Good Morning. It's Tuesday 26th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Harrison's poor form uncovered The reason behind Jack Harrison's recent poor form may have been uncovered, after it was disclosed that the 24yo has been playing whilst carrying a rib injury. Whilst it's not a serious ailment, bruised ribs will cause swelling around the upper chest area making it more difficult to absorb oxygen. It is also very painful. This goes a long way to explain his performances of late. Last season, he was one of the stand-out players; whilst this term, his 6.25 average squad rating, places him in 17th place. According to Phil Hay:- “Harrison has had a rib injury recently. Very little been made of it and I don’t know how much of a factor it is but he is struggling for form.” please log in to view this image Raphinha, Cooper and Shaks top performance chart Whilst Leeds lack of form this season has been well documented, little has been said to recognise the players who are playing well. It's little surprise that Brazilian wizard Raphinha tops the rankings, but few would have guessed that he was closely followed by Cooper and Shackleton? The Leeds skipper is one of the few to have a solid start to the season, and although prone to making the odd mistake has silenced the critics in recent games! Meslier and Rodrigo make up the top five! Norwich is a must win game Phil Hay believes that Rodrigo's late equalizer against Wolves may have taken a bit of pressure off Bielsa's team, but insists that Saturday's forthcoming clash at Carrow Road is a must win game for the Whites "I don’t think yesterday (the Wolves game) solves everything, not even close, but it was a statement in the way the players and the crowd stuck with it under pressure. It changes the complexion of Norwich away, even though it’s a game Leeds have to win. Results like yesterday’s can do a lot for a squad’s mindset - and that’s part of the battle at the moment. Pleased for Bielsa too because he’d obviously had a tough week after Southampton". please log in to view this image
I don't know why, but it felt like a win on saturday, could it be we have now turned a corner, i for one, for some reason now have a feel good factor again, hopefully the team will feel the same & a certain swagger will be shown once again on the pitch. Now looking forward to sunday, i have a feeling Norwich will get something of a backlash from Bielsa & the boys.
6 pointer on Sunday ? Bit early for that scenario but it's certainly vital we don't lose because they look like they are one of the strong candidates for the drop already, and I never like these games when everyone expects a certain 3 points. Harrison has been poor of late and would have been better to have given Summerville the nod instead then surely,no surprises with the stats for me raph is a bargain and a real baller and little shacks has stood in admirably.
Morning all, Martin Tyler while commentating on the scum game Sunday said that the Norwich game is a already a relegation dog fight. Typical histrionics from sky trying to make a match more interesting. The only reason they are showing the match is because they have to show Norwich on TV a minimum amount of times. They put us on with them because they know we guarantee viewing figures. Nothing to do with a relegation right at all
Morning chaps I thought Bielsa was very strict when it came to players fitness, if Harrison isn't 100% fit he wouldn't play him would he?
Morning all lots been said about Shaks but fir me I havent seen much of him hammering down the wing past Raphinha or getting involved at the edge of the box. I have seen Shaks try and play forward then pass back or square. I did see him go past a Wolves defender twice late in the game, is he capable of doing Aylings role? Tonight Shaks would be best used elsewhere as Drameh and Summerville have a great rapor down the right flank. I hope Shaks has it in him but to do an Ayling he has to bomb into attack and get back and defend. Right now hes mainly doing nothing further forward, is he unsure scared to make a mistake or has Bielsa told him to hold?
I know it might be an old school way of thinking but I like full backs to be decent in the air and Shaks is too small for me. He is doing a good stand in job but Aylings strength is that he can play centre back too and it helps the fluidity of the team transitioning from defence and attack. I believe Dramah can play central and I am hoping he progresses and takes that role on when Ayling deteriorates. He would be the perfect replacement. Shaks energy and ball retention skills would be suited more to the midfield role in front of Phillips. Just keeping things ticking over and providing the cover for Rodrigo to bomb forward from midfield. At the moment he has Klich and Dallas in front of him.
Maybe shack needs to have some time in midfield tonight in the role you described. With Dallas and Klichs form as it is how long will they start in front of him for if he can play well there?
Drameh is another of the kids who played EFL first team football before joining us from Fulham. Scott Parker was gutted that he left to join us and he has just got on with doing his job in the 23s. Solid RB and played at LB and CB and even DM in the 23s but hes a skilful flying RWB complimenting the attack and does have end product. Hes more like Ayling than Shaks. Hes also now on the fringe of the England U21s mixing with the £30m rated players
Morning all… As previously pointed out, Bielsa is the strictest I’ve ever know for fitness, he wouldn’t play Harrison if he wasn’t 100% fit. There is no mystery surrounding Harrison, he always does this, several poor games then he’ll hit some form before dropping off again. He is such a huge confidence player.
I hoped he would continue to improve under Bielsa but I’m wondering if he has hit his ceiling. The price we paid for him seemed about right at the time, I certainly didn’t think we were getting a bargain though. Meslier, Llorente and Raphinha, it’s a good job we unearthed those gems because I don’t believe we’ve had value for money on Rodrigo, Costa, Harrison, James or Firpo. I’m hopeful Bielsa will manage to make James and Firpo more than useful
Harrison this season… Lost 66% of his duels, he loses possession 15.9 times per game, against wolves he completed 67% of his passes, he attempted to dribble with the ball twice and lost it both times, zero assists or goals this season. It’s a bit like Tyler Roberts for me, we can keep finding excuses for him but we’re languishing at the wrong end of the table, we need to persuade Phillips, Meslier, Llorente and Raphinha that we’re going places, can we keep on waiting for that one good display
Because so far they’ve not lived up to expectations, quite simple really and with cup games it’s 10 matches in. Like I said I’m hopeful they’ll come good but throw in Rodrigo, Harrison, Costa and even Koch to some extent and we’ve blown a **** load of money for not a lot of return
You can't but people will try. The criticism of Harrison is harsh too. Yes he has been under par this season but his stats every season puts him up there and above wingers with far bigger reputations than he has. Harrisons problem is that his form seems to dip for 10 games a season but when he is on he has everything.
So what exactly we you expecting from them? So far they've both down signs of why they were bought and both appear to be growing into their roles.
Slightly redeemed yourself there mate after your earlier comment about the commentary in THAT game on Sunday! Can't bring myself to watch a game where I want both teams to lose! Morning all
Totally agree Doc. Said to Ben during the game on Saturday, Shackleton has become frustrating to watch because he hesitates when he has a decision to make in attack. Doesn't know whether to cross or drive into the box so, sort of does neither and allows a defender to recover when he was in space. I think he did it at least twice on Saturday. Ayling is always looking to cross, shoot, drive into the box or play quick one two's around the area to make something happen - maybe just a bit of a confidence thing for Shaks. The other thing I thought about Saturday was, although Joffy was standout, I think Jimmy is starting to look a real prospect too. Didn't really play himself into it against West Ham but I thought Saturday he was always looking to try and make something happen and had Wolves defenders on the back foot loads of time (what I actually said to Ben was "he looks like the player we wanted Costa to be but so much more effective already"). Let's hope he continues with that.
Do you feel at this moment in time that we’ve had value for money on them? Raphinha, Llorente and Meslier all showed it from virtually the start. I was pleased with the James signing, I believe Bielsa can add to his game, I’m still glad we got him but at the moment I don’t feel it’s value for money. He had more PL experience than anyone when he signed and I’d hoped for a bit of an instant hit. In comparison Maxwel Cornet I believe we were in for him or looking at him a LB Winger who signed for Burnley, four games and three goals, instant impact and value for money. Odosonne Edouard came on for Palace against Spurs first game of the season and scored twice, another player around the £15m price tag
