please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Watford Saturday 23rd September@15:00 | Elland Road Leeds face their third league match in six days, with the visit of Watford on Saturday afternoon. The Whites are still searching for their first league victory of the season (at home), but hope they can stir up a hornet's nest by sending Valerien Ismael's men back to Hertfordshire empty handed. This will be far from easy, against a team who recently beat Birmingham City, the only Championship outfit to have defeated the Whites this season. Regardless, Leeds are a point, and five places better off than their opponents, and hope to extend that lead even further come tea-time on Saturday. Leeds welcome Crysencio Summerville back into the starting line up, after being rested midweek (according to Daniel Farke's post match comments midweek), but with Wilfred Gnonto doubtful, Dan James could keep his place in the starting line up too. Sam Byram may be recalled at the expense of Luke Ayling. The Leeds veteran has already played over 700 minutes of game time this season, and could be due a rest. As could Archie Gray. The 17yo been in fine form this term, but Farke will be conscious not to over-play him. With Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara at his disposal, Farke has some tough decisions to make, both in midfield, and defence. please log in to view this image 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. Stuart Dallas is back in training, but after an 18 month lay off, is still a long way off from a return to action. Junior Firpo may make the squad (albeit the bench) for the first time this season, after overcoming his latest knee injury. Striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo could return to action for the Hornets, having featured off the bench against West Brom midweek in their 2-2 draw. Tom Ince and Matheus Martins are both likely to keep their spots on the wings after scoring. Defender Ryan Porteous is a doubt after being withdrawn in the second half of Wednesday's match with a knock
------------------------------------------------------Meslier--------------------------------------------------------- Shackleton------------------Ampadu-----------------------------------Struijk--------------------Byram ---------------------------------Gray---------------------------------------Gruev---------------------------------- Summerville--------------------------------------------Piroe----------------------------------------Anthony ----------------------------------------------------Georginio-------------------------------------------------------
Doesn't look like Cresswell is going to get much game time this season and to think many on here wanted to build the side around him after relegation. Personally I'll defer to Farke on this one but I'd be amazed if he's anything other than on the bench tomorrow. Shame as until he plays we'll never know, but on the other hand it's only going to be the one game with Rodon coming straight back in no matter what. The real battle amongst the defenders will be Struijk v Cooper for the left side and it irks me a bit that Coops gets to come straight back in without having to do anything other than get fit. Ayling as well seems to lead a charmed life with the injury to Spence removing any serious competition for his place.
Just met Herr Farke in Morrisons there. Didn't want to aggravate him too much when he was shopping (no doubt others had spoken to him), but he's giving nothing away, as I would have expected. Much smaller guy than the telly told me. Did mention (ok, blubber, as star-struck) that Byram used to be great at ghosting in with a good header at the back post, but not seen it recently. If Byran scores, you heard it here first. LOL. Was thinking about this defensive line-up & realised that we've overlooked Ayling & Byram as emergency CBs. Hopefully Ayling not considered as I think he's a duff CB. No idea about Byram - but Farke does! On reflection, I can't see us lining up without Struijk & Coops as CBs. Not sure how long Coops would last, though, hence the mention of emergency CBs (mentioning this as there seems to be some doubt about Cresswell for some reason). Like Jammy says, time to set expectations aside & enjoy the football. We can afford to at this point in the marathon. Think we might all be on Prozac soon after Xmas, right enough.
Lots of talk today about Cooper, Dallas and Ayling but as we say in the fashion business, they were so 2 seasons ago… we do seem to have a shed load of players who can play CB Though Cooper Struijk Ayling Byram Firpo Ampadu Rodon Cresswell
Evening all, a couple of weeks ago my daughter was home and she was sending cv's out. She's at Leeds uni, she called me today and she's got a job at ER for all the home games! It will be her first time at ER tomorrow, I hope the lads win and she manages to see some of the game, although I doubt that, anyway she will get to feel the atmosphere.
I think coops coming in and leaving us with two (preferred) LCBs on the pitch when we had a RCB on the bench tells you what you Farke thinks of Creswell. Guess the caveat is maybe opting for experience when down to 10 men - but it’s a kick in the teeth for Charlie.
I think it was Gessa that told me Charlie wasn’t on the bench last match. I don’t want to doubt Farke but for some reason I think Cresswell will leave and go on to be a top class CB at another club. A bit like a Denis Irwin or possibly more a David Seaman.
Think we’ll start with Cooper and Struijk and we’ll see Ampadu considered at CB when Cooper is spent. We have the two new central midfielders, think we might see both make an appearance today
Cooper will be going for the money in January, Cresswell will get his chance. Hes a good player and will get better. 3-1 Super Leeds
I hope we play Cresswell and Struijk together. They've played together before. Cooper has been a great servant but he's always had a mistake in him and is prone to diving in. Cresswell is young, enthusiastic, committed and also has a mistake in him. He also goes to ground too easily. The difference is, as Olof says above, that Cooper is on the verge of leaving us either January or more probably imo next summer. Cresswell has the opportunity to improve and learn with experience and become the next captain here. There's not much between them currently but moving forward, Cooper is going to get worse and Cresswell could get alot better. It's time to give Cresswell some experience and show him that we have confidence in him to kick on with us.
