Good Morning. It's Friday 3rd December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Kinnear's program notes were 'over the top' - Hay Writing in his programme notes for the Leeds v Palace showdown, Leeds Chief Executive Angus Kinnear labelled suggestions of 'independent regulators and increasing the transfer levy' as “flawed as they are radical” and has caused a stir by comparing them to Maoism (a form of communism power associated with China and the former Soviet Union of old). According to Kinnear:- “Of the 47 recommendations contained in the fan-led review of football governance there was much to applaud. “Increased supporter consultation, heritage shares, renewed focus for the women’s game and improving equality and diversity (among others) will all be met with almost unequivocal support. “However, the two most significant recommendations are as flawed as they are radical. The first is the demand for independent regulation and the second is an increased transfer levy to redistribute increased funds further down the football pyramid. “Football is a private sector business and has flourished that way. Enforcing upon football a philosophy akin to Maoist collective agriculturalism (which students of ‘The Great Leap Forward’ will know culminated in the greatest famine in history) will not make the English game fairer, it will kill the competition which is its very lifeblood. “Teams further down the pyramid do not need their means artificially inflated, they need to live within them.” When asked for his opinion, Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay said that Kinnear had gone 'over the top' "I think he's entitled to discuss the idea of an independent regulator in those notes but the column last night was over the top and, on reflection, not a great idea before a game so big. It's the sort of thing that can easily become a distraction. A more concise argument would have been much better". "On an independent regulator, I can see the merit of it. I don't have much faith that if it's government-run it would be any good or properly effective but set up properly, I'd be in favour of it. As I said on Twitter last night, football is governed too much by self-interest. The number of EPL CEOs who are speaking out against an independent regulator tells you that they want to kill the idea - but the EPL is not exactly an oasis of solidarity". please log in to view this image Early team news Leeds Live have suggested that long term absentees Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford will miss the crunch encounter against Brentford on Sunday, proposing instead a return to action at Stamford Bridge on the 11th. They also forecast a return to action for Robin Koch soon after. There is better news for Pascal Struijk. The former academy star is fit to start against the Bee's if selected. please log in to view this image Is Llorente struggling? It would be fair to say that when fit, Diego Llorente is one of the first names on the team sheet. His contribution last term was nothing short of immense, a defining factor of why Leeds finished in the top half of the table. This season, although solid, the 28yo hasn't quite replicated the same form he showed six months ago. Is he struggling for form, or are we expecting too much? According to a recent post from Phil Hay:- He (Llorente) has a very good range of passing when he's on it but I think you're right to say that some of his passing was wayward last night and misjudged. The exact stats - 64 passes, 50 completed, accuracy of 78 per cent. 22 passes in the Palace half with an accuracy of 41%. please log in to view this image
Morning all, Excellent news about Bamford & Ayling. Things are really looking up at the moment. Nice to see that we were the only team from 9th downwards to win during the midweek fixtures.
Our best 3 players this season are Phillips, Rapha and Llorente. Closely followed by Struijk. The whole team are struggling to find passes this season. Llorente has the task of stepping out of defence with the ball which he does really well but when there are no options what is he expected to do with it?
Have to feel a little bit sorry for Hay. He gets asked hundreds of questions as Leeds main journalist every day.
Morning all. I think Kinnear makes a valid point. Football clubs need to cut their cloth accordingly. Direby are paying for mortgaging the family silver and several clubs have gone to the wall chasing the dream. I think an option is feeder clubs for the big teams where some of your squad can play in a competitive league. For example Everton could be Liverpool's feeder club Maybe they have to be U23 and you're limited to 3 at a time. I'm not sure how it could work. I'd like them to address the loan market too. The biggest clubs buy up all the young talent as soon as they can then loan them out to see if they can make it. Many players get lost in this system whereas, if they'd stayed at their first club and developed in that environment they might have made it. It's a tough situation because the big club sees cheap potential, the kid sees a huge wage increase and the home club sees a pot of cash. Maybe there is some way to limit squad sizes?
I never took to Kinnear, far too much spin for me. Llorente makes the defence more solid, not afraid to carry the ball out, great vision some sublime passes too, one or two wayward passes can be excused imo.
He would do but he is surrounded by 3 people all the time because Rodrigo has gone up front and Phillips is acting centre half. James, Rodrigo and Rapha are usually looking to run in behind. Hence,nobody coming short for him. He usually has to wait for the full backs to catch up with him and he plays sidewards or he tries an ambitious 40 yards over the top. That's why he gives the ball away alot this season.
Llorente is a class defender and the best we have......simple,if he stays fit we won't concede as many.
Afternoon all Would be good to see Bamford and Ayling get at least 20 minutes each but I guess the way the game unfolds would dictate that
Thinking about it though all deals have clauses in them. So perhaps we do not owe the full amount. So not joking yes i would as he has no go in him. Not even sure where he fits in any team.
I would start them then at least you can bring them off. Other way round and they are stuck on the pitch even if knackered.
Nothing against him but he just doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. So yes I would if there is a more suitable addition out there we could get for that money
When asked for his opinion, Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay. Did he self proclaim this title? is he paid by the club? No he's just another journo looking for clicks. So the usual whipping boys, Roberts and Cooper are playing better who can we have a go at now? Hmm Llorente missed a few passes, he'll do. He forgot to mention we kept a clean sheet again. Really not sure if there is any inside information or truth in his writings, which tend to be extremely long winded.
