Leeds banter 9

05 Apr 2026 07:43:11
Chris and Kev. Never forgotten.
A win today.

05 Apr 2026 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What a Manchester City Punishment Could Change

04 Apr 2026 20:52:38
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Even though we are away, we are playing Wet Spam, not a top side, so I hope/pray to see an attacking line up

with Nmecha, DJ, Okafor (or Gnonto) starting) . (Or even our best finisher Piroe)

Tanaka with Stach and Amps in mf

4 at the back; (Pascal on bench)

The last time Leeds United beat an EPL team in FACup was a long 13 years ago in 2013 vs Spuds.



Sooooo more than time to beat another.

04 Apr 2026 22:05:54
Was at that game, Baz. Don't get to many now, as I have never been able to get a ticket to one when home since Bielsa arrived.
Sam Byram had Bale in his pocket all game long. He played exceptionally well that day.

04 Apr 2026 22:07:46
Pascal on the bench.. Why??
Only left-footed defender we have!
Play a strong side tomorrow. Southampton have beaten Arsenal, incentive there to go out & win. 🤍 💛 💙 Up The Whites, Down The Pints!

04 Apr 2026 22:33:21
Yes, Canada, well, the stadium expansion should help you with that! And yes, a much younger, much quicker Sam Byram had a very good game, with Leeds Utd buoyed on by a cracking atmosphere, getting a memorable win.

Great goal from Ross McCormack too.



Adrenalin, I take your point re Pascal's left footedness, but I just don't rate him much defensively, so I would select the much better, more rounded defenders in Bijol and Rodon as my 2 CBs in this formation.

04 Apr 2026 22:46:49
I too wouldn't leave Struijk on the bench, but he's certainly not our only left-footed defender. Have you forgotten Gudmundsson?
Arsenal got knocked out tonight because Arteta thought he could leave out many of his best men, and like countless top-flight managers before him, he came unstuck.

If (and it's a big if) we win tomorrow, there are now 2 out of 3 beatable opponents we could draw in the semi final.

04 Apr 2026 23:17:43
You don't think we can beat Southampton, JR?

04 Apr 2026 23:43:13
Totally agree, Baz, let's beat West Ham and, who knows, Southampton have shown anything is possible.

05 Apr 2026 00:57:46
OK Canada, 3 out of 3 it is. 😂🤣😂

05 Apr 2026 02:41:26
Thinking Farke will mix it up and pick: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Struik, Gabby, Stach, Amps, Ba, Dcl namecheck.

05 Apr 2026 10:09:07
West Ham are not a top-six or top-five, as they should be now, an elite team. But Southampton beat Arsenal, who are, so what does that say? Absolutely nothing when you are talking about cup games.

If, and it's a very big if, we beat West Ham at their ground - I also can't remember when the last time we beat them away was - then I would probably prefer to play Chelsea than Southampton. They probably feel they can win the FA Cup right now.



This will be an extremely tough match for us to beat W. Ham away, and I think we will be lucky to have the option of penalties to try and win this game. If it's to be decided in open play, I can see perhaps one fortuitous chance to win this game for either side. I'm definitely not seeing a goal slugfest with loads of chances.
Could be a very boring game to spectate, in fact. Sorry to anyone who might be going to the match.

05 Apr 2026 10:48:37
Totally agree, Baz, it has to be attacking, we have to take the game to them, and we know we can and have in previous matches around Christmas. No fear football, please.

Agree wiv OP too. Wouldnt wanna be playing Saints in the semis, has to be Chelsea for me. Enjoy, siblings, lets hope the boys put on a performance to make us proud. UTWDTP MOT to Wembley.

05 Apr 2026 12:49:44
Absolutely, Davey, 100.

Go for it! Select an attacking line up and play with intent and tempo, attacking West Ham; we can defo beat them. They are not a good side!

Play fearfully and negatively, and we lose for sure.

No fearful football, Farkey, please fgs.

05 Apr 2026 14:04:00
Hilarious. Farke's our manager, guys.

05 Apr 2026 12:53:41
Err OP you can't remember the last time Leeds beat West Ham away? Senior moment?

Let me remind you.it was a mere two West Ham vs Leeds matches ago

West Ham 2 vs Leeds United 3

A superb hatrrick by drum roll.

Jack Harrison ( yes Ed025 ❤️ can you believe it )

{Ed025's Note - im going out to get a feather to knock me down with Baz.. :)

04 Apr 2026 10:28:21
Very interesting and varying post below about the way forward.
Let me explain why I am near certain Farke will not be our manager next season. Regardless of what league we are in.
I think it was generally reported with some substance that the 49s contacted about 5 other managers at the end of last season to replace Farke. Too many diff manager and rumours for it to be fake. However, none wanted the job.
My opinion is that they turned the job down because recent history showed that it was nigh a certainty we would go down again.

So 49s had little choice other than back Farke and spend some loot. And they bought some decent quality players. However, without a decent new striker and creator, they proved naive.
At the end of this season, they will still want to get rid of Farke but this time with the knowledge potential new managers will now see that Leeds most likely survive next season as there are a few weak teams in the current prem plus the three coming up. If we stay up, it is far more likely we will stay up again. That’s why he is gone.

04 Apr 2026 12:38:59
I agree, aus. Farke has proved this season that, with a little more money behind the team, he can build a side for the prem.
Also, I think he's learnt that defending is the key to staying in the league.


Will the 49ers stick or twist over Farke? I don't know. But, as has been said recently, look at some of the clubs that ditch their managers ie. Moyes at West Ham and then struggle.

04 Apr 2026 16:47:12
That's just hearsay, Aus. Rumours invented by clickbait journalists.
The 49ers are not some bubble gum kids who know Jack about the sporting world and its mechanics.
If they really would have wanted another coach, they would've done it over the summer.

04 Apr 2026 17:50:20
Marathe and the 49ers never denied the numerous, prolonged reports that they were seeking to replace Farke last summer.

And it took them a very, very long time to actually confirm that Farke would still be Leeds manager for the 25/26 EPL season.

So, timing wise, it strongly suggests the 49ers were indeed seeking an alternative Leeds coach to replace Farke after his previous EPL flops record, but failed to convince any of their targets to join.



Pretty sure also Lad and Alf, last summer and again recently, stated in this forum that they had heard from reliable sources within the club that Marathe and Co were definitely trying to replace Farke with Bo Svensson and other choices.

04 Apr 2026 18:50:21
I believe we will replace him (opinion) . I do know we did also try to replace him in the summer, as mentioned before, and to add he was never actually first choice either. At the time (and I would have preferred Farke) , the 49ers wanted Patrick Vieira, but he was turned down and in came Farke.

Paraag doesn't rate him, and never really has. It's not Farke's fault, to some extent. He was always destined to be gone at some point, once a better option was available after he got us promoted.

If we do get relegated, I think he would have a better chance of staying on as manager than if we stay up.

04 Apr 2026 19:17:44
Some will want it, others will not, but if they do, then it will have to be a top replacement, who will want money, and that is something we don't have. Farke has shown he can dig away at it, maybe not the way we want, but until the money is flowing, I don't see anyone of quality wanting it. So I say they will stick.

05 Apr 2026 00:42:04
Thought of the money side, Whiteman. And relegation and lack of money could be the only reason he stays. If we stay up. And if they want to progress and improve. Manager. Striker. Creator. It's as simple as that.

05 Apr 2026 08:33:52
True, Ausman, we definitely need a striker.

03 Apr 2026 17:59:04
So Yep has published that we lost 49M last year, and 43.3 the year before, so that puts us at a three year rolling loss of 143.7, but revenue was 137m for last year.

If we stay up, there is a new system called SCR for 26/27 season, which then limits the amount of spending to 85% of the club's football-related revenue.

So wages, transfers, agents' fees would have to be below 116m, and it reports that the club spent 107 on wages alone.

Which puts more emphasis on the stadium expansion and a new view on how much we can actually spend if we stay up.

03 Apr 2026 18:40:56
137 million was in Championship, EPL revenue will be much higher, but of course so will wages.
Is SCR spend based on last season's revenue or the current years?

03 Apr 2026 23:17:35
It's the current season, Canada. Search the web for "New Premier League financial system explained", and it's all there.

04 Apr 2026 00:51:39
So, if we stay up, we only have a few mill unless we sell?

04 Apr 2026 02:30:13
First off, the 85% spend allowance will be against PL revenues, which will be considerably more than last season's Champ revenues (£137M) . For instance, last season's bottom club (Southampton) received £109.2M from the PL central distribution of commercial and broadcast revenues alone. Then there's gate receipts, player sales, shirt and other sponsorships, club shop earnings, etc.

etc. Secondly, clubs can go over the 85% allowance by up to 30%, albeit at the cost of reduced headroom the following season, but exceed that higher limit and points deductions kick in. Go under 85% and they can carry that forward to the following season, so 80% one year would mean 90% the next.

04 Apr 2026 03:49:36
Any calculation on what coin will be available without sales?

04 Apr 2026 09:31:00
Not many things enrage me more than the EPL annual joke dressed up as financial governance.

Citeh still no sanctions, Newcastle latest club to sell its ground to a subsidiary of its own holding companies, only to lease it back to itself, why don't we do this?

Chelsea have multiple breaches, hotels and Women's teams with crowds of circa 3,000 being valued as high as Leeds United.

Interesting that we and other clubs of similar financial status voted against the new proposed financial governance scheme, whilst the top six all voted in favour.

Like F1, it's a closed shop now, deliberately designed to pull the drawbridge firmly closed to ensure the top six business models are guaranteed their status.

As a spectacle this year, just how dire have the games been this season?

Title winners elect, Arsenal's football has been so negative this season, predominantly reliant on set pieces.

The reduction in goals from open play is markedly up, and it begs the question, are people truly entertained by what's on offer this season?

Coventry vs Derby was a more enjoyable watch last night, especially without VAR.

The only EPL objective is not fan enjoyment but enhanced revenue streams from as many spin-off European competitions, meaningless international friendlies, and closed shop world club football competitions as they can dream up.

Scariest part of all this, the gap will only get ever wider if we miss out this year, and I truly believe within two/three years there won't be any relegation in the EPL or it will become even more inevitable that whoever comes up goes straight back down. by design.

Apologies, rant over!

04 Apr 2026 13:00:44
It's in real time, with agreements based at the beginning of the season, and a test in March, with assessment after the season is over.

System explained

05 Apr 2026 07:32:05
Calculations I have seen predict we could spend around £200m if we wanted. However, I think 9ers will stick closer to the £80m they have already planned (that would be without any sales - if we sell players, then the money should also be reinvested) .

03 Apr 2026 09:30:50
We’re now entering the pointy end of the season and in my own very simplistic mind we have a group of players more than capable of securing the necessary points.

I believe we have more fight, guts, and better support than all of the teams below us.

My only reservation is whether DF will have the necessary courage and conviction to play the situation of each and every game as opposed to returning to his default setting of pragmatism and clear player favouritism.

Whatever misgivings it now seems ridiculous that we have retained Sam Byram, Alex Cairns, and signed Buonatte but did not recall Largie after he rediscovered form. Only time will tell how big a mistake that was.

How Farke manages BA’s minutes going forwards will be a clear indicator.

I’m not BA’s greatest fan, but do acknowledge he has had a strong patch of performances earlier but that form has clearly dropped off a cliff in the last few games.

AO showed in the international break that he is a vastly superior player to BA. (for me) .

If Farke keeps us in the epl this year it will be an incredible achievement better than Jesse and only second to Bielsa’s 9th place in my opinion and he deserves every credit due to him.

But in a world where Thomas Franke, Glasner, and Iraola are out of contract, I sincerely hope the 49ers do the right thing, if we are to progress and get through the notoriously difficult second season.

03 Apr 2026 11:53:55
Top post. Class.

03 Apr 2026 11:55:31
If we stay up, I believe Iraola will be our new manager.
Excellent post, Class.

03 Apr 2026 12:13:37
Corkey pal, what makes you think Ireola would want to move, at best, sideways (or, arguably, backwards) to be Leeds manager if we stay up?

imo Ireola is confident that one or more of Man United, Man Citeh or Liverpool would want him as coach this summer.

03 Apr 2026 12:18:25
Good post, Class. But how much actual confidence do you trust our owners to be able to actually obtain an upgrade on Farke if we stay up?

No chance imo on Ireola or Glasner.

Thomas Frank, possibly.

But, I will stick with my prediction that the owners keep Farke.

03 Apr 2026 12:19:47
I think it's very simple Class concerning Daniel Farke's future. If he secures our footing in the Premiership for another season, I'm in no doubt the 49ers will extend his 12 months at Elland Road at the end of this season with a bigger contract, and in my mind he deserves it with gratitude and praise.

As regards his tactics, it's very easy for us to judge with hindsight, but in my opinion he is being flexible in when to use pragmatism and when not to. No coach makes the right decisions every game, especially the teams at the lower end of the league. To remind everyone on here, we are respectfully not an elite football team, festooned with top quality football players.

I would like to see DF as much as I wanted to see Marcelo with more quality players in his squad, and not just a handful of mediocre Premiership players.
He needs better players to compete on a stronger level, especially our attackers.
This season was always about survival, and I truly don't understand how any other Leeds fan would have seen it any differently?

As regards Aaronson v Tanaka, it's a difficult decision for Farke.

I also am not keen on Aaronson, but he has been effective in recent months, although there seems a dip in form the last few games, which I believe is due to opponents stifling our game. Sunderland and Palace showed clear evidence of this.

Arguments aside, he is our most creative player, but there could be an argument for Ao to show more of his aggressiveness in these last games of this season. In the minutes that he has been on the pitch, it's not been a good watch; he has been ineffective and gives the ball away in dangerous positions.
Tanaka looks good in a very impressive Japanese team, but we are not the Japanese national team.

I don't know what the answer is, but I'm trusting in our coach to get it right and keep us in the Premiership. I understand there are many that don't appreciate DF, so all I would say to them is give him a chance to progress with Leeds United. Ranting along in these sack the coach culture days is not helping clubs in the long term.

Patience is a virtue.

03 Apr 2026 14:08:35
I'm 50:50 Baz, I think if we stay up Daniel Farke would have the right to justify an extension.

I've no idea what is happening behind the scenes at Elland Road, but I have never been convinced that the 49ers are totally convinced about Daniel Farke; he will have pulled a very inexpensive miracle out of the hat for them if we stay up.

Saying that, for myself, you should always aim for the stars in Leeds personnel, and I personally believe Glasner and Iraola, in particular, to be a class above Daniel Farke.



Now, I get OPs reasoning, and West Ham are a great example of 'careful what you wish for' in removing Moyes.

However, for myself, the coach is the biggest single differentiator in the EPL, and I believe the names mentioned are of a much higher calibre than Daniel Farke, nothing personal, but no time for sentiment at this level.

I do believe, with our stadium plans, we could attract the three I have mentioned.

Time will tell.

03 Apr 2026 15:52:21
Great thread, lads, with some excellent points and opinions. UTWDTP.

03 Apr 2026 16:08:57
Something strange is happening with me.
I am agreeing with things OP is saying.

I believe it's nailed on that if Danny keeps us up then he's certainly gonna be boss come August. However long I don't know, but he'll start season as manager for sure.



Also agree that all managers get fings wrong from time to time, we all do.

My criticism of Danny this Seez was his constant inclusion of Baracus, he's just not good enough, we definitely need to get him out of starting 11 if we survive.

03 Apr 2026 16:20:02
Well, you have to say, Chris, you have pretty much been spot on wiv BA for many a moon, even when others were prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt through fleeting performances, but consistent he is not, and faults he has many. So I would agree, he is not an option going forward.

03 Apr 2026 17:57:01
If we stay up, Farke will carry on next year, and deservedly so.

The next manager of Leeds United will be Danny Rohl of Rangers.

03 Apr 2026 21:03:26
Just interested, Class, why and what reasoning would be behind the supposed distrust of the 49ers on DF.


I can understand why they only gave him a two year contract on promotion, but if he delivers his objectives, why can’t he succeed in the Premiership?
Is there a limit to what he can achieve?
Why can’t a coach simply improve with the time he is at a club?

Is Thomas Frank a potential contender to take over for you, Class? Did he not develop with Brentford in the Championship to the Premiership?

03 Apr 2026 21:56:35
I just want what's best for Leeds United. We all want some better players. Then why not a better coach?
A new keeper, Am, and a striker would be nice, I'm sure we all agree. So where's the loyalty to Darlow, Aaronson and DCL or Nmecha? Yet somehow we should have allegiance to the manager.

03 Apr 2026 22:05:22
Bingo, Corkey.

03 Apr 2026 22:10:30
Nothing more than a hunch, really, OP. I have no inside track, just thought the body language between Daniel Farke and Marathe was really awkward when we clinched promotion, and there was, for me, an unnecessary delay in confirming Daniel Farke would manage us in the EPL.

Again, nothing personal against Daniel Farke, and I think the 49ers are serious businessmen who know we've spent a good deal less than Sunderland, so, from a business perspective, the board will be delighted if it comes off.



As to Frank, his Spurs tenure says it's no guarantee. It was similar for Graham Potter when leaving Brighton, but I believe Frank (who Pep rates as tactically brilliant) has a greater growth potential than Daniel Farke, who, and it's worked so far, is more stoic and pragmatic in his approach. That doesn't mean he cannot improve or evolve, but personally, I just don't see it.
But then, everyone knows I've never got a prediction right on this site, once!

03 Apr 2026 23:31:54
Who'll be head coach next season we all wonder:
Iraola - may be looking for a return to a top club in Spain, but unlikely even if not.
Glasner, Rohl, Frank all also unlikely.
For me whether or not we stay in the PL, I think our head coach next season will be..
Drum roll...
FARKE!

04 Apr 2026 01:01:35
I will be horrified if we keep Farke if we stay up, and I don't think we will. Up or down, we will have a new manager next season.
It's gonna be very tight whether we stay up or not, but I think we will, possibly by goal difference.
Our recent form has been boring and disappointing, and, as usual, the team selection is predictable and the tactics predictable regardless of form.

Ba and DCL have been poor for weeks, but nothing has been done about it. You say he doesn't get service, but that's because of Farke's tactics.
We have a few supposed easy games coming up at home, and, for that reason, I think we will survive.
But I will take a bet with any man. Farke is going.

04 Apr 2026 01:01:46
Cork, most coaches/managers don't survive the contracts they are given these days. Some Premiership clubs even have multiple coaches through one season.
How is a manager able to get to know the players he inherits or eventually buys, and have the time to install his methods in less than, let's say, half a season, before the fans want his head because he hasn't won enough games?

Does that all sound reasonable to you?
Because it doesn't to me.


Managers have become the most expendable commodity in professional club football. As Class wrote in his post, the manager is the most important part of a successful football team.
Forgive me if I'm living on another planet, but isn't hiring and firing the most important person at a football club, as if it's going out of fashion, just the most ridiculous thing you can do.
I really don't get it.

04 Apr 2026 09:43:26
Here's a scenario for you, Farke keeps us up in the Premiership in 17th.
Fans calling for a change of manager, Farke is sacked and Thomas Frank is installed as the new manager.
Over the summer there are a few player changes.
Slow start to the season, players adapting to new manager, etc.


Come January, we are in 16th, 3 points above the relegation zone.
What happens next?
You can't say that this is not a possibility because this is the reality of football, it happens all the time.
I repeat, what happens next?

04 Apr 2026 10:17:53
Or he doesn't keep us up, and they stick with him, and he takes us down again a la Leicester. Another scenario for you there.

04 Apr 2026 11:33:41
Farke keeps us up by one point or even goal difference, and some will say that's a successful season, and therefore the manager deserves a chance the following season. But let's say we get relegated by one point or goal difference, what then? Is it fair game to sack him then? These are fine margins either way, and basing a decision on this is ludicrous.

The manager is either good enough or he is not, and it's up to the owners to make that decision.

04 Apr 2026 11:43:08
OP, how long do you think it takes for players to get used to a new manager and his style?
Surely a pre season is enough?
Bielsa's lads, mainly champo level players, adapted in that period, and came out the new season like Real Madrid!
I see your point, changing managers frequently is not the way to go, but if the club believes Daniel Farke has taken the club as far as he can, then they would be correct in moving in a different direction and changing the coach.


And I guarantee, if this were to happen, and Leeds finished, say, 8th next season, Daniel Farke would soon be forgotten.

04 Apr 2026 12:10:03
You can say that, Aus, and whatever happens, neither of us will change our opinions on Farke, and we'll both continue to post our strong beliefs on him.

04 Apr 2026 13:44:27
Cork Spurs this season is a classic example. I don't think they gave Frank enough time.

04 Apr 2026 14:18:50
I agree 100% OP.

04 Apr 2026 17:06:45
I'm not a betting man, Aus, but if Farke gets the sack, I'll treat you to lunch next time I'm in your neck of the woods whenever (or if ever) I go there again. I think he'll stay, at least til it becomes clear how things are panning out next season, but my credentials as a tipster are not very impressive, hence my reluctance to take bets on it.

03 Apr 2026 09:20:25
Following the thread about the England football kit being so expensive, have you seen the World Cup tickets?
Now the dynamic pricing has taken a final ticket to over £10000?
I mean, there is no way I would travel to America for any reason at the moment, but people are actually willing to pay this?
Each year the standard of the games is decreasing.

I literally can't remember the last edge of your seat international game I've seen.
But the price to watch is going up and up.
Where will this end?

03 Apr 2026 10:59:43
When more fans act like you and I and act in a defiant "stick your tickets up Uranus", and leave huge swathes of empty seats that TV cams can't hide.

Then and only then would pricing be addressed.

It's gone mad now, a day away especially.

My next game is Wolves, but it's getting so hard now to follow lads around the country with costs always only going up up up.

03 Apr 2026 11:43:58
Totally agree, Chris. Be interesting to see if Spuds fans are willing to pay massive ticket prices for championship football. Many away fans won't be prepared to do so, I'm sure.

Sadly, we're all addicts at heart, and it's a tough habit to break when it's in your blood, but that's club football.



International football has been dire for years. Sadly, the biggest games will always be sold out, especially in the US, with their corporate behemoths hoovering up every ticket for corporate bribes.

02 Apr 2026 22:00:17
Just listened to a very interesting radio interview with Terry Phelan.
He said loads of interesting stuff, one being that Vinnie Jones was obsessed with Leeds United while they were together at Wimbledon, and another that the best day of his professional career was his debut at ER against Shrewsbury.



Two things.

I never realised Vinnie was all Leeds years before he signed.

And Phelan, despite only playing 14 games for Leeds sees his ER debut as his most cherished football memory despite winning an FA Cup with the crazy gang and playing for Ireland.

02 Apr 2026 23:34:26
Good post, Corkey.
I lurved Vinnie and liked Phelan.

It's always been evident, imo, that Vinnie adored his Leeds United career the most in his pretty successful football career.

I will never forget his 40 yard blaster volleyed goal at home to Hull!

03 Apr 2026 02:42:40
Vinnie could play the game for sure. Loved him at Leeds.

02 Apr 2026 10:34:27
Manchester United 12th August at Croke Park, Dublin final pre-season game.
It will be the first time two foreign clubs have played at the stadium which is the third biggest in Europe holding over 82,000.

The only thing putting this historic match in doubt is the possibility of Leeds getting relegated as the Championship starts the same week.

02 Apr 2026 12:06:58
We sold out the Aviva Corkey, so I imagine this game will be a sell out too, subject to our being in the EPL, of course.

02 Apr 2026 14:13:26
I was at the Aviva last summer and it was a great day in Dublin City.
I booked my hotel for this game yesterday as the prices are going up fast.
82,000 supporters will be an amazing atmosphere.
You stayed in Kildare last August, if I remember correctly, Class?
It shows the power of our fan base that Leeds United have been invited back to Dublin again this year, but this time in Ireland's biggest and Europe's third biggest stadium.

02 Apr 2026 16:46:13
Could be a spicy day & afters. Irish police are not experienced enough to deal with this level of intense rivalry.
Both sets of fans on bevvy all day in summertime.
And, coupled with a 7.30 k/o, could be a regret from organisers.

02 Apr 2026 18:46:04
Yes, Corkey. My brother lives in Kildare, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the Aviva; it was a fantastic atmosphere. I’ve sent him the dates, but he wrote back saying……and?

Now he is a Spurs supporter, so communications have been a little fragile of late, hoping he comes around.

02 Apr 2026 18:56:41
Got my tickets today, can't wait. Should be a cracking atmosphere, hopefully no fighting though, as I will have my little daughter with me, but if needs be, she is well able to throw a slap or 2.