Good Morning. It's Wednesday 2nd January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Comfortable victory over sorry Birmingham Leeds returned to winning ways after a comprehensive victory over Birmingham City on New Years Day. Prior to kick-off Daniel Farke had made the brave decision to drop Joel Piroe to the bench, in favour of outcast Patrick Bamford. Since the beginning of the 21/22 season, the one time England ace had netted a grand total of six times, but his faith was repaid when the 30yo rose highest in a packed penalty area to power past Ruddy, opening the scoring from six yards out. Up until this point, bearing in mind their recent performances, Leeds had been more than a little tentative, but after going ahead on 34 minutes, took the game by the scruff of the neck, and never looked back. They doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time, when Dan James, the provider for Leeds opener turned goal scorer, after being beautifully tee'd up by Junior Firpo. The former Barcelona defender gained a further assist two thirds of the way through the match, helping Crysencio Summerville to his twelfth of the season. Last ditch defending and sturdy woodwork denied Leeds an opportunity to rack up a cricket score, but it was a comfortable afternoon for the Whites, who narrowed the gap on Ipswich and Southampton above them. please log in to view this image Cooper wants ER future sorted amid interest from Stoke Leeds stalwart Liam Cooper wants his Elland Road future sorted out during the January transfer window amid interested from Stoke City. The 32yo has been a dominant figure at Elland Road ever since joining from Chesterfield almost a decade ago, but has fallen down the pecking order this season under Daniel Farke. His contract expires this Summer. He is keen to commit to Leeds if they can extend his contract, but needs to keep his options open heading into the twilight of his career. With 257 appearances, and 11 goals, Coops contributions will long live in the hearts of Leeds fans, but sentiment can not get in the way of business. Does the veteran deserve another season at the club, or it is time players like Charlie Cresswell are given a chance to shine? please log in to view this image Would you welcome back Sinisterra in January Leeds are supposedly in talks with Bournemouth about the services of David Brooks. The Welsh International winger is in desperate need of more game time, having only featured 11 times (two starts) for Andoni Iraola's side. According to a report from talkSPORT the 26yo is being tracked by Southampton and Leeds, both eager to boost their wide options. Leeds can barely find game time for fellow Cherries loanee Jaidon Anthony, who has only play 339 minutes all season, whilst similarly Luis Sinisterra (360 mins) is not pulling up any trees at the Vitality Stadium. Would it not make more sense to let both players return to their respective clubs? What kind of reception would the Columbian International get? Would you welcome him back to the Leeds side, or has he made his bed, and must sleep in it? please log in to view this image
I'm a massive believer in the talents of Sinisterra. When he left I even said that his departure would probably be the difference between automatic promotion and a play off place. However, refusing to play and threatening legal action against Leeds United is a massive NO for me. He should never set foot in this club again. Any of the rats should never return but the worst two were/are Sinisterra and Gnonto. Unforgiveable.
Great win last night and hope FARKE has got his sorted regarding Rutter and Piroe. Rutter at 10 and either Piroe or Bamford at 9. Piroe will take more of the chances created so will score more than Bamford but Bamford can unsettle defences with his back to goal. Merson summed up last night by saying no Birmingham player would get in the Leeds team
I echo Emu as I really rate Sinisterra and even watched him in their last game. He was unlucky 4 times not to score, scared their defenders and created 3 golden chances for Solanke who fluffed them. But he is dead to me now and I hope his value increases
This is a point that quite alot of fans miss. I get that it's quite amusing that the likes of Kristensen, Aaronson and to a certain extent the benched Sinisterra are failing away from Leeds but I genuinely want all of our loan players to thrive so we can hopefully redeem a bit of cash for them. That's obviously reliant on promotion this year too which is why it's frustrating that we can't seem to profit off poor results by Ipswich.
Welcome win yesterday albeit against poor opposition. Is there really much to learn from that game though? Our home form has been terrific and we did beat Ipswich with Piroe in his old position and Rutter also. It's the away performances that needs radical improvement. Were better than anyone at home but poor mid table away. Hope Bamford is up and running after his 31months not scoring. Ill be applying my ten game rule to assess him before I go wild with excitement as some have
..and that's why fans are calling for change. Its pretty much frustration at the fact we've been sat in third place waiting for one of the top 2 to falter and when Ipswich do indeed blink its Southampton that capitalise and not us. Its all very Leedsy.
Bamford scored against Newcastle at the end of last season. The stat you quote is for when he last scored and we won the game.
Morning all Summerville ahead of Sinisterra for me. Ipswich are on a slippery slope, it’s Southampton we need to fear.
Just checked and if it was the 2-2 draw, it was Ayling and Kristensson that scored. Maybe he scored later that night but that's not much use to the fans