Good Morning. It's Thursday 20th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Why have Leeds performed so badly during early kick-off's Beren Cross has penned an interesting piece in 'The Athletic' investigating why the Whites have performed so badly this season during early kick-off's? While Leeds have racked up an impressive 20 victories in games starting from 3pm onwards, their record in earlier slots is starkly different. Out of ten matches kicking off before 3pm, they've only managed to secure two wins. It’s true that the sheer volume of afternoon games (26 compared to 10 early ones) skews the raw win count. Digging deeper into the points per game reveals a more concerning picture. Leeds are averaging a significant 1.4 fewer points per game when the whistle blows before 3pm. This drop in performance is mirrored in their attacking output; they are also scoring 1.4 fewer goals per game in these earlier fixtures. Intriguingly, data suggests this dip in results shouldn't be happening. Expected goals (xG) paint a picture of dominance for Leeds in these early games. In eight out of the ten early kick-offs, Leeds' xG exceeded their opponents'. Even in the two games where their xG was lower (against West Brom and Blackburn), the margins were minimal or even in Leeds' favour. Daniel Farke is well aware that his side have been dropping points during early kick-off's and is exploring what small changes can make to turn the tide in Leeds favour:- “We have changed, for the last 12.30pm-kick-off away games, a bit the process to get up even earlier, to have additional walks in the morning, to change something,” said Farke. “Yes, but even if you change something (it’s no guarantee of success). “Sometimes, it’s also a bit of a coincidence. You don’t have to be too superstitious, otherwise, we wouldn’t have to travel tomorrow (Friday). It’s difficult to explain.” “With respect, we are travelling to Portsmouth or London, it’s not like we travel to Nigeria or to a very different time zone,” “It’s still proper UK air, UK timings and I don’t want to interpret too much into it — but yes, it’s a fact and we have to step up a little bit. “We try to investigate this and even if it’s about giving little hints to individual players about what is necessary with the biorhythm to perform at 12.30pm, this is important. “Normally, we start our training somewhere between 10am and 11am, so we are used to performing relatively early in the morning. It’s really difficult to say. “I like later kick-offs. Perhaps it’s just because of me, perhaps I should change my attitude, but I can’t help myself. I’m a bit old school. I love 3pm kick-offs. I also love when the floodlights are on at Elland Road, it’s a special atmosphere. “I wouldn’t say my team talk differs at 8.30am. I try to motivate them and to set them on fire, the same way I would do before a 3pm or 8pm kick-off, but we try to look into these things. I do not have the perfect explanation for how we win every game.” please log in to view this image How can anyone think its a good idea Whispers of Kalvin Phillips making a sensational return to Leeds United this summer are gathering momentum, fuelled by fresh reports in the Sun. For many Leeds fans, the idea of ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’ back in white is a nostalgic pull, a reminder of brighter days. But scratch beneath the surface of this potential reunion, and a much more complex picture emerges. It’s fair to say Kalvin Phillips’ career trajectory since departing Elland Road for Manchester City in the summer of 2022 has been less than stellar. His time at the Etihad was largely spent warming the bench, followed by uninspiring loan spells. West Ham United didn't see the midfield maestro they hoped for, and his current stint at Ipswich Town has been equally underwhelming. To put it bluntly, his ratings have slipped down the pecking order quicker than a Keir Starmer popularity contest. The stark reality is, even if Leeds find themselves navigating another season in the Championship, a Phillips homecoming might not be the romantic fairytale it seems. He is simply not the player who dominated midfields and earned England caps in a Leeds shirt. The stats don’t lie; currently languishing at a lowly 23rd in Ipswich’s ‘Whoscored’ rankings speaks volumes. The reported figure of £20 million being touted frankly bewildering given his current performances. Is this wishful thinking, agent maneuvering, or a genuine, albeit questionable, strategy from Elland Road? This isn't the Kalvin Phillips that fans remember – and sometimes, the most romantic reunions are best left as fond memories. please log in to view this image I'm waiting for my chance - Schmidt Isaac Schmidt arrived at Leeds United last summer with expectations of bolstering the defensive ranks, but the Swiss defender has found himself on the fringes at Elland Road. Signed from St Gallen for £2.5 million on a four-year deal, the 25yo has clocked up less than 30 minutes of game time for Daniel Farke's side this season, making him something of a forgotten figure in the Championship promotion chase. Despite his limited opportunities at club level, Schmidt's potential has not gone unnoticed. last week saw the defender receive his first call-up to the Swiss national team, a testament to his underlying quality. As Switzerland prepare to face Northern Ireland and Luxembourg, Schmidt finds himself in contention for international minutes, a stark contrast to his Leeds experience. Speaking to the Swiss media from the national team camp, Schmidt addressed his situation at Leeds with a remarkably patient outlook:- "The club showed me clear prospects and made it clear to me that they see my potential as a regular starter," he said. "It takes time to establish yourself at a club like (Leeds). I'm waiting for my chance." please log in to view this image
Kalvin.....nah Early k.o's. .... Wake up ya lazy Schmidt.... should be as fit as a butchers dog for the run in The is shining and looking forward to the international matches
The Philips thing wont happen. Even I promoted, the 49ers wont spend 20m total in the summer in total. Eires prediction is for a load of Tanaka type 3m pound signings and hope for the best
Morning all We will be linked with KP until he retires, just like Milner was always going to return one day and just the same as Ryan Kent. It's as predictable as social media and news outlets predicting a winter from hell and a foot of snow every time we get to October The problem with the early kick off's is the same as playing away in London, once a team starts looking into it, it means it is in the players mindset, they start going out at 12:30pm expecting to struggle I would imagine Farke looking into changes isn't looking for a physical remedy, more something for the players to feel the change will make a difference, sportsmen are generally a very superstitious bunch. If he can do things that make them believe it is the cure then I am sure they will perform better Schmidt is a very strange one, if he can't make the team in the Championship, then how the hell is he going to make it in the PL. With Firpo looking more and more like he is going to walk away on a free in June I wish Schmidt was challenging him more.
Tanaka on the bench for Japan vs Bahrain. Hope he’s an unused sub. He’ll be knackered enough by all the travelling so not playing will help.
yep spot on, the early kick off thing is a nonsense, if there is an explantion beyond pure coincidence (and Aski i'm sure would be happy to explain the statistical validity relative to the number of games played )... then it's a mindset thing. "Expected goals (xG) paint a picture of dominance for Leeds in these early games. In eight out of the ten early kick-offs, Leeds' xG exceeded their opponents'. Even in the two games where their xG was lower (against West Brom and Blackburn), the margins were minimal or even in Leeds' favour." So in the two games our xg was lower than our opponents they may have been in our favour Is that like 'yes sir the house has experienced subsidence but it shows just how well built it is, that it hasn't fallen down yet'
KPs strength was those diagonal through balls from deeper midfield to our forwards. That did speed up the buildup and transition, cut out a host of the opposition players and get the opposition caught out of shape. Someone like that would help our transition under Farkes style and maybe stop this 'walk the ball into the net' thing we have going on. KP was very good at that and it fitted Bielsaball but otherwise I think he was a bit of a one-trick pony.
Ao is off to the World Cup. Japan first country to qualify and Ao played full second half. Magathe will be drooling at all those dollar signs flying around
please log in to view this image Leeds to play Manchester United in pre-season friendly in Sweden By Beren Cross March 19, 2025 Leeds United will renew their rivalry with Manchester United this summer with a third pre-season friendly in six years. The two clubs will face one another on Saturday, July 19 at 3pm (2pm UK time) in Stockholm at the Strawberry Arena. This friendly is the first of the summer programme to be announced by Leeds and more friendlies will be confirmed in due course. Earlier this year, at a supporter advisory board meeting, chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed the club would stay in Europe throughout pre-season. Leeds United’s chief operating officer Morrie Eisenberg said: “We are delighted to announce this pre-season fixture with Manchester United and, as a club, we again look forward to playing in Scandinavia. “We know the great support we have in Scandinavia, with many supporters regularly travelling to England to see Leeds United play and LUSCOS (Leeds United Supporters Club of Scandinavia) has over 8,000 members alone, so it will be a great occasion in July.” Leeds most recently faced their Manchester neighbours in July 2023, when they played at Norway’s Ullevaal Stadion, in what was Daniel Farke’s first time in the dugout as manager. There was also a summer friendly in Australia between the clubs in 2019. Tickets are already on sale for United’s season ticket holders and members, who have been emailed with details of how to buy their tickets. Tickets will go on general sale from Friday, March 21 at Ticketmaster.
Utter waste of time. Clubs playing second string outfits or first eleven or a half match at that time of season. Maybe its just cynical me but I wouldn't pay to watch that if it was in Dublin
