Leeds Banter

14 Jan 2025 15:17:10
Incredible to think Raphinia, currently being touted as best player in the world just now, captain of Barcelona scoring twice to beat Real Madrid

Think we all knew he was special and it was inevitable a big club would come in for him sooner or later.

Got me thinking have there been bigger successes after leaving us? Obviously Rio and Eric at the club that cannot be named.

But anyone else reached the heights of Raphinia?

14 Jan 2025 15:46:23
Obviously there is Thomas Brolin who left us to become a legend at McDonalds.

14 Jan 2025 16:14:09
Seems to me we can buy players for the under 21 what is this all about.

14 Jan 2025 16:26:30
Interesting post Class

Players who have gome on to be bigger successes elsewhere

Denis Irwin
John McGovern
Andy Lineghan
Kemar Roofe
David Seaman

Arguably
John Lukic
Harry Kewell

Youngsters
James Milner
Aaron Lennon
Dsnny Rose
Fabian Delph.

14 Jan 2025 17:07:50
Baz there was a thread Started about Raph

And you mention Roofe 🤣.

14 Jan 2025 17:32:42
Chrissy

Roofey underrated . scoring wonder goals for Anderlecht and Glasgow Rangers.

Plus Raph grew up watching and emulating his boyhood idol left wing wizard uber talented Harry Kewell 😉

I lurve Raph but is he really as good as some seem to suggest?

14 Jan 2025 18:14:10
Baz, please stop

Anderlecht in a urine league
Rangers in a pub league

Stop digging Baz 🤣.

14 Jan 2025 18:15:00
Roofe and Raph definitely on a par. Another classic parody post 😂😂😂.

14 Jan 2025 18:31:40
Chrissy . moi digging? 🤔. err ok occasionally 🤣.

14 Jan 2025 20:51:53
Jimmy Greenoff.

14 Jan 2025 22:40:18
Baz A name you've omitted but deserves to be on your list imo. Chris Wood. Similar strike rate when he was at LUFC but he's doing it in the Prem.

14 Jan 2025 22:40:28
I think it’s interesting how few names there are on this list. When we buy a player, we’re always wanting to say “I can’t believe we got X for just £y”.

This is the list of players we’ve sold that other clubs can say that about. It being short means generally we’ve sold well / got good fair prices, even if it often doesn’t feel like that at the time.

14 Jan 2025 22:49:18
Class Perhaps a more noteworthy point concerns our erstwhile sporting director from Spain. Specifically, the range of player he signed during his tenure in West Yorkshire.

Mostly duds including easily the worst signing in the history of the sport anywhere in the world (JKA 🚩) and a contender for this season's Ballon D'or (when he was virtually unknown) .

14 Jan 2025 22:58:26
Wood. One for the future.

14 Jan 2025
New image uploaded to the
Leeds Player Sightings page entitled, Wales number 1 exudes confidence

Click picture for larger image

14 Jan 2025 11:38:04
Problem is Georgey is that Farkey AND SF49ers are playing Russian Roulette continuing to play Meslier.

Once parachute payments disappear many clubs struggle to get even close to promotion to EPL.

14 Jan 2025 07:39:31
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

14 Jan 2025 08:06:12
Another thorough, no holds barred read Ed001.

It's a reminder how team performance and results can change adversely and sooo quickly, even for the very best team Liverpool.

It's possibly also not a particularly good sign for Leeds United

as each time Leeds United have been promoted they have done so as Champions ( of Div 2, Champo) 1963/ 64, 1989/ 90 and 2019/ 20

with Liverpool winning top league ( Div1 EPL) also in those years.

Come on Mr Slot ( and Mr Farkey) sort it!

{Ed001's Note - only thing is I made a major mistake awarding 3 points to Spurs when it was the League Cup! I really shouldn't try and write it when I am very tired I realise now.

I never knew Liverpool won the league the same years Leeds were promoted! So it could be a good omen that we are both top then?}

14 Jan 2025 08:17:28
Yep indeed Ed001 them be the facts.
And for a 4th time in 2025? Time will soon tell.

{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed!}

13 Jan 2025 19:51:12
So peeps, we have passed half way in front, excellent, objective number one achieved. But now according to some that team is not good enough to finish the job? Strength grows from strength, negativity begets negativity. Why oh why do we seek the reasons Not to succeed? Honestly. There is every reason to believe siblings and I for one do. One Leeds, One Love 🤍.

13 Jan 2025 20:39:44
Luke Davey Vid ; may the force be with you

I do lurve and smile at yer kumbayar positivity / optimism posts

but these were pretty much the same predictions you had last season too . and hmmm.

13 Jan 2025 20:45:13
Alright Bob Marley🤣🤣.
I completely agree Vid, no matter we are top, some on here are never happy. Enjoy the ride, as I have said before a level roller coaster would be boring.

13 Jan 2025 20:47:50
9 for me
May not be as Champions, but autos will do.
It might be inspite of Meslier rather than because of him.

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender,

13 Jan 2025 20:49:42
Difficult to comprehend Vid, some of the posters on here! The manager is rubbish, oh wait, just won manager of the month! The team desperately need additions in January because, oh wait, we are top of the table! I see BS Baz is adding predictions of 3rd and 4th position finishes in case his original 1st place doesn’t happen 😂 cover all the options!

13 Jan 2025 21:23:30
Well Baz, that is because I will never stop believing. What is the point otherwise?

13 Jan 2025 22:17:45
DDSW

situations/ fortunes can change at LUFC as you know full well!

Soooo due to the ongoing Meslier meltdown gk issue . regrettably I think we will now finish 3rd not 1st

Hope Mes proves me wrong and becomes more like Mike Maignan this 2nd half of season!


and

fair dos Davey Vid . hope you are right!

14 Jan 2025 01:05:21
Everybody is allowed to change their minds on original prediction. I thought we would romp this league with the quality of our squad. But things change. We haven’t got rid of last season habit of dropping unnecessary points or as some call it ( a bad day at the office 😂 ) . We have a fair few of them. We have in my opinion a couple of other respond to be cautious too. We are too I get it. Just not as confident as I was when the fantastic summer additions were made. Not sure how long Piroe out for but to just have Matt’s up front for a month is iffy.

14 Jan 2025 01:41:02
Reasons not respond and top not too.

14 Jan 2025 02:44:22
Exactly Aus.

14 Jan 2025 06:15:57
I'm sure we will finish top unless something terribly unfortunate or, 'Leedsy' happens.

With crew and joffy going on loan, Bamford and Piroe out, I would be shocked if we didn't sign a 9 and 10. If Gnonto was on form I wouldn't worry too much but it seems mad not to be protected up front when we have wingers, defenders and midfielders coming out the ying Yang.

14 Jan 2025 07:25:08
But news now reporting Farke happy with his two strikers mot. And is happy for them to see out the season.

14 Jan 2025 08:02:39
At the end of the day, the man who is paid to do this job and sits in the hot seat is not us, it’s Daniel Farke. He’s achieved winning the Championship twice before so probably has a good idea how to do it once more.
Fans can bleat on as much as they want about last season and why we didn’t get over the line, but I have no doubts at all for this season, it’s ours and we are going to take it and that will be down to Farkes decision making and his skills and experience as a Championship manager.
The Premiership is another story.

14 Jan 2025 08:13:32
If peeps are being objective, unbiased. one proposes that Farkey's only real impressive achievement was Norwich promotion in 2018/ 19

Definitely his second promotion in 2020/ 21 far, far less . as Norwich were a newly relegated EPL club with 1st year parachute payments.

Promotion was wholly expected.

14 Jan 2025 08:20:22
OP we hope your steadfastness is finally proved correct this time.

14 Jan 2025 14:11:33
Fawkes words are designed to protect his relationship with Meslier and motivate him if he remains the first choice. He was also very clear and frank in his criticism. it still wouldn’t surprise me if we bring in a new keeper but could depend on who is available and the defence reaction to Meslier in training.

To keep it in context, two main errors from the keeper and we’re still top. Will he make two more errors like that in the second half. If he does stay with Meslier then he has gambled everything on red and he’s got to make it work.

14 Jan 2025 16:29:06
Seems a very unnecessary huge dangerous gamble Spanish. with £150 million plus to lose

Just get promotion done.

13 Jan 2025 18:20:57
Hi all, took my boys to their first game on Saturday and they both loved it. They now want to go to the 4th round (if we are able to get tickets) . Given it's likely to be Millwall, it's going to be a different atmosphere/ fan base than Harrogate. Just wondered on people's experiences of going to a Millwall game with a family. Thanks.

{Ed025's Note - stay at home and watch it MW, Millwall fans are Lunatics and i certainly wouldn,t be going there never mind with my family mate, im an Evertonian and lots of our fans were slashed in 2019 at the Den and its just not worth it imo..

13 Jan 2025 18:57:18
Ya too edgy altogether for that tie,

13 Jan 2025 18:39:43
Thanks Ed, those were my initial thoughts. Was just hoping I could take advantage of the rare home cup draw and the slim possibility of getting tickets again. Will hope for a Dag and Red win tonight 🤞🤣.

{Ed025's Note - i think everyone will MW..

13 Jan 2025 19:39:36
Hello Mighty - excellent - glad your lads enjoyed the experience - and many more to come. I take the Ed’s point - but the match will be at Elland Road. There may be some isolated aggro away from the ground/ by the station etc. but I think you’ll be fine at the stadium.

13 Jan 2025 20:39:09
Thanks Manston. Yes they did, even though we were in the north stand so they had to stand the whole game 🤣. I'm in a catch22 about it, but being at home does go in our favour, but would have to go another way back to the hotel as otherwise we'd be walking home past the away end.

13 Jan 2025 20:40:37
Millwall fans are soft . we are Leeds.

13 Jan 2025 20:54:19
The Wall fans are normally kept well segregated with a police escort all the way. ER should be ok but like others say maybe watch out in more public spaces as the idiots have been known to attack families etc at the train station.

13 Jan 2025 14:47:05
Anyone Know anywhere in Puerto del Carmen that's likely to show our games.

13 Jan 2025 20:04:59
It’s Lanzarote. I’m sure all the bars have dodgy firesticks👍.

13 Jan 2025 20:55:10
Join a few Lanzarote pages on Facebook and they will no doubt be in the know.

13 Jan 2025 21:17:10
Bloody hell Ed025 Wall aren't going to bring that many they won't be allowed the full allocation they'll get top of West Stand and that's it below them will be kept empty rest of ground full of Leeds.

{Ed025's Note - the match doesn,t interest these nutters GA they have a different agenda mate..

13 Jan 2025 12:01:00
Appreciate it’s a bit of harmless fun to predict our team and requirements upon promotion to the EPL.

However, we are only halfway in the toughest football marathon in world football, we’ve made a fabulous start and it’s great to be sitting top at the half way point.

However, the only thing we have information wise with respect to January signings is Farkey statement around ‘potential bargains’ with the usual (IMO) wholly disrespectful continued silence from our board and owners on anything Leeds United. But that will never change with Kinnear in the building.

Assuming we sign nobody this window (obviously people’s views may differ at the end of the window if we get someone in)

How likely do you think it is we will be promoted this season?

10 we’re as certain as can be?
9 we may not be champions but automatic?
8 it’s going to be close and possibly playoffs?

Without any additions this window I’m at 8.5 it would be a 9 but personally the goalkeeper situation has spooked me as much as it has our defence.

Interested in others views/ score?

13 Jan 2025 13:24:44
Nobody in and playing mez. No promotion. Not in top 3. So that would prob be a 7 class. And that’s unfortunately my honest opinion. As I’ve said before. There are two people who can ruin our season. And I fear they will 😕.

13 Jan 2025 13:54:02
Farkey is the iceberg that sunk HMS Champo Champions Leeds

the moment Farkey announced in his presser that he was going to continue with cooked frazzled Meslier in goal.

As sucb even though we might bring in up to 2 players in Jan. unless they are Messi and Ronaldo quality we miss out on top 2

So its likely 3rd or 4th ( score below 8)

13 Jan 2025 14:12:35
Anyone else think Farkey holds a lot of power / too much power and is pretty much calling all the shots behind the scenes

Think Marathe has made grave mistakes in NOT bringing in any key successful experiences football execs uogrades

1) Not bringing in a Director of Football at all to govern and oversee all football matters

2) Not upgrading and replacing the woeful Angus Kinnear at CEO

And

3) Giving Farkey far too much power that his stubborn doubling down serious errors likely will cost LUFC top 2 finish yet again.

13 Jan 2025 14:56:49
Not bringing in a striker, CB, goalie or any of the 3 will hinder our promotion chances. I still think we will get promotion but it will depend on others dropping points rather than in our own hands. I agree with Baz on points 2 and 3, Kinnear is hopeless how the hell he got to be CEO is beyond me but the board overall are seriously lacking ambition if they are relying on the current squad to get promotion.

13 Jan 2025 16:51:45
I thought Klopp was the director of football through a dotted line?

13 Jan 2025 18:03:46
I cannot see much change to the team for the second half of the season. Mez will still be in goal and he will be as he has done in the first half. Bit good and a bit bad. With a full compliment of players at our disposal and with the points we have aleady it's a 9 from me.
I say north of 100 points 1st or second.

13 Jan 2025 19:06:01
10. Champions. End of.

13 Jan 2025 20:41:34
Light a candle of hope fellas.

13 Jan 2025 20:49:24
100% Champions, no doubt in my mind. There are some tough teams competing for the auto spots but we are better with a more experienced squad this season. There’s no fantasy blowing this league apart in my opinion and it will be a close finish but in the end with us on top of the pile.
That’s without a new keeper or striker.

13 Jan 2025 20:57:38
We could really do with a CAM, right footed CB and a CF. Without them we can still do it but we will throw points away against teams employing everyone's favourite low block. Imo that's on the board not Farke.

14 Jan 2025 06:29:06
Forgot to mark my 10.
As much as some want to heap the fragility or weakness on our assault for promotion this season solely onto our goalkeeper, who granted has made a few costly errors, which keepers do throughout the season.
I believe our true weakness has always been the same thing for a long time which is not putting away the chances we create more often. But that's no blight of the effort these players we’ve had, just pure and simple the quality isn’t quite there. If it was, we wouldn’t be in the position we are in now.
The only real top quality player we’ve had of recent times would be Raphinha, who obviously departed to an elite club.

As far as us romping the league this season, this is just not feasible in any shape or form in my estimation due to the quality of players we possess.
Leicester who had an abundance of quality throughout their squad should have won the Championship by a much wider margin than they did, but it should never be forgotten that they cheated the PSR to achieve that.

13 Jan 2025 08:48:15
We are top of the league so no need to spend money unless a bargain comes up. We must be doing something right already. Earnt more from players than anybody else and looking for bargains. Does he not think it matters our competition are spending money on improving. We must be that good not to need to. Bit like a young team that will make mistakes. Absolute dribble. Every time he opens his mouth. Guarantee mez and arronsen back at weekend. Soooo predictable.

13 Jan 2025 09:26:01
Indeed Aus spot on post AGAIN.

13 Jan 2025 10:13:45
OMG I find myself in agreement with Aus!

Just waiting on the arrival of the 4 Horseman now.

I believe we were top/ top-ish as the transfer window arrived last winter.
I believe the statements coming out of Elland Rd were with regards to our squad being good enough.

I believe the teams around us did feel their squads needed improving.

I believe they went up and we didn't!

The definition of Madness is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result!

At the very least, aren't the fans entitled to know where this message comes from.
If the manager has stated this, then he has to live/ die by the results.
If the business has stated this, then we are entitled to critise their planning for our club.
All we ask for is some transparency in all this.

13 Jan 2025 10:32:15
100% spot on Axey.

13 Jan 2025 10:32:31
Hacker won't go away. He or she shows knowledge of Leeds United.

Put simply, if our rivals fortify and we don't they are going to close and overtake that 1 point gap (which ought to have been 7) .

Playoffs beckon.

13 Jan 2025 10:33:37
Not the 49E style to communicate directly with the fans or to explain their business decisions. That isn't likely to change so we may as well wish for the moon on a stick.

13 Jan 2025 10:38:44
Just FYI on 13 Jan 24 Leeds were 4th in the table 7 PTS off Ipswich in 2nd and 17 off Leicester who were top. Soton were 4 PTS above us in 3rd. So yes - we were top.

13 Jan 2025 10:42:07
Yes Alf. but we all know their precedent of last Jan window.

13 Jan 2025 11:59:38
At the end of the day it all depends on who is available, are they better than what we have already and at what price.
The January transfer market has dwindled enormously since PSR, prices are inflated and more times than often you can’t get the player you want until the end of the season.
The odds are stacked against purchasing in January and what is possibly available is a player that is badly out of form or just no good.
Let’s Spend Spend Spend.

13 Jan 2025 12:19:25
Our team is top Vs the other teams.
However, if those other teams bolster up and we don't, there's no guarantee that we will beat those teams again, as all those teams could be better than they were in the first half of the season.

The team that ends top on new year's day gets promoted. The last team who failed to do that was Leeds United.

13 Jan 2025 12:23:19
Is it ok for 49ers and Farke to mislead fans Alf.
If they really are going to slip a couple players in why the bollocks saying they aren’t. Unless a bargain. They don’t have to say who or even what position. A simple. We are looking to improve the squad.
Not. If a bargain comes up.
The fans are more important than the players Alf. Maybe they should rethink their strategy and instead of lying. Be honest.

13 Jan 2025 12:33:34
Alfie (just out of interest do you know Kinnear? )

I bow to your superior use of the Internet. There is definitely a place for you in this New World Order.

I did use the word "top-ish" to cover my lack of I. T. savvy and try to create a margin of error that would showcase my lack of intent to get forensic on the topic.

We were near the top

We did not bring in reinforcements

We didn't go up.

If you don't agree with just those 3 statements then I apologise for making you read this far.

And, I agree with you, SF49ers do not tend to make many statements, so I guess we need to infer that the "no need for reinforcements" can be attributed to Farke and he should live/ die by his proclamation. No excuses if we don't go up.
However that would be a terrible "hanging out to dry" by what professes to be an ethical business organisation if they are hiding behind Farke.

13 Jan 2025 13:56:50
OP if it’s as you say Odds opinion stacked against us in January, ( and I know it’s your valued option) we are after the same position at at the end of last season, so why did the Manager and 49 not invest them see to me we can make up any old excuse to fit this Barmy army group involved in Leeds United, keeper and a striker both have been there for a very long time.

13 Jan 2025 14:14:25
Superb post Axey! .

I am REALLY enjoying your posts!

13 Jan 2025 18:31:19
Whiteman I don’t think it’s very easy to buy a premiership quality striker when you are in the championship, that would include the very heavy price for one.
Meslier for me is good enough for the Premiership.

13 Jan 2025 19:50:58
Thanks OP for you post.

13 Jan 2025 21:19:18
There are loads of reasons clubs don't come out and broadcast their true intentions in transfer windows. I get that it's frustrating to be kept in the dark but let's just wait and see, hey?

12 Jan 2025 15:11:36
Some observations from the Tamworth game is that Schmidt can definitely come and do a job when we need him, I would like to see him get more game time .

Things just aren't falling for Joseph at the moment, not sure if he is over trying, he really seems to hit every shot over the bar .

Gnonto seems to have lost
Confidence in raking his man on .

Solomon has been a very good signing.

12 Jan 2025 16:25:57
Tamworth? Wouldn't that mean Spurs get knocked out of the cup for fielding an ineligible cup tied player?

12 Jan 2025 19:24:05
Correct George, you are so clever. Well done.

12 Jan 2025 21:12:57
Thanks 👍 official LUFC 💛💙🇮🇨.

12 Jan 2025 21:16:17
Another brilliant parody post from our very own two wallies :D.

12 Jan 2025 21:35:59
Alfie lads add two sugars in yer Cuppa . sweet life enjoy.

12 Jan 2025 22:07:10
Haha I can’t believe I did that
I finished watching the Tamworth game when I posted it obviously I meant the Harrogate game.

13 Jan 2025 01:59:04
Tamworth gave Spuds a blooming hard match; fair play to them!

Also great game yesterday Arsenal vs Man U

As I said the other day odds of 18/ 1 for Man U to win FA Cup decent . now having beaten Arsenal they have shortened considerably to 17/ 2.

13 Jan 2025 02:05:02
. and what fabulous saves from Man U's Bayindir in particular and Arsenals Raya

So envious watching other clubs keepers making lots of great saves for their clubs. making a huge positive beneficial difference!

13 Jan 2025 06:43:31
You wouldn’t have been so envious if you had watched Bayinder’s rubbish performance in Man Utds loss against Spurs the other week in the Carabao cup. His howler was worse than Meslier’s.

13 Jan 2025 07:10:53
Yep he did not play well that game .

possibly impeded for the goal from the corner for Spurs final goal ;

the first goal when he paries a shot back out into the box

well Meslier does that all the time or let's it go thru him for a goal.

Mes howlers at Everton, Sunderland, Hull etc far, far worse than either of those goals.

13 Jan 2025 08:05:06
Oh Baz you do make me giggle, only you could extol the virtues of they who must not be named and also use it as a conduit to bash Leeds and Mes because it justifies your opinion. Beware, the force is strong with the dark side it seems.

13 Jan 2025 08:16:59
It’s ok for one to make a mistake but not the other, well that says it all really. Have a wonderful day Baz.

13 Jan 2025 08:23:35
You know what Davey Vid. for me at least

until we get back into at least the SAME frigging league as Man U.

. our "rivalry" with them is currently a tad tinpot certainly from their perspective I am sure.

13 Jan 2025 08:25:36
. and Davey. re 'the Dark Side'

So perhaps I am Darth Vader to your Luke Skywalker.


Hmmm . does that make me your father Davey? 😁😉.

13 Jan 2025 08:53:14
Baz
You are WRONG, so wrong.

The rivalry with **** is never tinpot.
Even when they were in the old second division in the 70s, they were the main rival.
Mr Radcliffe could move them to play in a fantastic stadium in Qatar and it would make no difference. They are and always will be the main rival.
And having lived so close to their manor for so many years I know that their 'real world fans' never speak well of the mighty Leeds. They hurt after that FA Cup loss.

13 Jan 2025 10:00:08
Yes Axey Leeds fans hate Man U fans ) and vice versa

And Leeds fans consider Man U are its main and most hated rival ( not least with a historical context) .

My point is that a rivalry is somewhat diminished a tad when neither club plays each other frequently ie differernt divisions etc. but yes the rivalry still burns even then

Leeds United and Man Utd greatest rivalry was imo in 1960s when both clubs were very strong. and yes also 1970s, 1990s up to 2004.again relit in 2010 and then 2020 to 2023.

But Man U fans younger ones especially and older ones imo have the following clubs as their biggest rivals most hated rivals

1st Liverpool
2nd Citeh
3rd Arsenal
And then
4th Leeds ( or even Chelsea) ,

13 Jan 2025 12:41:48
Baz

I concur with some of your post.

To Leeds, Manchester United (sorry eds, I put s*** last time) is the greatest rivalry.
To Manchester United, Liverpool is their greatest rivalry.

But Leeds is their second greatest. They simply detest Yorkshire folk.

They see City fans all week long. It's just banter and bragging rights (a bit like Liverpool and Everton)

Arsenal and Chelsea was only a Fergie-thing as he had a beef with their managers at the time.

13 Jan 2025 14:15:30
Interesting 2nd follow up post Axey.

13 Jan 2025 15:53:17
I try not to be boring Baz.

Obviously the above is only what I have personally observed and is not a complete chapter and verse with regards to football rivalries.
I have no idea about our Milwall one.

12 Jan 2025 11:23:51
yes i know, a win is a win but the word disappointing comes to mind. Firstly in the rather negative lineup with not one young gun in the team or on the bench. How will you ever know what a gem you have until you test it? Whilst nobody let us down, nobody cemented his place. Only, really Solomon shone. Against two or three that disappointed. For me the only thing to come out of yesterdays match was to underline our need for a clinical poacher/ finisher together with a creative (Pablo) AM.

12 Jan 2025 11:43:44
Did someone mention King Pablo ❤️🙏. aww those were the days. entertaining football.