Good Morning. It's Friday 20th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road FA / EFL Statement - The show must go on The EFL, FA and Premier League have extended the Soccer season by a further four weeks! The governing bodies of football had originally hoped that they would have positive news to share regarding finishing the season by the 3rd April; but as the deadly virus shows no sign of letting up, this date has now been extended by another four weeks. The good news for teams in the Championship is the football wig bigs have agreed that they will do everything in their power to finish the season - but will that be enough? The EFL issued the following statement yesterday: The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19. We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition. The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”. However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football. Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April. The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow. We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19. please log in to view this image Alex Bruce - Impossible to replicate what you do on training ground Former Whites defender Alex Bruce, son of Steve, believes the Leeds players will not be able to reproduce a Bielsa style training session from home. The 35yo centre back who is winding down his career with Kilmarnock concludes that the lack of interaction and competitiveness in training will take its toll on Bielsa's isolated squad. “It’s impossible for any footballer to replicate what you do on the training ground. When you train by yourself, it’s absolutely impossible to do what you do in training. “There’s no training more beneficial to a footballer than when you are doing football-related exercises with the amount of bodies to a similar level to what you are. “Bielsa demands certain fitness levels, only he will know when the players come back the level they are at. Footballers are that athletic, certainly in my career, I noticed that when you go back for pre-seasons now, it doesn’t look like some certain people have been away.” please log in to view this image With players training from home, could this be a blessing in disguise We are all aware of Bielsa's stringent demands when it comes to fitness, and with the players now training in their living room instead of a full size pitch at Thorp Arch, their aerobic levels will drop. Is that a bad thing? We know there is not going to be any action for the next 5 weeks. Shouldn't the players be allowed to relax and take it easy for a few weeks? Had they continued to train throughout all this uncertainty, how long would they have been able to keep going, before burn out? Surely, the players are naturally fit, they don't smoke or drink and they eat a balanced diet. As long as they go through an hours basic regime, should that suffice? Could this be a blessing in disguise? With 80 percent of the season spent, only 14 players have played more than six games for the Whites - surely the fewest players used in the league? If the players aerobic levels drop, will they still be able to play Bielsa ball?
Morning all.... Good news the season will be finished then they’ll look at the implications of when to start next season. Bruce talks bollocks doesn’t he, it will be the same for everyone, this will be just like preseason. At least nobody can blame player burnout.
Morning all, On a brighter note your Spring starts tomorrow. If, but I don't think it will, the season is able to start again there surely must be some time built in for friendly matches or pre-season type games? But to go to the point about the size of our squad then clearly it is a non-problem now and one can't help but admire the tactical foresight of the Leeds management team. European leagues close down over the coldest part of winter does anybody know what their players do to keep match fit and ready to go when it starts up again?
Morning all. Could Leeds eventually be the only team ever to spend a year top of table and not promoted if footie authorities have to change their plans next summer
They’ve virtually said it will finish no matter how long it takes and it’ll be next season that is at risk. Once they have a restart date they’ll look at the implications for next season and adjust accordingly. That way everyone will be on the same sheet and a level playing field of what those changes will be, probably no cup games, possibly two matches a week and or scrapping playoffs for a season and extended it to June 30th
So Alex Bruce thinks he knows Bielsa's Leeds from the wilderness of Kilmarnock I trust Marcelo beyond any no-mark in football circles Bielsa will have us ready if & when the season resumes!
This would surely mean there will only be behind closed doors sports for a year http://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...st-of-a-year-say-government-advisers-11960920
I see the club are selling membership cards for the 20/21 season, but no new applicants can apply at this stage..
Morning all Hope everyone is fit and well and not 2 pissed off With regards to today’s game Leeds v Luton I have it on good authority that this game has been postponed My sports panel has therefore been sitting to come up with a likely result After much deliberation the panel felt that the result would be in the order of 6-0 Leeds MOT
