Good Morning. It's Tuesday 22nd March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Koch tests positive for Covid Robin Koch has tested positive for Covid. The 25yo centre back took a lateral flow test ahead of departing to Germany to meet up with his International teammates, when the detection was made. It is not known if he caught it from Raphinha, who missed the 3-2 win at Wolves, but it certainly raised a big question mark, how many of the Leeds squad have it? please log in to view this image Leeds have a problem at full-back on both sides of the pitch Both full-back positions at Leeds Utd have developed into significant area's of weakness, according to Elland Road journalist Phil Hay. Whilst praising Ayling for his heroics last Friday night at Molineux, Hay describes the 30yo's performances this term as intermittent, whilst questioning Firpo's suitability for top flight football. Blame can be shared equally across all area's of the pitch this season, with perhaps Meslier and Raphinha receiving some sort of dispensation for their efforts. The wing-back positions has been an especially important cog in the ER wheel, not just defensively, but from an offensive point of view. At Leeds, the majority of attacks start from wing-back, and as such, do Leeds need to invest heavily in two top class players who are able to deliver the goods at a higher level? "Leeds have a problem at full-back on both sides of the pitch and have seen teams exploit those areas to good effect recently. Both of Wolves’ goals on Friday were created by runs beyond Dallas on the left, and Aston Villa’s opener in their 3-0 win at Elland Road two weeks ago was made in the same way, albeit on the other side: one runner dragging Dallas forward and another, Lucas Digne, sprinting into the space left behind, free to pick out attacking options arriving in the box. Much as Bielsa always took risks with his full-backs, it has developed into a significant area of weakness." "Junior Firpo’s first season with Leeds has been a partial story of injuries but positionally and technically, he is yet to show that he is suited to the Premier League. Luke Ayling was one of Bielsa’s biggest success stories and he has telling performances up his sleeve, like that culminating in the stoppage-time winner at Wolves, but the 30-year-old’s form has been more intermittent than in previous years, a struggle others at Elland Road can relate to." please log in to view this image Do Leeds have time to wait for youngsters to mature Leeds' failure to invest last Summer almost cost them their Premier League status. Whilst Jesse Marsch's team are not home and dry yet, the seven point cushion, at least gives them the chance to dream of a third successive term in the top flight. It's easy to look back at the horrendous mistakes which have been made by club and Manager relating to both the size and strength of the squad this season, and lay blame. Big decisions will have to be made in several months time, but, does Radrizzani need to break the bank in order to do so? The Hierarchy have worked tirelessly over the last three or four years to bring new and exciting young talent through the ranks. The likes of Summerville, Cresswell, Hjelde, Gelhardt, Summerville and Greenwood have all made an impression on the first team this season, and at times have outshone their elders. We must remember also, that Bogusz, McCalmont, Temenuzhkov, Poveda and Drameh are all gaining first team experience whilst away on loan. In an ideal World, we'd like to see the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow gradually replace the old guard, but there is only a small window of opportunity during the Summer to bring new players to the club, though it would certainly take the financial pressure off Radrizzani, if some were ready to step up! How long will the youngsters wait for their opportunities? A footballer's career is short! They will all be wanting to play regular first team football, but who is ready to make that jump? please log in to view this image
Morning all We need to get whatever we can back on Firpo and see who we can sign, on the right I'm convinced Drameh will come good once he returns. I don't want to think too far ahead until our PL survival is secured. In regards to Phil Hays comments on Ayling, he hasn't played that many games at RB this season
You could see from Firpo’s very first appearances in a Leeds shirt that he was hopelessly out of his depth. Whoever scouted him/sanctioned his signing made an incomprehensible error. Total waste of money.
This is where I defend Radz for money spent but then I question why he hasn't given Orta a huge kick up the arse. Augustin, who was responsible? Firpo likewise, Rodrigo serious question mark and then James/Harrison... If it was me and Orta came to me and said we want to sign Dan James I'd have to ask why did we sign Jack then? Radz watches the games, he's active on social media and can see what people are saying as well as TV pundits, all questioning our lack in the middle. I'd call Orta in and ask why we have neglected that area despite spending a ton of money, if he said he can't find better than what we already have I'd ask why am I paying you then as I could go out and find someone better. Radz replied to a fans tweet the other day (who was actually sticking up for him and the amount invested) Radz replied it is exactly £200m out of his own pocket. I'm not sure if that includes buying back ER though and it is a questionable figure when you consider the 49ers investment
That 200m might be what he has forked out, but it doesn't include the income that has been generated!
Drameh is Aylings successor as far as Im concerned. Firpo was unlucky with getting up to speed, illness, covid and injuries. I do however think he is more suited to Marsch tactics. We dont have a left back in the 23s unless you ask Hjelde to do it. I try and stay out of arguing about Radz Orta or the board as Im chuffed we have them at the helm. None of us were party to what went on with Bielsa, player signings or anything else, and as usual Phil Hay gives us his views, not the views of anyone at the club and we still have 8 cup finals to play
As far as 23s coming through, there will be plenty leaving this summer. Bogusz is out injured for months, Kun hasnt done anything, Edmondson is next to useless based upon 2 failed seasons on loan. Leif Davies may get picked up by Bournemouth but not nailed on as he has had injuries and up and down form. Oveda a wasted season thanks to bad injury. Then you look at some present 23s like Liam McCarron who is playing as LB for months now but really a midfielder who isnt as good as the likes of McGurk Jenkins, Allen and now Archie Gray. McCarron hasnt made it even though hes been on the first team bench, but has been here 3 maybe 4 years now and he had first team experience at Carlisle when we bought him so for me its bye. Shackelton will never make a prem player, McCalmont the same. Will Greenwood and Summerville still be here because these players are behind first teamers butwill not do a 3rd season at 23 level?
Morning all, Agree with comments regarding Drameh being the replacement for Ayling. I still think I've seen enough of Firpo to think he needs to be allowed a chance under Marsch and his tactics. I think he could not get to grips with what Bielsa wanted him to do. This leads to the orta debate, could he have found a left back who would have fitted in better?
Think Hemese nails it here because Bielsa wanted wing backs and although I did a lot of research into Firpo I never saw him play LWB much. Think Bielsa thought he had the “characteristics” but….
Bit off topic...... Good news, Mike Dean is to pack in at the end of the season.....bad news....he is expected to be one of two permanent var officials at stockley park
Two of the qualities needed to be a top player are ball control and self control - Firpo has neither. It doesn’t matter if he’s not suited to a wingback role - he’s not good enough. Makes Alioski look world class. Firpo has none of the attributes for either a Bielsa team or a Marsch team. He’s the exact opposite of Alioski. It doesn’t appear that there was much due diligence done for this signing. It’s a though someone at Leeds saw he was available, that he was a Barcelona left back deputising for Jordi Alba, and thought he must be good, let’s get him in. Need better.
Rads must think people believe him and as for Orta my views on that waster are well known. We got him from boro what a catch.
So who were the three central midfield players? Did Bielsa only give the green light to one of them, why did we not do the homework to assess availability who were the ones he said we already have better so no too? I know you can’t answer direct but these would be the questions I’d be asking if I were Radz and spent as much as he is claiming. Please note I’m going right back to the start of last season when we were already short and then the summer transfer window when we also lost Pablo. At least two years and Orta and Bielsa can’t agree or find a better CM player than Forshaw, Klich, Rodrigo, Roberts or Shackleton or out of position Koch or Struijk? Surely Orta should have had time to go to Bielsa with SIX players and Bielsa say any of them will do they’re all good
The biggest problem caused by whoever at the club was not replacing Cuisance 3 transfer windows ago. Bielsa wanted a midfielder at that time but for whatever reason we failed to get one, why? We wanted Cuisance because we needed a midfeilder but failed ffs, even though we have played most of the season without Phillips……surely we were not hoping young Lewis Bate would be able to step in
On the subject of U23s breaking through, a classic case is that of Oliver Casey who came to prominence as half of the best CB pairing in Prem2Div2 and Prem2Div1 alongside Charlie Cresswell. Blackpool bought him in the summer but hes only played 5 times and only played a full 90mins once. Blackpool look like they are going to send him out on loan to L1 to get some game time. So you can shine in our U23s but in the main we see the vast majority fail to break into regular game time. McCalmont plays all the time but in a L2. Casey is a real talent and why Neil Critchley bought him (Critchley ran Liverpool academy) but as many have said you need to be special to make it outside academies. i believe we do now have some kids who will deffo make a good career. Greenwood, Gelhardt, Summerville, Bate, Miller, McKinstry, Klaesson, Cresswell, Hjelde, Drameh who has already made it, Kenneh. There are more with potential but those named are different gravy
Morning all As i have said many times, more than you would think, a big jovial personality in the dressing room goes a long way, some of the reason i think we are begining to find a more concerted/unified effort on the field now due to another exuberant personality that is Marsch.
Big fan of the “real Firpo” but have to agree that Alioski has been a massive miss as he weighed in with half a dozen goals per season too. Whilst we have Firpo continually out we end up square pegging and losing Dallas for example and lets face it we have lost goals from Dallas, Alioski and indeed Klich
