Good Morning. It's Thursday 21st April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road What Marsch has done in such a short space of time is quite incredible Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has lauded Jesse Marsch's achievement since taking the reigns at Elland Road. With ten points from their last four games, Leeds have pulled themselves seven points clear of the drop zone, with six to play. Whelan, who is employed by the club in a community role, was particularly impressed with the American's man management skills, and revealed the Leeds players have taken to him quickly. He also echoed Marsch's sentiment that rest and recuperation is just as important as intensity. “He has got up to speed pretty quickly from where he was and where the players were. “He’s gone in and changed that around. The players have bought into it. He has probably asked the players, one-on-one, what it is they need as well." “I think it’s really important that you find out from the players first hand so you’ve got something to go off. He’s one of these men that is open to suggestions and he’s open to the players talking to him. “I think that’s really important because that is a massive part of the game now, man-managing. Not just a squad, but every individual player as well." “Their needs, what they need from a training session and the rest they need as well. Rest and recuperation is just as important as the intensity that you’re putting out there on the training ground. “He’s come in and done a really, really educated job with the players. To do it in such a short space of time is quite incredible. There’s no doubt he has got all the credentials you need to be very successful at Leeds.” please log in to view this image Mass difference in experience between the younger and senior players Jesse Marsch faces an uphill battle this Summer, not only to fend off interest for Phillips, Raphinha and Meslier but to get rid of the dead wood, and reduce the average age of the squad. Currently, Leeds will have eleven outfield first team players with an average age of 29.6yrs by the time next season gets into full swing. Ayling, 31 in August. Firpo, 26 in August. Cooper, 30 in August. Llorente, 29 in August. Koch, 26 in July. Forshaw, 31 in October. Klich, 32 in June. Dallas, 31. Rodrigo, 31. Bamford, 29 in September. Obviously, Leeds do have younger players coming through like Gelhardt, Summerville, Hjelde, Cresswell and Greenwood, all whom have been used sparingly this season. Collectively, they have less than one thousand minutes of game time between them, even less than Kalvin Phillips! There is a worry is that there is a mass difference in experience between the younger and senior players. Even with the amount of injuries sustained this season, the opportunities the stars of tomorrow have had have been negligible, apart from Struijk. Apart from Rodrigo and Bamford, how many others from our aged section would command a fee? please log in to view this image Everton close the gap A last gasp equaliser, two minutes into injury time, gave relegation rivals Everton a precious point at Leicester City last night. Before Saturday's win against Manchester Utd, Everton have been in free-fall; winning only twice this year. Richarlison's strike not only closes the gap to four points, but gives Frank Lampard's team a platform to build upon. Both Everton and Burnley have a game in hand over the Whites, but even if they both win, Leeds will be a point clear of Everton, and five clear of Burnley, with six to play. I think we can safely assume that both Norwich, and Watford are down now! please log in to view this image
Not disagreeing with Whelan but he probably regrets every day how he wasted his career. He had everything needed to become a great player - apart from discipline, desire and application. Probably why he’s now an expert on what it takes for a player to succeed - they need to do everything he wasn’t prepared to do himself. So on this occasion he’s right - for once.
“Apart from Rodrigo and Bamford, how many others from our aged section would command a fee?” Well Elland using transfermkt.com who always show conservative transfer values (Raphinha £40m) they have Cooper valued at £6.5m, so not a bad fee for a player costing us only £600k, Ayling valued at £3.6m, Dallas £3.6m. So these players all have a value which is a lot more than we paid for them
We can talk valuations till were blue in the face. If Jesse or Orta or whoever can't find the quality signings at the sort of relatively small budget we have it won't matter. Might get 20m for three of our elder statesmen and blow it all on another Barca graduate
Morning all. None of our players are too old but some have reached their ceiling ability and pace wise. Cooper, Bamford & Llorente are in their prime at ages 29,28 & 28 and can continue for at least another 2 seasons without us giving it a second thought. Dallas & Rodrigo might be 31 but both are still capable of 'man of the match' performances and are definitely amongst the better players at the club. That really only leaves Ayling, Forshaw & Klich...2 of which I'd be happy to upgrade for next season if possible. Otherwise as proven this season we need a bigger squad. Not sure why Firpo and Koch both age 25 are on the old mans list
Obviously Raphinha was not on the list, and it would be a travesty if we didn't get 80m for him. Personally, I wouldn't sell Dallas, Rodrigo or Bamford as they have at least a couple more seasons in them. Ayling is a tricky one, fantastic at going forward (and gaining free kicks), but his lack of pace and sometimes his defending worries me. During the end of Ian Harte's career to switched to a centre back or / and midfielder. I could see Ayling in midfield, but not as a centre back. We'd never get 6m for Cooper.
Yeah he certainly had talent. And you don’t necessarily need pace to become a great player. Viduka being a perfect example.
Do you think elland is blonde ? Seem to remember him posting a pic of his car once and it was definitely blonde/hairdresser type
No No premier teams would buy our over 30 players for the prices quoted. Ayling is about championship standard now as is klich. Cooper we will keep as it will be cheaper to keep him.
agreed on both - i quite liked whelan as a player - it just made for a better joke though in my opinion
