Good Morning. It's Wednesday 19th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Summer of discontent - Eight more stars set to leave An Elland Road insider has leaked details of eight (further) first team stars, on top of those that have already departed (Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca), who are actively pushing for the exit door, according to media outlet 'Lastwordonsports'. If true, this would have a devastating effect on team preparations, as Daniel Farke works tirelessly to get his squad firing on all cylinders, ready for the season opener in 18 days time with the visit of Cardiff City. This list includes Wilfried Gnonto, Max Wober, Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier, Cody Drameh, Pascal Struijk and Charlie Cresswell, according to the anonymous source. There's several names there that will surprise the Elland Road faithful, in particular Max Wober (who Farke see's as Captain for the forthcoming season) and Charlie Cresswell. There was no mention of Luis Sinisterra or Tyler Adams, but to be fair the USA skipper may well be out until the New Year. Leeds have already turned down offers for Charlie Cresswell (from Rangers) and Wilfred Gnonto (Everton). please log in to view this image Farke needs to hit the ground running Daniel Farke needs to have an instant impact at Elland Road, or face the boot by Christmas, according to former Leeds and England shot-stopper Paul Robinson. The no nonsense German doesn't have the best of records as far as instant success is concerned. During his maiden season at Carrow Road (17/18), they only finished 14th. He was sacked by Norwich City in November 2021, and joined Krasnodar, but his tenure was cut short when Russia invaded Ukraine. In June 2022, he joined Borussia Mönchengladbach, a team tipped for success, but after a disappointing 10th place finish, they too parted ways with the 46yo. Having failed to prepare for life in the Championship, Farke certainly has his work cut out. Leeds are less than three weeks away from their season opener, and are still waiting for recruits to arrive, to replace those running for the hills! Lots of changes have taken place since he arrived a fortnight ago, but the reality of the situation looks far from perfect. If you were offered a play off slot now, would you take it? “At his previous clubs, he didn’t have the immediate instant impact," "At Norwich, he came 14th in his first season. In the Bundesliga last time out he didn’t really hit the ground running with Borussia Mönchengladbach, but I think the remit is different. “He’s had a conversation with the owners, and they know he’s capable of getting the team out of the championship, but his timescale won’t be at the same as his time at Norwich." “If they’re anywhere near 14th by Christmas, I think there will be a change in manager. He knows that he’s signing for a very big football club with huge expectations of being in the Premier League, and 14th for Leeds United is not good enough and unacceptable. “If that’s where he is, I think he will find himself back at the Job Centre again! For him, he’s taken on a huge role, a massive challenge. But he obviously knows what comes with that and the expectation" “The supporters for that football club, regardless of what league they’re in, that stadium will be packed to the rafters – they could fill it out twice. The supporters will always be there for the team, but they demand the very best for the shirt." “They don’t demand a style of football, they don’t demand winning every game and they don’t demand success. They demand that every player on the pitch gives their all for that jersey." “With the squad they’re going to have in the Championship, they’re going to be there or thereabouts. For the manager to have a midtable start or a 14th-place finish won’t be acceptable.” please log in to view this image Things have gone quiet on the transfer front Multiple reports on Monday insisting that Nat Phillips, Glen Kamara and Emmanuel Dennis had all agreed personal terms and had booked their medicals, may have been exaggerated. Whilst the usual suspects (Hay, Smythe, Pope etc) were quick to confirm the imminent £7m arrival of Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea. Surely, there would have been far more speculation yesterday, if the trio were to be announced as Leeds players anytime soon? please log in to view this image
Think we should start by pointing out the 49ers spent a lot of time interviewing for our next manager. Marathe’s words yesterday broadcast and in a letter should pacify many Leeds supporters. These people are not yank idiots as some try and portray them, they are switched on businessmen and will have done countless things to ensure they are not made to look like fools and sacking FARKE isn’t going to happen unless he is a disaster. He was given a long contract and it had nothing to do with Orta. He has also promised plenty of funds for new players and that may well include using the loan market and wages are not going to be a problem. Much more to be positive about since Monday so I just ignore the shyt about who’s going and who’s staying. Whatever FARKE ends up with is probably because that’s how he wants it
Morning all. If there's eight more wanting out, that's disappointing but not surprising and despite the talk of 49ers trying to convince them to stay, forget it. Let them off. Will lead to a huge rebuild though. The one worry though is the unrealistic beliefs of some fans. Reading stuff all over the place that four or five signings and well romp the league. Even Maratthe yesterday spoke of when we return to the pl. If we've to almost completely rebuild the team in four weeks, a promotion push of any kind will be unlikely, top ten would be acceptable right now. If some fans don't lower their expectations, they'll be disappointed, just my opinion
Loads to be optimistic about after the interview (podcast) that our new Chairman gave and it's absolutely clear we'll get promoted back to the PL at the earliest opportunity. Hopefully we can achieve that this season but if not then we'll go again the season after. Keep the faith as it's all good news from now on.
Of course but still tough to achieve as it always is. Definitely we'll be giving it our best shot though.
Very tough league to get out of (unless it's to league 1). That's why it's imperative we make use of the parachute payments whilst we have that advantage. If we don't go up it will be a recruitment issue. Either at director level, manager/coaching level or substandard players. The fault will lie with us.
Out by Christmas.....then farkey is in for a big present and wallet filler then with his 4 year deal, perhaps he's telling all the cry babies to jump ship because he's no chance of turning it around in the short term and ain't bothered knowing the moolahs in the bank eh...kerching....please Daniel can you sort out my finances you little tinker
What the 49ers said fit the narrative very well, almost too well. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
Morning all We have had more than our fair share of new signings arriving unfit and clearly not ready, I would imagine the medicals are done over two days and much more thorough than those carried out last season. We have a host of investors on board, Americans love a lawsuit so I expect everything will be done to ensure all risk is minimised. Eight wishing to leave, I don't buy into that myself, not unless Farke has made it obvious they won't be considered for the first team. Then again I look at the names and see Gnonto, Harrison, Struijk and Meslier. I would happily sacrifice Harrsion and Gnonto for decent money, Meslier and Struijk I don't want to see them starting a game anyway. I'd be disappointed to lose Drameh and Wober, I'd not like to see Summerville leave but there are questions over his attitude. It's all wait and see time
Official club site describe him as a versatile defender "who can" operate in midfield, is that just prewritten from elsewhere or does Farke intend on using him as a defender. Will be interesting to see in preseason
Morning all When the story of the 8 came out yesterday and I posted. I was basically told I was wrong. Let's just remember what goes on behind close doors. Farke needs to remember that our fan base is fickle and certain sections have ideas of Grandeur when it comes to the club. Regarding transfers it's probably gone quiet cos they're doing deals and medicals. Expect more names to come through the door.
In his interview he was asked where he prefers to play and he said wherever the boss wants him. He’s been a midfielder in Seria A and was Tyler Adams understudy in Germany, he plays CB right or left and is good on the ball.
Good morning all Getting exciting isn't it !!! finally we have something to get excited about, as their will be (hopefully) a lot more positive news to come from LS11.
