Good Morning. It's Monday 12th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds breeze past sorry Millers Leeds made easy work of Rotherham Utd at the weekend, extending their win record to six straight games across 2024. It was always going to be a tough ask for the Millers. They sit bottom of the table, with just one win on the board since the end of October; and to be honest it showed in their display. Bamford opened the scoring on ten minutes, after the referee failed to spot the ball glancing off his arm on the way in. The hosts could have easily have added two or three more in the opening 45 minutes had it not been for sturdy woodwork, last gasp challenges and fine shot stopping. Leeds perseverance paid off soon after the break, when Crysencio Summerville toe poked the ball past the despairing dive of Johansson, after a surging run through midfield by Rutter. Eight minutes later, the Whites made it three, after Summerville was clumsily bought down in the box. A spot kick had been a long time coming, but having taken the lead under controversial circumstances, it probably evened itself out. The Dutchman wrestled the ball out of Bamford's grasp, before cheekily chipping the ball past Johansson after sending him the wrong way, to the delight of 36,000 screaming fans. It may not have been a Yorkshire classic, but three valuable points nevertheless, heading into Tuesday's game at Swansea. please log in to view this image Players who request loan moves are difficult to integrate back Daniel Farke believes it is difficult to integrate players back to their parent clubs after demanding loan moves. The Leeds gaffer made the claim whilst speaking to journalists following the permanent departure of Columbian International Luis Sinisterra. There are thousands of analogies the gaffer could have used, but ended up comparing the Sinisterra situation to a microwave meal; on the basis the food never tastes as good as when it is fresh! His comments give Leeds fans an insight into what may happen with the other players that jumped ship last Summer. 49ers Enterprises have nearly £100m invested in players such as Marc Roca, Jack Harrison, Diego Llorente, Brenden Arronson, Max Wober and Ramus Kristensen, all of which have medium to long term contracts at Elland Road. "I think overall it's a good decision, beneficial for our future. “Many compliments for our main people involved in negotiations. "We wanted to have the perfect result for us and think we did. “I never made a secret I really rate Luis from his football point of view, good player, good person, wish him all the best. “He also made it clear in the summer he wanted this move. You have to accept there are good players playing for other clubs. "We wish him really all the best, no hard feelings at all, fingers crossed for his future. For us as a club it's the right decision, it frees up some money to do some business we want to do in the summer.” “I'm always a bit careful when a player wanted to go away, to bring him back. “It's like when you put the food in the microwave, it never tastes like when it's freshly cooked." please log in to view this image Is Firpo proving the doubters wrong Junior Firpo grabbed his forth assist from six starts at the weekend, giving the Leeds faithful an indication that there maybe hope for the Dominican Republic International moving forward. The 27yo is finally showing some form, under Daniel Farke's Management. He's racked up a respectable 'Whoscored' rating of 6.89 over his 610 minutes of game time this season, placing him seventh in the squad rankings. He has only picked up two yellow cards this season too, maybe showing the Elland Road faithful that he has better control, and is less reckless compared to previous seasons. Although his defending (the prime reason for his selection) maybe considered a little shaky, he is proving to be a real asset going forward. He's making the right passes at the right times, and does not give the ball away needlessly! please log in to view this image
Morning All I expect us to beat Rotherham. if I'm being honest, Regarding the Loanees I don't think any of them will return tbh. Llorente is wanted by PSG. Betis wants Roca and from what I understand Rasmus has found form in Italy. The only one I can see us having problems with Aaronson as he's not having a great time in Germany. Maybe Firpo has found his level. He was 3rd choice LB at Barcelona and all. Maybe he is Champs level as best.
Quite a few of our players are clearly very good at Championship level but might struggle in the PL. In fact it's difficult to name anyone who would be considered as a top 6 player even Summerville. Morning all by the way
Can't see anyway back for any of the loanees now, like Wolves says, Aaronson is the one we may find it hard to shift, other than a loan. I'm not sure on the Harrison situation, did the club ask him to go or did he request to leave, he could be the only one that may be accepted back if it was the former. Rumours over the weekend it's unlikely Everton will sign him but Liverpool maybe interested at £20m, somehow can't see that one tbh, but who knows. I think we've all been impressed with Firpo's forward play recently but his defending is very suspect and for me will be a big worry against Palmer when we play Chelsea.
Who is capable of doing well enough in the PL to see us stay up ? Meslier - Yes but only just. Gruev - might be too slow and lightweight. Kamara - same. Rodon - not done it yet. Struijk - too slow last time but may have improved to balance that out. Firpo - issues defensively and lack of pace. Byram - possibly as has played there before. Ampedu - great in the Championship but who knows. Gray - totally unknown but hopefully not out of his depth. Summerville - Yes. Gnonto - Maybe. James - Yes but with limitations. Rutter - Yes. Bamford - Jeez who knows with Paddy. Piroe - doubtful due to lack of pace.
I was talking about this yesterday, the Chelsea game will be a good marker of how far away we are, no expectations of winning but what kind of performance we put in will be interesting
Yep it should be a decent indicator about whether could we beat the likes of; Brentford Palace Bournemouth Forest and all the other mid table PL teams.
Firpo always looked decent going forward. He was a forward originally. I like how he times his runs. He picks his moments to bomb on well and his assists show he has a cool head and decent delivery when he gets into a good position so credit where it’s due. Pleased for him actually. Still caught out defensively but hey. Now in a team that doesn’t dominate possession… and up against the words best wingers? Well the prem is an entirely different matter.
I think the reality is that many of them would be alright in a team of other better players… it’s when your whole team is half a step slower that it shows. I watched boro against Chelsea. Boro committed suicide but didn’t actually look ‘outclassed’. It’s often the case. I expect us to have our moments at Chelsea… as usual it will be whether we seize them. Doesn’t really indicate how we’d fair in the prem where you have to be at that level every week.
You look at that list and this is my views on that list Meslier - is highly regarded in some circles. Lloris and Poch are giant fans of his. Lloris has been trying to get the Spurs board to sign him for a couple of years now. Gruev - He's an unknown factor at this point Kamara - I think he just might do it Rodon- Same Strujk - Don't think he'll be here next season. PSG wants him (European football draw might be too much of a draw for him) Firpo - Don't think he'll be here next season Betis want him Byram - Possibly but there's the injury problem Ampedu - I think he will make it Gray - Yes he'll make it. Get him with a world class coach and he'll be fantastic Summerville - The same Gnonto - Another one I don't think will be here next season James - Meh. I think he'll be in the SPL at some point Rutter - I'm not sure Bamford - No. A few years ago possibly but not now. I think the MLS will be calling him soon Piroe - Not a this moment
Good morning all Errmmm arn't you guys forgetting something, were not their yet, my big ask at the moment can they handle the pressure of trying to claim that second auto spot over Southampton, in other words who has the most steady nerves and who will bottle it first ?, of course their is still the play offs but with the disappointment of missing out on the auto's would this team have what it takes, to go the rest of the way ? If we can get over the line this season, then worry about who stays and who goes, as undoubtedly their will be some outgoings for a mini rebuild for life in the PL as i don't think the 49rs will make the mistakes of the previous regime.
Did anyone else get stung yesterday by BET365 who refused to pay out as part of their triple bet, saying Declan Rice did not make a tackle?
My feeling is that the Southampton will run out of steam at some point. Even if we don't go up there will be a clear out and rebuild in the summer. There will be players that will go some by the choice of the 49ers such as Shackleton and some that we be gone because clubs like Newcastle or PSG will be in for them and the draw it be too big
James back in the squad tomorrow night, can see him starting on the bench and coming on half way through the second half.
The discussion is who would we lose if we don’t go up. Which players are good enough to be signed by an established PL club, and which players wouldn’t mind another season with Leeds in the Championship.
