Bielsa words Reason for Rodrigo - a big call to leave him out of the team today? During the week he had a slight muscular issue of which he recovered quickly. If that hadn't happened he would've been our offensive midfielder in the game today. I have a lot of confidence in the qualities of Rodrigo. During his holidays he did physical work that was very important and during the six weeks of pre-season he's the player who shone the most in those weeks. I have a lot of hopes for him that this season he's going to show all the qualities that he has. In the game today I opted for Klich and Tyler. He could've played, that's why he was a substitute but I preferred the two players that I named to come on instead.
In regards to Roberts I’ve nothing against him personally, he gets picked and he probably gives 100% I just wish we had a better option to pick from. If we had a keeper who let in every shot because he lacked ability but he always gave 100% would that be acceptable? Roberts is an attacking midfield player, occasionally used as a striker, his job is to create goals and assists and to score goals, he does neither. He should get noticed when he came on, we were going all out attack, we were pinning them back at times, if we’d been pinned in our own half then it would be the defenders who got noticed more. I trust Bielsa, I’d not change him for anyone but I challenge anyone’s opinion if they try and tell me we couldn’t have found a better player to replace Roberts.
I don’t get it myself mate, you’re either fit enough to play some part or you aren’t. I’d love to see the stats when it comes to players on the bench and appearances. It’s the same 2-3 players every time, it doesn’t matter what the opposition are doing.
Personally I think Cooper has past his sell-by date and with regards to Roberts well words fail me No that’s not true he needs to **** off and do his kneeling and black power salutes elsewhere
I don't mind **** players. It's not their fault we signed them. I won't ever have a dig at a player at a game for being ****...ever. I will however dig some players out that don't give a ****. They can get out of the club. I've seen plenty the last 20 years. Cooper always gives everything. I can't knock him for what he has done. He has a tendency to shirt pull and wrestle players and always has. It needs sorting out. Saying that, there are certain levels. I thought Cooper really struggled the first two thirds of last season and came in to his own towards the end. I personally don't think he is ahead of Koch, Struijk or Llorente in quality but he is ahead of them in attitude and leadership. He thrives alongside Llorente who seems to help him out positionally and work as a pair. When he is paired with the other two I think we suffer a bit.
Oh..Roberts. I forgot. He has the quality. Needs to show it more consistently. He has a habit (along with Rodrigo) of not running back when we lose possession. That's my main gripe with those two. Klich on the other hand regularly tots up the biggest mileage in the team.
K Klich i suppose is our workhorse and every team needs one. So who did Wakey feel the need to call ineffective tpday... Yes klich and then up he popped for the goal. The other was Raphinha because every shot he tried before his goal was weak.
Totally agree, a basic layoff that's within the compass of any schoolboy, doesn't mitigate his terrible defensive performance and stupid attitude. I said as much and Irishshako's well thought out response was: I guess Copper still has his fans over the Irish Sea...not perhaps the most articulate, but very passionate.
I think it will be his last season unless we finish an unlikely 8th type place. Just missing out on a European spot Bielsa will feel it’s within striking distance. A similar or lower finish than last season and he’ll admit defeat in that money and top quality players are no match for the level we can afford no matter how well they’re coached. I really enjoyed last season, it was no pressure football, a defeat never felt like three points dropped, it was just move on to the next game, we just need to finish outside the drop zone and it never really felt like we’d ever get dragged in. Last season the signings were like WOW this is an improvement but this season, after the Man U game the lack of progression in the transfer market (this season) suddenly felt more painful. We had to really fight for a point today, although I just want to secure our survival again this season it doesn’t feel enjoyable at the moment, just a “let’s make the numbers up” exercise and realising how far ahead the top 8 or so teams are on us
Shaks is a top poster. I agree though that it’s stretching it a lot to say that was a Cooper (or anyone that made the pass) assist. It was the quality of the shot the reason why we scored. Could have gone a mile wide or over and no one would be talking about a great chance he had created
I think Llorente is a good defender but being injury prone and always out does not help Leeds we should sell him and go for either Andy Robertson ( Liverpool left back) or Matt targett (Aston villa ) left back