Good Morning. It's Friday 15th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Piroe or Rutter up front Leeds boss Daniel Farke has a big decision to make ahead of Sundays mouth watering battle at Bermondsey. Over the past couple of games, Georginio Rutter has been operating at the lone centre forward, with Joel Piroe just behind him as a No 10. We all know that Piroe is the more deadly predator on the pitch, but he is still very capable operating in the spaces between central midfield and the front line, whereas Rutter's preferred position is centre-forward. He played as a deep inverted right winger for his previous club (Hoffenheim), and would cut inside, similar in the way Sinisterra would do, on the opposite flank. The young Frenchman is finally showing some form, and although he's got a lot of work to do before justifying his £35m price tag, we can at least see talent shine through. Rutter needs game time, if is is to continue to improve, but at what cost to the team? please log in to view this image Cressy and Shacks would be welcome back here anytime - apart from Sunday Ahead of Leeds visit to the Lions Den on Sunday lunchtime, Millwall Manager Gary Rowett has been speaking about Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell's time with the South East London outfit. The duo spent last season on loan in Bermondsey, and made quite an impression on the former defender, both as footballers, and individuals. Combined, they made 64 Championship appearances for Rowett's team. It would have been more, but for Cressy's fractured eye socket, he sustained at the beginning of April, during a league match at the Hawthorns. Rowett told 'NewsAtDen' that they were brilliant and likable lads, that threw themselves into what Millwall are about as a team, and both would be welcome back any time – apart from Sunday:- “[They were] brilliant lads. Different types of lads. Shacks was a little bit quieter, went about his work, but a really likeable lad and likeable player. Whenever he was called upon you could trust him. Sometimes his versatility probably worked against him a little bit. A change of formation for us last year worked against him." "But he’s a really, really good player and he’s showing that now at Leeds." “And Cressy’s the same. A little bit more vocal, a little bit livelier on the training ground but no less a likeable character. Both did really, really well. Both brilliant people, they fitted into the group great, really humble, threw themselves into what we’re about here as a team and both would be welcome back here any time – apart from Sunday." “They’re very popular lads. They’ll be working hard to make sure that Leeds get a result and we’ll do likewise. There’s a lot of respect there and I think they’re really good kids.” “I still speak to players that I managed 10-12 years ago. Players that are now managers or coaches still ring me up for a chat and that’s what you do. When a player has put their heart and soul on the pitch for you, in my opinion, you’re always there for them and there to help." “Some need it, some don’t, some like it, some won’t but I think they always know that if they need anything from me, I will always try and do that."“Like I said, you build a bond with the players and you build a rapport. Not with every player of course, but that often stands the test of time.” please log in to view this image Is Darlow happy to warm the bench When Karl Darlow signed for Leeds at the end of July, few, including himself would have imagined he would be warming the bench, but almost six weeks into the season, this is precisely where the former Newcastle No 1 fins himself. The problem (if you can call it that) is nobody expected Illan Meslier to still be at Leeds. In fact, he was tipped to be on one of the first planes out of Elland Road, but he stayed put, and regained his No1 jersey. As the last line of defence, the 23yo came under the microscope more than most last season, so, when Allardyce dropped him in favour of Robles, we all thought his days at the club were numbered. Darlow dropped down to the Championship for first team football. At 32, he's in his prime, but Meslier isn't just going to roll over. Most Championship outfits would give their right arm for someone of Darlow's experience, and certain assurances were probably made to him, when signing his three year deal. Should Leeds try to keep them both happy, or get rid of one, and if so which one? please log in to view this image
I can’t help thinking if that late chance against Wednesday had fallen to Piroe instead of Rutter we’d have won the game.
Only Leeds would buy the leagues best #9 and then play him out of position. Did the same with Rodrigo. Its mental.
I can kind of see why he tried... Piroe has a rep rep linking play well, but it didn't work! Let's see how they line up this weekend. The Farke has had a couple of weeks to work with them... we might hope to see a bit more cohesion across the team. A fairly tough run of fixtures (on paper) though
"The young Frenchman is finally showing some form, and although he's got a lot of work to do before justifying his £35m price tag, we can at least see talent shine through." Not still trying to send him to fleetwood on loan Matt?
Piroe and Rutter should start because I reckon they are going to scare the league to death. With Gnonto getting double teamed it creates space for the pair of them and Summerville
That would mean benching Rutter. I absolutely cannot wait to see us attacking down the right flank with Spence and Summerville
Here's a question. How many of our current squad would make it into the Championship starting XI of the season?
I’m pretty sure Piroe is more of a 10 and he played in a deeper role with Swansea. It worked well against Ipswich but didn’t against Sheffield Wednesday. Let’s see what happens as I think it all just needs to click.
Our super new fullback Dj ed is injured and may miss millwall. Junior apsrin is still crocked as is bamford. Byram and dan the running man are back. Lets face it we can write firpo off and bamford too.
Given we play the next 3 matches in 6 days (from Sunday) then Bamford being unavailable until after them isn't really a surprise is it. Anyway good news is Byram back in training as acording to Matt it was looking like a possible severe hamstring injury
I believe that at first glance we have a better team than Bielsa had in the promotion year, now depends on Farke making a team.
Football clubs will always have injured players so it's not worth worrying about. Do we suffer more injuries than other teams...dunno and don't care. Do we have a great looking squad who hopefully will be a joy to watch...hell yes
