Good Morning. It's Tuesday 16th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Molineux preparations dealt blow after James injury Leeds United's preparations for their weekend trip to Molineux have been dealt a significant blow, with winger Dan James rated as doubtful for the clash against Wolves. The Welsh international's afternoon was cut short during the defeat to Fulham on Saturday, lasting only 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute. In a concerning non-contact incident, James pulled up suddenly ,clutching his left hip before going to ground. After receiving five minutes of treatment from the Leeds medical team, a dejected James hobbled off the pitch, replaced by Wilfried Gnonto. In his post-match interview, manager Daniel Farke confirmed the nature of the problem, stating it was a muscular injury that would require further assessment. The timing is particularly frustrating, as James had been rested from the starting lineup to manage his workload following a demanding international break. With the winger now considered only 50/50 for the Molineux encounter, his potential absence presents a clear opportunity for Gnonto to step in and stake his claim for a regular starting spot. please log in to view this image Wolves talisman to miss six pointer Leeds United are facing a fixture of critical importance as they travel to Molineux this Saturday, with the clash against Wolves being widely viewed as a must-win to avoid being dragged into the lower reaches of the table. Fortunately for the visitors, they may be facing their opponents at the perfect time, as Wolves manager Vitor Pereira continues to grapple with significant attacking woes. The primary source of their struggle is the ongoing absence of star striker Jørgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian international, a marquee £23 million summer signing from Celta Vigo, has yet to feature this term due to a persistent Achilles tendon injury, and will miss the Leeds game. His absence is a major blow; after netting 14 goals last season, his valuation soared to a reported £60 million amid failed interest from Newcastle United. Compounded by the summer departure of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, Wolves have looked toothless in front of goal. For Leeds, the confirmation that Pereira's leading marksman will once again be unavailable is a major boost. With a daunting run of fixtures looming in November and December, securing maximum points against a weakened and goal-shy Wolves side is imperative to build momentum and breathing room. please log in to view this image
James injury is a shame but I don’t think he’s been fit all year. Happy with our options on the wing anyway with Aaronson and Gnoto whoever Farke chooses. Depends whether he’s going attacking or defensively. Good news Larsen won’t make it, by far their best player. Still won’t be easy though, hard place to go is Molineux and they’re better than results suggest, they’ve had a hard first three. Everton and Man City at home. Newcastle and Bournemouth away so context needs to be applied. Saying this a draw would be a good result but we could even snatch a win. A bit of an issue we’re going to have is how we get Tanaka in the side. He’s one of, if not our best player yet the midfield 3 of Longstaff, Stach and Ampadu seem unstoppable at the moment. Do we go with Longstaff away from home and Tanaka at home? Could we go for all 4 in the middle and play Okafor alongside DCL as a free roaming player/two top?
Morning all. James being unavailable is no loss I’m afraid. For whatever reason he’s been hopeless so far this season and hopefully he returns to form at some point or someone else steps Up To the challenge. Remember pl was a step too far for him before
The stats say we struggled with Tanaka and Rothwell away from home last year, yet they often looked great at home. Completely different levels but i felt that Farke didn't really trust tanaka away from home last year in a lower league but his nhand was forced by injuries. So I was shocked he got the nod at Arsenal (not changing a winning team? Thinking he would be ok with the extra protection from playing 3 in midfield instead of 2? Dunno). He's a a really easy on the eye technical footballer, but the PL is full of physical beasts. When we're on the front foot (as we were for most of last year) he really helps set the tempo and build attacks. I think his role is potential impact sub in games and potential starter in home games that we have identified as winnable. He was good at home to Everton, and maybe i'm writing him off too early as 1 of the 3 in away games... as Arsenal was a baptism of fire for everyone. I just think we're sarificing guile for grunt this season.
Wolves signed a player un Tolu Arokodare that i would have liked here. He will play up front in the absence of Larsson. A good test of my scouting abilities if nothing else. I thought Arokodare would be perfect for us during the time we were linked with Beto from Everton. Thought he was better and cheaper than Beto.
I’m not sure that I agree with you that the PL is more physical than the Championship, think you get away with a lot tougher tackles in the EFL than in the prem.
maybe could have chosen my words better... the PL has better athletes, they press hard and are strong in challenges, the pace of the game is faster. I wasn't meaning in terms of clumping tackles from hoofball merchants, more the educated pressure (and still pretty dirty with it) as per Arsenal game. Of course feel free to still disagree with my point now i've clarified it
Seems we could have sorted our scoring issue out as young Harry Gray scored a nice hat trick tonight against Scunthorpe’s first team
Why not? It's not as if we're scoring for fun, surely he's worth a bench place and 25 minutes or so...and if he does well we can sell him for peanuts next year ... you know the usual Leeds way
He a tualy scored a screamer direct from a free kick outside the box on the left side and smashed it into the far corner. He scored another when running at the defence from just inside the opposition half and beating defenders before launching a left foot shot from outside the box. Plus a simple CF tap in. He also hit the post and should have scored inside the first couple of minutes and missed another later on. Yes only Scunthorpe but this kid looks like being a decent prospect and if DCL, Nmecha and Piroe fire blanks he’s the last chance so give the kid some time
Not being too pessimistic but hard to get my head past the idea that 50 or 60m will see him gone and the money added to the psr budget for squad building. the fans will then hail it as a great deal Doc
