Reading lots of stuff all over the place that were easily best team/squad in this division. Wondering is this just a Leeds bias among our own fans which is understandable. How in depth a knowledge have people of other squads in contention, I suspect in most cases little. I for example cannot name a Blunt, Sunderland or Burn;ley player. Mainly, Ive no interest in them so making a statement that were easily the best would be unfounded In my opinion, League position dictates who's best, and blunts can't be too bad having started the season with a two point penalty and they're still on top. I think if people lowered their expectations a little they mightn't be so shocked when we lose to Blackburn or fail to dish out the stuffings that there is also a high expectation of regularly
I think I've made my stance clear. If you look at statistical analysis of performances historically then teams who have the most shots, most goals, most clear chances and concede less shots, concede less possession etc etc usually go on and win the league or at least finish top 2 or 3. We look (statistically) at the moment the most dominant side in the league and if it continues then history suggests we are the most probable promotion winners out of the league. Last year was similar and it's just Leedsy to get the amount of points we did in a season that exceeded any other in recent history resulting in failure. Its highly unlikely that it happens 2 seasons in a row but we are Leeds and we have a knack of being unfortunate or just plain bottle jobs. It wasn't surprising to lose at Blackburn or Millwall. It happens, it's the Championship after all. It's just disappointing as we are clearly capable of winning those games. I still think we will go up but it's never easy. Even Leicester had a major wobble last season yet will probably be remembered for "walking the league". One things for certain...we need to go on a little winning run instead of 2 good games, one average and one bad. We've also got Ramazani coming back and Ampadu to follow. That makes us even stronger.
You also read that we're the best team from opposition managers, fans and pundits etc as well Eire. No-one is making it up. You can certainly debate what 'best team' means. According to every stat possible (and eye test in my subjective opinion) EXCEPT the table... the two best sides are us and Middlesbrough (they've had some unbelievably bad luck in games... blatant offsides, fluke deflections, opposition worldies) - both sides try to play, both come undone against sides with no ambition other than to nick a set piece. Burnley and Sheffield Utd are really well organised and make themselves difficult to play against. They both have had a nack of winning lots of close games and have great defensive records (especially Burnley). It is a way of playing and if you can keep taking your chances and denying them to the opposition... what happens in between doesn't really matter. We can't dispute that they are efficient. Can they keep winning games they don't really deserve to... like the blunts re Sunderland at the weekend? Who knows. It does happen. I completely accept the position that if you have more points you are 'better' and that some believe that the table never lies. I just don't happen to agree with it personally. If you think that the best side is simply what the table says, then you also have to accept that the best teams change every week.
Emu is spot on, and meant to add you are absolutely right Kev re 'lowering expectations'. It's a long season and although i think the standard isn't that great this year... it's a tough league. If you're a yard off the pace because you've had a tough run of games... or continually give cheap goals away (our biggest problem in my view) you will lose games. Fans need to shrug and move on when it happens... and only start worrying if we're getting outplayed every week. Don't hold your breath. I'll caveat my first answer by saying I don't think we have the best defence, so we need to outscore teams. Our defence are good on the ball but not natural defenders in my view. There's also an argument that our style of play can leave them exposed in transition. But primarily, we have a good defensive record because we don't have much defending to do in my opinion.
that looks a fair assessment. Boro would be higher had they had a better start. The caveat for me, is that Burnley look like they may be improving - and confidence is king. Burnley Boro on Friday, Leeds Boro Tuesday. Might be reassessing after them.
This is football xg's end of season prediction - same teams, same order as LDS's figs posted earlier... but different points totals Either way, they suggest a 3 horse race. Figs above are close enough that a deflection here, an offside there could be the difference between 1st and 3rd. All to play for.
Or a keeper letting one bounce past in the last minute when winning. Much better for him to do it 3-0 up against Luton but we're Leeds so we do it away at Sunderland. All adds up.
Indeed... keeper stats show burnley, and blunts and west brom and Sunderland keepers, amongst others, saving more than their XGa. Leeds and Boro saving less. Not wishing to start another Meslier thread!
Interesting thread this Kev. Sometimes I cringe when I read that we are easily the best team. It leaves us so open to the arrogant Leeds accusations and, as you say, is mainly based upon ignorance of other teams capabilities. Due to my location (about 45 minutes away) I know 2 ex Ipswich players that still do match day hospitality so see their team week in week out. It also means lots of friends and acquaintances are Ipswich fans, creating a bit of banter and naturally making me watch how they are getting on more than other teams. I think I am right in saying Milky is located fairly close to Boro so, maybe similar?? Anyway, before a ball was kicked last year I said on here several times I thought they would go well. Not necessarily as well as they did but they weren't the surprise to me that they were to many others. Why? Because I kept getting told that they were gelling and McKenna was starting to have a real impact. If you look at their form trajectory from the start of the 22/23 season (and, especially after Christmas) it was phenomenal. When they kept that momentum going into last season it took many people by surprise. I remember watching Mick McCarthy being interviewed in one live game and he said McKenna fascinated him and was like a professor of football. McKenna's own trajectory after retiring with injury was Spurs Youth Team Coach, Reserve Team, Man U Reserves and up-to assistant Manager (I think to Jose and believe most of what I have said there is fairly accurate but you get the gist). The point is, if that is not happening at "your club" and you have no reason to keep an eye on them it goes under the radar, hence the lack of knowledge. I think we will get high eighties + in terms of points again because of the squad we have and Farke is proven to do that. Whether it is good enough again will largely depend on other teams maintaining form (remember in Bielsa's first year when we missed out, Sheffield United created unbelievable momentum from Christmas on). Personally, I think if we had James Trafford in goal instead of Meslier I would be very confident, we haven't so Mes will get my support (even if he makes me wince at least once a game). However, I think it helps that one of the relegated teams (Luton) don't look like being in the mix. 2 from 4 for me and a win over Boro next week would make that picture look much better (as long as we back it up with wins against some of the "weaker" teams). Oh and, I have no insider knowledge whatsoever but, what about a punt on Evan Ferguson on loan in January until the end of the season?? Don't ask don't get!!
Only once in a game that mes makes you wince....you must have the constitution of an ox, he sends shivers around my old body repeatedly during a match....if we had Trafford in the onion bag we'd have got up last time
I am trying to be more reasonable in my assessments and posts. Milky still hasn't forgiven me for Jay Roy Grot
Jay Roy Who? I think on here at least, people are more saying 'we have the best squad' so should go up, rather than we are definitively 'the best team'... but sometimes they're used interchangeably. If it's pitched that way it's easy to blame the manager every time we don't win. It's true as fans we follow the progress of our own team - and potentially a local other team. You're right regarding me... I live in an area with no team really but its a catchment area for Boro so I know plenty of their fans and take notice of how they're doing. TBH I've mentioned them a lot more than usual recently, less because of that locality, and more because i follow form of other teams in the division - and as you'll probably have noticed, for me, that doesn't mean just results - but how sides are playing. In pure footballing teams Leeds and Boro are the best footballing sides in this league in my view and the stats back that up. Doesn't mean either will get promotion for the reason's already covered. The Leeds Boro game next week, will be unlike most others at Elland Road, as both sides will come to play - will make a pleasant change... at least if they don't rip us apart like they did in the league cup. 12 goals in 2 league games last season... get the popcorn and get ready to hide behind the sofa. I think I've just set-up a drab 0-0.
You can equate that to England fans thinking they will win every tournament. They don’t take into account there are far better, more consistent teams with better players out there. Stinks of deluded arrogance.
And the same fans who claim we’re the best will tell you Meslier is no good, firpo is no left back and aaronsson is too light plus none of the strikers are no good. How the hell can we be best in league with supposedly half a rubbish team
To be fair Leeds fans have more right to be arrogant than England fans simply based on the fact Leeds have won a hell of a lot more than England since 1966
