23 Jan 2022 10:47:27
Even through these rose tinted glasses.
Got to say yesterdays result hurt more than any other result, so far this season.
That was a game not to lose as a minimum, think bub got selections wrong as once more we lost the midfield, whether that be Forshaw out or Dallas energy missing we got beat in there again.
Think if I had posted last night after many conciliatory beers I would have been a lot more angry than today, really hurt that one.
But the dust has settled a little, Newcastle and Norwich are in the last chance saloon so these results are always possible.
And as winning at West Ham previously never guaranteed our safety, then just for the moment, I don’t buy we’re nailed on for relegation either.
Fortunately we have a break to regroup and hopefully get more players back. I cannot defend not having a striker and midfielder ready to go in our ranks, but simply don’t believe we have the money for whatever reason, we don’t have the funds.
Roberts is still only 22 but bub is not helping him or us in choosing him over Joffy.
Based on our owners finances to date we’re probably hoping to mirror the Brighton, West Ham route in the hope of consolidating our position over five, six years plus.
Saying that, as much as I openly profess Bubs as a genius, Moyes, Potter and Viera have out performed our manager to date this season.
Managers like players can lose form, and I really hope as was the case with Costa, bub stops this perseverance with Roberts.
Most importantly I hope bamford gets back after the break.
And we sign a couple of much needed reinforcements at CF and ACM
I still believe we will be ok, but yesterday cannot be repeated.
We can be outclassed in this billionaires league, but never outworked, outfought or most worryingly out thought.
23 Jan 2022 11:55:23
ORTA OUT! MB OUT! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
23 Jan 2022 12:21:10
I think you’re right about the lack of funds Class, I’ve heard through a report that Leeds only have around 20Mil to spend without breaching FFP, Radz may have more money to spend but he can’t. What fans don’t realize is that we haven’t sold any players of significant value to balance the books. Whether this information is 100% I can not say.
To buy a proven striker is massive price these days and with what’s apparently available financially, you can forget it.
Bielsa’s persistance with Roberts is very hard to understand, what I can understand is that persevering with a young player until he develops into what fits successfully into the squad is all well and good, but there doesn’t even seem to be great deal of difference over the time he’s had.
I also think James finds his new or temporary position too much pressure for him, he’s expected now to score goals which is harsh for someone who is essentially a winger.
Rodrigo is another player who is out injured too often, when he returns he’s way too slow and his passing is dreadful, it’ll come good eventually for him but he’s not consistent enough. My personal opinion is that Premiership football is too much for him and he’s not young!
So for me the natural fit would be Gelhardt, yes he’s very young and that probably is why Bielsa is protecting him and only introducing him intermittently through his development into the first team, which I do understand.
So you can see what a dilemma Bielsa has on his hands in how to fill in Bamford’s boots when he’s injured, short term there isn’t one, but long term I do believe Gelhardt will be challenging Bamford for his position.
23 Jan 2022 12:24:36
an honest assessment Class
El Loco would have served LUFC far better if he had selected Hjelde at LB, Dallas crucially in CM ( CM is his best position and he is wasted at LB) and Gelhardt at CF ( yes an actual CF)
Scoring goals without Bamford esp will remain a huge problem this season if El Loco repeats that formation and selection he choose against Newcastle
Bamford ( remains out, Bielsa doesn't know when ( or if) he will return this season) - that is a huge problem ; Bamford returning or NOT returning fit and scoring will be crucial in staying up
Raph hasn't scored in open play for 8 matches : we vitally need his to restart scoring goals I would like to see him play more central at times
Harrison 4 goals in last 3 games : currently our best chance of goals
Rodrigo 1 goal in 4 games in career little output in goals this season
DJ the odd goal here and there
Klich potentially has some goals in him
Dallas yes IF El Loco plays him in midfield not wasted at LB
Gelhardt yes ; he must be played by EL Loco from the start but El Loco doesn't ; just wastes him gives him 10 mins
Roberts 2 goals in past 80 matches or so ( enough said)
Forshaw and KP don't score
More goals needed from CBs and defenders at corners etc Struick, Llorente, Koch, Ayling etc
of course no sign of any LUFC Jan signings to remedy this : a CF, a CAM. a goal scoring CM
LUFC remain in serious danger of R.
23 Jan 2022 13:04:38
If we do go down don’t worry we have plenty of ones for the future to drive us back up and we will have money to spend again.
23 Jan 2022 14:38:28
That’s just laughable I’m afraid Hooksie. In my opinion, that is, of course. Our luck has been horrendous this season, both on the pitch (VAR as an example) and off it.