please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Stoke City Sunday 5th August [email protected] Streaming links to follow PLEASE KEEP MATCH DAY THREADS ON TOPIC Leeds kick off their 2018/19 campaign welcoming Stoke City to Elland Road in what many believe will be the clash of the titans. Newly relegated Stoke have invested wisely during the Summer bringing in players like Afobe from Wolves and McClean from West Brom, but what on earth was going through their minds spending 12m on Tom Ince, especially when you bear in mind they only received 13m for Shaqiri! COMPLETED INS---------------FROM-------------FEE Benik Afobe-------------------Wolves------------Undisclosed Oghenekaro Etebo---------Feirense-------------£6.3m Adam Federici-----------Bournemouth-------Undisclosed Tom Ince---------------Huddersfield Town-------£12.0m James McClean-----West Bromwich Albion-----£5.0m COMPLETED OUTS--------------------TO--------------------FEE Ramadan Sobhi Ahmed------Huddersfield Town------Undisclosed Lee Grant------------------------Manchester United-------Undisclosed Stephen Ireland---------------Unassigned Player--------Released Glen Johnson------------------Unassigned Player--------Released Marc Muniesa------------------Girona---------------------Undisclosed Xherdan Shaqiri---------------Liverpool------------------£13.0m Kevin Wimmer----------------Hannover 96--------------Undisclosed Wolves have managed to retain the services (so far) of England shot stopper Jack Butland, but for how long? Joe Allen, Charlie Adam, Darren Fletcher, Mame Diouf and Peter Crouch have all kept their faith in Gary Rowlett to bring them back to the promised land at the first time of asking. Leeds too have been busy during the Summer too. They have bought in highly rated duo Jamal Blackman (Keeper) and Lewis Baker (Midfield) (both from Chelsea) and Citeh highly rated winger (bye bye Alioski) Jack Harrison, all on loan. Radrizzani has stumped up 3m for Barry Douglas from Wolves (arguably the best left back in the division last term) and 7m for Patrick Bamford. Following the departure of Viera to Sampdoria for 7.7m, we can expect at least one more addition to the squad in the coming days. please log in to view this image
We're all in Glory's salon if anyone is interested. 2-1 Leeds by the way with Bamford to score all three.
Fingers are crossed that Bamford, Harrison and Douglas are ready to step into the squad, probably a week early for them, hoping for a win but missing the most recent signings might just cost us.
Anyone heard yet if Forshaw is fit? Last I heard, he had a toe injury, was wearing a plastic boot at the match, and was to be further investigated on Monday. I did read on FB that he had been training all week, but I take that with a pinch of salt.
I have the gravest of doubts about Douglas, as he hasn't had any pre-season game time to date - either with us or Wolves! Our defence can cope without him, I believe (for believe, read hope ). I think our attack is in need of a bit of spark & some clinical finishing, so am hoping the risk is taken to start Bamford & Harrison.
Good job I know you mean Douglas Think Harrison has to start, Bamford I’m not so sure, Roofe has been okay preseason, might see him starting?
ROFL. Fixed. I honestly have no idea what's running through Bielsa's wee heid. Doubt anyone does, tbh. But it's great to have options that you won't be too disappointed in if your first choice isn't picked, eh? Been a while .....
Will be good to actually have a game changer or two on the bench, a bench of either Saiz or Hernandez, Roberts or Roofe or Bamford and Possibly Alioski isn’t too shoddy
Roofe will definitely start as he's been a shining light in pre season. But I expect Bamford to start as well so interesting.
Roofe hasn't played wide yet under Bielsa so it's highly unlikely to happen on Sunday. No idea what side will start but think we'll see Roofe just off the front but interchanging with Siaz who will be to his left. However if Douglas doesn't start then scrap that as Allioski will start wide left as he provides more cover. Interesting permutations all over the pitch to be honest and makes for a great first game of the season.
This is the side I think we will see as soon as everyone is deemed fit and available. BPF Phillips Pontus Beradi Ayling Forshaw Douglas Roberts Roofe Siaz Bamford The famed Bielsa 3-3-3-1 Hopefully we see this team on Sunday but unfortunately unlikely to happen.
His mot says he's fit, but he's not my type... and quickly remembering that this is the match day thread. I think this is the right time to play Stoke and we could catch them cold. I'm going for a 2.1 win.
Big game for our first of season Really hoping for a performance Expecting to be worried by what I see Xtreme measures required by Bielsa if we fail I just hope he’s up to it Trepidation is my main emotion right now
Hopefully the signings are as good as we all hope. But we will do well to get a result from this game given how late in the piece they arrived. I only hope we don't miss out on something important at the end of the season because we were late getting our players in. Head says we lose 2-0, heart says we win 3-1. Great work by Agents Duke and 2020 this morning!
Looking forward to this one,hope some of the new lads start as last seasons team will lose IMO.Elland road will be rocking though and is the place to be Sunday.MOT
Afternoon from a scorching hot Spain. Hate to be gloomy, normally leave that to glory but if we go with a back three of Cooper, Berardi and Phillips, I fear a grubbing.
Grubbing ? So you mean you want even more of a clearout ? I would agree about Cooper as I think he's not good enough for want we want to acheive. Regarding Phillips in the back 3 for Sunday my thinking is he's supposed to always be the spare man and not necessarily have to mark someone. The opposition coach will obviously have other ideas so we just have to wait and see if Bielsa can make it work.
