This is going to be an interesting match all round, and from every angle, especially from how we play, formation, and team selection on both sides. The so called fringe players (lousy name for'em) have got us this far, the so called fringe players got us to the QF of the League Cup, where a place in Europe awaits the winners of the final. The players who played all, or most of the games are the ones who dug their heels in, grafted, sweated and run themselves ragged to get us to the QF, there have also been standout performances along the way, Duke, Antonsson, Silvestri, O'Kane, Coyle, Phillips, Viera to name a few; even Berardi put in a "you've got my position and I'm here to take it back" attitude in his first full game + back against Norwich. Silvestri (MOM against Norwich for me) has kept 2 clean sheets, and made 3 good and great penalty saves against Norwich, so what headaches will Monk and Pep have, and what dilemma does Monk find himself in, if any, when picking the team to play Liverpool, at Anfield. Guaranteed the so called fringe players are going to be praying they're picked to play against Liverpool, for many of'em it will be a dream come true and a big step up in their playing careers thus far. I suspect there'll be a big turnout at Anfield, after all, it's Leeds v Liverpool again, a game not seen at Anfield for what seems like an eternity, but goes back to Oct 2003 when we lost 3-1; for approx 90 minutes plus, old rivals will be battling it out once again as they face each other on 29th November, and you can be sure old memories and conversations will be about the former days and battles these 2 giants have had together. One of the biggest factors is, will the so called fringe players be able to handle playing at Anfield, how will they perform in front of the Liverpool kop, will they be star struck, will they be blinded by their own awe, obviously yet to be seen, but I think we can all guarantee, our players, whoever they are will be putting in a good performance. Whichever way you look at it, I think we will all agree, the so called fringe players have earned their right to be picked. However, having said all that, what team will Monk select against Liverpool, and, how much importance will he put on this QF EFL Cup game. The further we progress the more money Leeds make, but more importantly, a place in Europe looms closer and closer. So, is it headaches and Dilemmas for Monk and Pep, does he stick with his so called fringe players, does he reward them for their right to be picked, or does he put out a full strength team for this clash of the Titans? If Monk wants to progress, and this is what it comes down to, personal choice, I doubt no one will disagree with putting out a full strength squad, after all, a Liverpool scalp at Anfield is everything to write home about, and we the fans get to brag and gloat on social media, and with any Liverpool fans as friends or family. Should we lose, we'll take it on chin. Without a doubt, for 90mins plus, this game is arguably the biggest game we will play this season thus far, and may well be billed as the biggest clash of the QF's, quite rightly so as well. what this game will also provide is insight, insight to how well all or some of our players can perform against bigger teams, and in some cases much better players in whatever positions. I doubt most would hold anything against Monk and Pep if they fielded the so called fringe players against Liverpool, when all's said and done, they're ones who got us this far, and provided the game against Liverpool, yes they deserve their right to play. I also doubt anyone would complain if Monk and Pep put out a full strength squad against our old rivals, which ever way your thinking is, you can bet your last quid every player, including tea lady are going to want to play. Headaches and dilemmas for Monk and Pep? it certainly is, all we can do is wait and see with anticipation. We've beat Man U from league 1, we've beaten Everton and Tottenham, we've put in commendable performances against Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in past, and can do it again...... Something to wet your appetites. V Everton V Tottenham The thriller and the killer
Not sure how Silvestre was your MOM the two we conceded he could and should have done better, one penalty was perfect height for a keeper the other was chipped straight at him. I know for a fact, if Green had conceded those two you would have ripped into him, specially the first, poor keeping... Admittedly one of the penalty save was world class but IMHO better keeping in 90 minutes and it wouldn't have got that far. Now, can you honestly say the first and second penalties were good? If the first one had been us taking it or let's say Wood you would be going mad saying what a poor penalty it was. The second was perfect height for a keeper, guess the right way you are going to save it, just as they saved ours in the exact same position and height. But I go back to the game itself and their first goal, poor goalkeeping..
The gulf between premiership and championship skill is vast. Liverpool should have too much class whichever teams are picked. Leeds should be judged on the performance regardless of the result. I hope our performance will be good enough to win.
Your opinions are respected Ristac but, you're making assumptions, better keeping in 90 mins?, do you reckon more goals, and not coming from behind on both occasions also means it wouldn't have got to penalties? Did you read it just to pick fault?
I agree WC, but the same was said about Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool and Man U, we have a better defence now if Monk plays a full strength team; it's going to be an interesting and very exciting match either way.......
I stand by my comments, we shouldn't have went behind, Green should have saved first goal, first penalty taken was appalling, he chipped it to the keeper, second was perfect height. You know your agenda with this lengthy post, shame nobody is falling for it, the majority feel Green deserves to keep his place and we all know roles reversed you would be slamming that performance if it had been Green in goal. Personally, I think Green deserves to keep his spot, I don't mind Silvestre either, pretty close to be honest, I'm just not biased and blinded by certain players
LOL, I'm about to disagree with the both of you, LL & Ristac. I didn't watch the whole match, so can't comment on the MotM view. However, speaking as a big fan of Silvestri, I have to say that there is no way he should take over from Green at this time. Great replacement if required, but doesn't deserve to be #1. Green has been consistently well for some time now, and the odd good showing is not enough to displace him. And this is Green's biggest critic at the beginning of the season speaking! As for the goal - no way could you fault Silvestri. End of. Very well taken goals, both of them. If you watch them again, you will find that Bartley is rooted to the penalty spot for some time watching the game evolve around him. A bit of action from him might have prevented the goal. Watch it again! Btw, second goal was all down to Roofe. Trotted forward & left his man in the penalty box unmarked, even though a cross was about to be fired in. May still have been a goal, but it should never have been a free header. Hope he got a rocket up his arse for that. On penalties, you have to admit that most keepers usually decide which way they're diving before the shot is taken (usually having done their homework). It takes a keeper very confident in his lightning reflexes to stand his ground that extra split second to see which way the ball is going. How many times do you see the ball struck down the middle & the keeper sprawling to one side or the other as it floats over his legs? Loads of times. How many times do you see a keeper catch a ball standing up in the middle of goal? Rarely. I challenge you both to have a re-think!
My comments were more about the reaction, I remember Green allowing a similar goal in and LL said Green should have saved it, I disagreed but LL was adamant, the first Norwich goal was just like the one conceded by Green a few games ago, I was looking for consistency from LL but knew I wouldn't get it. I agree Silvestre wouldn't have been able to save it in my book, the same book I was using a few weeks ago when Green conceded one very similar but if LL felt Green should have done better he has no valid reason to assume differently when looking at the goal conceded by Silvestre
I ignored 2/3 other little bits, he put so much effort into this post though I thought it warranted a reply
Every time I think of us playing at Anfield, I remember that barsteward Mike Reed punching the air when Liverpool scored. And bloody Ridsdale bloody backing him. (Confession time - I just confirmed it on Google there. For years I was convinced it was David Elleray. Oops!).
Respectfully speaking Ristac, as you can see from the link below, there are varied opinions amongst Leeds fans regarding Silvestri. Like you, they're entitled to their opinions too....... http://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-fans-call-monk-select-form-star-twitter-ahead-burton-clash/? Silvestri's wife also contributed. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...tml?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
The following tweet included in your first link is exactly WHY Green should continue... I'd be tempted to start Silvestri on Saturday. The lad will be up for it and I won't have to hear Rob Green barking his orders. #lufc Our defence has improved and apart from having decent defenders we have a keeper organising and communicating with them. I found it quite astonishing that a fan could complain about Green being too vocal...
Maybe you should've copied everything else instead of half a story Ristac, welcome to chippy's bandwagon, you sound and act like him....respectfully speaking of course old bean.....
