Good Morning, it's Friday 22nd September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Dallas given warm reception after reporting back for training After 18 months on the sidelines with a broken femur, (and subsequent knee problems) Stuart Dallas is on the comeback trail. The versatile 32yo was given a warm reception after reporting back for training at Thorp Arch yesterday, under the supervision of Rob Price, (Leeds head of Medicine and Performance). Whilst it may be a little while yet until we see the Northern Ireland International back in action, yesterday marks a major step in his rehabilitation. Dallas, a £1.3m signature from Brentford eight years ago has made 267 appearances for the Whites in various positions all over the pitch. He is a Northern Ireland International (63 caps) and a favourite amongst his peers. Many Leeds stars from the past and present took to social media to wish him well with his comeback. please log in to view this image Cresswell or Cooper Leeds Utd Manager Daniel Farke has a big decision to make ahead of tomorrow's crunch tie against Watford. With Joe Roden suspended (for one game), following his red card at Hull, the gaffer needs to decide whether to go with youth or experience! Cooper obviously has the maturity, but after six weeks on the treatment table, looked a little rusty during his 30 minute cameo role midweek. The other option would be Charlie Cresswell. He is the natural right-sided option, meaning Farke wouldn't need to move Pascal Struijk out of position; but the England U21 International has only started one league game this season (away at Birmingham City), and may also not be up to speed. Leeds have kept three clean sheets in a row, and with Mileta Rajovic expected to be amongst the favourites for top (Championship) goalscorer this season, Farke needs to make sure the Whites defence is water tight. please log in to view this image Farke praises Summerville's attitude Crysencio Summerville's attitude has always been a bone of contention, ever since arriving at Elland Road three years ago, yet it's fair to say he has grown up a lot in the last twelve months. After relegation, it was assumed that Summerville would be on one of the first planes out of West Yorkshire, but perhaps we were doing him a disservice. He's got his head down, he's working hard in training, and it's showing in the pitch. With a 7.58 average, the 21yo is currently Leeds best player this campaign (according to Whoscored), closely followed by Rutter and Piroe. He was dropped unexpectedly for the Hull game in favour of Dan James, and instead of sulking, made a real impact when bought on earlier than expected when Gnonto was injured' Speaking after the game, Manager Daniel Farke was quick to praise Summerville’s attitude, and reaction to being dropped:- “Yes, 100 per cent, because this is exactly what we need, to think about the side [and] don't be annoyed when you're sometimes not in the starting line-up,” “It's more like when you're on the pitch, give everything for this group.” "It was not just a case of dropping him for James. We also got the feeling with Cree (Summerville) it was a really good performance at Millwall, but he had a difficult pre-season. [He] also came just out of injury, then he had a knock against a shoulder, also a few problems with his food.” “So it made sense, three games within six days, I also need his creativity in the next home game, to start him from the bench and to bring him in when the game is a bit more settled,” “Sadly, I had to bring him in earlier than I actually wanted." “His reaction, not just in possession, because he’s an outstanding creative player, we know this, but also how hard he worked for the team. This is exactly what we need and many compliments to him.” please log in to view this image
Morning all, great news for Dallas and also great news that Summerville seems to have grown up, let’s hope Gnonto has too. Got to be Cooper this weekend
Impressed with Summerville and especially anyone who has stuck three years with us, mostly difficult, unlike some. Rodon has been a big part of our clean sheets in my opinion. Will be a huge loss whether its Creswell or Cooper replacing. That's what the Championships all about though. Nobody is going to play every game and all about how teams adapt to missing personnel. We seem to have a better squad than most
Morning all. I think the fact that Cooper was brought on against hull ahead of Cresswell tells you all you need to know about who will start against Watford.
Nice one Wicker, what’s your record for breaks in a year mate as Im guessing you spend more time away from Wakey than in your house. Are you permabronze
Not that I'm aware of, just got more options for the bench now. Struijk and Cooper started the first league game so wouldn't be a surprise.
Morning all, I think Cooper will start tomorrow. Struijk has looked good this season partly because he hasn't had to worry about his partner. I think playing Cresswell would make Struijk feel like he has to help and support the younger player and his own game would suffer. I don't feel this would be a problem with Cooper and he is a leader anyway.
When Struijk was playing for the 23s as was Cresswell was his captain so won’t need help. Yes Struijk is more experienced as a prem player but not as a championship player. Although I reckon Cooper will step in it may be Struijk dropping out unless FARKE convinced who is the best RCB between the three?
I was thinking along similar lines, Doc. If Farke is thinking of rotating, even minor rotating, then this would be an opportunity to give Struijk a rest & play the Cresswell/Cooper combo. It would also be key to play Byram as LB, to help cover for any 'rustiness' from Cooper. Now that said, I wonder what the effect on Struijk's (alleged) frail mental state. Would it set him off on a downward spiral again, after being a mainstay so far this season? Who knows ... Bottom line? Trust Farke to get it right. He knows them much better than us.
I think we will see the thinking behind whatever decision FARKE makes, and Elland has a valid point too that Ampadu is a CB and we can now cover for him in midfield. Hay is now saying Cresswell will be gone in January as he wasn’t even on the bench last week so if he isn’t playing and being an England U21 player he will be gone
I hadn't thought of Ampedu stepping back to CB, but I don't think it will happen. Archie needs a rest. He's not been impressing as much recently, & we must act on that - for his sake as much as the team's. If that happens - and it should - then we don't want to put a new middle 2 in midfield. That is part of Farke's jigsaw puzzle for tomorrow.
