Good Morning. It's Friday 12th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds need to get real Former player, now pundit Danny Mills has told Andrea Radrizzani to 'get real' after the Leeds owner revealed plans for major investment next Summer with the aim of a top 6 finish. The former Leeds and England right back went on to say that Yorkshire's finest 'have to have a degree of realism:- “No, that’s not realistic. “Arsenal are going to get stronger, Tottenham are going to get stronger. Man City, Liverpool Man United and Chelsea are going to be there. West Ham are great. Leicester City are going to be heading that way. “In what point do you think in your third season you’ll be able to break into the top six? You’re currently just above the relegation zone. “In an ideal world, we’d all be loving to get up there and challenging but you have to have a degree a realism. “Consolidate this season and then start to build. Last season, Leeds outperformed expectations by a ridiculous amount, we all know that. “This season has to be a consolidation season, just get things right.” Whilst nobody wants to hear that, does Mills have a point? Is Radrizzani setting himself up for a big fall? please log in to view this image If you had to choose... If you had to choose to lose either Raphinha or Phillips next Summer, which one would you pick. Phillips, soon to be 26, has been part of the Elland Road set up since the age of 14. He's a home-grown lad, and full England International. It's fair to say he is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. Raphinha on the other hand is a magician. He can conjure something up from nothing. He has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the Premiership. He turns 25 next month. please log in to view this image Academy doing a great job - Carsley England U21 Manager Lee Carsley has spoken of his admiration he has for the set-up at Thorp Arch, and admitted he is closely monitoring the development of the flourishing young crop of players at Elland Road. The former Republic of Ireland International was discussing the Young Lions 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic, (in which Charlie Cresswell made a late cameo appearance) when the subject switched to Leeds. "I've worked with Cody [Drameh] in the [England Under] 20s," "This is the first time I've come across Charlie [Cresswell]. [I'm] impressed with them immensely, especially their attitudes, they're very good people, they train really well every single day, they compete. "You can see that it takes them a couple of days to get out of the way they train and they play because obviously they're very man-to-man," "So getting that awareness again and getting that understanding that we play a little bit different, getting onto our wavelength quickly [takes time]. "I've been really impressed with not only them two, but obviously Joe Gelhardt who came with us last camp, Sam Greenwood as well - there are a lot of good players at Leeds. I enjoy watching their U23s play as well, I've been down to Thorp Arch a couple of times, I really like it, obviously their academy are doing a great job." please log in to view this image
Morning all, Danny Mills once again getting paid to come out with **** click bait comments. He has misunderstood Radz comments. The goal on return to the prem was to stay up for two years. After that the goal would be to aim for the top 6. But I believe the time frame for that was another three years, not straight away. Mills really is stealing a living as a pundit.
Most of them are Hemase. Such is the modern world, with millions of TV channels, radio stations, websites and social media the true talent is very thinly spread. Literally anyone who's kicked a football for a living can get a job as a "pundit" these days. What used to really piss me off were headlines like; "Leeds tipped to sign <insert name of exciting big name footballer here>" You click on it thinking Leeds are about to make a major signing and it's just some numpty that used to play for Bolton Wanderers saying "I reckon Leeds should sign someone like <insert name of exciting big name footballer here>". Now I just ignore it all.
Sure he had a 5-year plan from promotion to getting into the Europa League slots. Ear 1 invest and stay up, year 2 consolidate and stay up, year 3 big injection of cash for new players and commence stadium redevelopment in stages. Year 4 invest in players again and try and win a cup and push on….. year 5 hope to be in amongst the top teams
Lee Carsley is a bellend and taken the England U21s backwards, but yet again its Southgate giving jobs for his crap mates. I know Carsley hasnt been U21 coach long but his results and team selection have been appaling so far. Yes we won 3-1 in ghe last game but look what we were playing against. Not long ago our U20s won the world cup and should now be one of the top U21 teams in the world, but over the last 2 seasons they have gone backwards. There are players in the squad valued at £35m and believe their press. Noni Maduakia case in point not even turning up, Eddie Nketiah not selected. Carsley maybe chuffed with our academy but he needs to start using his best players and not do what Southgate does and select 8 right backs and have no idea or plan. Team rammed full of Chelsea Man Utd, Liverpool, Man City players and leaving the likes of Leeds players benched
As for the Sophies choice of Raph or Phillips I would prefer to see Raph leave. It would be harder to find a player who does what he does.
Agreed, and frankly Raph is the most likely of the two to leave anyway although I hope and pray they both stay.
Good point. Raphinia is clearly enjoying his time at Leeds but Philips is Leeds through and through and while that doesn't mean he'll stay forever you can't buy that sort of passion in a player.
Probably Shako, there were a few we got shafted on. Years ago a few offices at work were being refurbished and someone sent out an email saying they'd found two signed photos of Leeds players if anyone wanted them. I of course jumped at the chance. It was Danny Mills and Robbie Fowler (after they'd jumped ship). I reckon someone left them behind on purpose. Still got them somewhere.
Lets face it not many clubs will be able to afford either Kalvin or Raphinha. Decco Raphs agent keeps bigging him up but Liverpool will not be able to afford him and only Barcelona or Real Madrid or PSG will be able to do it, which is fine by me as long as all the cash goes on new players. We have to accept that to progress we have to sell some players for big profits, we should then be able to keep Phillips for yet another season. Declan Rice is also being priced out of a move as WHU say £100m starts bid war and Phillips isnt far behind Rice and maybe even better
"You can see that it takes them a couple of days to get out of the way they train and they play because obviously they're very man-to-man,"
Most alarming and depressing of all was his revelation that Leeds are still paying eight players from the David O'Leary era, including Robbie Fowler three years and three months after he left for Manchester City. "Last year I had the biggest wage bill in the Championship, I think £19m," Blackwell said. "Many managers have said, 'How we'd love Kevin's wage bill,' and I'm sure they would. However, I'd love to have Robbie Fowler, Danny Mills and the like because I'm paying them all. My actual wage bill was in the region of £3m. The rest went on players no longer here." And found O'Leary, Reid, Venables and Leeds' former striker Robbie Fowler, who is still drawing £10,000 a week
It was madness how we ended up still paying their wages after they left. R.Keane was another, he was money mad anyway.
Royally shafted by all and sundry Shako. Agents, players, clubs, the lot of 'em. Football family my arse.
****ing disgraceful. Fowler was a greedy twat and could easily of waivered what was owed to him, actually as he wasn't even playing for us why the hell was he still being paid.
