Good Morning. Its Tuesday 28th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Bielsa's Pre Match press conference Marcelo Bielsa's press conference including spending time with Ben White to get him ready to play in a midfield role, and Shackleton / Roberts back to full fitness. Nketiah scores on Gunners debut Eddie Nketiah scored on his Gunners debut helping knock out fellow Premier league opposition Bournemouth of of the FA Cup. Arteta gave particular praise to Nketiah:- "Eddie Nketiah was terrific," said Arteta. "He was on the wing then three seconds later he was in the middle and scoring a goal. This shows me he will score goals and the way he worked without the ball was excellent." please log in to view this image How have Leeds done in the transfer window? Leeds have finished their transfer activity for the 2019/20 season with three incoming players. Are they in a better position for automatic promotion compared to this time last year? Serie B outfit Chievo have parted with highly rated shot stopper Elia Caprile for an undisclosed fee. The 18yo has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal. Ian Poveda has penned a four and a half deal with the Whites for a nominal fee believed to be 1m, and a 30% sell on clause. The England U20 attacking midfielder / winger could end up to be the bargain buy of the Championship. Marquee signing Jean-Kevin Augustin has been capped at every level from Under-16s to Under-21s for his Country. The striker was instrumental in helping France win the European Under-19 Championship in 2016, where he was the top goal-scorer and player of the tournament. Augustin has the pedigree to play at a higher level. It was only after an intervention from Bielsa, that the 22yo agreed to spend the rest of the season in West Yorkshire. Should the Whites get promoted, there is a compulsory purchase clause where Leeds will have to part with 15m for the former PSG and Leipzig player. please log in to view this image
Time will tell if the signings are fruitful or not. Just glad its not like it was this time last year.
Morning all. Personally, I am optimistic about these two new signings. I just hope Mr Stubborn manager will actually get them playing sooner than later. I really hope he gives Poveda a chance tonight, at the very least a place on the bench. Anyone fancy our chances tonight? I predict a win - 2:0. Need to keep a clean sheet again since we lost our way!
Arteta. " first he was on the wing and then in the middle scoring a goal" well that's one of Bielsa's goals and you know it Mr Arteta.
Morning all. Not looking forward to tonights game if Im honest. Don't get me wrong, Im glad the footies back and happy we appear to have a far stronger squad than nine days ago through signings and fit again players but detest watching Milwall and everything associated with their tin pot club. Probably doesn't help they're a bit of a bogey team
They are at their pit but we've 6 wins from the last 7 games at ER, and that defeat was when we had 10 men for most of the game.
Morning all. Phil Hay this morning confirmed that Man Ure made a late enquiry for Augustin but the deal to come here was too far down the line !
Morning all... I hate seeing White in the holding midfield role, I don’t get why you lose your best CB and play him in a role Shackleton or Dallas could cover? I was super confident we’d beat QPR and I’m feeling the same again, I just hope the players are equally as confident as it is the self doubt creeping in that’s costing us. I’m happy with the signings, we need to remember we’re a championship club, Watford and Southampton knew we were desperate for a striker so they wanted stupid money believing we’d buckle, I’m glad we walked away. We’ll be pointing out Gray and Adams in the summer and how they’ve been shipped out for a fraction of the price to someone like Bristol City. Nketiah I’ve nothing against him, a great player in the right formation and system, our style wasn’t suited to his skill set
Just read, his agent advised him not to go to them. It would be better for his career to come to us and learn under Bielsa, he's an agent for others that have played under Bielsa.
OGS job is on the line if results don't start improving & That's what worries me,can you imagine what Bielsa could do with big players & massive funds ?, however i am sure if manure did try tempting him, being a man of principle & loyalty he would not go,especially now he's so near of achieving his goal here at Leeds,unlike characters like Moyes etc who would sell their souls to manage a club like Man utd. Good morning all.
Orta's view on the transfers.. https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26137/victor-orta-we-had-three-main-goals
That story about Man Ure really riles me. As Ristac said, it's like they had no interest in JFA until Bielsa said he wanted him. It says a lot that the guy didn't get his head turned, it's definitely a good start.
Really impressed & looking forward to seeing our new signings I believe we are now strong offensively as we have now added power, pace & trickery to our squad giving us a different dimension to our play once the new boys settle in. Still feel we are vulnerable defensively, DM & CB positions are a concern especially if key players are missing & the LB spot is a real worry for me. We do have two better keepers than we started with in 2018. Hopefully we'll score more goals than the opposition now!
some managers are great at getting the best out of a squad... some are better at dealing with egos. Think Bielsa is probably better at the former than the latter. Not sure how prima Donna big money players would take to the Spartan lifestyle bielsa expects. Could be wrong, just my gut feel. I also think not many big clubs would be prepared to give bielsa the complete control of all matters, that bielsa demanded and got from Leeds. Just a good fit/timing for both mb and Leeds.
Going to be very interested in the line up and formation tonight, especially who is going to be on the bench.