Good Morning. Its Friday 13th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road. Bielsa's pre match press conference Forshaw, Shackleton and Roberts remain on the treatment table. Cooper has responded well to treatment to the calf strain to picked up in training a fortnight ago, but is unlikely to start tomorrow against Cardiff. Here is what else Bielsa said in his pre match press conference yesterday Clarke's a wanted man Fulham, Middlesbrough, Derby and Nottingham Forest are fighting it out for the services of Jack Clarke in January. The 19yo has yet to start a league game for the Whites since his transfer and subsequent loan back from Spurs. Have Leeds missed something, or do we have superior players already in his position? please log in to view this image Leeds snub Stockdale's advances It has been revealed that Birmingham City contacted Leeds to see whether they'd be interested in the services of David Stockdale! The 34yo shot stopper is out of favour at St Andrews, having only featured once this season. It is widely known that Stockdale originally comes from Leeds, and is a massive Whites fan! Unfortunately for the ex Brighton keeper, Bielsa was not interested! please log in to view this image Academy duo receive praise from Bielsa Leif Davis and Robbie Gotts were both singled out for praise during Bielsa's pre match press conference yesterday. The stars of tomorrow have caught the eye of the 64yo gaffer, though unfortunately it looks like they'll have to wait to receive their chance! [Leif] Davis is a great player, full of future, resources and skills, but so far [Ezgjan] Alioski, [Barry] Douglas and [Stuart] Dallas are playing. Maybe for this reality he is not inside the group of 11, but all his tendencies are good. In my opinion, Davis was far from the first team in our first year and after he worked a lot in the team, with brilliant willing, a lot of effort, dedication, he gives everything. Never demand for nothing. After he became a better player he started to strengthen his play, which before he didn’t have. Regarding Gotts, Bielsa was quoted as saying:- They must be patient because they don’t have another choice. The other choice is don’t be involved in the team or the other choice is to show they are better than the players who are playing. Shackleton, Dallas, [Adam] Forshaw, [Mateusz] Klich in Gotts’s position, for instance. In Gotts's situation, I feel guilty about what is happening because he does everything to achieve his goal even though he didn’t have minutes on the pitch, but the only way I have, I have to be convinced he is better than the options I mentioned and there's something true how I am going to prove this if he doesn’t have minutes. It's a situation that is unfair for Gotts. It’s very, very difficult for me to resolve. It’s difficult, but the reality is they are young players forced to say nothing and accept what the manager decides. This increases the feeling I have I am worrying about. Gotts is in a special situation because he got a lot less than what he deserves. At the moment, I am not finding a fair situation to resolve this. In another moment I said to Robbie ‘I really wish you stay with us’, but I would understand if he thought it was better for him to leave, I would understand this. On the other hand I kept Gotts in the group because I believe he has options, but the situation I think Gotts is an option, doesn’t mean I am going to give him minutes. This is more difficult when you have to manage the wishes of being human. Another thing is difficult to leave Leeds, it’s not convenient to leave here without thinking very hard, but I also understand in some situations the timing is key. Gotts is a player I admire for his skills and for his human qualities. I can say the same of Shackleton, Forshaw, Dallas, all of them. If any moment I think Gotts has no chance to overcome those players, I would tell him. If Gotts understands he doesn’t want to stay here in Leeds, I would support him. He expresses himself a lot because it is something for a lot of players in the same situation. I could say the same about Alfie McCalmont and the other players as well. I realise you asked for those players about their futures, this model of thinking is for all the young players. please log in to view this image Its Friday the 13th! Anyone superstitious? Do you believe that fate is something you could control by doing lucky things or avoiding doing unlucky things Any strange protocol you go through before a Leeds game? Do you believe in superstition? Do you have any stories you want to share? please log in to view this image
What with Tarquin Fin-tim-lin-bin-whin-bim-lim-bus-stop-F'tang-F'tang-Olé-Biscuitbarrel in charge it is truly a dark day.
Morning all. Great day here too, Leeds top of table and couldn't care about the other shambles Other three coaches to win manager of month this season lost their next match so hopefully well buck that trend tomorrow
A very good morning one and all A very good week so far a win on Tuesday my boss Mr Bielsa manager of the month good result on Thursday just need a good result Saturday Any kind of win will do for me
Whatever it is with Jack Clarke, Bielsa doesn't fancy playing him, not surprised to see him go elsewhere, whether he finds the form of 15 months ago, who knows. Stockdale had the chance to join us from Brighton but chose the better wages at Birmingham, not played for an age, why would we want him now, Brum just want to offload his excessive wage. Imo Davis should be ahead of Douglas, who gives us nothing, not even his strong points of free kicks and passing have been any good. I used to work with a bloke who wouldn't leave his house on Friday the 13th.
Good Morningto Mattand co from a sunny Bardsey I stayed up till 3am last night and went to bed happy the goblin is back in the rockery where he belongs.It will take labour a long time to get back to where they werethanks to the goblin Should we sell Forshaw and Douglas in this window and what are they worth? Could we afford Bowen I would love him to sign
Good morning everyone Just had a look at the Wigan v WBA highlights, as i heard the WBA equaliser was a bit controversial, A BIT!!!!! Wtf was that Wigan keeper doing
Don't care about Stockdale, if Kikko get's done by the FA/EFL we have the French lad. Untried maybe but rated it seems. Clarke can feck off, got too big for his boots and if he plays for another side so what, doubt he'll find his form so quickly again. Personally I think he was badly advised and should have stay and learn't his trade at Leeds Utd for a few seasons before heading off for the bright lights of London. Bielsa deserves the accolade. I'm not superstitious and as a pagan with a tattoo of an inverted pentagam love Friday 13th...
Just had a thought(which I do on rare occasions) If Kiko is found guilty can he go to appeal and if so how long can he spin his appeal out. Like till june
Friday the 13th best day this year thanks to Labour leavers gettingbtheir revenge on lying self serving twat MPs. also now official that my nephew has signed a contract with Nice to take over as Head Groundsman of all their pitches which are scattered around Nice, from stadium, practice grounds, academy pitches etc. This afternoon he handed in his notice to the FA and will leave his role as Head Groundsman for St Georges Park. Patrick Viera himself phoned the lad and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. The other good thing as the new owner is the Brit who owns Ineos Energy who also sponsors Team Sky, now Team Ineos....
He wasn't ever coming back and I'm not sure he is the future, well he doesn't have much of a footballing one left. Nostalgically it would suit some but not a move I would have wanted.
Think the whole rumour of his return started when someone posted a picture of him drinking his morning coffee from a Leeds mug. Two and two was put together and 200 was arrived at
It seems like only the Leeds defence can stop Bowen scoring this season please log in to view this image I don't think Hull not606 will take too kindly to the above comment