Good Morning. It's Monday 23rd August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Honours even at Elland Road Leeds came from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils, at a packed out Elland Road on Saturday afternoon; against an inform Everton side. The Toffee's had ripped apart Southampton the previous week but were up against a Bielsa side with a lot more fight and guile than they had shown at Old Trafford. Rafael Benítez's men took the lead on the half hour mark when Liam Cooper was penalised for trying to get into Dominic Calvert-Lewin's shirt with him in it. Once reviewed on VAR, the man in black had little choice but to point at the spot, and Calvert-Lewin duly obliged! Leeds were level before half time. Bamford unselfishly squared the ball to Mateusz Klich who lifted it over the despairing dive of England shot stopper Jordan Pickford. Five minutes into the second half, Everton retook the lead. Damarai Gray fired a shot into the corner of Meslier's net from an acute angle, and through the legs of Stuart Dallas. Cheered on by 38,000, Leeds were not to be denied. Phillips in swinging cross fell nicely for Cooper in the Everton penalty area. His pass back found Raphinha in space. The Brazilian's first time strike curled majestically into the corner of net to grab Leeds first point of the season! Although Everton carved out more opportunities, Leeds will reflect back on the game that they should have won! They had 70 percent possession, three times as many passes as the Toffee's as well as superior passing. please log in to view this image Bielsa's post match interview O'Brien deal unlikely to happen Former Leeds favourite, now Soccer pundit David Norris believes the proposed transfer of Huddersfield Towns ace Lewis O'Brien has gone on too long, and is set for failure. Following their interest, the Terriers slapped a 10m price tag on their star asset. Leeds came back with several offers, but there still seems to be a way to go before the deal is concluded. Speaking in his pre match presser, Bielsa disclosed that it was unlikely that Leeds would be adding to the squad. Norris was quoted as saying:- please log in to view this image
Morning all, So a few thoughts from Saturday. How great was a full Elland Road? Nice to see character from the team to come from behind twice. Cooper showed why a lot of fans don't like him. He can have several good games in a row but he still has that silky mistake in him. Unfortunately his biggest detractors will not see past that. We saw another example of how good Bamford is. For the first e equaliser most strikers would have taken on the shot themselves. He showed how much of a team player he is by making sure of the goal with a nice pass. His work rate was once again excellent and he seems to have picked up a bit more pace in the summer. Both Roberts and Shackleton looked good and the team got better when they came on. From what I've seen on twitter though Roberts has fallen into that category of player the fans have decided they don't like so no matter what he does they are gonna slag him off. See Cooper above
The movement of the players, passing accuracy and fitness (all the things that should have been corrected in pre season) were so much better! We certainly are light in midfield. Its great that Raphinha is coming more infield! He needs to. He is the spark in our engine to get us going!!!
Afternoon all I’m in the unhappy with Roberts camp. Add up all his minutes played, see how many assists he has, see how many goals he has scored and if you think that’s acceptable fine, I personally don’t. If O’Brien is wanted for the first team, as in will be ready in the next 4-6 weeks £8m is a steal for someone capable of playing in the Premier League, we offered £3m which is an insult if that’s the case. I still don’t believe he is wanted as a starter. Look at Ben White, Bielsa made him the value which he fetched, we offered Brighton £30m for a player with no Premier League experience, player prices at both ends of the scale just bewilder me
I understand everyone's concerns over Roberts but I still think there is a player in the who will come good. To me if he doesn't prove that consistently this season then yes he needs to look at moving on, most likely to a Championship team. But I do think we will all be singing his praises soon.
Roberts has his big chance to show us what he is tomorrow against Crewe. Yes it's hard to come on as a sub and only get a handful of minutes to show anything but also your up against players who have slowed down and a bit more tired. he had 30 mins to make an impact yesterday I watched him carefully and honestly didn't really do anything. I so want him to go out there and show us he deserves a spot in this squad. I'm hoping to see him in behind Rodrigo tomorrow. they both need a pick me up. both netting would be great to see.
Roberts has played way more games for Leeds in the Prem than Rodrigo yet Rodrigo has 7 goals and 4 assists, Roberts has 1&1.so on a like for like basis in the middle or as a striker I cannot even put them in the same category. He had a couple of decent games at the end of last season but as of yet he has not produced any end product this season, and that could mean a pass that puts someone in on goal. Zero yet but early days this season, but I will be shocked and happy if he improves, but not expecting it
On Roberts. He looks the sharpest and fittest I've ever seen him. That shows he's put the hard yards during pre season and also he's on the longest injury free run that I can remember. Good luck to the lad, but yes it's time to start scoring goals, making assists or pre assists and being a massive positive influence in games. My view is he does too much of his good work out wide, he needs to get on the ball centrally and drive at the heart of the defence. He had a couple of opportunities to do that on Saturday and chose the wrong option or passed too early and lost possession. Convert some of those moments into goals and assists and then we'll have a top player on our hands.
Looking like Poveda is on his way to Blackburn on loan for the season. Bielsa has told him to deliver end product and come back a better player. Gives Blackburn a 2 pronged wing attack with Brereton- Diaz on the other flank. Deal to be confirmed
Could do with a link mate, my access is down and now they are not even showing these games on You Tube anymore
Wholly concur. One particularly irksome habit he has is to go for the fancy Dan stuff instead of the simple pass. Time after time. Fine if it works, but it rarely does. Time to re-learn the basics.
What’s the craic with tickets for tomorrow match!!!! Sold out ffs, are all the stands open? Anyone got spare tickets?
Poveda is now at Blackburn for the season I have updated the sticky above (U23s) as all loan players and where they are are listed
