The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 24th November)

Good Morning. It's Thursday 24th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Are radical changes necessary for Leeds to climb the table

With the emergence of young talent at Elland Road, it has been suggested that some of the old guard are starting to fall down the pecking order. Whilst faithful servants to the club, there comes a time when age catches up on the best of us.

There have been few complaints regarding the Summer signings, but with Leeds hovering dangerously close to the drop zone, is it time to look at replacing the old guard?

Cooper (31), Bamford (29), Ayling (31), Klich (32), Dallas (31), Forshaw (31) and Rodrigo (31) are costing Leeds over a million pounds a month in salaries, with only Rodrigo showing the kind of form to justify his pay check. Are radical changes necessary for the club to move to the next level, or does experience go a long way in the top flight?

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Orta eyes Nigerian International

Victor Orta has been alerted that Nigerian International defender Ola Aina may be available during the January transfer window. The versatile full back (who can play on either flank or indeed midfield) tops Torino's 'Whoscored' chart with a modest 6.74 rating. So far this season, the 26yo has amassed 582 minutes of game time from seven starts and three substitute appearance.

Born in London, Aina came through Chelsea's youth ranks, and represented the young Lions all the way up to U20 level, when he switched allegiance to Nigeria. He joined Torino in 2019, but was shipped out on loan to Fulham the following year (20-21), during which they were relegated.

Aina's contract expires next Summer, and having refused a new two year could be shipped out in January for a minimal fee.

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Dallas comeback in sight

Seven months on from fracturing his femur, Start Dallas' comeback has been pencilled in. The 31yo has been working closely with the physio's at Thorp Arch, rebuilding both his fitness and the strength in his leg following lengthy surgery back in May.

The horrific injury could have put pay to his footballing career, but the Northern Ireland International is made of sterner stuff. Miraculously, he returned to the training ground back in August, and continuous to make fantastic progress, so much so, that a return to action could be expected towards the end of the year / beginning of January. During a recent Interview, Marsch was quoted as saying:-

“Stuart's making great progress as well and we'll see how that goes,” “But maybe we can get him on the pitch at some point towards the end of December, early January.”

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How will Dallas's comeback effect the dynamics at ER

With Stuart Dallas' comeback in sight, how will this effect the dynamics at Elland Road? What happens to Junior Firpo? Does he get pushed further down the pecking order, or should Leeds look to offload him in the New Year?

What about Struijk? He's done a sterling job at left back. If, and when Dallas returns to full fitness, does Struijk get dropped, or will he replace one of the centre backs? Should Dallas' return to action effect the search for a new younger fitter model, at least until next Summer?

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Dallas shouldn't be relied on, having him back is not like having a new player and he's not a specialist left back.

It's a bonus he's back at all this season

 

Not sure about radical changes but improvements in 3 positions would certainly help, there's not a lot in it between 12 teams in the PL and an Improvement in those positions could make the difference between top half or bottom half dozen.

Know nothing about Aina but that write up doesn't get the pulses racing.

Dallas is a great asset to the squad and it would be great to see him back in the squad.

 

Agree with Bucks and Gessa on Dallas, he should be treated in the same way as Berardi at the end. Someone who is good for the dressing room and anything else is a bonus. We get Stuey back anywhere near and he would be an asset for various positional cover

 

That’s the key, how he comes back both physically and mentally from such a nasty injury and long layoff.

 

Morning all.

Just want to say whilst the BBC quite rightly gets a lot of stick for various reasons, at least when trying to watch the world cup games live via iPlayer it works without any issues, unlike itvhub which seems to constantly lag or give connection errors.

Currently watching the Swiss v Cameroon game on Fox Sports via my VPN as itvhub is just not up to the job

 

Mo Salah 30
Harry Kane 29
Messi 35

Whilst I wouldn’t be handing out 3-4 year contracts, I don’t feel 29-31 is too old. You need a bit of experience in the squad.

Far more than concerns over age, I’d simply ask the question are they good enough? In regards to Bamford he wasn’t good enough at 28 and he still isn’t. Ayling has been dependable but he now has competition.

Forshaw we’ve never had value for money from day one, nothing to do with age, he’s just as brittle as they come

 

Forshaw, Roberts, Firpo all constantly injured and waste of cash

 

And yet knowing that about Forshaw we extend his contract, (was it two years) on the basis of a few decent games.

 

It has cost more in wages to keep him we are a charity.

 

Spot on. There is no player at 28 or more that's gonna improve, Salah Kane and Messi are fine as they're the best in the world. Therefore show the door to Paddy, Firpo and Forshaw providing someone is willing to take them which I seriously, seriously doubt

 

Who brought Forshaw in? I know Bielsa brought the other two in.

 

Im not saying in case I upset Marcos

 

Whimp!!!

 

Well Roberts joined in the same January transfer window as Forshaw, so don't think you can blame Bielsa for that one. Forshaw signed 18 Jan 2018 and Roberts 31 Jan 2018, just 4 days before Thomas Christiansen was sacked

 

Stand corrected

 

Forshaw could well be on his way in January.

Strong rumours that he’s going to Brittle City.

 

Great to see Stuey back but I also agree with a fellow poster he should not be classed as a new player. He still has a long road back and it's a big if what player will come back. We can't go down that road again of ifs and maybes. This is the Premier League you don't get time to bed in. The lad has had no preseason either. I'm not disrespecting him, but I'd be very disappointed if we are looking at him to play a part this season. He's a squad player even fully fit. you need fit players in this league, and they really have to be 100% or they fail miserably. We can't keep saying the old guard will pull us out of any shyte that we may come into because we have been there and worn the t-shirt and we just pulled through. I love Stuey and he's played his part in this club's history but my love is for Leeds United not Loyalty, sympathy and hope of players. If we really care about Dallas he should be loaned out to recover his fitness and then if all goes well give him a move next season to resurrect his career. As he doesn't get in my squad next season or this in his current situation. Sounds awful but we play with the big boys now and the door is revolving.

 

Must have been an Orta signing. We signed him from Boro, where Orta had been before joining Radrizzani 6 months prior.

TBF, when fit, he's been alright, but injuries have been horrendous.

 

We still need experience and squad depth in the side to help nurture the younger ones through and he has a lot still to offer our team and he needs to stay here. We should have kept Berardi and Hernandez for at least another year for that purpose. I know no one expected our unprecedented injury situation but they could have also just slotted in where we needed them during that period. Alioski should have been kept too as I’d much rather have given him a new contract rather than get Firpo in. Whether true or not I don’t think he was offered one but no doubt someone will put me right if so. For me the latter has been a huge disappointment. I’ve seen reports that Forshaw will be on his way but I also feel Harrison is on his way too.