05 May 2022 07:34:21
Seems like everyone saying we going down, 4 games and more twists to come.
Think we can get a result against gunners, a draw be ok and then home crowd to inspire against dodgy Chelsea.
My concern with the arsenal game is sako against Firpo, he is a fantastic player and I worry that he'll murder Firpo, sure he'll be on a yellow in first 30 mins. Hope marsch worked with him and shown how dangerous he is.
Big few weeks ahead. MOT.
05 May 2022 08:43:34
Leeds needed Firpo to be out for season
Why and how on earth does Firpo get picked? He will seal. R.
Hjelde Struick Shackleton even, anyone except Firpo
at LB/ LWB.
05 May 2022 10:00:00
I think now is the perfect time for Hjelde to step up and make that LB spot his own.
05 May 2022 12:19:04
It is difficult to defend Firpo as it is for Roberts, but if I were to defend him it would be that he has not had a decent run of games to establish himself for Leeds and the Premiership game.
The same can be said for Rodrigo, maybe the intensity of the Prem is just too much for them?
Firpo does on occasions show some quality play, sadly, it’s not often enough.
The yellow cards are probably a result of his frustration of his game not working for him.
Game time is a very important part of players development and adaptation to the squad.
However these are four very crucial games to be played for our survival, and there is a very decent argument to give Hjelde a chance, if Dallas were fit he would surely be playing LB.
05 May 2022 12:34:05
Agree with you on Hjelde, need to shut Saka out if we can as lots of their attack through him.
05 May 2022 12:37:51
Have to remove my own very rose tinted glasses with regards to Firpo OP.
Logical explanation!
Think he’s actually an imposter who stole the ‘real’ Firpo’s passport at the airport, given his previous history with Barcelona I think he’s right up there with Felix (the cat) Wiedwald as VO’s worst ever signing.
I could actually see Roberts go onto a successful career probably at Championship level, but Firpo is strictly Cillit Bang Div 4 North!
05 May 2022 12:54:09
Firpo looks like he is running through wet concrete. 10 yellows in 16 games, he is a massive liability with the situation we are in.
05 May 2022 13:11:17
OP
Firpo has played around 18 games ( with eye boggling 10 yellow cards) more than enough games to know he is gash, not capable in EPL, called it in his second game.
Severe doubts that JM is the right choice as LUFC coach arise over this selection of Firpo ( over Hjelde or Struick ) if it continues and his errors performances cost us more points in final crucial 4 games.
05 May 2022 14:07:22
Im not really disagreeing with you fellas on Firpo, he has made a very disappointing start to his contract at Leeds and may very we’ll be shipped out sooner than later. I always like to give the benefit of doubt to most of the players who come in and don’t appear to be up to standard, it can take even a season before they kick in, obviously not in Roberts case as he has had ample time to prove himself in the Premiership.
But you are probably right about Firpo, he’s crap and that’s it.
05 May 2022 14:26:05
Baz - I presume the reason for Firpo being played ahead of Struijk and Hjelde is that he is actually a LB/ LWB who played for Real Betis in La Liga - with such ability that Barcelona chose to sign him for £18m. He has played 4 times in the Europa League and 10 in the Champions League. Struijk and Hjelde are primarily CBs, though Hjelde did play LB for the mighty Ross County in the Scottish Prem and for us at West Ham, and for our U23s in Prem 2. Struijk has played LB 4 times for us.
It is clear that Firpo has not benefited from his time at Barca, having never been given a good run of games, and from their very slack training regime. It was clearly hoped that Bielsa would be able to bring him back to his levels of performance shown at Real Betis - and his perfect cross for Bamford first time out in pre-season, suggested that was not an unrealistic prospect. But injuries and a constant change in personnel around him would appear to have set him back significantly. Marsch clearly believes that he can still help Firpo get back to ‘the best version of himself’. There can be little denying that a LB with his experience should be a better bet in that position than using Hjelde or Struijk, who have far less experience overall and would be a continued example of the much maligned ‘square pegs in round holes’.
Marsch has said that they have been working very intensively with Firpo to get him to the level he needs to be, and that he has impressed in training. If he continues to be picked, we will all have to hope that the hard work on the training pitch translates to better and more consistent performances in matches. It is to be hoped the lad doesn’t read, or take notice of fans comments on social media, as they won’t do anything to lift his confidence, or the pressure upon him. If he can return to his Real Betis levels, the fee we paid for him might seem a bargain.
05 May 2022 15:48:58
30 mins would be good for Firpo. Anything over 30 seconds is an improvement on some of his 'efforts'
05 May 2022 15:59:58
Clu lots of IFs in your assessment re Firpo
Yet Leeds only have 4 vital games left within just 2 weeks
and simply don't have time to wait for a JM miracle cure for the slower than a tortoise Firpo
Left footed Hjelde is a far safer , better option at LB even though his preferred position is a CB.
05 May 2022 18:27:51
Baz - I know there are a lot of IFs. FYI Firpo is also left-footed - and is faster than Hjelde and Struijk.
I was merely suggesting it was understandable in terms of experience that Firpo had been chosen ahead of Struijk and Hjelde - and that previously, when he has been both fit and firing, he has shown himself to be a very capable LB/ LWB. It is unfortunate for all concerned that he has not been able to demonstrate that yet at Leeds. It is possible that he may yet do so, but perhaps equally possible that all parties may decide it would be best if we went our separate ways at the end of this season.
05 May 2022 19:51:54
Yet to see Firpo get anywhere near a sprint Clu in a match so for now my gran was ' faster' and also a far better tackler than Signor Firpo.