09 Aug 2021 22:48:37
Lufc don't do things fast or easy, one new recruit for first team and not even have Bielsa signed on yet, poor work.
We may bring in one player before end August but as of now, very disappointing from orta.
I was thinking we'd push top 6 this season and do hope so but we have little back up if players like Phillips, raphi and bamford get an injury.
Now thinking between 11-16th, let's hope for an early 3 points on Saturday.
It will emotional.
10 Aug 2021 02:49:04
It may well turn out to be a tough season. Think about mid table again.
Lack of recruitment so far will cost us.
Other teams have strengthened.
Think we are lucky that there are 5 - 7 obviously weaker teams.
10 Aug 2021 04:00:22
Plus who remember Orta statement he wanted all incoming transfer business done early so they benefit from the preseason? We've not been lied to but feels that way because the point is you just don't know what bids get accepted. It was a silly thing for him to say. Let's hope we get in a few more before the end of the month. Otherwise, I can see us dropping down to 11th/ 12th.
10 Aug 2021 11:29:38
Listen to Angus on the Square Ball pod . Unlikely any more transfers . Always the plan apparently. If so misguided imho and why say earlier in the window 4 or 5 first team incomings then?!
10 Aug 2021 11:49:11
For all those who thought a new dawn have in reality a false dawn. Same old, Same old. don't we always get promised early signings and then are kept waitng, nail biting, to the final days. It's not made any easier by lazy journalists with col inches to fill, dragging up every name possible and giving us all hope only for it to just quietly fade away as the new great hope gets their 15 minutes, of column inches.
Having said all that I will just leave them to do their thing and eagerly look forward to reading some "past tense" eg Leeds have signed xxxxx"
If nobody else then Que Sera, time for the young guns to step up and as some of us have pointed out there are still a few teams worse looking than us.
10 Aug 2021 12:19:49
Just listened to The Square Ball podcast’s latest interview with Angus Kinnear, first broadcast yesterday. Very broad-ranging and interesting. Insights include that new left back and goalkeeper were the key transfer targets, with CM and new winger only going to be done if an appropriate opportunity arises, with a player Bielsa wants. He confirmed the impression that Bielsa is exceptionally demanding in terms of what is needed for potential new recruits to meet his requirements - making Orta’s job particularly demanding. Last summer’s recruitment was designed to create a squad which could meet our needs for 2-3 seasons in one go, rather than spreading that effort over two summer windows, with the intention to do fairly minimal business this year. Little actually financial outlay was made last summer, due to c.v., so quite significant financial commitments to be met on those transfers this year and in following seasons. c.v. cost Leeds tens of millions in lost revenue, so for Alf and others looking for supposed missing investment cash etc, meeting existing financial commitments is probably one of the factors you need to consider.
The expectation is that Gelhardt, Greenwood, Summerville and Drameh will be regularly in the match day squad and have opportunities to make an impact for the first team this season. Kinnear also felt there was a chance that Lewis Bate would figure too. Referencing Newcastle’s apparently agreed fee of £25m for Willock and Arsenal’s £20m valuation for Nketiah, Kinnear said the Club’s strategy for such players was to identify those on a similar development trajectory and seek to bring them in before their cost had skyrocketed, which also enables Bielsa to influence their development at an earlier stage. That way, a year or two down the line, when they are ready for the first team, we have players who are even better than they would have been had we waited, and at a fraction of the cost. He doesn’t say this, but such a strategy will have a further benefit of leaving far more money within the transfer and wages pots, to bring in any more experienced transfer targets identified to make an immediate improvement to the first team.
Other insights include that the capacity of Elland Road may be pushed up to 60,000, rather than the 50-55,000 previously suggested, and that substantive physical developments are unlikely to start in the next couple of seasons, with significant financial outlay required during that time, in the plan development stages. The interview also covers ticketing policy and fan engagement, including the Club’s link up with Socios.
I guess there are some on here who tend just to dismiss everything Kinnear says as being merely PR talk, but I’d suggest you listen to the interview anyway, and make of it what you will.
10 Aug 2021 12:32:52
Clue, I personally think that Angus is a very sincere guy, talks the truth, and says it like it is. Contrary to others I think we are being run incredibly well, and after the c.v. disaster, are playing a very shrewd strategy, not over stretching, and not risking the future of the club. As long as we stay up (which we will) , we will be in a much stronger position next season to make the additions which will allow us to push on. Very sensible in my eyes.
10 Aug 2021 13:38:21
Kinnear merely a lapdog for the media expert Radz so he will tell us whatever the company line is. Easy to say after a woeful window 'we never wanted to sign anybody anyway than to admit tge truth that Orta is just inept or there isn't the budget available. Tell you qat, why don't we focus on success on the field before we get carried away with building stadiums? Pathetic. If last seasons business was supposed to last 3 years why are we only hearing about it now and why didn't they buy a few more players? Anyone can see we are short in vital areas so don't buy this media spin at all, sorry.
10 Aug 2021 13:56:54
I agree with Alf on the crucial point of focussing on success on the field before getting carried away with the very expensive business of (re) building stadiums.
Absolute nonsense from Radz, Orta and Kinnear to have in effect a weaker squad than last season as things stand.
10 Aug 2021 16:12:30
I think the main focus is being missed here, getting rid of Costa. This would enlarge the kitty and stop Bielsa from being tempted to play him, again.
10 Aug 2021 17:50:23
Leo - we can only move Costa on if someone wants to buy him. For established an first team squad member for whom you hope to get a reasonable fee, and who is also on a decent wage, you might hope to help improve the chances of this happening by playing them in pre-season, showing that you consider them good enough to be part of your plans, and giving them a chance to impress potential buyers. That may well be what we’ve been trying to do. Sadly, Costa hasn’t helped the process with the lacklustre performances he’s put in.
Kinnear saying we’re happy with what we’ve got in the squad, is making it clear that Bielsa, who is notoriously demanding, is confident in Costa despite his pre-season showing. Would you rather Kinnear came out saying we’re very keen to bring in another winger but need to shift Costa first? That would only depress Costa’s potential fee and encourage Brugge, Rangers and any other club who’s players we may be interested in to increase their asking price. Likewise with the CM position. Isn’t it better to let the Terriers know we’re content with our existing midfield options and therefore happy to walk away if the price for O’Brien isn’t right?
10 Aug 2021 17:58:59
So the biggest problem at the club is one player? Really?
11 Aug 2021 10:09:05
Is it a case like Arsenals quest for the Emirates coinciding with a downward slide that is continuing each season now? That the stadium has wiped out the budget for players the last few years?
Yes c.v. effect can't be overlooked but equally we all know we need strengthening, as we were lucky that bamford had no serious injuries last season. The u23 lad who will supposedly fill the void will most likely find the pressure too much if they were thrown in at deep end on match day.
We so desperately need a attacking CM +another quality striker.