Good Morning Everyone Leeds first pre season friendly ended with a 2-1 victory to the Whites courtesy of first time finishes from Roofe and Ayling, but did Leeds make heavy weather of it in the second half? Here are the talking points:- Peacock Farrell. Did not have much to do. Totally at fault as he palmed the ball in his own net in the last minute of the first half. It looks like he has been working on his distribution. Forest Green changed their tactics to keep Ayling quiet in the second half and it worked. undoubtedly, Ayling was one if not our best player in the first half, but with his qualities should he have been able to overcome FG's tactical change and deliver the same kind of performance in the second half as he did in the first? Dallas. Safe enough performance. He'll always put in a shift, and you know exactly what you'll get from him, but will he ever set the game alight? Cooper. Similar to Dallas, safe enough performance, but feel there's always an error waiting to happen. Can he step up to the next level under Biela? Berardi. Performed well in an unfamiliar role. Ran with the ball without fear. Forshaw. Did alright, but would have expected a player of his qualities to stand out and boss the midfield a bit more. Phillips. The only reason I knew he was playing was I saw his rediculous hair cut on the screen. Am I being harsh? Hernandez. Safe performance, was expecting a bit more tbh, especially from his free kick. He's good, but is he good enough? Saiz. Delivered a delicious chip to set Roofe up in the second half, but for someone so creative, should he have done more? Alioski. He kept hold of the bal well, and had good link up play with the forwards imo. Kemar Roofe. He scored a goal early on, but he missed three during the game! The opposition were a team that escaped relegation from the Football League last season by a single point. I know this was our first pre season game of the season, but should he have done better? If West Brom do come along with 7m, should we take it? Whilst we wait on news of another signing, let's talk about LUTV! Was I the only one that cringed every time Eddie and Co-commentator opened their mouths? Who was the Co-commentator, he must have been from Forest Green, as he knew absolutely sod all about us, or our players. It was embarrassing! Agree?
Morning Ell An excellent summary and agree I felt that they did make heavy weather of it although have to make allowance for the fact that it is only the first game I thought bpf pushed the ball into the net but no replays on lutv so couldn't be sure I like saiz but again he looked a bit petulant at times which I don't like. Alioski was OK but needs to improve the end product I also felt roofe should have scored more given the chances and the oppo. I would take £7m for him tbh. The commentator on lutv was pants.
Good Morning to Matt and co from a very sunny Cote de Bardsey Unfortunately here in Bardsey reception is very bad and so I was unable to watch the gameall I got was a blank screen with a wheel going round! So I have to rely on Matt for his summary'I found it strange that we had only 4 subs who were not usedand no newcomers anywhere near Roofe I would try and get £8m they have money to burn and where does that leave Viera ?Where was he at Cardiff?I would take £10m for him Vydra we learn wants 50k a week plus well lets move on now and stop wasting time .this applies to Hernandez as well Marriot and Madison get them before someone else does!
Morning all... Strangest thing for me was only 4 subs and none used, first preseason game to raise fitness but could have risked an injury? I think I was pleased with the decision, certainly a first that I can remember, the next game and team selection will be interesting I’ll admit I only watched a few moments of the game but reading comments on the other forum and social media many were dismayed at Alioski and the majority felt Phillips played very well... Each of the players will have had firm instructions of what was expected, we won’t know what those instructions were, it matters only to Bielsa if he felt they followed them to the letter or not. Bielsa plays a pressing game when we don’t have the ball, he likes players with intelligence, players who cover spaces, players who take up positions when one of their team mates is either attacking or out of position. My point is there was probably a lot of instructions for the players to get right, one player ignoring what was expected and the whole thing would look out of balance.
I like him myself, criticism I read was more about his rash tackling and no end product, have a read of the Forest Green thread on the other site you do your Breakfast Debate for, majority felt Phillips, Cooper and Berardi played very well. We all see things differently but certain players would have been told to do certain things that we wouldn’t necessarily pick up on watching on a screen, Bielsa will be the guy who knows if they performed them adequately or totally ignored him. I think he gave them 90 minutes to both build up fitness and to see who was still following his instructions (or had forgot them) come the end of the game.
Morning all Absolutely nothing to take from Yesterday. I was more looking for shape and tactics but couldnt take much away from that either.
From what I could make out it was officially 4-1-4-1 Phillips the defensive midfield player covering when the full backs went forward, almost becoming the third CB. If Bielsa can get it working it will be okay but it will mean one of the central front 4 making a move into the box, I wondered how Saiz and Hernandez could fit into a Bielsa team playing together and I think this is his answer. To properly work we need a far better striker and winger. I’d like to see Jozefzoon signed up and let Dallas and Alioski battle it out for the remaining spot not to mention the need for a new CB too.
This They can both do a wing back role as well. Ayling seemed to have licence to get forward and he put in some tasty crosses, this is where he does his best work IMO. Still, cant take nothing from yesterday really
Morning Bucks, well said. Ayling is best when he is getting forward, but don't we need similar on the other wing to keep the shape? Dallas is not that option then...
Can't see Phillips becoming a regular of Bielsa's imo. Bielsa will expect much more, especially along side Forshaw. Bit early to tell about performances, players won't want to get injured, and Bielsa will probably try different formations to see how players can, or cannot adapt.
Nah, we can be fluid not rigid and play to our strengths. This is what we will need to do if the window stays as **** as it has been!
Don’t be so sure, Phillips played the holding role not Forshaw, some are saying Forshaw wasn’t at his best yesterday and most are saying Phillips did what he was supposed to do well. I wouldn’t rule out Vieira or even Klich to stake a claim for it either, just depends on who Bielsa sees as having the best skill set in that department. Phillips has a football brain and I can see him being a Bielsa favourite. We have an abundance of defensive midfield options, the rest are either going to have to be sacrificed or get quickly used to playing in a new position. At the moment I only see three players being safe, Saiz, Hernandez and Ayling, throw in Pontus when he returns so maybe 4. I’ve been very harsh on Klich but I have a feeling he might make a claim for a starting role against Stoke after tomorrow.
Do I think we need better than Phillips? Yes. Do I think he is the best player? No, but he certainly is a long way away from being the worst. Do I think fans unfairly pick him out? Yes most certainly. It’s always the same, many Leeds fans seem to need a player on the pitch to dislike and pick on and Phillips doing the quiet yet equally important role is the easy target. When you watch him play he is always looking around the play area, anticipating what the opposition might do or are intending, moving himself into the gap or space to prevent it, he has a great footballing brain. Phillips has been included by the last 5-6 coaches, one day fans might stop crying it’s favouritism and believe those coaches actually know a bit more than us If he plays bad I’ll say he was poor, on here Elland watched the game, I’m assuming Norman did too and they felt Phillips was poor as he went unnoticed. Fans on another forum and Social Media couldn’t have a more opposing view, they feel he was one of the stand out players.
Juventus will listen to bids for Moise Kean this summer. Reports in Italy claim the striker, 18, has already been approached over a loan move to Monaco, while Leeds are also said to be keen... Appear to be talking a 10m fee
