11 Feb 2021 14:12:41
It's crunch time for fringe players like Costa, Roberts and Poveda : they need to improve asap.
All three are talented but Costa and Poveda need to beef up their bodies in the gym, get stronger physically and mentally.
And all three need to improve their decision making and end product.
They have to really want it, really strive harder to get better.
11 Feb 2021 18:45:29
Costa I think was class espically early on I’m season when he was one of our best players
Poveda excites me but needs to do more and be more consistent but when he is at he he can rip open any defence
Roberts is just a no for me decent player but luxury player and champ level
Love Alioski but harsh but true I don’t think he is prem and we need a legit left back
Finally cooper mich imported but if we are to push on he has to go.
11 Feb 2021 20:11:56
It’s crunch time for me too tonight Baz, 2 slices of bread and a packet of walkers cheese and onion in my snap box ( other cheese and onion crisps are available )
11 Feb 2021 21:15:15
Lol Martyn 🤣
Bon appetit!
11 Feb 2021 21:30:12
Can't beat a cheese and onion crisp buggy big fellow, just had to have one myself with a nice cold beer!
12 Feb 2021 00:24:20
Top man mezzer.
12 Feb 2021 00:25:44
My guilty pleasure at the moment in a minced beef crispy pancake sandwich with ketchup, breakfast of champions. One to try mezzer you won’t be disappointed.
12 Feb 2021 06:10:47
Yes martyn, know exactly where you are coming from with this one. Much better than the cheese flavour ones! Also potatoes waffle and fried egg sarnie, give it a go.
12 Feb 2021 07:12:46
. and now after the food interlude (you made me hungry and I am on an imposed diet, cheers guys) , back to the thread
I agree that Roberts, Alioski and Cooper are the first names that I can think of for looking for improving the personnel. However I do not want us the get rid of them like so many on here! Have you not seen the paucity of experience we have on the bench these days?
Those 3 are shoe-ins for bringing our bench experience up to a decent standard for the Premier League for next season
Cooper has been a brilliant captain for us. When I look back at some of the muppets that have held that role it hurts that they are in the same group as Bremner and Radebe. At least with Liam we have a supporter representing us out there. Sure he is no Beckenbauer, but he gives 'his 100%' every time and he is "Side before Self". I am sure Koch and Llorente will be the centre backs of choice once bedded in, but I would much prefer to see Liam on the bench, covering, that either of the young prospects Casey or Cresswell. Let them develop away from the glare
Alioski is a similar case for me. We know he gives 100%. How many big name signings have come to Elland Road and not done that. I would rather have 100% of Alioski than 60% of Danny Rose (Retirement Rose) or some up and coming youngster who can't take the pressure of 0laying for Leeds. We have all seen some big stars wilt on the ER stage. At least with Alioski we know we get an average Premiership left sided player who always performs. If he was warming up to come on I wouldn't be as worried as if I saw Huggins, Jenkins or Davis doing similar next season. And in any case, why waste 3 years of Bielsa conditioning by letting it go off to Turkey?
Roberts is a different case in that i have never felt he has busted a gut for us. However, I also think he has been played in so many different positions that he has no idea what he is aiming for. With Bamford as our Nov we no longer hit high balls forward, we look for mobility. Prior to this season I would have said Roberts was quicker than Bamford and should have relished being the roaming centre forward. However having been used out wide, used in the middle of midfield, the lad does nothing really well anymore, he just fits in. This is the only one I would look to sell and replace as I think his career has stalled at Leeds and we need a better goal threat from the bench.
12 Feb 2021 09:24:16
I can see your arguement on all three Axe but as for the CB position you have to squeeze Struijk into the list. When playing CB he has never let us down and as soon as he gets some heading practice his strike rate will soar. As for Alioski, I feel it's no good having experience on the bench if you just don't have the quality. Amongst other things he gets caught out far too much and in trying to retrieve the situation he is more than likely to give away a free kick (even penalty) . It's difficult to say how Huggins or Jenkins will fare. They, like a few others, will need a run in the first team before anybody can call yes or no. Roberts, sad to say, has been given his chance and looks nowhere near a quality player. Maybe it will come but the sad bit is, probably not with us.
I feel that the U23s may well be a little goldmine for LUFC certainly performance indicate so. I do however agree with the "big step" up to the Prem it is therefore more important that we reach 45ish points asap. With that cushion we can let loose some of our young guns to show if they have what it takes.
12 Feb 2021 09:42:04
Sorry Axe back to food. A toasted bagel, with butter, marmite, sliced cheddar and tomato. Hmmmm, now try that you won't look back.
12 Feb 2021 10:07:19
Good post Axe fully agree about Coops and Alioski need to keep them both ( for bench)
Roberts could still come good, but needs to push himself far more and needs to do that asap. Bielsa clearly has some belief in his ability.
And back to food, Dougie now that does sound delicious # marmite 💜.