The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 7th January)

Bamford is important to how we play... holds the ball up well, link play is good, works hard.

To replace him you need someone who does all that and is more of a natural finisher. Because if you get a natural finisher like nketiah... you can’t get the ball to him where he might score if he lost the ball in the build up. That’s the conundrum. Similarly if you play 2 strikers you lose the control of the game in the middle of the park to create for them.

So the solution, if we are committed to a lone striker, is not a cheap one!

Maybe we have to say, we’re top of the league with him, so we don’t have to have better, though it would be nice.... but we do need the best backup/stiff competition we can get. I’m guessing with the Woodrow link, that’s part of the thinking.

 

I should point out that this photo was taken at half time, hence why there's a few seats vacant in the upper tier while Leeds fans went for a piss. You'll notice the completely empty middle tier where the Arse fans had all gone off for their prawn sandwiches.

 

Bamford is on target for 20 goals per season which is a pretty good return for a £7m striker in an unusual system for a lone striker. Indeed in just over 42 games he has scored 20 goals which is the equivalent of a season. Yes he needs more chances to score but then the defence systems he has to face is many more bodies in front of him than on the usual tactical systems. Indeed Leeds score great goals from back to front within seconds of breaking out, but on a normal attack there is a bus parked with everyone back defending

i would love a more productive striker, but we have not had the money. I would love a Sane', Salah, Origi, Fabinio, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus, Kane...... but we spent a massive £7m when any of the above are going for £70m and up to £100m. Lets just leave Bielsa to get on with it as none of us knew of White Meslier and remember it was only yesterday we found out that it was Bielsa who discovered Pepe from obscurity and Arsenal bought him for £75m.
We need investment ....

 

TBF crowd only just over 2,000.under the capacity, so not that many empty seats anywhere, would say empty seats were just held by booking agents trying to rip people off. Apparently scum are struggling to sell out for their league Cup semi against City tonight. Lol

 

I'm not having a go at the Arsenal attendance, although there were a few empty seats during the game. Just wanted to point out that the gaps in the top tier of Leeds fans was because it was half time. Completely packed during the game apart from that curious wedge of seats at the top that seemed to be off limits. Must have been a reason for it I guess as the 8000 tickets we had were sold out.

 

Seem to remember they gave us 9,000 last time in the cup, maybe there was some problem up at the top that time, so they cut it this time, I was in the North Bank stand their end and 5 mins from kick off, half empty, but it did fill up.

 

How did you get the ticket, Paul? Just a straightforward online purchase (not having a Leeds postcode), or were you going with Arse mates?

 

WJ I registered with them and tried to buy in the home end but needed prior ticket purchase history to qualify.

 

Just through a ticket Agency, cost me £87 but I really wanted to go, can't get tickets through Arsenal without memberships. Was supposed to be a £60 ticket £18 handling charge and £7.50 registered post. Was just a members card which I met the guy inside the stadium and gave him back.

 

Loads of tickets with Agency's but some charge big money for handling, first one I tried wanted £34 handling charge with total being £124 and they went a lot higher.

 

May I just say I am proud of our team for their performance,every one of them,they were my Leeds

 

I've tried that a few times, Ipswich, Blackpool, Millwall and Crystal palace over the years, Palace and Millwall worked other 2 didn't

 

All of that is true Doc... I've made similar points about having to thread a needle meaning we are always going to get a lot of half chances. One of the reasons i like the expected goals stats is because it factors in the quality of the opportunity. Bamford has scored 10... his xg is 13.4. So he should have scored another 3/4 goals if he was an average finisher. Compare that to say Pukki, last year and this year in the prem he has scored way more than his xg.

It is what it is, he has strenghts and weaknesses like all players, but it's clear he's not been efficient in front of goal this season.

 

Swansea sign Brewster on loan from Liverpool

 

I'm not panicking but it's becoming clear that we seem to be putting all our eggs in the Che Adams basket but Southampton won't let him go.

If we have to wait for Southampton to sign another striker we could end up with nobody coming in.

 

Won’t matter. As long as we nearly sign someone that’ll keep the bulk of the fan base happy or at least the ones here

 

Spot on, it's the team that are not clinical enough but no doubt, Bamford would be awesome if his finishing was a bit better. Like someone else posted he often delays just too long or takes on touch extra when not needed. However, integral to our style of play and the sort of player I'm describing would cost North of 30 mill.

 

Excuse me, I have a name. I’m not just someone I’ll have you know

 

It's an age thing

 

Ok. I must try remember I’m one of the youngest here