Good Morning. Its Thursday 2nd January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Battle of the titans ends in stalemate West Brom and Leeds claimed a point a piece yesterday evening at the Hawthorns. The Baggies worryingly went ahead after just two minutes from their first set piece. and continued to boss the early proceedings. As the half wore on, it was evident that both sides were cancelling each other out; clear cut chances were few and far between and both sides were giving the ball away far too often. At half time Bielsa withdrew Nketiah and Alioski in favour of Bamford and Douglas. There was an immediate impact, as Leeds lay siege at West Brom's goal. The Whites were rewarded for their pressure seven minutes later when goal scorer Ajayi's glancing header ended up in the back of his own net. Both teams had chances to win, but overall it has to be said that a 1-1 draw wasa fair result for both parties. Interestingly, having beaten the Baggies at Elland Road, courtesy of another own goal (Bartley) Leeds take away the bragging rights having secured 4 points to the Baggies 1 this term. Who was at fault for the goal Leeds conceded? Their corner failed to clear Leeds first man (Costa) but still went looping into Casilla's 12 yard box. Casilla managed, albeit unconvincingly to claw the ball out of immediate danger whilst being challenged by a forward. Should Casilla have been more convincing- probably. There were then two 50% - 50% aerial tussles, Ajayi outmuscles both White and Cooper heading the ball towards Bartley . Bartley then outjumps Ayling at the far left hand side of the goal, sending the ball back into the danger zone. Phillips has an opportunity to clear the ball out of harms way but misjudges and missed the ball entirely. The ball bounces, and as Cooper and White try their best to impersonate statues, Ayayi runs between them to get to the ball first and half volley it over the line despite Harrisons endeavours. Post Match Press Conference So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, good night It was the news that most of us expected - Eddie Nketiah has returned to Arsenal! Although the 20yo started the top of the table clash at the Hawthorns yesterday evening, his body language showed he was more or less just going through the motions. the motions. Interestingly Bielsa conceded that it will be tough to tempt strikers to Elland Road given Bamford's status. If you were Che Adams, how would you feel playing second fiddle to Bamford? Was Bielsa trying to tell us something? Meanwhile, Leeds have identified Jack Clarke's replacement, and its another winger. Unfortunately at this stage, that is all we know! Do Leeds need another winger? Wouldn't they be better off using their last loanee for an established defender or central midfielder? please log in to view this image
Ajayi and Bartley are both 6’4 They’re going to be favourites in a head tennis game against our lot. Could some of our defenders have reacted quicker to the Bartley header... maybe, but the initial error was kiko not dealing better with the cross. He’s a good shot stopper but that sort of thing is just not his forte. It would matter less if we had commanding centre halves but we don’t. Having a team of smaller mobile players, including the defenders, gives us numerous advantages with the ball and to a degree with pressing without it... but set pieces and vulnerability in transition are the two Achilles heels. Same last year, even with Pontus (go watch those highlights of the Forest game, lastt New Year’s Day). The strengths have us top of the league so in context, not much point in whinging about the yin to the yang. Keepers all make mistakes, in an ideal world, in this team we’d have a physically more commanding keeper who bossed his area... but for bielsa he’d need to have Casilla’s footballing skills and shot-stopping. You don’t often get it all in one package. I actually thought the flick on from the corner in the second half that he Palmed back into the danger area was more alarming - he does that a bit rather than palm away from danger. But he made some solid saves yesterday too.. we saw the good and the bad.
Morning all Would love to see Bowen at Leeds but can't see it as it seems Hull are now at it and climbing the league and their manager who was a Doncaster last season has already targeted Malik Wilks from Barnsley as he was his top striker at Donny for the last 2 seasons, so fair play if they can prise Malik away from Barnsley. Obviously going to be loads of speculation about replacements for Eddie and Jack and we know that Brewster will probably go to Swansea and Adams and Sharpe are both wanted by their clubs. Would love to see Tosun from Everton replace Eddie as he has always scored goals for fun until he landed at Everton. Big Sam said he was the best striker in Europe for the money when he spent £27m on him. Sam was replaced and Tosun never got a look in, but 2 weeks ago he was available on a loan deal but Ancelotti now in charge may decide to use him, but at the moment there are at least 4 strikers ahead of him. As far as spending time on the bench behind Bamford I suggest that after a couple of weeks learning Bielsaball Tosun would be first choice and not just because he cost £20m more than Paddy. Also still story about the Aberdeen striker...... Being as I'm fairly up to speed with the U23s and kids in the Academy I have been surprised at a couple of things recently. Firstly where is Will Huffer because the last time I asked was told he was injured, well still no sign unless he has been sent out on loan without an announcement. Remember this kid was England U20 International and some said ahead of BPF. Well Meslier is now No2 and Miazek is No3 and we bought the young Aussie kid who has also played for the U23s as well as the U18s? 2nd Issue is young 17yo Connor leak-Blunt who signed a new 3 year pro contract in the Summer and although not played for the u23s was regular with the U18s and the club obviously thought he was a prospect to give him a 3 year deal. Well yesterday he signed a 3 year contract with the Blunts? how does that work? seems no money was involved but what happened there I wonder and will we get a fee from a tribunal or future % of sale? Stumped on that one, any ideas?
Morning bud I just think Cooper is not that good. He is not mobile enough or athletic. 3 players needed to form a spine would do me. Klich looks tired and Dallas is a good player but not creative enough. I won't hold my breath though. I wonder who is totting up the yellows and soon be facing a ban. Doc?
... think we’re ‘getting by’ with Dallas in midfield. He’s proved a really good asset this year doing a job anywhere but he’s not a natural centre mid. But with Forshaw and Shackleton permanent sicknotes its all we have. klich puts some miles on the clock... and has looked a bit off the pace recently, but actually thought he was great in the second half yesterday.
Morning all... At fault for the goal.... Only one player is allowed to use his hands, if he punches it clear or out of play the danger is over. I blamed Kiko on the day, it’s still ultimately down to him but it’s like blaming a striker who misses the goal. Kiko pulled off some point saving stops afterwards, our attackers missed some opportunities. I’ve seen enough of Nketiah to realise he isn’t suited to our style of play, he’ll bag a good few in a different setup. Clarke’s replacement, are they really going to dislodge Harrison, Alioski, Costa, Dallas or Pablo all of whom have played out wide? You’d have to assume it’s going to be a permanent signing over a loan? Striker surely we need someone permanent?
Hull wanted Malik before he went to Barnsley but they refused to meet our valuation, I was reading up on it on the Hull forum the other day. They’re hoping Bowen doesn’t leave for a PL team, figures pushing £20m are being quoted so we’ve zero chance (you’d think)
Been a few weeks, but I spoke to Cooper Skerry, the Aussie 16yo 'keeper about Huffer. He told me at that time that Huffer had returned to training, but he was still carrying injuries to his hip & shoulder (not so sure about the shoulder bit), and he was only allowed to dive to the one side. So by the sounds of it, he had a long way to go to recover. Btw, unbelievable kid for a 16yo. Great personality, and absolutely oozing with confidence. Watched him screaming at the likes of Cooper, and incredibly bravely - Berra. Kid's got a pair. Good skills too.
I wonder if Stevens is seen as Clarke's replacement. Might explain his regular presence on the bench. Perhaps it's part of his prep? Another left field thought is that perhaps Bielsa feels this 'inclusion' with the 1st team squad might in some way be helping him deal with his loneliness/gambling issue. Random thoughts, but you never know with Bielsa.
Shocking news from Derby tonight sees Rooney start his first game for them but can they afford his wages? It seems they have fiddled the FFFP rules to get him as he is registered as a coach and then player so his wages can be covered in the accounts elsewhere. But it now seems players are struggling to get paid, which all points to another financial catastrophe happening again. Not only are they under investigation for cheating FfFP rules they now have cashflow problems too and Keogh is suing them for shed loads for constructive dismissal anyone remember when Derby registered the lowest ever points total in the Premier League and were relegated and then the Directors walked off with the parachute money putting them into administration and 3 directors got jail love Derby....
Out of interest in the cold light of day what are peoples' thoughts on the 'penalties'... sky team seemed to think the sawyers/klich one was stone wall... to me looked they were both pushing/shoving a bit, but that sawyers seemed to chuck himself to the floor with no real reason i could see. Maybe my leeds fans blinkers. The handball? See them given see them not.
I was equally puzzled by the Klich penalty. Didn't get good enough close-ups to determine what exactly was going on, but by default, my white-tinted spectacles determined that they had a hold of each other & Klich shrugged him off, & the other tosser tried to get a penalty unfairly. The thing is though, I have to concede that Klich is overly physical & aggressive sometimes, so the jury is still out with me. The other incident was a definite penalty for me. There was one killer camera angle that showed a protruding elbow, and not an arm by the side. The same angle also revealed that he quit clearly leaned into the ball. Would be interesting to see what VAR made of it.
Good Morning to Matt and co froma sunny Bardsey I thought it was a good point yesterday but I am worried that AR will not bring anyone inAyala has got himself injured so hes out Che Adams surely they know already that Southampton wish to keep him so pass on and stop wasting time'We are now sav ing 95k a week since the 2 loanees went back so we should have some money plus the cup tie Brentford look like the third team to rival us and WBA
yeh i think the hand ball was a penalty because he made a very slight lean into the ball... more a body lean that moved his elbow than specifically elbow to the ball. VAR would give it because of the angle you mention... but it was marginal hence i had it in the some you get some you don't category.
Klich one looked like a penalty. I think both were at it but it looked like a penalty all day how Sawyers played it. Klich has to be more careful there. Most refs give that. The handball didn't look like a penalty but looking at the replays it should have been given. At the end of the day, both probably should be given. The Klich one is the easier decision to make without VAR. Might have dodged one there!
