The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Fri 12th July)

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Good Morning Everyone

Unbeaten pre season run continuous

Leeds will travel to Perth this weekend, safe in the knowledge that they have maintained their 100% pre season record, but only just. Having made easy work of York City on Wednesday evening, Leeds travelled to the Nethermoor Park to face fellow National League North side Guiseley AFC. This was anything but a stroll in the park.

Guiseley were a far more physical outfit than their North Yorkshire rivals; many of their players towered well above Bielsa's lads. The deadlock was broken in the 9th minute when Felix broke free and slotted the ball between Peacock-Farrell's legs from an acute angle.

With 20 minutes of the game left, Leeds were level courtesy of a driving run from new signing Costa who drilled the ball into the bottom hand corner. With time ticking away, it was looking increasingly likely that Leeds would have to share the spoils with their non league counterparts. This was until the 82nd minute when Bogusz volleyed the ball home for 12 yards.

Are Bailey Peacock-Farrell's days numbered at Elland Road?

Whilst happy with the win, I do have to question Bailey Peacock Farrell's display. The Northern Ireland International was beaten from an acute angle and the ball slotted between his legs! What makes matters worse for the 22yo is that he the only player to be bought off at half time? Could his days be numbered? Recent reports suggest Burnley are keen to bring him to Turf Moor. This would be an odd decision as Sean Dyche already has Joe Hart, Nick Pope and Tom Heaton at his disposal. Where would BPF fit into the pecking order?

Should he leave, what kind of fee would he command?

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Bielsa has bust up with hierarchy

Bielsa has apparently voiced his concerns about the clubs decision to travel to Australia for their pre-season tour. Whilst the trip down under with no doubt generate millions of pounds, the gaffer that told the hierarchy that he would far prefer for his players to remain at their Thorp Arch headquarters and train as normal. Bielsa also believes the Australia trip falls too close to the new campaign.

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Morning all...

I’d have assumed the Australian tour would have had his blessing, I’m surprised at that. It does seem a long way to go though for preseason.

Last season it would have been a bit trial and error but this season Bielsa will already know his starting 11 I think it’s more about who is best at filling in.

The only position I think might be up for grabs is LB or where does he play Alioski, maybe Shackleton is pushing for a place. All about match sharpness and the attackers getting a bit of confidence

In regards to BPF Villa are chasing Burnley’s Heaton who is 33 so it would make sense that they are after a younger replacement.

 

I don't know when the trip was first thought up, but maybe it was presumed we may have got promoted and what better way to celebrate promotion and our centenary year by playing over the years one of our bitter rivals.
Regarding Bailey going, I thought our keeper in the second half looked good and may well be a good no 2. We beat a very physical team with a lot of younger fringe players. So IMO it was a good work out for the lads and we can't read to much into pre season games.

 

Morning all

Dyche wants to cash in and sell Heaton and Harte and bring in BPF as understudy to Pope, which makes sense as he is sitting on a lot money in the 2 he wants to sell. If Orta works fast we may be able to offload Kiko and get Heaton or Harte ourselves Just a thought as were chasing them last Summer.

So after watching those 2 games what do people think we need and who do you think will be a performer this season.

For me Harrison will do it and I believe Bamford will too and especially with Costa providing service for him. Costa is different and will add some goals too. I like the look of White because he's a baller and confident. We need Pablo when it matters so he really needs managing this season so who will be the back-up No10? Not seen Ayling or Roberts yet so hoping Roberts can add goals this season. Douglas is due to give us something this year too. Young Davies looks ok at the back

 

Don't take too much notice of pre season friendly scorelines,new systems, new partnerships to try , the only one I take notice of is the last, as that usually shows how we're going to be set up for the start of the season.

BPF shot himself in the foot with his rant wouldn't be surprised to see him leave, Miazek looks a very confident assured lad, could do as good a job from what I've seen.
Others have covered the Burnley angle. I would have liked a new number 1 though.

Is the Aussie trip really worth millions, do understand the feeling of it being close to the season start, with the flying time etc but really doubt MB is in a rage about it, as after all, it was announced at the end of last season that we were going there, so why rant now.

 

Hard to call the best 11 as a lot will depend on the formation. Phillips started in the back 3 yesterday, I think this is more to give him experience when he has to drop back and cover, he lacks pace to be a genuine CB

As it stands, Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Douglas with Phillips sitting in front of the back four, Douglas and Ayling pushing forward.

Alioski, Dallas, Clarke, Roberts, Bamford they’ll be the subs, a very versatile bench

Roofe as the striker for me, if not Bamford but not both in the starting 11 whoever misses out will mean we have a pretty strong bench.

It’s all about the attacking three and other midfielder, I think it’s safe to call Harrison will start wide left but between Costa, Pablo, Klich and Shackleton who will miss out and who will play number 10? Then we also have Forshaw who Bielsa likes.

I’d like a new CB, Keeper and another creative midfield player assuming Roofe and Phillips remain but I know it won’t happen.

Casilla
Ayling
White
Cooper
Douglas
Phillips
Klich
Costa
Roofe
Pablo
Harrison

For me as it stands, the majority were our best performers last season, we were nearly there, we don’t need mass changes.

 

You may find we do a lot more 3-3-1-3 this season which puts Phillips with White and Cooper and you also get Bamford, Roofe and Costa up top with Pablo behind

 

They’ve dicked BPF about over a contract, he’s still on a kids deal. He’s an international now, got decent reviews playing in qualifiers. Many Leeds fans don’t rate him as he undoubtedly made mistakes last year. He’s still only 22. You can make an argument for stick or twist. For me I would keep him.. main reason being his distribution is excellent and that’s a key part to how we play, and really important to bielsa. Any keeper coming in needs to have footballing ability and learn the system.

As for his ‘error’ last night. It wasn’t. Keepers are expected to stand up and make themselves look big, in those situations. The guy is too close for you to react, you try to make him hit you... whether he hits you or the goal is part down to his skill and part down to luck.

Phillips made the mistake that led to a 1 on 1. Better take that offer from villa then!

 

I think because Bielsa has managed to keep virtually the same team, he is thrashing out plan B so players can switch to it in an instant.

I love Phillips as a defensive midfielder but IF Bielsa is truly going to play Phillips as a CB in a back three I’d prefer to cash in on £20m and buy a genuine quality CB

Phillips is the best defensive midfielder in the league, he is an okay emergency CB I’m really hoping Bielsa doesn’t see otherwise

 

Lot's on Facebook saying Phillips has agreed a new contract with Leeds and will be signing it soon, good news if right, Roofe we need to get sorted as we won't run his contract down so will be new deal or sold.

 

BPF or Kiko need to go, the young keeper looks good.

 

To be fair, I haven’t seen anything of Miazek. He’s Older than BPF and always been behind him in the pecking order... maybe he’s made progress recently.

 

Morning all,

After watching last night, I really hope Alioski can learn a thing or two from Costa. There were certainly a few challenges flying in, however Alioski always seems to think every challenge on him deserves a card. I think the referee got fed up of listening to him moan in the end and had a quiet word with him. On the other hand, Costa got brought down a few times as well and one in particular in the first half which had him down on his haunches and getting up gingerly. Second half and he had what he thought was a penalty, it got waved away and a few minutes later he is scoring the equalizer. There was no fuss from the lad and he just gets on with it. Don't get me wrong because I love Alioski for his desire and effort, however, he really could learn a thing or two from Costa about the way to go about things.

I thought the CB White looked good as well. Really comfortable on the ball and wasn't afraid to get in with a few last ditch tackles. He could pleasantly surprise a few who may be thinking that he couldn't lace Jansson's boots up.

 

Watched white a few times on highlight clips, looked at home against us and Spurs in F A CUP games, although it was more cool passing out than defending, so will have to wait and see.

 

Think he played 1 game last season, did nothing wrong.

Edit no it was Huffer who played 1 game, Miazek is 22 and the up and coming keeper.

 

Think huffer played 1 game... did nothing wrong but had little to do... miazek apparently had a blinder in the u23s final.

I’ve seen diddly of either tbh

 

Bielsa said this group of players will not do it again. We have changed one defender and bought a winger. Now what must bielsa be planning because if this is the squad then he talks bollocks. Surely we have someone lined up to come in.

 

I always thought he suited being a basketball player, but I'll say one thing for him, he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously..

 

I’m hearing Bielsa is refusing to take several players to Australia with the team, he wants them to remain here and work on their fitness. BPF, Shackleton, White, Costa, Clarke and Alioski. They’ve done nothing wrong, he is just annoyed at the tour and wants those who had internationals and those just joined or lacking the fitness levels of others to stay here.