Good Morning Everyone, The Pre season campaign began with a bang..... Well, at least it did for the first 15 minutes.... Goals from Doukara and Shako....urm, I mean Sacko were enough to earn Garry Monk his first win. 22 Leeds players were used, many of which were from the development team. Monk said after the game :- “I’m happy with certain elements,” Monk said. “Quite naturally there’s a little bit of rustiness at this stage but it’s the first game and their first minutes on the pitch. “It’s a good result but it wasn’t really the result I was looking at. There were good periods of the game where I saw things that I liked and there are other bits that we need to improve on. “Of course we need to get better but we will do for sure. We just have to fine tune things as games come along but some of what I saw I was pleased with. “The club understands that we need to strengthen the squad but we’re confident that we’ll get to the right place.” Monk went on to say that there was a lot of hard work still to do, and signings to be made. Thoughts?
Morning all... Bit of a concern that Green requires an extra week of fitness training, I have visions of an overweight Paddy Kenny scenario?
Still trying to find out how the newbies did; I heard Grimes looked the biz and Roofe looked quick, skilfull, Sacko did ok but Antonnson, Bartley etc don't know. Worrying that we had no Centre half's as players were tried etc. No Green yet and a couple of pre game knocks. Monk sounds ok about it all but new players required. Mowatt and Murphy were prominent as well so Murphy may be getting a big opportunity and was given armband last night?
YEP says we were passing the ball forward and with some pace - positive stuff, but scary as you have more chance of losing the ball so need a quick, strong defence for protection. No doubt we are going for new players at the back. Sounds promising as this team will get top 10 as it stands, but a couple of really good signings should see us hit top 6 no worries especially if Antonnson, Roofe and Wood score plenty .......
Always good to get the first win under our belts but I don't think results matter that much at this stage. Duke and Sako's goals will help in their confidence for the future, even though it was only Shelbourne, a goal is a goal. I think first 3 games of league season will be a good indication of who's going to impact for us, and who isn't, or isn't ready. The midfield will be our main worry I think, we have to get that right or it'll be a traffic jam of double decker buses going through. I'll stick my neck out and say Grimes will be a God send, he says he likes to go for goal too, so here's hoping he's on target a few times. I think Antonsson will step up once he's bedded in and finds his feet.......
Oh dear Doc, you know whos not gonna like that Agree, next couple of signings could be season defining especially if we lose Cooper and Taylor
I guess he's been inactive for a while due to his contract issue with QPR. Good to hear we are really pushing the fitness focus this year.
I know mate not sure what came over me. Chipster alert at some stage soon me thinks, tin hat on ready. Hate being too positive ahaha
I read somewhere that two of the the guys we bought were excellent crossers of the ball and at set pieces. Theye were two areas sadly lacking for a long time now. Have either of you read similar?
Roofe is a dead ball specialist and will need Monk to designate who as Mowatt and Murphy like to be involved with not much luck. Expect Roofe to be involved now as he scores and creates more than anyone we have
Vaguely remember it somewhere, Rosler, Redfearn, Darko, Evans what does Mowatt do in training that made all of them continue with him at corners?
that's the theory... doesn't always work... defenders as managers don't always seem to be able to get a team to defend... like Grayson at leeds Re Rob Green, I've heard he looks good in training... he was dropped at QPR to avoid invoking a contract extension, not on form. When I first heard about it, I wasn't sure, but might be a decent signing if he doesn't get old overnight.
Being an ex keeper myself, I'm a bit worried about a 36yr old keeper between sticks for a promotional push season. His reflexes and reaction times will have slowed, and as I've previously mentioned, he's not a Stepney or Shilton. I suspect he's been brought in as a dual role of back up keeper and keeper coach; I read he's on a 1 year contract with an option of becoming keeper coach at end of season.
if it was a promotion push season, I might agree with you lover! He's clearly not a long term solution, but his form was solid enough last season. As an ex-keeper, would you rather have an experienced pair of hands with good and safe organisations skills and decision making, or a flighty shot stopper? ie a Green over a silvestri?
Morning ristac, mature attitude by Monk. Green is a bit rusty, and lets face it, a large faction of the Leeds faithful are quite unforgiving.
TBH MB, given the option I would opt for Silvestri, he's younger, more agile and will have quicker reflexes. A lot go on about Silvestri not commanding his box, first thing to understand is, he's a continental keeper, they seem to do more punching than catching however, there have been big improvements last season, and I'm not the only one saying it. Buffon also seems to rate him too.....
I don't need to say anything you know how big a hostage to fortune your comment was. I can feel you burning in red faced embarrassment from here!
Bollocks... He was ****e when he came and he got no better. If you ever went to a game you would have seen how bad he is. Worse than his lack of presence was his distribution/ kicking and they will never improve. Paddy Kenny would still be doing a better job even at 25 stone!!!!
