The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 6th December)

Bielsa said too early to say, Phillips was sat in the centre circle waving to the bench that he’s game was finished they needed to sub him, he knew he couldn’t continue which sounds a worry.

Bielsa said Struijk was a hip injury he’ll be back very shortly

 

Just a couple of thoughts on why Charlie Cresswell didn't replace Cooper.

Firstly we were playing a back three and it was the left sided player who got injured. Cresswell is right footed and it would have meant having three right footers across the back line, at least when Firpo switched back he looked comfortable on the left side.

Secondly and I think more importantly Charlie is used to playing in a back four and there's a massive difference when you haven't got a full back tucked in besides you. Put simply it's my view that Bielsa was protecting the young lad from a potentially torrid afternoon against Mbeumo who was a pacy and skillful opponent whilst having to play a formation that's unfamiliar.

Of course he could have switched Llorente to the left side but then that would have disrupted both sides of the defence for one injury. With both Firpo & Harrison being left footed it was Bielsa's solution to a problem we wouldn't have had if Struijk had been available.

 

I read that the Chelsea rent boys chant was started way back, when after a police raid on one of their well known hooligans, he was caught in bed with a rent boy. Chant died out but seems to have made a comeback.

 

Cooper and Phillips would have had a suspension before too long. We have already had Phillips injured once this season already so we do need a new option, new model in there deffo. Left side CBs are Struijk and Hjelde, so we have options. We also have Koch back shortly, but is he the option we need as Phillips cover, I dont think so but he is the cover we need for Llorente and also have Cresswell. So we are covered in defence whichever way you look. Ayling, Drameh, Shaks and Dallas on the right and Firpo Dallas and Hjelde on the left and indeed Struijk. Midfield, lease sort it out

 

Have just watched back both goals we conceded yesterday and whilst it was good play from Brentford we were also unfortunate on both.

First goal and Phillips who'd been receiving treatment a minute earlier is clearly taking no part in the game. This meant Forshaw left his position covering the edge of our box to close down another Brentford attacker where Phillips most likely would have been. Two further points 1) should Phillps have tried to continue after treatment if not fit ? and 2) well done to Brentford as they had 6 players in and around our box from what looked a nothing attack by the touchline.

Second goal and Firpo reads the play well and makes a good interception and tries to clear first time, the clearance is cut out and it comes straight back to him and he does well again to control the ball on his right side. There is then the mix up with Forshaw and Brentford regain possession in a good attacking position, Firpo however recovers from being in advance of the ball to get goal side of his man but is unlucky as the killer pass nutmegs him when he's taking a stride. Also if Dallas had stepped up to be level with the rest of the defence the goalscorer would have been just offside as the pass was made.

Fine margins.

 

The answer regarding referees is a definite yes from me. I've no idea who a lot of them support but their personal judgements certainly affect their professional judgements. It is so obvious it's unbelievable!

 

Regarding the referee yesterday. I remember Coote from a game early last season. I do not remember the specific event but it struck me then he was incompent.

Every time I watched a prem game after that, no matter who was playing, if he was involved I kept an eye on what he did.

He gets so much wrong it is unbelievable. In this case I do not believe there was any bias just a really really awful referee.

 

Ornstein: 49ers have option to buy Leeds until 2024, Newcastle’s Botman interest, Balogun set for loan

The investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers has a deal in place to buy Leeds United for more than £400 million, The Athletic can reveal.

It is understood that there is an option for 100 per cent control of Leeds to pass to 49ers Enterprises by January 2024 — including ownership of the club’s Elland Road stadium.

Leeds’ market value has rocketed since Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani bought them for £45 million in 2017 but 49ers Enterprises — a fund controlled by the NFL franchise — is set to secure a full buy-out within the next two years.

Radrizzani sold an initial 10 per cent of Leeds to 49ers Enterprises in 2018 and that minority shareholding has since risen to 44 per cent, with the most recent increase of seven per cent coming last month.

A fixed purchase of more than £400 million was struck during negotiations that saw 49ers Enterprises hike its stake up to 37 per cent in January. Some sources have told The Athletic that the deal could be worth £475 million.

The overall cost of acquiring 100 per cent of shares includes the money already paid for 49ers Enterprises’ existing stake, leaving more than £200 million to pay.

Completion of a takeover would create another US-ownership model in the Premier League, adding 49ers Enterprises to a growing list of American-run clubs in England.

January 2024 has been set as the deadline for the transition but sources have told The Athletic that a buy-out is likely to come sooner. Radrizzani may retain a small minority stake when control of the club changes hands.

The inclusion of Elland Road in the agreement between Radrizzani and 49ers Enterprises will be seen as crucial by Leeds’ supporters, who watched their team fight back to draw 2-2 there with Brentford yesterday.

Radrizzani has controlled the ground since 2018 when he activated a buy-back clause put in place when Leeds sold their stadium and training ground to a private landlord in 2004. The cost to him is believed to have been roughly £20 million.

Although activating the clause technically brought Elland Road under Leeds’ control again, the stadium was officially acquired by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd, a company owned by Radrizzani and based in Singapore. Elland Road would be part of 49ers Enterprises’ full buy-out.

It has been suggested to The Athletic that if Radrizzani’s company Aser was to buy another club anywhere in the world in the meantime (before January 2024), the deal with 49ers Enterprises would be voided.

 

Probably Jammy

 

I think this is the bit where Ornstein has used journalistic license:

“It has been suggested to The Athletic that if Radrizzani’s company Aser was to buy another club anywhere in the world in the meantime (before January 2024), the deal with 49ers Enterprises would be voided.”

its well known that Radz is on the lookout for other clubs and Salernitano was almost bought last summer. However it wouldnt be Aser buying it, it would be Leeds Utd buying it with the full backing of the 49ers. Its been decided that the best way to get bang for buck in club ownership is to use the QSI, Red Bull, Man City multi club ownership model. Even Barnsley is now part of a multi club operation.

 

Raphinha, Cooper, Rodrigo and Roberts all in 4 yellow cards so expect to lose them for a game soon. Plus we have another 4 players on 3 cards Firpo, Llorente, Shackelton and Struijk so need to make sure they dont pick up another 2 before the 19th match of the season

 

Doesn't that get reset after the Christmas period ?

 

Yes mate it does but another booking between now and then and a suspension if one match for those on 4. Its also easy to get a couple as Firpo found out within seconds of coming on in the 2 previous games. Ghey also still count towards the 10 and 15 booking marks for the season where extra suspensions come in so could get a 3 game ban later

 

19th match is Liverpool on Boxing Day, which is exactly half way through the season. However we still have Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Cuty to play before then and for the guys on 4 yellows to not get booked

 

What are the dirty-bastards Burnley stats?

 

Burnley have 31 yellows, no reds