Good Morning. It's Monday 4th April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Honours even at Elland Road Leeds moved eight points clear of the drop zone after a hard fought, yet entertaining draw against Southampton on Saturday. To say the game was end to end, would be an understatement. It was summed up brilliantly by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl who described the match as Ping-Pong. Leeds had much the better of the opening exchanges. Llorente and James both wasted guilt edged opportunities to take the lead, but as we have seen so many times this season, the final product just wasn't there. The Welshman also had an opportunity to tee up Raphinha, but decided to go for glory himself from a difficult angle. Leeds took the lead on the half hour mark. Raphinha brilliantly managed to keep the ball in play on the edge of the by-line, before crossing in speculatively into the Saints penalty area. Despite the disparity in height (of a foot) the pressure of Dan James caused Frazer Forster to palm the ball, straight into the path of Jack Harrison who gratefully accepted his sixth goal of the campaign. The visitors produced some fine football of their own. A mixture of last gasp defending and fine goalkeeping denied Elyounoussi and Adams from getting on the scoresheet in the first half. Hasenhüttl's side were desperate not to lose their fourth game on the trot, and were rewarded three minutes into the second half. Ayling bought down Walker-Peters on the edge of the Leeds penalty box, 25 yards from goal. The opportunity couldn't have been better for specialist set piece taker Ward-Prowse. He brilliantly bent the ball over the Leeds wall, and into the corner of the net. Both sides had opportunities to claim maximum points, though in fairness a draw was the right result. Saints stopped the rot, and Leeds edged further away from the drop zone. It was great to see Cooper and Phillips return to action, though I had hoped the England star's second half introduction may have influenced the game a little more. Rodrigo seems to be flourishing now that Jesse Marsch has removed his shackles. The 31yo showed vision, pace and creativity at the weekend, especially in the first half. Gelhardt too, continuos to impress. The 19yo has very quick feet, and has certainly showed maturity beyond his years, even though he had limited opportunities in front of goal. please log in to view this image Bielsa had to go - Harte In a recent interview with 'Freebets.com', former Leeds and Republic of Ireland International Ian Harte admitted that Andrea Radrizzani made the right call when he sacked Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February. The former left back who made over 200 appearances for the Whites over an eight-year career (scoring 28 times) was quoted as saying:- "You’re always going to get mixed opinions, but I was at the game when they got beaten 4-0 by Tottenham and something needed to happen dramatically, otherwise the team will have gotten relegated." "Playing the style of football, which was refreshing last season for the Premier League, you always have that second season where teams work you out, and they were just leaking too many goals. Jesse has been a good appointment." "It looks like he gets on well with the players, he’s trying to implement his own style but sadly yes, Bielsa had to go given the run they were on. What he’s done for Leeds though will always be remembered." "I think Marcelo controlled a hell of a lot of what went on at the club, I think the shackles have come off a bit and the lads are able to relax a little bit more, smile a bit more. Of course, on the training pitch you need to be serious, but you have to be able to enjoy it and play with a smile on your face." please log in to view this image If James didn’t have the pace, he wouldn’t play in the Premier League Now that Junior Firpo and Tyler Roberts' are out of the picture (for the time being), the Leeds boo boys have found themselves a new target - Dan James! Since arriving at Elland Road in 2018, Marcelo Bielsa had always been a big fan of the Welshman, and had tried to sign him on numerous occasions. When Ronaldo signed for Manchester Utd last Summer, Bielsa got his wish! Fans believed that, like he had done with the likes of Bamford, Dallas, Klich and Cooper, Bielsa would manage to get the best out of James, and unlock his potential. Unfortunately, apart from some moments of brilliance, his performances have been inconsistent at best. Former Leeds defender Ian Harte laid into 24yo during a recent interview:- "Let’s be honest, if he didn’t have the pace, he wouldn’t play in the Premier League. He doesn’t have the knowledge or the know-how. It’s just head down and run. He’s got unbelievable pace, but like Adama Traore, he needs to learn to slow his legs down to get the cross in. The majority of games I’ve seen, they end up going over and across the crossbar. Signing him from United for 25 million when they had him for 4 million – he’s done ok, he’s got raw pace but I’m not a massive fan." please log in to view this image
Morning all. Next home game not until 30th April so it's going to be a long month for those of us that love the ER match day experience
always did and copious amounts of away one's to .......not particular on the ale front much prefer hand pulled ale,.....as for james he's probably right and harte should know about pace, he had none!
No not yet and Chelsea are fully booked until May I believe. Edit; possibility for last midweek of April depending on CL involvement.
Feel sorry for James as he has been played out of position fr ages. He isnt a No9 hes a winger. He chases back, he presses, he gets into great positions but cant hit aa barn door. Almost like we paid a lot so he has to play. In my opinion put Joffy up top you dont get Bamford but you do get someone who can create, scare defenders, will win penalties and will score goals. He is a natural scorer, better than Bamford with chances converted, but obviously not an overall finished article yet. However better than Dan James.
Joffy is still building fitness to be able to play 90 mins at first team level. Those little niggling injuries have not helped him or the team but with a full weeks training he should be ready to go next Saturday.
No idea where Hart got £4m for James from, it was £15m and Swansea had some of the £25m we paid. At the ages James and Harrison are now, they should be, starting to be in control of their game more, they should be coming into their prime, expect big things from both next season, if not, then that's the time to move them on, they won't improve significantly after that.
For the last few seasons under Bielsa we always had plenty of goals scored from midfield, to cover for missed chances from Paddy and then Roberts. Pablo always weighed in with between 6-10 same for Klich and Harrison the same. Raphinha has weighed in again Harrison is on target for double figures again, but Klich, Dallas, James have been missing in action. Klich and James have had the chances and Dallas has been mainly in defence. Rodrigo scored 7 last season even though missed half the season and has scored 5 this season which has been stop start for him again. Rodrigo could still get double figures the way he is playing. Our CBs have missed countless opportunities to hit the net but failed. I think Llorente and Cooper have one each but Llorente, Koch, Struijk have missed loads. If only some of those chances had been taken we may not be in the bind we find ourselves in
They're both £20 million wide players and we as fans wish them to be in the £50 million bracket. As you say some patience is required, but even if they don't significantly improve they are both still solid professionals.
They are solid and neither deserve the amount of criticism they get, imo anyway but what they both need is better consistency, if as a team we are to progress, then a few of thecsquad need to find that extra level and be more consistent. As Doc as said a few times, it's difficult with James, he's being judged on what is not his natural position.
Now it's Monday and the dust has settled a little perhaps it's time to discuss Kalvin's role in Jesseball ? On Saturday he came on and played alongside Forshaw but then Adam had the license to get forward a bit more and that's why you saw him occasionally on the edge of the Southampton box. However both were back when needed and did well challenging for the ball and breaking up play. It wil lbe interesting how we find the right balance between attack and defence but I might add that Phillips is better at the deeper role than Forshaw and he's also more capable of picking a pass and scoring the odd goal if he gets forward.
… exactly. I’m fine with James. Looking forward to him playing on the wing so we can shout ‘square it Danny’ Ian Harte is just jealous because if he’d had any pace he’d have been a top player… and to say what he’s says in public suggests that James probably turned down his advances to act as agent
repeating myself here from a previous thread but I think this two dm/deep midfielder preference of marsch won’t get the best from kp. To clarify he’ll do it well, but I fear we’ll lose a bit of what he does best for Leeds. I never thought he particularly flourished for England alongside rice… but always looked better after rice was subbed and he reverted to a more trad dm role. If kp roams forward we’ll be more vulnerable with forshaw covering. With both of them back we’ll be more vulnerable on forshaw’s side. this isn’t a pick on Adam post, I like him, but if kp stays, this formation requires an upgrade alongside him. Looking forward to our end of season performances proving me utterly wrong as usual
Forshaw played well on Saturday but I have to agree that we need a more dynamic player in that role. If he could somehow add a few goals & assists to his game maybe he would convert me, unfortunately that's very unlikely to happen. Connor Gallagher obviously springs to mind but that ship has well and truly sailed, someone similar though is what's required.
Agreed and how lucky were we that he came back to fitness when he did, as many on here including me had written him off as a sicknote. What state would we be in if we hadnt had him and had to use Jenkins or Kenneh all season until we got Koch or Struijk back, carnage
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...ls-brighton-fans-stop-shouting-shoot-putting/ Still got to visit Elland Road, you know what to do
I know for a fact that Harte was slow for a full back but what a beaut of a free kick taker in a very good side
