My take away from the German games is that FARKE has finally realised how to us a No9. Last season especially at the end it was pointless having a 9 on the pitch as he got no service. We have seen him trying different combos and tactics at the back which is great and another tool in getting a result. However it’s up front that’s impressed me as we now seem to have found a way to service either Piroe or Joseph and both have scored really good centre forward goals in the last 2 games. Piroe 2 and young Joseph 3. So as well as using one of these in the central role we still have combinations of Summerville, Gnonto, Aaronson and James with Rutter. Our attacking options right now look great and even if we lose Summerville and Gnonto I’m guessing at least one winger will come in. Aaronson looks really good and bigger, Bogle is scaring defenders to death and outdoing Firpo in assists. All in all it looks good so far
I've only seen probably 20 minutes highlights thus far but here are my thoughts. This was Farkes first 'full' summer if you like. Last summer was a bit hectic with the rats leaving. He might have rectified a couple of key areas. The first is the loan signing of Rothwell. Last season we had Ampadu, Gruev, Kamara and Gray as the midfielders. 1 goal between them and not too many assists. There isn't too much creativity there either. It's not all about assists, it's more about the assist to the assist. So far we have seen in Rothwell that he can ping that 30 yard ball out to our wide men early and let them get at their full back. He also takes a good dead ball so we may get a few goals from corners and free kicks this year. He is a different type of midfielder than we had last year. He's nothing special as a player but this team is tailor made for him at first glance. Secondly, and this will be controversial among some, but he has massively improved our right hand side by swapping Gray for Bogle. As we have seen, Bogle is much better suited to that right back role than Gray. Much more effective. Gray might end up being the better player in a few years but Bogle makes the team better. Lastly, we might have unearthed a 9 that is more like Pukki than we had last season in Joseph. He stretches teams by trying to run in behind whereas the likes of Bamford, Rutter and Piroe prefer to come a bit deeper. It's very very early but there are signs that we might be even stronger than last season. We look much more balanced. My main worry is injuries. If we stay fit then I think we win the division.
so whats everyone's starting 11 as it currently stands? Does Wober and Arronson come straight back in? does Joseph get the nod after a good pre season? does Cairns get infront of Mes? lol Will Bamford be broken for the start of the season?
From the current squad available.... .............Meslier ----------Rodon--Wober Bogle------------------------Firpo -----Ampadu---Rothwell -----------Georginio James-------------Summerville ------------Joseph That would leave a bench including.. Darlow Struijk Byram Gruev Gnonto Piroe Aaronson Bamford
That squad gets promoted (just think that we won’t have Summerville and Gnonto - not 100% certain on Wober either).
The big difference is that Bogle gets very high up the pitch, beyond the winger to be an extra man putting balls into the box from the byline .. this is very much how Ayling played under Bielsa .. Archie at right back very rarely got as far as the opposition penalty area, leaving the winger to fend for himself and then playing the ball backwards rather than getting a cross in With both full backs now getting right up to the opposition goal line, space is being created and Leeds can get more late runners from midfield into the box .. doing this at pace is going to scare the bejezuz out of Championship defenders and create loads more chances .. lovely
