Leeds banter 5

16 Apr 2026
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16 Apr 2026 19:35:33
Love it Whitey

16 Apr 2026 08:24:58
Bit my tongue since our glorious win cause I didn't want to sour the moment. And bang the well worn drum. But I'm not one to shy away from my at times upsetting opinion. Soooo
I thought dcl was rubbish against Devon. Apart from the goal line clearance which I appreciate likely saved us some points.

He missed two sitters and fell over more times than prob every other player on the pitch. Including ba who was also poor. At one point he was put through in the penalty area and chose to lean back on the Devon defender rather than make any attempt to get the ball. Very poor.

16 Apr 2026 09:22:54
Oh my word, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water! I think we are gonna need a bigger boat.

16 Apr 2026 09:33:14
Funny vid. Bring it on.
I was a real estate agent back in the day, and a guy who had a huge 5m high garage wanted to sell his house. I pitched "I think we are gonna need a bigger boat" to him as a heading. He just looked at me blankly. Didn't get the gig, lol.

16 Apr 2026 09:39:27
You are wrong on so many levels, Aus.
For me, that was an archetypal centre-forward match. Yes, he didn't score, but his presence meant others did.
He occupied the defence. He held the ball up well. He started and helped continue attacks.
For the first goal, if he had not challenged Yoro and got his arm across, then it would not have been a chance.


For the second, he backed into their defence and helped keep the ball alive.
He got Martinez so frustrated that he ended up fouling him and getting sent off.
Playing centre forward is not just about scoring.
Plus, he is still getting on the end of stuff, which is where you want him to be. If your centre forward was not getting those chances, that is when you worry.

16 Apr 2026 10:19:22
Why do we buy goalkeepers? To score? No. We buy strikers for that. But, he didn't and hasn't much at all this year.

16 Apr 2026 10:46:59
It is a team game, Aus. They all contribute. Yes, I'd love DCL to score more, but if he bagged 20 a season, but he never came back and defended, causing us to let in an additional 30, would you be happy? Did you happen to notice his goal line clearances, by the way? Useless he is. 😆

16 Apr 2026 11:38:49
So you didn't read my post, Canada, but thought you'd comment on it anyway. Okey dokey.

16 Apr 2026 12:04:04
You need a bigger wooden spoon, Aus! Forget the boat!

16 Apr 2026 12:20:47
On balance, I agree with Ben rather than Aus. Yes, DCL was wasteful with his finishing, but he kept their defenders occupied for 90 mins, got Martinez so frustrated he got himself red-carded, and produced a goal-saving header at the end. A good old fashioned No 9 performance.

16 Apr 2026 12:31:30
I know that's your opinion, Aus, but that's absurd to think he played rubbish. If it wasn't for Calvert Lewin's contribution in that game, we would very likely have lost.
If you want to complain about DCL's missed opportunity, why not complain also about Tanaka's chance?

It's what you will get with Calvert Lewin; he will score you goals, but he will also have sometimes long dry periods.


But don't underestimate what he's doing when not scoring goals.
Like in that game with Man Utd, this season without his very valuable contribution, we would be relegated, I have no doubt about that.
He is not the future for us and that's pretty obvious with his age, but so long as he remains fit I would definitely keep him for another two seasons.

16 Apr 2026 13:06:06
I read it, Aus, and it's poor and nonsense tbh. Surprised you didn't blame Struijk for DCL's perceived issues though, that at least was a nice change.

16 Apr 2026 13:14:12
Pin, say goodbye to Grenade, thought he was ok to be fair, Aus, although surprised Namecheck didn't swap with DCL for the final fifteen minutes.

16 Apr 2026 14:40:22
U mean swapping a quality Namecheck prem striker for another prem quality striker DCL class?
Watch the game again, chaps. Then tell me I'm wrong. Bloke lays on the floor half the time. Obviously, so out of shape, he tries to fake fouls. Watch the game again. Disgraceful player.

{Ed025's Note - now im not DCL,s biggest fan Aus but i have probably seen more of him than anyone on this forum mate, he leads the line very well and is very good in the air...but his finishing is not what it should be and he gets more than his fair share of injuries, but you have to realize where you are in the great scheme of things and at the moment hes about as good as you can get i would say, in the future when hopefully you establish yourselves in the prem and get better players then you will be able to upgrade, but dont try and run before you can walk is my advice and instead of slagging off your players and manager i would say stick with them and build gradually...but of course this is just an opinion my friend..

16 Apr 2026 14:53:36
I personally like BA and what he brings to the team. He moves about so much they don't know where he is, and that makes more room for others, far better than Harrison, but that ain't hard. DCL had a dry spell, but we knew that, so can't really moan about it.

16 Apr 2026 15:16:29
Aus, tell me you don't understand football without telling me, etc.

Probably the worst take of the season.

16 Apr 2026 15:33:55
I'm not sure this is a wind up or pot stirring, Aus?

But, I'll bite anyhow [where's Baz when you need him].

Personally, I thought this was one of DCL's best games; he didn't score, granted, but boy did he wreak havoc with their back line. He 100% exploited the fact that Maguire wasn't playing; had he been, DCL would have likely lost every header.



Let's be real here, we don't have a triple A striker, but DCL is a pretty good B+, touching A at times. He was "free" and supposedly never going to play due to being injury prone. He has surpassed most fans' expectations.

16 Apr 2026 15:49:34
DCL does lead the line well, and gets in scoring positions, usually around the six yard box, but isn't as clinical as he should be. However, I think he, combined with Okafor, is the best duo.
Comment has been made about his injuries, but he's been involved in 28 of the 32 league games this season, and that's far better than I expected.

I think Leeds have managed him very well this season, and maybe, with a bit more guile in an AM, we might get more out of him next season.

16 Apr 2026 15:56:57
Au contraire, Ani, uber positive Baz is a DCL fan!

DCL has far more positives than negatives, that's for sure!

Very few strikers are even:

- leaping high enough
- getting their head on the ball
and
directing it with any type of force

for the second chance he fashioned vs Man U for starters.

16 Apr 2026 16:25:31
Don't forget, Aus, we got DCL for nowt!
He's a player with double figures in goals in the prem, in a newly promoted team. And Nmecha as well cost 0.
How many has Bowen got, 8? England forward?
DCL has done well for us, and don't forget it's his first full season for a while.

He will have a dip, but so did the rest of the team.
Will he be up to standard going forward? Maybe not, but I think he has been quality.
A bit like Bamford, he brings so much more than goals.

16 Apr 2026 16:52:28
I know you're a DCL fan, Baz, hence "..where's Baz when you need him?"

I knew you would come out defending him!

16 Apr 2026 17:24:19
I think DCL has done well for us, and for me, he played well on Monday, and did the same against Wet Spam. He is a bit Bamfordy, missing chances, but, as Wayne Rooney said on MOD, he is a real handful to play against.

So, overall, a good signing for a free transfer, and who knows, he might contribute a fair bit more for us in the run in.

17 Apr 2026 10:26:07
He's also got lovely hair, so leave him alone. ;)

17 Apr 2026 01:17:37
Fair point Ed. Spose I'm just greedy. Bit old fashioned. Like strikers to score regularly. 8 in 32 isn't a good conversion rate in my estimation. Let's hope we get an upgrade in the summer.

{Ed025's Note - its just what you have at the moment Aus, im sure in the next season or two you will get an upgrade mate but for me DCL is doing a decent job and leading the line well, it could be a lot worse...you could have Beto or Barry..

16 Apr 2026 08:16:35
The EFL’s appalling treatment of Sheffield Wednesday should be independently investigated by the government.

Previous owner Chasri ruins the club (after passing EFL proper owners test) and is refusing to agree to any write off monies owned to him.

Consequently any takeover offering less than 25p in the pound will result in another 15 point penalty when Wednesday start next season in Division 1.

The current consortium offering to buy the club have asked that the matter be reviewed, judged by independent arbitration and have offered to cover all legal costs to enable this.



The EFL have refused the request.
Which results in the unfit previous owner benefiting more financially, whilst the club and its supporters are hamstrung in finding the best new owners possible and are pushed closer to going out of business.

What’s that saying…. it’s a funny old game.

16 Apr 2026 08:39:29
That is wrong class. How can you punish current owners, players and management for something they haven't done?
They have suffered enough.
To be honest, I think if the ownership has changed, it should become a criminal matter and taken out of football hands. I'm not against an initial points deduction. But you gotta be fair and reasonable.

16 Apr 2026 10:48:17
Take the 15 points deduction and plough the money saved into the club, and get those 15 back in the first 5 games, I say!

16 Apr 2026 12:05:00
100% Class! Shocking and disgraceful!

16 Apr 2026 13:03:26
I think as Leeds fans we can identify and draw parallels of what it's like to have a villain as an owner. Ridsdale should have been expelled from football and never allowed to own another football club.
But, like Chasri, they will be let off scot-free to continue their fiendish devilment within the football world.

16 Apr 2026 13:05:04
We started season 2007/8 in League One with a 15 point deduction, won our first 7 games on the spin and finished in the playoffs. Agree the punishment is unreasonable, as it was for us back then, but not the end of the world.

16 Apr 2026 15:18:33
It cost us promotion though, didn't it, JR?

16 Apr 2026 17:26:36
Wednesday were one of the Clubs who voted against us getting our 15 point deduction in League 1. We had support from some other Clubs who you would maybe be surprised at.

17 Apr 2026 01:38:25
If we'd started at zero instead of minus 15 and everything else had gone the same, we'd have finished 2nd instead of 5th, so if that's what you mean by costing us promotion, you're right, but that's a helluva big if.

Starting at minus 15 gave us a massive kick up the bum, but would we have
won that first 7 games on the spin if we'd started at zero? Who knows.

17 Apr 2026 13:45:12
What we would or would not have done if we didn't get a deduction is speculation. The facts are that if we didn't have a minus 15 start, we would have garnered enough points for promotion.

16 Apr 2026 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - The Chicken Staff has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool’s Recruitment Myths Under the Microscope

16 Apr 2026 07:32:31
Adonis Storr's post-match perspectives:

The entitlement of the ‘big clubs’ and the attention they garner never ceases to amaze me.

When Manchester United found themselves floundering in the first half last night against LUFC, shell-shocked by Noah Okafor’s double, they resorted to throwing themselves to the floor and begging the referee for handouts.

Cunha got a yellow for diving.

Fernandes got a yellow for non-stop begging and dissent.

Martinez got a red card for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair.

Manchester United have every off-field benefit stacked in their favour against Leeds.

Revenue that is multiples of the Whites, ground capacity, training facilities, wage bill - it all dwarfs Leeds.



But they have to resort to cheating when things don’t go their way.

Under 10s know that diving is cheating, that you have to respect the referee and they also know that pulling someone’s hair is a red card.

So for their club-captain and manager to come out after the game and bemoan the referee - and for that to dominate the media narrative - rather than the brilliance of Leeds United and their tactics is a stunning display of entitlement and faux-injustice.

A tug on the hair is a red card.

Now can we talk about Leeds United’s history-making performance?

16 Apr 2026 07:43:04
100% bright. They reminded everybody why most other fans hate them. They just have a knack of signing wingeing diving players.
They got what they deserved. It's a shame it doesn't happen more often, of late.

16 Apr 2026 08:02:47
Could not agree more. Could say the same about Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man C, and many continental clubs like Real, Barca, PSG, Bayern, etc. They always want all the scales tipped in their favour. If someone else finds a star player, they all think they should be able to snatch them away. And then they wonder why everybody hates them and cheers to the rafters when they unexpectedly get beaten like Monday night.

You can be sure that the whole country cheered that, cept maybe Spuds and Hammers fans for personal reasons. I've been advocating flat salary and spending caps for years to level the playing field, but I'll not be holding my breath waiting for their introduction.

16 Apr 2026 08:33:58
I hate the so-called dark arts that are so prevalent in football today.
In fact Farke only just commented on it in his presser last week. He mentioned that our players are too naive about it. I think he stopped short of stating that his players should feign injury, but we should complain to the ref more collectively when it is committed against us.



Calvert-Lewin's complaint to the ref was an example of how our players should be reacting on the pitch.
We must be smarter on the pitch and wise up, sadly it is a part of football today and it's not about to change any time soon.

17 Apr 2026 02:19:52
DF is right that we're a bit too naive. I don't want to see our players diving all over the place or feigning injury, but if, say, Struijk had held on to O'Nien's arm at Sunderland to prevent him letting go, and then made sure they fell together in the penalty box, then we may have got the correct decision.

No cheating, but just being a bit smarter with our responses.

15 Apr 2026 22:23:23
Just watched game again, what performance, first half were fantastic and could easily have been 0-4.
All the lads great, but thought Amps and Tanaka were awesome and controlled MF.
Got a bit tense last 15 min, but Darrow made a couple of crucial saves and DCL in the right position to clear off line twice.


Also have to mention Gaby, fantastic player and just glides forward, one of my picks for player of season.
Let’s go for it against Wolves at home, and if can win, think we’ll be safe.

15 Apr 2026 23:59:33
Agree, Melb. It was a great performance, and Gabby is the standout player of the season for me. He is unpredictable with the ball.

16 Apr 2026 07:16:00
His crossing is excellent, and he can beat a man. He just needs to stay switched on defensively, a tad more, as he was caught out of position again for the ugly South Americans goal. Defo in the mix for the top player award tho!

15 Apr 2026 08:01:29
Amazing win but we must follow it up v Wolves. We could be back to square one if we lose that and teams below win. Just being realistic.

15 Apr 2026 10:06:59
I think a win v Wolves, and game over. It would not be mathematical, but for us to lose our last 5 and Spuds win 3 and draw 1 would be impossible. If I got my maths right. 🤔

15 Apr 2026 11:04:24
I'm going this weekend and I share your caution, Mighty. It would be so "Leeds!"

Aside from West Ham, Wolves have been a hard team to beat, and, given defeat would effectively relegate them regardless of what else goes on, I think this is going to be a very hard game.

Hopefully, Leeds just sweep them aside.

15 Apr 2026 12:20:16
If Farke picks the same eleven he did vs Man U, and they start match attacking with the same intent and purpose, we win fairly comfortably, imo.

The Man U win was soooo unexpected and welcome, and it's given us a golden opportunity to be already virtually safe on 39 points this Saturday, 5pm.

15 Apr 2026 12:26:59
.And Leeds United also being 'virtually safe' on a minimum 39 points (possibly more if we could also get a positive result at Bournemouth next Wednesday) .

This, imo, would be hugely beneficial for our further confidence and focus going into the FA Cup semi vs Chelsea.



This, imo, is Leeds United's biggest, most prestigious match since the Champions League semi vs Valencia a quarter of a century ago.

Sooo excited for it. Bring it on!

15 Apr 2026 12:33:36
Unfortunately, nowt is a "given" in this league, and after the recent exertion, I reckon Wolves will give us a right run for our money. Head says we'll scrape it, but I hope we ride the crest of the wave and smash 'em!

15 Apr 2026 13:10:22
See you over in Peacock Saturday, Ani. You'll know it's me, as I shall have a bevvy in my hand. 🍺

15 Apr 2026 13:39:41
This Wolves team looks very much like they are on the beach, and are making sure they don't pick up injuries with the World Cup looming. Should be an easy 3 points. The only ones who can deny us are ourselves.

15 Apr 2026 14:01:53
Exactly, Alf. No excuses. They were relegated. Spank them. Or are they gonna suddenly beat us and the other 5 teams? No sense.

16 Apr 2026 12:47:56
Wolves, I thought, played uncharacteristically badly against West Ham.
I'm certain Edwards will be demanding a reaction in the game against us. They are trying to build momentum for when they start the Championship season. Anyone thinking this should be a given for us is sadly mistaken. I'm expecting a very tough match, and we have to display our very best to beat them.

15 Apr 2026 07:39:12
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 32 - Quick Round Up

15 Apr 2026 05:58:21
It was thoroughly enjoyable but it was just one game. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and start talking about legends and keep Farke on until he croaks it.
It is the same in any walk of life be it a footballer, manager, mobile phone or new slacks.
If an upgrade becomes available you take it. As class said. There are any number of upgrades out there. Let's see who's about before commiting.


Do sorta agree with ed though. If we stay up then Farke has achieved the goal and would be a bit of a shame for him if it get the push. It boils down to
Who is available and whether they think Farke can improve our position next year with a few upgraded players.
I would be very surprised if their goal next season is survival again. That's just treading water.

15 Apr 2026 07:16:09
Totally agree with all of that, Aus.
Like you say, tho, if he did get biffed after keeping us up and getting to a semi final (at least) , I would feel really, really sorry for the guy, and also a bit ashamed by his treatment. If anyone else can relate to that?

15 Apr 2026 08:00:25
We are all far too much influenced and conditioned by today's cancel culture.
We didn’t behave like this, say, 20 years ago in football.
It’s not just about sacking coaches either. Hearing Arsenal getting booed at the end of their match this weekend, when you are already top of the league, and talk already of sacking Arteta and Slot, with the hangman’s noose already around his neck after winning the Prem last season, seems excessive.



It never used to be like this in football, and I don’t think it’s healthy for the future of the EPL.

15 Apr 2026 08:17:56
It's a money game now, Opti.
What other clubs and fans do doesn't bother me.
I see Leeds as a prem team. Not a yo yo.
To be a prem team, you have to improve each season or else what's the point.
I very much doubt owners are upgrading the stadium for the Championship.
They have goals, and treading water ain't one of them.
So, if better available and they don't think he is good enough to improve each season, then he goes.


Simple as that.
I would be looking at Europe within 3 seasons.
And, while we're at it.
Legends don't come into it without several pieces of silverware and euro or prem glory.
Let's not settle for getting promoted from the old league 2 and maybe getting a piece of silverware.
It all depends on one's view of Leeds as a club and expectations. Let's remove sentiment, please.

15 Apr 2026 08:21:49
Totally understand and agree, Brighty. If we stay up, then Farke has achieved something on a par, possibly even greater than Bielsa's ninth place.

Plus, I fully accept a situation where Farke may be at the club a long time and builds his own legend, a dynasty.

But I'm a pragmatist, and, whilst we still support our club for everything it brings us emotionally, that football ended with the formation of the EPL.

The board would be failing in its duty to its shareholders (yeah, it's that brutal) not to have the best coach possible. If that's Farke, then the best of good luck to him; he will have fully earned his opportunity.

As for Arsenal, OP, totally get what you're saying and agree, and, whilst I don't agree with their supporters booing, it probably comes from a perennial fear of Citeh knocking the title off them, again.

15 Apr 2026 09:41:35
Don't think it's quite as simple as "upgrade", Aus. It's not like you are buying Birds Eye instead of Tesco Value, appointing a big name absolutely does not guarantee anything except a larger wage and a lot of change.

How many clubs, big clubs like Man U and Chelsea, have tried that, and it's been a disaster. How many clubs this season have gone manager crazy? It has not really worked for any of them, has it?

15 Apr 2026 10:08:16
Yeah, I get it's not that simple, as any manager can fail or not fit. But that's no reason to stick rather than twist.

15 Apr 2026 11:22:38
I would be interested, Aus, who you think would be an upgrade?

I suspect Tottenham have thought every manager that has come along since Poch was an upgrade, but that's not the case.

The only manager who I think has genuinely improved a team's fortunes is that guy at Villa. Unai Emery has demonstrated that he can improve [significantly] on the past. There are not many others. I know folks go on about Nuno, Frank etc, but really? Would they really be an upgrade; would they guarantee anything significantly better? Because anything between relegation and "Europe" is not an upgrade.



I know it's a silly stat, but we would be 7th in the league if games ended on 88 minutes, so clearly there is a simple way to be "better" without spending a fortune or upsetting the whole set-up.

This team, with a bit more experience, a few tweaks here and there and a little bit more luck, is capable of qualifying for Europe.

I agree with DF, our level of play deserves a higher league place.

A bird in the hand is worth..

15 Apr 2026 12:07:55
There is no guarantee. As I said, that's no reason to stick with a manager that I believe they don't trust to improve us. He should keep us up, again. As I said, let's see who's available.

15 Apr 2026 12:32:51
I very much doubt Marathe and Co have anyone (significantly) better lined up to replace Farke.

Nor would they be able to attract anyone much significantly better in summer, imo.

Farke will be Leeds manager one way or another next season, imo. 100% sure of it!

15 Apr 2026 12:43:40
And, Aus, realism needed re Leeds Legends having to win multiple major trophies.

So, are you saying, Aus, that Howard Wilkinson, with one Major trophy (the Div 1 league, the EPL equivalent) , is not a Leeds United legend? 🤔 (plus his lesser, prestigious trophies: Div 2 Champions and Champions Shield winners) .



I can tell you, Aus, that Wilko most definitely is a LUFC legend!

The chances are, Aus, that none of us ever get to see Leeds United ever win a major trophy again. So, if Farkey wins Leeds the FA Cup, a major trophy that we have only won once in our entire blooming history, he definitely becomes a Leeds United legend!

15 Apr 2026 13:51:07
As previously communicated by our owners, the aim next season is to survive, consolidate and build. 15th - 10th place is the aim for the next 2 seasons (although they will take better if it is available) after which they anticipate us moving higher up in the league with the platform of a stronger and deeper squad, bigger stadium and more revenue.

16 Apr 2026 02:33:28
I find that hard to believe, tbh, Alf. I don't think any business owner would set out to do the same as they did the previous year. Not with the experience 49ers have. If they have said that, then I still think they will secretly be expecting some improvement.
Baz, I'm 80% sure he won't be there next season.

16 Apr 2026 07:29:50
As said, it's not up to the fans, it's how the board feel / see things. For me, he 100% needs to stay, and they need to back him with funds to fund the first team rebuild in the summer.