Good Morning Everyone Leeds battled to a well deserved 2-1 win last night, sending Bolton to their first defeat of the season. Some talking points:- Is Saiz back to his best? What went wrong with him after Christmas? Does Jansson deserve a starting place on Saturday? If yes, then at who's expense? Harrison showed maturity well beyond his years (no wonder he is rated so highly). Should he be in the first XI? Blackman spilled the ball which should have led to Bolton equalizing. Should he have done better? Anyone else impressed with Pearce? Will he give Douglas a run for his money? What about Shackleton? Did Leeds lose their disclipline / shape in the second half? Bamford - thoughts? Bolton made themselves difficult to beat last night! There will be times that neat attractive football won't work. Can Leeds play ugly - more importantly, can they win ugly? Is that even in Bielsa's vocabulary? Well respected coach Darren Arnott has revealed on twitter that he is going to re join Leeds Utd. The 31-year-old had taken up the role of assistant manager at Spanish Tercera Division Atletico Astorga in January of this year.
Morning all... Hard for me to comment as I didn’t see the game. Assuming Bielsa both wanted to win and experiment as well as a fitness run out I found a few points interesting regarding team selection... I assume Ayling played at CB? I would have thought both he and Douglas would have been rested. Bielsa obviously wanted to try out a plan B if we’re short on CBs? I was surprised Saiz wasn’t rested, Philips has got an engine and keeps going, not surprised he wasn’t but did Bielsa want to keep these two positions for a better reflection of how the others would perform? Hernandez and Douglas not even on the bench, injury niggle or just totally rested?
Good morning, another day another Bielsa win to talk about. He continues to remind me of Revie. Revie used to sit dourly in his dugout too (though he smiled more). And Revie always wanted to win everything, from the way Bielsa brought players on last night, I thing he’s the same.
Morning Matt, Can only go on what I've read here and elsewhere about the games so far this season. Saiz form was dipping, then he had the spitting incident, seemed to lose interest, the game style changed with Heck now at the helm, all in all, he wasn't the same player, don't know him but appears to be the sort of player that like his ego fed. New manager new style, one that suits him perfectly, fast paced, players running into space to recieve his passes, players now more on his wavelength adds up to the player we knew this timelast year. Harsh on any player to be dropped from a winning team but all in all PJ is better than Berardi in that position, even though by all accounts he had a shaky start last night. Berardi should be good enough against Rotherham, so let him stay there for now, could knock him back to drop him. Wouldn't hurt PJ to sit out a few games, he does come over all superior at times, hopefully make him more humble. Shackleton and Pearce are great back ups at the moment, ease them both in, they have plenty of time. Bamford took his goal really well but no way can he replace Roofe at present. Boltons style will be what we'll see as often as Stoke and Derby's, good for Biesla to see it first hand, I'm sure he'll have the system ready to suit the opposition but keep playing as we are and the class will prevail more often than not. Let them worry about us. We'll come unstuck at some point, the trick being not to let a blip become a bad run
Morning all With regard to: Battled to a win? No as we had 57% of the play and we weren't as fluent as the last 2 games but we had 8 changes and 6 debuts, so it was not close at all really. Yes they could have equalised but also Bamford could have scored 3 and Harrison a couple too Saiz: Yes he's back to his best although again a lot went astray, but he also created 4 simple chances that were wasted. I think there was a problem in the dressing room post Xmas maybe since October. I believe the players knew the managers were shyte as can be seen now. Pontus: Yes he struggled a bit last night but he too is coming to terms with playing in a new system. He struggled at times, was vulnerable at times but second half he worked his way in and did some decent stuff. Harrison: Great debut and looks tasty, however he will be unhappy not to score but he could go straight into the first team for me. Blackman: Dont think he spilled the ball, I think if you look again he was in the way of a close range shot that hit his shins and bounced off. He was superb with everything he had to do and very commanding. He was beaten with a shot into his right corner and I wonder if he saw it late or am I expecting too much? Shackelton: Both he and Pearce to me looked exactly what they are, young players breaking into the first team. Both had decent games but we have better players available for the first team in my opinion. However they will both get better, more confident and play a big part this season. Bamford: In the words of Henry Winter Bamford was class and could have scored 2 (I think 3) He was working the front line well and was working the back line well too under Bielsas style. He looks fit and assured and scored on his debut. I predict a great season with him and Roofe or him and Roberts playing in tandem. When Bamford has the benefit of not only Saiz but Pablo and Klich threading balls through I think he scores loads. Baker was class last night, best I've seen of him, so Bilelsa now has a nice problem as Baker, Harrison, Bamford, Blackman are ready to step into a starting place. Bielsa said everyone last night showed they are ready to fit into the system? Roberts was disappointing last night?
Good morning all Yes for many seasons now we have had extremely bad runs six-ten games without a win sometimes,& clueless managers not knowing how to deal with it,however we now have quality manager in Bielsa,a manager who seems to quickly sort any problems,so i am confident this will not happen again. Another win,i could get used to this Important question from me,was that Boltons strongest eleven?,if it was that win was even more impressive seeing as though,we played almost our 2nd team.
Morning ristac, it seemed to me Leeds lost their shape in the second half, but they looked tired imo... First time being seen Bielsa come off his bucket and shout...
Morning Gessa, well said about Saiz, its like the ball is glued to his feet. Bielsa's style really suits him. Bamford will prove to be a brilliant buy...
Getting ahead of myself now,but you know how they erect statues to legends,& their are all stood on plinths,well i guess bielsa would be on a bucket. as 2020's avatar.
Interesting what you said about Blackman. Seems a bit more commanding in the box than BPF, though a few years older. I too wondered whether he should have done better with keeping the ball out. IMO he spilled the ball, even if it came off his shin, or saw it late, he should have done better. Bamford will be a great buy for us - Boro will be kicking themselves.
Morning SW, I think Bolton made 4 chages to our 7. They had new players they wanted to test out on us. I was impressed with Noone from the Bolton team. Also I thought Donaldson had a good game - good player to get on a free transfer. Not sure why Shackleton was marking Donaldson on the box from a set piece. Donaldson was twice the size as our youngster.
Morning all...we have a new supporter, grandson loved the game and now wants to go to some more with me. If the majority of last night's team are seen as the fringe players, then I think now we have more than able/adequate back ups for whoever Bielsas first choice starting 11 are.
