Leeds Banter 4

12 Jul 2026 14:20:51
Shea Charles definitely has potential to be a very good player but will he make us better next season? I doubt it, so I really don't get the pursuit especially at the over 20 million price.

11 Jul 2026 23:05:11
Who is the England football manager?

Just thought I'd ask the question because I've seen Beckham on screen more often than Tuchel in the first half!

Message to the TV director - please stop showing the bloke who never got past a quarter final. If you want to focus on a winner, take a camera round to Geoff Hurst's house!

12 Jul 2026 09:18:38
Relax, Cleggy, pal, and enjoyyy the fabulous England win.

Pretty sure TT would not care how many times the cameras focused on him (or Beckham) during the match, so why should we..

Most importantly, QF job well done..

Next Argentina and Messi.. who?

We are winning it, fellas!

12 Jul 2026 11:26:35
Becks is Football's Mr Big in Miami, so the US camera crew were always going to home in on him.

12 Jul 2026 12:58:00
Strangely enough we have bored OUR way thru to semis. Seriously hoping we smash argies but alas. Most likely hammered by France or narrowly beaten by Spain. Not been the same as Italia though. Lacks the passion.

12 Jul 2026 14:06:18
Cone off it, Aus. I enjoyed the Italia 1990 WC, but the atmosphere and passion at this WC exceeds it imo.

.The results and matches for England at this WC also exceed 1990. ..the heroic win in vs Mexico at their home stadium for starters.

12 Jul 2026 14:10:12
England will beat Argentina (unless there is atrocious refereeing) .

But yes, a final vs Spain or France would be tough, but it's a match England can win.

12 Jul 2026 15:46:53
We can beat Argies, and mebbe Spain too, but France will be v tough. If Spain beat France in the other semi, I do believe we have a chance of beating them in the final - fingers crossed.

12 Jul 2026 17:46:56
Don't you get dizzy changing positions so quickly, Baz, you originally tipped Spain, France and Brazil with Japan as dark horses.

And that England may depart in the quarter finals.

Now you're constantly advocating England will win it as though it was your far reaching prophecy, some u turn that.

Ever considered a career in politics?

12 Jul 2026 18:15:42
Yessssss, Class, pre tourno I predicted England would only reach quarters.

But, as I explained in my previous post immediately after England's win in Mexico, I have changed my mind. England will win it.

I have already reiterated and acknowledged. It's not my pre tourno prediction.. things can change.

Enjoy it fellas (well Aus might not) . 😆
..

12 Jul 2026 18:16:25
..Japan were indeed dark horses. Played well generally. Unfortunate to be eliminated.

12 Jul 2026 23:22:12
I was amazed at the Mexico stat at the Azteca Stadium, incredible run, and for a team of Mexico's ability, it seemingly made it sound even better. However, a quick Google and the teams they beat, other than Brazil, I would hardly say are up to much.

Honduras (x8)
Jamaica (x8)
El Salvador (x7)
USA (x7)
Panama (x6)
Canada (x6)
Costa Rica (x5)
Trinidad and Tobago (x3)
Bermuda (x2)
Belgium (x2)
Brazil U23s (x2)
Haiti
Guatemala
Iraq
Bulgaria
Martinique
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Saudi Arabia
Bolivia
Brazil
Guyana
New Zealand
South Africa
Czechia
Ecuador.

13 Jul 2026 00:23:49
Yep, but considerable respect for Mexico still managing to beat all of these teams..in 70 matches.

None of these teams could hold out for even a draw.

Many on this list are decent to good teams, not top drawer, of course, but at the very least decent/competent and capable of drawing and winning.

13 Jul 2026 08:07:51
You can only beat what's put in front of you. A list of teams beaten by England would include major footballing nations like Andorra and San Marino. Sure, there are loads of minnows on that list, but also quite a few middling teams.

The list of PL talent in their lineup tells us they ain't a bad team, and with the home (and altitude) advantage it was a good win for England.

13 Jul 2026 10:03:00
100% JR.

13 Jul 2026 16:37:00
Have to agree with Aus, boring. Can't wait till the next round. Leeds still clearing out players, should have thought that would have all been done by now. We are also looking to spend 34 million on a player that won't leave, must be left in our kitty.

14 Jul 2026 07:27:17
You are so wrong about the Italia World Cup 1990, Baz. I was there, and I can tell you the passion and emotion, with the added Gazzamania, far outstrips what this World Cup has presented so far concerning England and England fans.
Southgate's 2022 World Cup doesn't even come into the question.

I can't speak about the fans in the US because I've not been there, but, from an England fan's perspective, I doubt very much it is as fervent.



Very different style of football, comparing then to now, but all I can say is, for me, it was an unforgettable time in my life.

As an England supporter at home, I imagine it will only eclipse Italia 90 if we win it, and that is looking very daunting, with the very impressive French very likely awaiting in the final if we get past Argentina.

15 Jul 2026 00:44:46
OP, nah

Iconic Nessun Dorma anthem, defo, raised passions, but the atmosphere in the stadiums at matches by fans weren't anything special, unlike other WC 1966, 1970, 1978.

And the football? Matches in the 1990 WC were OK, not that good. England were dull and unconvincing. They won just one match and scored just 2 goals in the group, then scraped, luckily, past both Cameroon in R16 and Belgium in QF, and then you know what in SF, ugh.



Gazzamania? He didn't play that well and became more notorious for his SF yellow card reaction.

Whereas Bellingham has been sensational, really lived up to his hype this WC, and, sorry, but the atmosphere at this WC is much better. That Mexico vs England atmosphere and match are a million times better and more memorable than anything at WC1990.

AiMo

15 Jul 2026 11:35:23
Where were you in the Azteca Stadium, Baz?
England fans were outnumbered by about 100 to 1, the atmosphere, as you call it, was only created by the Mexican fans.
I guess you were in a coma during the WC 90'.

15 Jul 2026 12:04:20
Yes, the Azteca was an intimidating cauldron of Mexico fans vs the English. Amazing match and atmosphere.

A World Cup tournament overall atmosphere isn't judged only on England fans, fgs, but all countries' fans that are there!

I cited in my post above the amazing atmosphere of 1978 WC, and England weren't even there.

15 Jul 2026 12:07:21
And I was in the beautiful Algarve all through the 1990 WC, with other England fans. Great weather, food, drink, big screens at bars, watching the WC and Nessun Dorma. Ok football, a goodish WC, but definitely not great.

11 Jul 2026 18:04:32
Bates has died.

11 Jul 2026 20:07:17
Just spotted it too, Ealing.

94 - good innings. Mad as a box of frogs, of course, but he probably saved us at a time when no one else wanted to know!

11 Jul 2026 21:08:00
Spot on, Cleggy. He shafted quite a few of our creditors during his takeover process, but saved us in the process.

11 Jul 2026 22:24:15
Good point, Cleggy. Massimo was also certifiably crazy, but without both tenures, when nobody else was interested in us, where would we be now.

12 Jul 2026 12:58:44
100% class.

11 Jul 2026 17:48:58
Interesting point made on here a while ago about the relative worth of goalkeepers and the number of points they can save over a season. Last night was a perfect example. Although Courtois isn’t what he was, Lammens cost his team a potential World Cup semi.


Brian Clough (love him or hate him) paid top dollar for Peter Shilton as he believed a top keeper would be the difference in a league title race.

11 Jul 2026 18:45:39
Yep, good post.

Notts Forest bought Shilton for a reasonable
£250, 000 in 1977. His wages were likely very high though.

He was indeed very good for Forest, earning them a lot of points and trophies (then regressed sharply when he moved to Saints) .

But an even better example imo of gks earning points for their team would be Schmeichel for Man Utd, who was superb throughout.



And as an aside on a WC theme, why oh why did England manager Bobby Robson mess up in selecting a severely regressed, statuesque, over the hill Peter Shilton, costing us big time in both 1986 and 1990 World Cups.

11 Jul 2026 19:22:12
Good point about Schmeichel, could we possibly give Ramsdale a call?

11 Jul 2026 21:05:52
I think I'd rather call Schmeichel.

11 Jul 2026 21:59:07
We did have Schmeichel (Kasper) for one season, 2010/11, but then, for reasons nobody could figure out, sold him to Leicester after only one season, where he stayed for 11 years.

11 Jul 2026 23:09:17
Ken Bates RIP. He let Schmeichel go, and replaced him with Rachubka.

12 Jul 2026 00:53:21
One million was too good for Ken to pass up.
Shyster.

12 Jul 2026 11:29:36
I like Atobolu at Freiburg. A PX deal, with Willy Gnonto going the other way, is feasible.

12 Jul 2026 13:00:09
You on the sauce again, JR. Get with the programme.
Yes, Corkey. That one def to do with the dosh.

11 Jul 2026 15:47:30
I'm not one usually to go for a player who impresses in the WCup, but the Norwegian Nyland could be a short term fix for our number one vacancy and he's on a free.
Wondering what others think about that?

11 Jul 2026 17:17:09
I'd sign him or try to explicitly compete for no.1, but I'd stop short of offering him no.1. We need two keepers if Perri leaves, and someone, ideally, who we can keep long term.

11 Jul 2026 22:13:27
He'd be good to have in competition with another keeper. That's what happened last season when Perri started out as no.1, but lost it to Darlow.

12 Jul 2026 13:43:21
Yep. Opti. Good shout. Safe hands. Reminds me of Perri and Meslier.

11 Jul 2026 07:59:36
Sweet Jesus, some of these aggregate sites are ridiculous.

Just seen one linking us with Sevilla’s Ruben Vargas again!

He’s a Swiss team mate of Noah and plays on the same side as Noah. I mean, surely that's money well spent. 🤯🤯

Come on, he’s becoming the new Rylan Kent. 😂😂

I have seen one suggesting Paliniha (Bayern was at Spurs on loan last season) , top player but 31.



Surely we need to be signing younger players ripe for development and big sell on’s.

That’s why I suggested Gabriel Mec.

Although Farke isn’t renowned for using and developing younger talents.

I’d rather invest around £20/ 25m on him at 18 than Brandt at 30 (money on wages) .

11 Jul 2026 09:33:32
Two points.
Vargas and Okafor are essentially competing for the same spot in the Swiss team. Do we want them doing the same at LUFC, or would we prefer someone different?
New Benfica boss Marco Silva wants them to bid for Palinha - poss EUR25 offer is rumoured.

11 Jul 2026 09:41:46
Leeds still haven't found what they are looking for.
The Morocco keeper looked good.


.. I'll get my coat!

11 Jul 2026 10:00:38
Think that was Dav's point on Okafor and Vargas Jr. 🧐
Also agree, Dav, re younger talent. Not older, untried in prem, and looking for a decent pay packet. We have enough experience. Get young motivated. Except goalie. He can be 28-30.

11 Jul 2026 11:05:32
Long Lost Fan, with or without you.. That did make me giggle.

11 Jul 2026 11:52:34
That was my point, Ausman, mate.
Why look at Vargas when we have Ramazani already on the books?
I don't see Vargas as an upgrade, but he'd cost more and more on wages!
It would be senseless.

11 Jul 2026 14:12:55
Sorry Dave, I clearly misread you. Should've gone to Specsavers.

11 Jul 2026 15:56:54
No drama at all, JR.

11 Jul 2026 17:18:21
I've never been fully convinced by Morocco's Bonou. If we were going to get a keeper off this World Cup, I'd go and get Livakovic (Croatia) and Nyland (Norway) .

11 Jul 2026 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Why Patience and McInnes Matter at Rangers

10 Jul 2026 21:52:34
Lammens anyone?

10 Jul 2026 22:02:02
Price has dropped recently. 😂

11 Jul 2026 05:37:51
Maybe KD did sign as #1?

11 Jul 2026 08:57:46
No. Hope they keep Lemmon as no 1.

11 Jul 2026 17:20:10
Not nice to say, but it's been a bit of a nasty WC for Manchester United. Ugarte injury (wouldn't wish on anyone) , and they have to pick up the pieces after Lammens' error. It's not even what I'd call a horrific error in a technical sense, but in a contextual sense it's disastrous.

I feel a bit for Lammens, given he came off the bench and into that environment. One of the toughest to be for a keeper, I imagine.

10 Jul 2026 14:37:03
It's pretty concerning that we're still talking more about outgoings than incomings. Pascal's gone for what I think is a bargain fee, Perri's out on loan, Darlow looks close to leaving, yet some of the players who are really inflating the wage bill are still here.

It feels like we're always slow in the market and end up getting beaten to targets by clubs we're competing with. I'd love to see us get our business done early for once, get the new signings settled in, and give them a full pre-season with the squad. Unfortunately, it looks like we're heading down the same path again.

10 Jul 2026 15:01:23
Trust the process? Nah.

The club very much needs an experienced, savvy Director of Football to steer this club. Marathe and 49ers should be strengthening our recruitment expertise.

10 Jul 2026 16:20:46
Is this a deja vu moment from last year, when Underwood's abilities, even his parentage, were called into question, and yet the large majority of the purchases were a success and arguably worth a good deal more than their original fees.

Due to ridiculous, top-six slanted regulations of PSR and profitability, we may have less to spend than the promoted sides.

Judge the window when it's closed.

Buying early doesn't necessarily mean buying better, and if we bought the next Raphinia in the last hour of the window, is that somehow less of a signing? WC hasn't finished yet, and all the big teams' dominoes will need to be played first, then we can hopefully buy a stronger player than we currently have.

It's crazy to think there's some weird conspiracy in not signing players or not spending all that we have.

10 Jul 2026 17:05:02
There has to be a process to trust, first of all, surely?

10 Jul 2026 19:59:02
Of course there's a process, it's just that we don't know what it is. If I were the club, I certainly wouldn't tell you, bunch of rascals, what it is, cos you'd just go and blab it to the rest of the world.

10 Jul 2026 20:04:28
Guaranteed the process didn't account for Darlow effing off?

10 Jul 2026 20:07:41
Definitely Corkey.

10 Jul 2026 21:02:47
Really, Corkey? They didn't think guaranteeing KD #1, or paying him the type of money he was after, would make him a flight risk?

I agree they wouldn't naturally expect KD to get better offers, but I believe (certainly don't know) the process in this scenario is focused on a keeper upgrade. I think we're all guessing to some extent. Time will tell.

10 Jul 2026 22:13:38
Don't believe for a minute they thought Man U would come in for KD.

10 Jul 2026 22:16:02
He wasn't regarded as first choice, so, as he was only likely to be no. 1 at a Championship club, he probably decided to go with the best offer. Man U obviously did that, especially as they are likely to dump Bayindir. It was a salary increase and the possibility of the FA Cup and maybe some European games.


We haven't handled this well. Darlow worked well with the defence last season, and there were none of the recriminations that Meslier had. We shouldn't be spending money on something that wasn't broke.

11 Jul 2026 07:19:01
Panic not, Alex Cairns has signed a new deal, we are sorted for a keeper. 🤣

11 Jul 2026 09:35:38
Couldn't agree more with the last part of your opening post, Class.
As for Darlow, it's pretty obvious to me that the bright lights of a so-called elite club have tempted Darlow to switch clubs.


I'm certain the club didn't want him to leave, and it was not a question of his salary.

Too many on here want to beat our owners with a big stick all the time. I really don't understand why.

11 Jul 2026 14:13:00
If the club didn't want him to leave, why not offer him a contract in the season when he was number 1?
And, not about his salary?
You must be a share holder. You talk pooh plops.

11 Jul 2026 15:16:02
Due to all the financial restraints, it would be logical, would it not, to keep Darlow, especially if he had a decent last season.
It's very logical to me that Darlow already had a whisper in his ear during last season from a certain club.

That's why he refused to talk about a contract extension.
I'm no shareholder, Pooh boy.

11 Jul 2026 15:29:48
Aus and OP Tom and Jerry act entertaining as ever.