The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 15th August)

Good Morning. It's Monday 15th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road


Leeds let two goal lead slip at St Mary's

Leeds missed out on the chance to climb to second in the table, as Southampton came from two goals down to grab a share of the spoils, in the souring 34 degree heat; the hottest day in Premier League history.

Jesse Marsch's Leeds dominated much of the first half, without having much to show for it. Bamford, James (who came on for Bamford on 28 mins), Harrison and Kristensen all had decent chances to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes. Although few and far between, Southampton's best chance came on 30 minutes, when Llorente had to be at his best to deny Armstrong a one on one with Meslier. The home fans were baying for blood, but replays showed his sliding challenge was perfectly executed.

Leeds were rewarded for their hard work just thirty seconds after the interval. Harrison's low cross from the byline was glanced home by Rodrigo at the near post (a tactic the Whites had clearly rehearsed, having already tried it several times in the first half). They doubled their tally on the hour mark. Arronson's inswinging corner was met by Struijk. The ball looked destined for the top upright, but Rodrigo had to make sure. That's six goals in three games (if you count the Cagliari match).

With energy levels wavering, Saints boss Ralph HasenhuttL made three changes, and it proved Leeds undoing. With 18 minutes left on the clock, Armstrong burst down the left wing before crossing the ball low and hard into the Leeds penalty area towards Aribo. The Nigerian midfielder kept his composure, rounded Meslier before finding the back of the net, much to the anguish of three Leeds defenders on the goal line.

The goal was the shot in the arm the home side needed, and whilst Leeds began to fade, the host grew stronger and more confident. Nine minutes later, they were level. Mara's through ball carved the Leeds defence in half, and Walker-Peters made no mistake at the far post. It was only in the closing stages that Marsch bought on some substitutions, but it was far too late to influence the game!

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Marsch plays down striker injuries

Social media went into meltdown at the weekend, but it had nothing to do with the weather conditions! Prior to kick-off, Leeds' supporters were anxious to find out why Joe Gelhardt had been omitted from the match day squad. Anxiety turned to panic when Patrick Bamford limped off after 28 minutes; and thousands of fans took to Twitter in their droves to vent their frustrations.

Both players have had lengthy spells on the sidelines in the past twelve months, and whilst Victor Orta continuous to search valiantly for a marquee signing up front, time is quickly running out. There are sixteen days left of the present transfer window remaining, and whilst Leeds have a supposed £40m kitty, finding the right player has eluded them all Summer!

Marsch's post match comments that both injuries are not too serious should reassure fans that both players should be back in action in a week or two. Leeds have 5 games in the next 19 days!!!

According to Marsch:- "Joffy had a dead leg and with a bunch of midweek games coming up we didn't want to push him. He'll be training this week, I think Patrick will be training too,” "Patrick is not bad. He felt a little tightness in his adductor. I've challenged him to be honest with us. He felt like he wasn't 100%. I think he made the right decision to come off. If it's a cup final, I think he plays.”

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Leeds confident of Italian International capture

Italian Sports Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Leeds are confident they can capture Zurich forward Wilfried Gnonto during the Summer transfer window. The 18yo has broken into Roberto Mancini's Italian squad this year, winning four International Caps. He came through the ranks at Inter Milan before joining Zurich two years ago.

In the Swiss Super League last season, he netted 8 times (and 3 assists) in 33 appearances. He also scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists in 3 Swiss Cup appearances. According to Di Marzio, Gnonto is available for between €4m - €5m.

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Morning all

Happy to take a point away from Southampton especially as Scum got arse raped by Brentford this weekend.

The Bamford injury thing is starting to get worrying. This is his 3rd or 4th injury in 12 months. He's turning in to another Forshaw. If he has an injury plagued season then we need to get rid. Simple as that. One good season in the Premier League does not make him the next Hasselbaink or Viduka.

On to Gnoto this kid is meant to be fantastic he's already 18 playing in the Swiss League and has 4 caps and 1 goal for Italy and cos he's only got a year left on his contact he costs peanuts.

 

Good morning,

People will moan about the Gnonto link, but he's 18 year old and already has four caps for Italy and an international goal against Germany. IMO this could be an incredible bit of business if we can get him for that price.

The trouble is he's not the immediate impact striker or left back that we desperately need. If this is an opportunist bonus signing then well done to the board, but if it's instead of strengthening elsewhere then it looks like we haven't learnt our lesson from last season.

 

JM knows Bamford isnt fit yet and carrying a niggle. He then watches Gelhardt take a knock in training again, and still we do nothing in the transfer market. Maybe its time Jesse comes out and says we dont need a striker we have enough. We dont have enough, we need goals to survive and so far only Rodrigo is doing it, but can he carry on?

 

Forest sign Dennis from Watford for about 20mill he scored 10 for Watford last season would he have been worth a go still only 25?.......a gamble maybe but not a bad record from a relegated side

 

Morning from a sweltering Majorca. 38C yesterday. 35C today.

From my sunbed I am very happy with 4 points from the opening 2 games. Performances have been promising too. We don't look a bad side.

I am concerned with the lack of a third striker. I mean we have Greenwood, James and I believe Sinisterra who can play up front in the absence of Bamford and Gelhardt but the fact Marsch turned to the ever failing James as first option fills me with dread. The lack of strikers and midfield nearly relegated us last season. Midfield looks a lot stronger but with no striker to get us up the pitch I fear another long season.

I think we are aware of my stance on Firpo and we don't have another left back at the club.

They are my concerns. The transfer window is still open and the club DID admit they made mistakes in January and they wouldn't make the same mistakes again. The noises are we are still looking for left backs and strikers. I'm happy to wait a couple of weeks if we get the right players.

Would be a shame to lose the early momentum but with Chelsea and Brighton (I think) next up we might just be 4 points from 4 games anyway.

 

I think things are happening on the striker front but we're in panic mode after spending so long with CDK and the PSG lad. I saw we've been linked to Brendan Varquez at Cincinnati yesterday as well Gnoto.

 

I think the club are not in a panic. Calm down guys it's a long season and Bamford will not be going to the world cup. What we really need is the strikers we have to stay fit
Left back is our biggest problem now.

 

Will we see more movement out this week?

• Poveda
• McKinstry
• Bogusz

 

Morning all

Because the missus is away and we had nothing better to do, Ben & I watched Chelsea yesterday and I have to say, I predict a riot - they were extremely good

 

I wouldn’t normally post clickbait transfer gossip. But this is worth it for the description of paddy as our ‘star stinker’

https://insidefutbol.com/2022/08/15...l-term-agreement-in-place-with-target/573407/

 

Agreed. They looked very good. Or was it just that Spuds were all over the place? We'll find out if they can keep it up though. They've gone off on a sprint before & not sustained it. Pretty sure they'll qualify for Europe, but don't think they'll win the PL.

So get your bets on Chelski winning the PL now!

 

Just read this clickbait as it covers the most entertaining part of the Chelski v Spuds. I'm only putting this up here for the last para. If only ...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/a...hel-punished-referee-comments-Conte-feud.html

 

Sorry to upset your apple cart but the Watford players are pleased to get ridofDennis a real pain

 

??????......it was a mere suggestion as to a striker that bagged a few goals in the prem last year, not a character assessment of his personality....

 

Good day all from a very wet dublin airport. Holliers have begun. Unlike wakey I only get one a year so have to make most of it

 

Only because you are self employed and too tight to give yourself more.

 

Fair point that

 

Enjoy my buddy live every day of it. As for me watch this space.