Baz how many times have you asked questions about LA and his ability? You know you used to blame him, you always blame Cooper as most of us do but it used to be Ayling, Firpo and Cooper! Maybe I’m wrong and apologies if I am but I’m sure I’ve read it from you. 🙃.

06 May 2024 23:41:37
Meslier and Firpo were the main ones Woody

Cooper sometimes

Ayling find me the quotes cowboy 🤠.

07 May 2024 11:04:47
What are you like Baz, cowboy! 😂😂.

06 May 2024 16:52:22
Luke Ayling, unfortunately was finished for us, but I would have kept him just because of his contribution in the changing room. He was a good motivator and he loved Leeds, but he’s gone and I have to say Baz, although you are singing his name now you were one of a lot of us on here who totally slated him and said he should be dropped when things were bad, so why now all this support for him? Yes he’s doing well at Boro but it’s just the new club bounce!
I would also like to say to those who continue to put us down, we are in the play offs and we can still get promoted, we have a great opportunity playing Norwich and WBA would of been a lot harder, Norwich only just scraped in!
Then not if, but when we get to Wembley we will get that Wembley bounce, non of our players have played there in a final before and I don’t care who it’s against, as far as I’m concerned we are still in the running, come on guys we still have a glorious chance to go up, keep the faith instead of shitty point scoring, you never know you might enjoy the play offs, I mean we must break our hoo doo sometime soon and this just could be it, but some of you might just miss it if you keep talking shite! Super Leeds, MOT, ALAW 🙏👍🤞👍🤞.

06 May 2024 18:21:50
I think with Cooper and Dallas in the changing room already we have enough dressing room cheerleaders- Ayling wouldn't have made any difference.

06 May 2024 19:08:40
Anis posts below spot on re Ayling and the RB issue this season Woody.

We had an excellent RB in DS but that was farked up by DF!

I certainly haven't "slated " LA ( any quotes? . no thought not! ) still preferable that LA played RB than AG JS, SB who are not good solutions for RB defending and going forward

CR might have been but he is injured too often.

06 May 2024 19:16:30
I do agree however Ani about the Wembley factor

1) If anything the world wide Wembley stage will surely inspire show ponies CS WG and GR

And even more importantly

2) the huge pitch should favour our pace especially my main man DJ if he can get fit in time.

First thing though is getting past Norwich. we must not lose the away game . draw ok.

06 May 2024 20:11:44
Djed Spence messed that up himself Baz, or would you rather we kept disruptive players around to leak that bad attitude into the team?

And Gray has played well at RB this season, so don't agree with us having a RB problem for the majority if it. It's only become a short-term issue with recent injuries and having to shift players around.

Gray and Roberts demonstrably safer in that position than Ayling has been for us in recent times, so don't agree with that opinion either. I'd play Gray or Roberts over Ayling any day of the week. They are both better.

06 May 2024 20:44:09
I feel a bit queasy Baz…we have agreed on three things today (this year! ) 🤣.

06 May 2024 21:15:11
Lmao Ani it feels unusual

Ani my new " GoTo Backup guy " lol 😆

Well it is a Leap Year after all.

06 May 2024 21:20:45
DS never given a chance Dill from the get go .

06 May 2024 21:48:33
Fwiw, Spence has played 90 mins in 5 out of 16 games for Genoa. No goals or assists, so hardly a difference make for them either.

06 May 2024 22:28:04
Fair enough on DS Genoa stats Dill

Oh for a hybrid of Paul Reaney and say Mel Zico Sterlamd at RB.

06 May 2024 09:48:43
Happy Monday people. Well tis true our form has been bi polar this year and yet again Leeds snatch defeat from the Jaws of victory. What are the reasons, who knows, probably a combination of factors, I think the Blackburn game was pivotal. To go from the best form in Europe over 14 games to being abject is eye watering. But, say your son excells in his studies then flunks his exams, you do not berate, criticise or belittle him. You try to find out why, support and urge him to try again. This theme runs through life, the son now has the opportunity to resit the test. We are Leeds and we go again, this is and always has been our mantra. UTWDTP and enjoy the Bank Holiday siblings 😁.

06 May 2024 12:24:21
I do think Rutter is part of the problem at the moment. He has def lost form in recent weeks. He seems a lovely lad so confidence is probably part of it. He gets a lot of attention on the pitch due to his skill ability but he was dispossessed an awful lot on Saturday - and in recent games - and they then just charge up the pitch. Fine margins etc. I don’t want him dropped but the group and manager have got to huddle round him and get him back ‘on it’. If he plays well we will win.

06 May 2024 13:29:32
One of they keys to our resurgence was Rutter playing the no10 role well as we don't have a natural no.10 so that was certainly a feature. I do think chasing down the massive gap wore the players out though and we just ran out of steam. Since the break we have looked lethargic which for me is a clear symptom of the almighty effort it took to go on that unbelievable run. That coupled with inexperience and its all become a bit much. Looking forward to next season with a more balanced squad, Farkes own players and a proper preseason.

06 May 2024 13:59:33
I think Summerville has become far too greedy.

06 May 2024 14:04:43
Buying a number 10 CAM last summer was imperative. Huge mistake.

06 May 2024 14:12:11
I think we all waited for our players to click in most of the first half the season. So many games should have been dead and buried in the first half.
Then after the new year an amazing run but always felt we were over reliant on one or two players.
It feels this year we have relied on good players producing rather than a good team or system of play.
Alf is right next season we will see a farke team rather than the team he cobbled together the start of this.

06 May 2024 14:14:37
So. What’s gone oh wise vid. Give us an opinion.

06 May 2024 14:15:50
That’s sooooooo boring baz. Jeez. Mez out.

06 May 2024 14:42:30
You don't want a CAM Aus?

06 May 2024 14:47:12
Aus, dunno mate, but I think what Alf and Ben say have a lot of credence. The international break came at totally the wrong time. Players were affected adversely by it, the Welsh lads, injuries to Ilia, Junior, Bambam and DJ. Momentum and mind set is massive. There is no doubt DF made mistakes too. Pressure, expectation. All contribute. BUT we have to believe, we have to support, how good would it be to go up at Wembley.

06 May 2024 15:11:47
Vid. Bamford has his detractors such as Aus one thousand anti Bamford posts .

But facts are when Bamford not in team . Leeds results are far, far worse

For Leeds to have a decent chance in playoffs PB and DJ are vitally needed.

06 May 2024 16:23:07
'56 I think you are mostly correct. Early on and now defenders are not giving rutter the time he needs to control the ball and when that happens he gives it up very cheaply - During the unbeaten run, teams worried about James and Summerville more, and gave Rutter the time and space he needed so he looked good and became dangerous . Hopefully over time he will mature and instead of being the price pony he becomes the team player.

06 May 2024 16:28:48
White Ben, spot on, too reliant on 1 or 2.

06 May 2024 16:53:50
Problem is squad depth 95% of the time we have played the same players in the same system, to be fair you play your best team but failure to use what substitute's we had earlier than the 85 minute leave our best players tired and jaded I think we all know players need rotating if possible but this want done for whatever reason.

06 May 2024 19:12:13
I’d imagine that Rutters legs must be in constant pain the amount of times he is targeted and hacked down.
Let’s not forget he is a prospect and the evidence is that there is huge potential in Rutter, is he the final product? absolutely not and he is prone to errors.

Rutter though in his moment can be devastating and can carve up a situation out of nothing to make an amazing assist.
Rutter’s journey is just starting and there’s a lot more he needs to accomplish before he reaches the top, scoring goals is one of those.

05 May 2024 22:21:09
Just a thought, is Luke Ayling available to play for us in the playoffs? I don't see any reason why not, and he will do better than the other options we have played all season, we might even have already been promoted if he had not been sent out on loan.

05 May 2024 23:38:15
Think he won't be eligible for playoffs

In form 8 assists Ayling at RB for Leeds in 2024 badly missed.

06 May 2024 06:16:12
I miss his character on the pitch but not his football.
Don’t get me wrong, great servant to the club and player in his day but more recently was not quick enough and gave the ball away too often.
Is he better than what we have is debatable?
Thought Archie did an amazing job in the RB position but was picked off by the occasional opposition winger like Liam Millar of Preston, more down to a lack of experience in his very young age.
Conner Roberts should be that player at RB, started well but then got injured in Internationals and that was that at the most crucial moment that he was needed.
Byram is a chronically crocked player

But for Roberts, fingers crossed could be fit for the play offs.

06 May 2024 07:07:12
Heads are falling off some of you lot, man 🤣 Ayling's legs have gone. He can't track back at all, so once he's beat he's absolutely f*cked and his ability to retain possession is almost laughable. Like OP said, he's been a great servant, but he's washed as a player Roberts is a much better player and Gray has played better at RB, too this season.

Get a grip will ya. His defensive contributions are and would have been a liability that would've more than nullified any offensive contributions. He's been getting sent to the shops on a regular basis for a few seasons now.

06 May 2024 07:07:24
Archie Gray 1 assist no goals whoopy doo

Yep just forget about those 8 Ayling assists for Boro

And forget about those 18 assists for EPL bound Ipswich as well

Jeez.

06 May 2024 07:58:01
Ayling was absolutely dire for us before he went out on loan 🤣 You're a fickle lot who love to put hindsight into play when things don't go as planned. If we'd have kept playing Ayling I can't see how we would have gone on that unbeaten run, considering he was getting spun week in week out when he played for us prior to that. Pretty much everyone was vocal about moving him on or at the very least not playing him again.

He's averaged about 3 assists a season for Leeds so how on earth people expect Farke to have the foresight to think he will get 8 assists for a mid-table team is beyond me.

Long story short, he's been woeful for us for a while now and it was the right decision to move him on when we did.

06 May 2024 08:15:19
Now we are onto slating Archie too, for a fantastic season. Wonders never cease. The site has regressed to 20% extremist nonsense now. Dull, unrealistic, pessimism and negativity. Yep, stats is stats, but it ain’t the only way to judge a players performance.

06 May 2024 08:31:45
Plenty here were happy for Ayling to go and got their wish. Ayling offers more on the right than anyone else we have had in that this season (remain open minded on Robert’s as he hasn’t had a sustained opportunity) . Ayling has his issues for sure, but he is a leader on the pitch and more dynamic going forward. Our right side has been utterly inert for months now; that wouldn’t have been the case had Ayling been playing. He wouldn’t have tolerated some of our ponderous play.

06 May 2024 08:50:27
Yes that’s right Baz, eight assists for Boro, who are Boro?
Can’t argue about Leif Davis, huge decision for him to drop down two divisions when he did leave, he has been a sensation for Ipswich.
A very bad move by Victor Orta and i'm certain Marsch had his meddling fingers involved in it, I’m not so sure if Farke or Bielsa had been at the club, they would not of sanctioned his departure. Bielsa although didn’t utilize him often would have seen his potential .

Never mind we’ve still got junior Firpo!

06 May 2024 08:56:02
Ayling is "washed up" guff Dill? give over

Ayling 8 assists playing virtually EVERY match for Boro since his move 19 matches .

Playing . the full 90 plus mins each time

and sincw Ayling has been playing Boro have been keeping plenty of clean sheets! ,

scoring loads of goals!

and winning loads of matches! ( something Leeds have failed to do much of in past 8 matches )

QPR 0 vs Boro 2

Compared to QPR 4 Leeds 0

Most recently

Boro 3 Watford 1
Cardiff 1 Boro 4
Ipswich 1 Boro 1
Boro 2 Wendies 0
Boro 2 Swansea 0
Hull 2 Boro 2
Boro 3 Norwich 1
Southampton 1v Boro 1
Birmingham 0 vs Boro 1 etc etc

Ayling has been a REVELATION for Boro. they win loads and haven't lost a game.

06 May 2024 08:57:33
What Ani said.100% spot on.

06 May 2024 09:01:21
Real is Leeds missing out on top 2 Bright .

06 May 2024 11:10:55
Brighty is right, this site is turning shite! Half contributing to debate and opinions, the other simply not accepting others opinions if they differ from their own, and saying it’s ‘Guff’ is out of order. Recently it’s become as dull as dishwater.
Did anyone really think Ayling should be first choice RB this season, I don’t believe so, he’s been a great servant to the club and I love him to bits for his commitment and attitude (and contribution) , but his performances were getting worse and was at fault for conceding goals, getting turned every week.
Did anyone criticise Archie when we had the best defence in the football league and on an unbeaten run, and say, we should have kept Ayling and played him? I don’t believe so.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, Lief Davis has been amazing for Ipswich, but did many of us think at the time he was a first choice LB for the Premier League? I don’t believe so. He may have been the one pushing to leave.
Before anyone (and you know who you are) jump up and down and say I’m wrong, it’s my opinion and cannot be wrong, it just may simply differ from your own.

06 May 2024 11:13:08
Baz, if we had made the automatic promotion would you still have wanted Bill back?
Hmm too conviennent and fitting your hindsight agenda to be saying this now.

06 May 2024 12:34:01
AYLING A REVELATION! Lol. Come off it, he's been sh! te for us for a long time. He may have played well elsewhere after, but FOR US, he's been very poor for a while. Why on earth would we miss a player that was playing badly then couldn't even get into the squad before he moved on?

You can't start playing the hindsight card on this one.

Both Gray and Roberts are better players than Ayling.

06 May 2024 13:31:00
Yes Dill Ayling has been very good FOR Boro ,

OP IF Leeds had gone up then no LA would not of ofc be good enough for EPL. Facts are Leeds haven't gone up and Ani is 100% correct about our RB issues.

06 May 2024 18:10:05
I don't think Ayling has ever been sh! te; he was asked to play a particular way, by Bielsa and Marche, and at the start of the season by Farke, essentially to be further up the field when we were pressing. On occasion [more often than not], we would would lose possession poorly and it was easy to get behind Ayling with a simple ball over the top.

No hindsight from me, I 100% didn't want Ayling to go, [I 100% don't want Cooper to go for the record] and even though Archie did very well [defensively] for the most part as make-shift right back, he had none of Aylings attacking play.

I agree with Dill, that Gray and Roberts are probably [now] better than Ayling defensively, but Gray certainly isn't attacking; Roberts probably now is the better player. When Roberts was injured, I think being able to call upon Ayling would have still been a benefit, even if only for the old head to help with moral.

06 May 2024 18:49:08
Not sure what you’re saying Baz?

06 May 2024 19:18:39
Well said again Ani re Ayling and RB situation.

06 May 2024 19:19:11
I think that period just before he got dropped out of the squad it really showed how poor he was for us. Sh! te maye a tad hyperbole, but certainly wasn't anywhere near the standard we needed.

Gray has played better there this season. Just feels a lot safer him at RB rather than Ayling, but yes, his offensive contribution could certainly improve when he plays there.

Would still pick him over Ayling any day of the week.

06 May 2024 20:37:52
Fair enough points Dill. It’s all about opinions.

For what it’s worth, my view is, it all started going pair-shaped when we started playing Archie in Midfield, coupled with Rutters drop in form. I know it’s Archie’s natural position, but imo the midfield of Gruev and Kamara was doing the “defensive” job Farke wanted and it wasn’t broken. It may not be the most dynamic partnership, but it kept possession really well.
I appreciate it was somewhat forced because of Gruev’s injury. I would have liked Archie sticking to right back.

05 May 2024 18:11:35
Just seen that kal has won the West ham player of the year vote.

With the help of the leeds fans!

Well done kalvin!

05 May 2024 18:28:44
He received over 60% of the votes 🤣🤣.

05 May 2024 18:31:59
Thoroughly deserved 👏 😆.

05 May 2024 18:51:18
That’s actually taking the piss out of the lad.

05 May 2024 20:02:52
He's done more to win that than his treble last season.

05 May 2024 20:14:46
I think Leeds fans should vote for Luke Ayling at Boro too

Played 19 games
EIGHT assists . eight!

Give Ayling a new contract . his loan move by DF looking foolish 😒.

05 May 2024 20:26:44
You could look at it like that Cork or you could say that all those Leeds fans took time to vote and he still means something to them.
He is still one of our own!

05 May 2024 20:30:46
Hasn't Luke won the same at Boro?
:-)

05 May 2024 21:12:46
You wait until it's Citeh's turn. Kal will win that too. 🤣.

05 May 2024 21:20:05
Hasn't he just Sheds?

05 May 2024 17:24:52
The Southampton fans started taunting the Leeds fans yesterday when Ipswich started winning, which at first I found a little odd because Ipswich have done us both over this season. But then I remembered that resentment can be driven by being made to look a fool - and then I remembered that famous Barry Davies line - 'to say that Leeds are playing with Southampton is an understatement'. 7 v 0 etc. We've made enemies over the last 60 years and a lot of it is to do with resentment. And yet we haven't won close to the number of trophies we should have won. What a story the history of our football club tells. True romance. Maybe that's what attracts the likes of Russell Crowe and Will Ferrell. They're not in it for the money. Life is about winning and losing. We've done our fair share of the latter. But when your friend is down - you stick with him. I f****** love Leeds.

05 May 2024 17:59:05
Good post Manston . and yes older Saints fans are salty over that 7 nil men against boys embarrassment,

Personally I dislike Southampton as I am still a bit salty of the fab Tony Currie inspired Leeds United being beaten unjustly by thuggish clodders Southampton in League Cup semi 1979.

05 May 2024 18:08:54
I always had a soft spot for Southampton baz. Firstly because of a close friend being a big saints fan and secondly le ti's and his brilliance.
Thirdly they had a good run of beating man u.

05 May 2024 18:30:45
Very good post Manston and how true it is of our history and legacy.
We have indeed soared with the eagles with not a lot to show for it, then wallowed with the pigs, which sometimes feels like an eternity.
It’s a very unique and special club, certainly to us it is anyhow.

05 May 2024 18:32:45
Le Tiss what a supremely talented player 👏 Ben.

05 May 2024 18:53:58
Baz - I was at a youth club in Whitkirk the night Southampton beat us in the League Cup semi final - and the DJ stopped the music to announce and rejoice in the result. Turned out he was a Southampton fan! Knob.

05 May 2024 18:54:10
Anyone remember a goal Leeds scored against Southampton which actually went wide but was given as a goal?
I think it was Strachan? Or has my mind totally gone?

05 May 2024 19:48:38
Manston ugh. You should have short circuited his DJ stuff

You weren't following match on Radio 2 the great Peter Jones commentary.

05 May 2024 20:05:09
Unlikely Manston - there is only Baz old enough to remember that.

05 May 2024 20:44:32
I’m afraid not Alf. I was def there.

05 May 2024 21:21:22
My commiserations Manston. However I think the majority of Saints fans these days would not remember that or give two hoots about it.

05 May 2024 21:24:16
BTW the resentment towards Leeds is due to the entitlement of a large portion of the fan base. People saying things like 'we have the best squad in the league', ' we deserve to be promoted', 'Ipswich were league 1 last season we should be embarrassed to lose out to them' are all classic examples.

05 May 2024 22:06:05
Cuppa you do contradict yourself.

06 May 2024 07:00:09
Explain oh master of contradictions.

06 May 2024 07:01:22
Corkster don't recall that.

googled and was reminded that Mark Hughes for Saints once scored a " goal" vs Leeds that hit the advertising board and bounced put of goal.

never given 😆.

06 May 2024 07:09:05
I seem to remember a goal at The Dell that was not given. The advertising hoarding were so close behind the goal line, that when the ball bounced out after crossing the goal line, everyone thought it had hit the post; they just played on.

06 May 2024 08:17:10
A valid assessment that Alf!