Leeds banter 8

22 Apr 2026 08:23:54
Could anyone recommend a Leeds Friendly Pub on the way to Wembley for Sunday please?

Keep Rosenior, he is doing a great job!

22 Apr 2026 08:42:00
Definitely, please 🙏 keep Rosenior in his job, at least until Sunday evening!

Enjoy it Plab!

22 Apr 2026 10:18:30
White Horse - Wembley Tavern, always good crowds.

22 Apr 2026 07:48:48
I’d make a couple changes tonight. Can’t see us getting much joy. I’d start Gnonto and rest Okafor. Rodon will prob start so drop Struik. As someone previously said too. I’d start Justin and not Bogle on current form.

22 Apr 2026 08:30:43
Yes, I'd go for 2-3 changes. Nmecha, Gnonto and Rodon.
For DCL, Okafor and Justin.
DCL has played a lot of full games recently, so has Justin. And Okafor looked done after his goal at the weekend.

22 Apr 2026 08:45:55
No changes!

Keep the same winning team!

We are on a roll with back to back wins!

Confidence must now be high after winning Away at Man U of all places.

Let's do the Bournemouth.

Bournemouth 1 vs Leeds United 2.

22 Apr 2026 09:07:28
100% Rodon in Baz so won't be same team.

22 Apr 2026 10:30:54
I agree, Baz, keep a winning team. Let's ensure our Premiership status. One game at a time. Think about Sunday's game tomorrow.

22 Apr 2026 13:16:31
The only change I'd consider would be Gnonto for Okafor, who seems to run out of steam after an hour or so. He could still come on as an impact substitute.

22 Apr 2026 14:29:04
Nice having strong options! All good whatever.

22 Apr 2026 07:30:19
I hope Farke goes for it tonight, same side as Saturday please. A tough game I know, but a win would as good as guarantee PL safety, a point would be very useful as well. No need to even think about Sunday till tonight's game is over.

22 Apr 2026 08:46:27
Totally agree, LUFCfeath.

22 Apr 2026 07:18:04
Looks like Chelsea are a sinking ship, I watched the game last night and you can see there's no bite what so ever in them.
It may be like taking candy from a baby this weekend and I can't see how they going to turn this around.

Their club could be circling around around the plug hole next season, financially they could be heading for ruination if they don't make some very dramatic changes very soon.

22 Apr 2026 07:36:33.
Their form is atrocious. We're in with a chance. I'll be watching from Perth Airport as I fly to Cambodia an hour after the game. Pray no ET and penalties.

22 Apr 2026 08:02:12
Totally agree, lads, it's a mess, no doubt. Think we have to go for it from the off, a la the Man U match. Get an early goal, and it could be a mauling. The environments around our two clubs are poles apart. Here's to a second Wembley appearance. 😁

22 Apr 2026 08:26:51
It's a shame, as Rosenior is a promising young manager, and this Chelsea situation could halt his career.
There are a few jobs at the moment that are not worth taking, it seems. Chelsea have financial difficulties and a squad that's not gelling.

Tottenham, who look dead and buried, whoever tries to manage them. And Man U, who have gone through a heap of managers.
Poison chalice anyone.

22 Apr 2026 08:48:39
Chelsea being in a mess is absolutely delightful.

Not sure Rosenior is a promising manager, Ben.

22 Apr 2026 08:51:05
Mirrors how Leeds were viewed for a long while, Ben. Austerity of Papa Smurf, carnage of GFH, the bizarre King of Corn, manager merry-go-rounds. Thank goodness those years are behind us.

22 Apr 2026 09:36:57
I saw quite a lot of Rosenior at Hull, Baz, and he got them playing attractive football. All that stopped them from the playoffs that year was Delap getting injured.
Then he did a good job over in France with Strasbourg.


I think his style of touchy feely management is not what Chelsea need.
I hope he comes out of this with his reputation unharmed, because he is a good guy and we need English managers to succeed.

22 Apr 2026 10:04:35
Talent is only part of football, getting players with good character is just as important.

22 Apr 2026 11:20:35
They say you can't turn down the job if a top 5 is calling you. (I leave out Spurs because they are definitely not an elite club.)
Quite literally, Rosenior should've turned Chelsea down. If anything, it's going to damage the positive credentials he's already taken from the game.

He's got nowhere near the experience in top-flight football to be able to deal with the job of being coach for Chelsea.



When we beat them on Sunday, he'll be sacked. It's so predictable, their owners are completely clueless about Premiership football and how to make it work for them.

Rosenior is, as our old owner Cellino would say, a watermelon!
He's just expendable fodder, serving no real purpose at Chelsea other than being a yes man.

22 Apr 2026 12:52:04
Indeed, OP, short stints at Hull and Strasbourg are no grounding for the madness at Chelsea. Seems to have all been tied in through BlueCo, same bosses, different situation.

22 Apr 2026 13:34:09
I agree, Vid. Nothing at his previous jobs would have prepared him for Chelsea. Like a lot of promising players and managers who make the leap to a big club too early or without proper thought.
Especially Chelsea. Too many problems for an experienced manager to cope with.

22 Apr 2026 14:56:55
100, Ben. Ego ego though. Money money. Fail. You fail. No executes. Take the job and money. Oops.

22 Apr 2026 16:59:52
Like Vid says, same bosses. If he'd turned it down, he may have been biffed from Strasbourg too, for lacking drive and ambition etc.

21 Apr 2026 21:43:16
Leicester relegated 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Enough said.

21 Apr 2026 22:07:59
Good riddance and reap what you sow.

21 Apr 2026 22:09:44
Justice MG!

21 Apr 2026 22:31:39
Cheats never prosper!

21 Apr 2026 23:09:48
Have to say I enjoyed this one. Have a dislike for all the ones who've cheated their way up.

22 Apr 2026 06:24:26
Explain City, so Class, as they seem very prosperous.

22 Apr 2026 07:57:51
And Everton, who somehow always come up smelling like roses.

22 Apr 2026 08:04:53
Aye, Chris, of the EPL, crown jewels they are, disgusting it is.

22 Apr 2026 12:51:52
Good point, Chris, I still think their (Citehs) time will come, Chris. I mean, they practically run the EPL, so it's going to be very slow, but what goes around generally comes back around, no matter how much money you have.



But the EPL board are cheats themselves in that there's a closed shop for the top six teams, and I, for one, truly wished that the Euro League had gone through, when football would have been returned to its true supporters once more.

21 Apr 2026 15:07:47
On the subject of player of the season, can I nominate our medical team for keeping DCL fit all season (nearly) . Seriously, I think Jayden Boyle has been a revelation stepping up from the Championship. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious and he thoroughly deserves any plaudits coming his way.

Finally, can I wish all my Leeds brothers and sisters a safe and enjoyable day out at Wemberley on Sunday. I got no tickets in the ballot so will be watching on telly cheering the lads on and having a pint or two!

21 Apr 2026 18:40:09
Bogle was excellent in the first half of the season, but recently he's not been as dynamic going forward, but still solid defensively.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but at this moment in time, I'd have Justin ahead of him at RB.

22 Apr 2026 08:01:52
My votes would be:
1 Gabby
2 JJ
3 DCL.

22 Apr 2026 10:06:47
I wouldn't argue with them 3, JR.

21 Apr 2026 08:31:28
Unexpected bonus yesterday. I applied for the ballot on Thursday as a Leeds member. The club site said if you don't hear by midday on Monday you are unsuccessful in the ballot. But at 2.45 yesterday afternoon I got an email with tickets, yippee, can't wait. 😀
Anyone else going?

{Ed025's Note - great stuff Dougie..

21 Apr 2026 08:47:27
Yes - exact same happened with me, Dougie!

21 Apr 2026 09:50:37
Are you in gods too, Manston?

21 Apr 2026 11:02:02
Nice one, Dougie, lucky you.

Enjoy us beating Chelski at Wembley this Sunday.

It's happening.

21 Apr 2026 12:05:30
Awesome stuff, Dougie! Not at all jealous! My last Wembley visit with Leeds was the Cup final defeat vs Villa! Hope you get a better outcome, and a great day, fella!

21 Apr 2026 12:09:51
Yes, I am going with our Supporters Club branch. We have 4 coaches going. I have done every home game, and a few away this season.

21 Apr 2026 12:12:59
Nice one, LUFCfeath. Enjoy it, pal.

21 Apr 2026 12:26:23
Dougie, yes. Level 5.

21 Apr 2026 15:58:21
Thanks, Baz.

21 Apr 2026 18:40:57
Level 5 too, row 548 in the gods, but just thankful to be there. I reckon they released some more, hence the late email.

21 Apr 2026 20:58:59
Enjoy, lads.. Up The Whites Down The Pints. 🤍💛💙

21 Apr 2026 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Everton v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

21 Apr 2026 00:34:32
I wonder if/ (when) we do stay up, are there players who we'd identify as thanks for the service, but time to move on if we can entertain bids for them? Apart from stars, Kalvin, Raphinha, Archie, Georgie, Crye we've been really awful about moving on squad players for fees for a long time:

Meslier (contract expiring) thanks and not quite good riddance - I remember his first 18 months fondly and somewhat tantalisingly of what could have been so not an entire disaster, really hope a change of scenery helps him.

Wober - still has a year on his contract. We may have to eat that.

Byram - not a prem full back but must be a great lad. If he'd be willing to wind down maybe transition him to the Jonny Howson role with the U21/ 23s? Only if he's game for that if he feels he has another season or two in champ, then good luck.

Dan James - Also feels he's not a Prem player a classic too good for Champ, not Prem standard. Getting older, more injuries surely about to hit his best asset, his pace.

Piroe - Same too good for Champ, not Prem quality. I'd harbour ambitions of trading him to Burnley either in full for Flemming or part exchange for Flemming and Hartman.

Harrison - Awful contract, like Meslier don't let that entirely detract from his Bielsa days. Also played a huge part in keeping us up with a hattrick at West Ham and Brentford final day goal.

Joseph - just done a major injury so no suitors in summer for sure.

Gelhardt - seems comfortable in Champ, second season he's done quite well there. A final look in the summer pre-season or offer him to Champ for £7-10m? Ironically one of our best saleable assets that obviously doesn't impact first team having not been here. Intrigued, because the lad has quick feet, pace and a bit of flair, which the squad lacks in general.

Paraag 'deals in my sleep' Marathe will do well to get £20m and you'd have to say most of that would come on Gelhardt, James and Piroe.

Finally midfield has been excellent this season and all the lads deserve praise. But do we look to move on from Longstaff after one season or perhaps Gruev? The more vulnerable two but I've got to say more pressing positions to worry about for now.

21 Apr 2026 07:21:59
I think and hope that Wober and Harrison's days at the Club are over and done with. So, if Marathe is the deal maker he makes out to be, negotiate to pay them off and get rid of them. Regarding Meslier, he needs to move on for his sake and ours.

If we do sell the likes of Piroe, James, Longstaff, Gelhart, and Gruyev, don't let them go on the cheap. They have a value; top end Championship or promoted sides would probably be interested in them.

21 Apr 2026 07:36:21
Agree with all that. I'd keep Gruyev. If he's looking at centre back, then Bornagain can go. Namecheck, too. If it were up to me, another player too. Try to keep Tanaka unless big coin comes in.

Do we give Darlow another year? I'd let Perri go, too, and sign another goalkeeper. Get rid of as many of those we said. Buy a bloody good creative and a bloody good striker or two.

21 Apr 2026 08:52:12
Good post, Ealing.

Certainly need to say thanks and goodbye to Meslier, Wober, Harrison, Gelhardt, Piroe (if at all possible) .

Still, I think Joseph has something to offer, but I can't ever see him forcing his way back into the team (pity) .

Personally I'd like to hang onto James, Longstaff and Gruev - we need to strengthen the squad, of course, but these three are capable replacements as and when injuries and suspensions happen.

Agree with you, Aus, that we definitely need to strengthen what is effectively the spine of the team - new centre half (upgrade on Pascal) , crying out for a creative midfielder (have been for years - unless he gives Tanaka an extended run in that position) .

And finally a striker to play off DCL. Nmecha is okay and useful off the bench, but we need an Alan Smith (or better still an Allan Clarke!) . Someone who can form a partnership with DCL and bang in 20 goals in a season.

Point tomorrow night on the south coast and three more at home against Burnley (plus squeeze in a cup semi victory against Chelsea) and we can all start drawing up our 'most wanted' lists.

Just one thing I would ask of our recruitment team - please get the business done early for a change! Buying/selling players well into August is no good. Team/squad needs to be settled going into the first match of the season, not halfway through October!

21 Apr 2026 10:48:04
We'll need all of them next season with European football on the menu. 😆

21 Apr 2026 11:02:38
What Canada said.

21 Apr 2026 18:54:04
Excellent post Ealing.
Unfair on Byram saying he's not EPL standard. Maybe you mean at this point in his career, because if it wasn't for injuries, he would have got England caps. He could have been a top player imo.
Piroe has to go, as he's not getting game time.


If we could get 15 million for Aaronson I'd sell, and hopefully a newly promoted team will pay a similar fee for Longstaff. And if Hull get promoted, expect another 12 million plus for Geldhart.
As for Harrison and Wober, well we all know what we'll get for them.

21 Apr 2026 19:25:45
I think all of those listed, or speculated on, could do jobs in the other top leagues in Europe, inc Joffy. No reason for them all to end up in the champo.
And keep Longstaff! He's hardly had a crack of the whip this season with injuries. He seemed to be hitting form just as he got crocked.

21 Apr 2026 19:53:22
Keep Longstaff?
Tell me, Brighty, what is he good at?
Ok, he runs around a lot, but what does he do that's good?
He's a very average midfielder, and if we want to progress, we need better.
I'm still astonished he was above Tanaka in the pecking order earlier in the season!

22 Apr 2026 01:44:25
Starting with the obvious candidates:
Meslier & Byram - out of contract this Jun.
Harrison & Wober - get rid, permanently if poss.
Darlow - offer a contract extension.
Perri - has looked better of late, so maybe keep for now.
Bornauw, Longstaff, Piroe, Ramazani & Gelhardt - accept any reasonable offer.
Joseph - will need to stay whilst injury heals.
James - keep for now.
Harry Gray - new loan deal to a Championship outfit, no lower.
Nmecha - keep for now. As he came on a free, might his amortisation value for SCR be low?
Some also suggest losing Struijk, but not me.


All the rest keep, and firmly reject any offers. Under no circumstances get drawn into any discussion of our valuation of players, as someone is sure to offer that much and unsettle them in the process.

What we need:
Quality striker to partner DCL.
Left back cover for GG - Krejci?
Attacking Midfielder - Scienza?
Plus quality replacements for any that do go to maintain the current squad format.