Saturday September 13th, 2014 please log in to view this image Birmingham City vs Leeds United please log in to view this image St Andrews - K.O 12:15 [TABLE="width: 620, align: center"] [TR] [TD="width: 380, colspan: 3, align: left"]Do it for Redders? No one knows how long Redfearn will be in charge, no one knows whats going on with Celinos case. One thing we do know, is THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK IS OVER! Lets get back to the football shall we? This weekend see's Leeds on the road at Birmingham another club not enjoying the brightest of starts to the season. Casting your mind back to the pre international times, Leeds come into this one off the back of a 1-0 win against Bolton, while Birmingham were tanked 4-0 away to Wigan. The form book for both sides doesn't make particularly inspiring reading, but Leeds are marginally above Birmingham in the table. These two sides have met on many occasions in the League previously, and Birmingham historically have the upper hand in the fixture, though only just. Last season Leeds managed a convincing double over the Blues, scoring 7 and only conceding 1 in the two fixtures. That's the kind of form Leeds fans would love the club to produce again here, though so much uncertainty surrounds the club once again, 3 points in any guise would be an excellent result.[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Leeds Wins 30 Draws 23 Birmingham Wins 35[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 4"][/TD] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 4"][/TD] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 4"][/TD] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200"]Leeds Form[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200"]Birmingham Form[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="width: 620, align: center"] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: left"]W 1 - 0 Bolton[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: right"]Wigan 4 - 0 L[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Last Game[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: left"]L 2 - 1 Bradford City[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: right"]Sunderland 0 - 3 L[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]1 - 3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: left"]L 4 - 1 Watford[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #A0A0A0, align: right"]Brentford 1 - 1 D[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Leeds Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #880000, align: left"]L 0 - 2 Brighton[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #A0A0A0, align: right"]Ipswich 2 - 2 D[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]26/04/14 - St Andrews[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: left"]W 1 - 0 Middlesbrough[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006600, align: right"]Brighton 1 - 0 W[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 5"][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="width: 620, align: center"] [TR] [TD="width: 305"]Team News[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 305"]Damned's Starting XI[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: left"]Leeds please log in to view this image Souleymane Doukara (Injured) Adryan should make his debut in this one, but I'm unsure of the clearance status of Montenegro and Del Fabro. Doukara is still out injured, but the suspensions are now spent. Birmingham No injuries or suspensions to worry Lee Clark ahead of this one and there could be appearances for Grounds and Gunning as a leaky defence needs to be tightened up. New Stoke loanee Brek Shea could also walk straight into the side.[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 320"] please log in to view this image [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 305, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"]Bookies Favourite Leeds Win 12/5 (Correct on 11/09/14)[/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 320"]The Damned Prediction 1 - 0 Leeds Win Hopefully a better formation, and Leeds to continue Birminghams miserable start.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 305, bgcolor: #E0E0E0"][/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="width: 305"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, align: left"]Key Stats Birmingham were tipped to struggle this season and it seems they will, although displays have not been terrible. The Blues have lost twice to sides who are expected to be right up there, but this is a great chance to get back on track. Birmingham have failed to win 19 of their last 20 home matches in Championship. There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Leeds's last 6 games in Championship. [/TD] [TD="width: 10"][/TD] [TD="align: left"]We did actually win the last time out, and at the risk of sounding optimistic I think we can hope for 3 points here too. Birmingham have struggled, and will be aware of their shocking home record in the league. With Adryan coming into the middle, we could see that bit of creative link up play that has been missing. Straight up 4-3-3 for me, Ajose and Antenucci to play wide of Sharp, with Adryan and Sloth being allowed a little more freedom either side of Murphy. If Murphy can hold and drop back into defence as cover then I can see it working. A midfield 3 of Adyran, Sloth and Bianchi seemed a bit too lightweight for me, and Austin is well and truly out of favour as far as I am concerned.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, colspan: 3"]Have Your Say Doing it for Redders again? What formation would you send out, and which of the new signings would feature? Match Day Poll You know the score by now, or do you? Poll will close around 1 hour before kick off, so get those votes in! A Note For Guests If you're viewing this post without logging in, it will look pretty messed up as you can't see images. Sign up and get involved with the discussion![/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="bgcolor: #E0E0E0, colspan: 3"][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
Murphy still suspended isn't he,and Doukara played 45 against Leeds 2 behind closed doors the other day so could play.
Murphy doesn't deserve a start so give his slot to a newbie. can't remember who's who and who plays where, but for fooks sake the fewer players from last season please.
Still wasn't happy with picking Murphy for a starting berth, but I'd go for him over Austin, and I don't think Bianchi / Sloth / Adryan would work
Wow a football thread!!! Great stuff as always damned, Play the new guys if not why did we bother signing them?
Don't think Ajose will ever be good enough at this level. Would be surprised if Murphy and Adryan came straight in for Mowatt and Cook, who were both excellent vs Bolton. I'd imagine a diamond midfield with those two, Sloth and potentially Adryan, with Antenucci and Sharp up front. Not enough pace and width for me, but it's the best we've got at the moment.
Morning all. Back to league footy. No idea what'll happen or who will play. Safe to say, I think Redders has had enough time to work out a decent starting XI. Noth sure I know the formation he'll play or who will get the holding role. But I think we're now better off than we were last year. So hoping for a 2-0+ win.
The team selection for this could be interesting, personally I'd go for -------------------Silvestri--------------------- Berardi--------Bellusci-----Pearce-----Warnock ---------------Bianchi--------Cook-------------- Doukara--------------Sloth-------------Adryan ---------------------Sharp---------------------- (By the way, Redders has said Doukara should be fit for this game). I think we can return to the formation we played under Grayson now, it seems to have a lot more going for it going forward and that could be quite an exciting team to watch. I'd really like to see Montenegro in this game but Redders has also said he wants to see him in an U21 game before playing first team so fair enough. If he does play though I'd put him on the left wing, move Sloth back in place of Cook and play Adryan in the central free role. Saying all this though I reckon he'll more than likely play a team looking more like this: --------------------Cook--------------- --------Bianchi-----------Sloth-------- ------------------Adryan---------------
Will be very interested to see the line-up tomorrow, three new faces as the window shut I wonder who has shined in training...
Makes a nice change too to be spoiled for choice. To me though, Cellinos project has an unfinished feel to it without the coaches job being sorted. Feels like we're waiting for season to start
Great thread again Durham, appreciate it ... imagine only change will be at right back with Berardi coming in for Wootton ... the only problem we have with rolling out so many Academy players is their stamina, we tired badly against Bolton and were left hanging on as their runners started to find space, we won't always get away with it I would seriously look at playing Cooper ahead of Pearce, a much steadier option ... Cooper and Bellusci together will own most forward lines comfortably ... another defensive change would be Taylor for Warnock, as it adds pace and a player willing to get forward for 90 minutes ... Warnock has struggled a lot in the final quarter as his legs seem to go, whereas Taylor is strong now and had a solid season with Fleetwood My team would look like this: Silvestri Berardi Bellusci Cooper Taylor Bianchi Sloth Cook Murphy Sharp Antennuci Bench: Taylor.S Warnock Pearce Mowatt Adryan Benedicic Doukara (if fit) Bianchi in front of the defence works because he can put his foot in, he reads the game well and he can pick a pass, be it a pressure relieving out ball or a defence splitting counter attack beauty Cook is very effective pushing forward, this is where he shone for the U18s and he has the ability to link play to the forwards very well, a naturally creative player ... must not be wasted in front of the defence Come on Leeds, go and bury Brum and send them rapidly on their way to Lge One Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I really haven't seen it in Cooper yet personally, he has looked reasonable but not good enough to knock Pearce out of the team. I'm not saying he won't by the end of the season but for now I'd stick with Pearce. Also on Taylor, I was calling for him to start earlier in the season but Warnock has probably imo. been our best player so far, there is no way I would take him out. Taylor will have to wait for an opportunity, no point in rushing him in anyway. Completely agree, he has done better than I imagined. Think people just see he has come from Peterborough where he wasn't playing much and already decided he isn't good enough.
