Good Morning. It's Thursday 9th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Norwich told to be brave against 'flaky' Leeds Former Norwich City and England Striker Chris Sutton doesn't see a reason why his former club can't reach the play-off final at the expense of Leeds Utd. The 51yo forward started his career at Carrow Road, and went on to make 102 appearances for the East Anglian outfit. He believes that due to a loss of form, Leeds are vulnerable, and if the Canaries are brave, there is no reason why they can't upset the odds, and book a Wembley showdown with either Southampton or West Brom. "Leeds will try to be expansive, but Norwich needs to be brave and try to exploit them," "We cannot have two legs of the same approach deployed away at Leicester. This isn't a time to shirk; it's about stepping up and being brave. Everyone knows what is at stake - go and play. "There is a greater pressure on Leeds. I used to love playing at Elland Road because of its atmosphere, but that can have a detrimental effect on players because they will be nervous after what's happened at the back end of this season. If Norwich can take a lead into the second leg, I think the Leeds fanbase could turn and be edgy. If I was in the dressing room as a City player, I'd be really fancying this one. What an opportunity. "It's an added opportunity that it's Daniel Farke. Yes, he's well-liked and respected in Norfolk, but you still want to put him away - especially after two defeats in the regular campaign. Leeds have a vulnerability. Norwich can go into it knowing this is a team that has been flaky and they have to prey on that. They got walloped by QPR, Middlesbrough put three past them Blackburn nicked a win at Elland Road, Coventry beat them, Sunderland got a point against them. "Why can't Norwich? That is what they should be saying: 'Why not us? Why not now?'. Farke will be really concerned about their drop off in performances. I'm not sure it's going to be that easy to lift them back up. If you're a Leeds player, you're not going into this game with a spring in your step. "When the going has got tough and competitive at the end of the season, they've fallen away and lost their nerve a bit. That is something that Norwich should be trying to use to their benefit in the play-offs. I even think that Leeds beating Norwich twice this season may not be a bad thing. If I were a player in that dressing room, I'd be thinking that it's about time we beat them'. They are capable of doing so." please log in to view this image What next season in the Championship would look like for Leeds Leeds will need to cut their cloth accordingly next season if they fail to win the play-offs, according to Elland Road journalist Phil Hay. Although not in a position of promotion or bust just yet, they will need to sell some of their better players to balance the books, and stay the right side of Financial Fair Play! Leeds have never been good at negotiations, and for every Kalvin Phillips, there's several Helder Costa's or Jean-Kevin Augustine's! Last Summer's deserters get to run down another year of their contracts, most of whom we (Leeds) do not receive a single penny for, in way of a loan fee, and with para-shoot payments dropping from £44m to £35m, the club will have no option but to part with their Crown Jewells! By selling Crysencio Summerville, the club can expect to recoup in the region of £40m, and £25m for Wilfred Gnonto. They will do everything in their power to keep hold of Archie Gray, though an offer between £35m-£40m could prove too tempting to turn down! "The 49ers did not categorise their first year of ownership at Leeds as promotion or bust. They were rational about the possibility of having to play a longer game and, in private, they speak about potentially controlling the club for a decade or more. But there is no disputing that failure to win these play-offs would bring on some hard decisions." "The club have had one of the biggest playing budgets in the Championship this season, a legacy of the Premier League wage bill they were relegated with last May, the first injection of Premier League parachute payments and the 49ers’ willingness to spend in the transfer market. "Year two back in the Championship would alter the landscape. The standard annual parachute payment for a club’s second year after relegation drops from around £44million to £35m. Leeds’ ‘acceptable loss’ limit under PSR would change from £83m to £61m over a three-year cycle, on the basis that permitted annual losses are lower in the EFL. Wiggle-room becomes considerably smaller. "Some players might actively ask to move on if Leeds aren’t promoted. Some, like the Championship’s player of the year Crysencio Summerville, offer a route to big fees and substantial amounts of profit, a key factor in balancing the books in line with PSR limits. Archie Gray, the 18-year-old midfielder, is Leeds’ most valuable asset but there is no public-relations upside in listening to offers for the best academy graduate they have produced in years. Gray, in any case, has only recently signed a new contract to 2028." please log in to view this image
Morning all. Great article Matt as always. Im in too much pain to be bothered about playoffs at moment I did get great satisfaction from the Bayern result last night. Overall season going quite well. Liverpool imploded since Klopf announced his departure and scum plumbing new lows every week
The time between this and the last game if managed correctly should liven us up. It's to be hoped Farke has eased off with the training and got some energy back in tired legs. A draw would be an acceptable result and a defeat unacceptable. We will know in the first 20 minutes if the lads have the guts for these two games. Feck up on this game and the crowd at home will be ready to show their feelings if the effort is not forthcoming. The kick off time is absolutely ridiculous especially for our travelling support but at least they will be home at a decent hour.
I want to believe DF can get the job done with this set of players. However, everything Sutton says is what I’ve been thinking since Saints did us on Saturday. Unless he comes up with something different, maybe playing low block in all the games, and relying on nicking a winner. Or maybe personnel changes (hardly likely, and who is there?) I struggle to see how he’s gonna get the job done. The so called flair players have little or no confidence, in fact none have. Think it’s gonna be a hard watch, but hope he pulls it off.
Morning all If the players believe in themselves we will win over two legs, no doubt about it, player for player we are better than Norwich, we have done the double over them, Leicester and Ipswich, that is no fluke. It is up to Farke to get them playing as a team and not 11 individuals, he needs to pick and position 11 players who will compliment each other. Get it right and we will win, the quality is there. Let the occasion to get to you and we will screw it up, my hope is that if we are not mentally ready Norwich won't be either. Luckily all those in the playoffs have poor form when looking at the last 6 games. I will also be cheering on WBA
A good morning from here in the Azores. Don't be jealous - it's only 16 degrees! Been onboard since April 20th, so a bit out of touch re. current situation. I remember from one of my 5 min check-ups on here that someone suggested playing Coops. I've been giving it some thought, & suggest that it's not such a bad idea. We all know his failings, but perhaps his leadership qualities might be a key to promotion. Sure, he's not match-fit, but is he ever? I'm not so sure about Ampadu, though. He's been well short of his previous standard for quite some time now. I think it's time to drop him to the bench - or perhaps gamble that returning him to MF might enliven him again. Thoughts?
Good afternoon all I was discussing this very subject on Saturday with my Southampton friends, and they are absolutely sure if they overcome WBA it would definitely be Leeds, when i asked why? they said Leeds were the poorest team (twice) they have faced all season, coupled with the fact Leeds always blow the big games
Morning wj. Think part of problem for Ampadu is too many games played. Like Rodon he'll have probably passed the 60 game mark by end of season incl internationals. Come to think of it so will Archie despite Farke saying early in season his game time would have to be carefully managed. I don't think he's been anything special in half dozen games either. Maybe squad should have been rotated more but too late now
We tried giving others a chance like spence and Anthony who appears to be another loan dud. Our squad has very little depth to it if at all. Gnonto was the only one really who could make a difference.
Hi guys I said I would pop back in at the end of the season to see how the FARKE fan club was getting on. If you remember I did say countless times Farke was screwing some of the players up by lack of rest and rotation. Archie a 17yo kid (now 18) has played almost every minute along with Ampadu and Rodon. He refused to use Cresswell who would have been great playing with or instead of Rodon, so that Ampadu could play in the middle when we needed him. Roberts is fooked off as he was 2nd fiddle behind Archie and an unfair Byram. Anthony apparently has told FARKE to fook off as he was hardly used. Gelhardt another who is off and seemingly there are issues within the squad. Either the dressing room is in revolt or the players are jaded and tired, you choose? The last 7 games demonstrate FARKE has no answers. Anyway hi to everyone, enjoy the play offs I will not be watching as I have never been as angry
Before anyone starts accusing me of having dual accounts and Docs is one of them, I am categorically denying that notion right now, I'd never have dual accounts. I just agree with everything he has said in his previous comment
Good to see you back and well. There were worries for your health among many of us. Remember it’s only football and the players are merely employees
Hey Doc, if you’re still reading (or if you are OLOF), should we not win the playoffs then he has “achieved” what Bielsa did in his first season, just with more points. Bielsa too barely rotated unless forced into doing so and he also stuck by his principles (which ultimately cost him his job). Not sure why there would be a dressing room revolt when we were in touching distance of promotion (what player wouldn’t want that and the money that comes with it). Our form dropped after the international so most of the players would be away so unless there was more of a fall-out from the Summerville - Piroe penalty row I don’t know what could have caused it. Hoping that even if you don’t watch, you’ll join the celebrations if we’re successful
In my opinion there was much to enjoy this season. 90 points worth in fact. Lots of good wins in there. So what if we’re not promoted. There’s next season or the one after. Just enjoy the good days when they come around
Hi Doc, glad you are well and good to see you posting again. However I disagree with you, Farke has done a brilliant job after all the rats jumped ship. We finished 3 rd with 90 points, and not many were complaining when we went on an amazing run of wins in the new year. If you don't want to watch the playoffs it's up to you, but cutting your nose of to spite your face springs to mind. Try and enjoy the rollercoaster that’s part of being a LUFC supporter as we all know.
Not sure I believe in Deja Vu but something utterly predictable seems to have happened before my very eyes
