Good Morning. It's Thursday 9th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Rayo Vallecano playing hardball over Iraola's release Andoni Iraola heads the Leeds Utd most wanted list once again, with some bookies offering odds, less than evens. Victor Orta's pursuit of the 40yo has caused unrest behind the scenes at Rayo Vallecano, prompting speculation that Iraola is keen to join the Whites, but has been refused access by his club, who obviously are desperate to keep him. Orta was pictured at Old Trafford last night, which has led to media reports that a deal for Iraola is either unlikely, or will take longer than expected. Feyenoord Manager Arne Slot is still in the mix, but for now at least, the Elland Road hierarchy have their sights fixed on Iraola. please log in to view this image Whites earn well deserved draw at Old Trafford Manchester United recovered from a 2-0 deficit to grab a share of the spoils, on a night where football was the winner. Both teams went at it, hammer and tong until the final whistle; taking it in turn to terrorise each others defence in a exhilarating display far beyond Leeds Premier League standing. Leeds made their intentions known straight from kick off. Fernandes and Adams were having a tussle in midfield, allowing Struijk to gain possession and pick out Gnonto in the opponents third. Swarmed by a sea of red, the plucky Italian played a one - two with Bamford, allowing him just enough time and space to line up an effort from the edge of the 'D', unleashing a rasping shot which beat David de Gea at his near post. Still Shell shocked, Leeds could have doubled their lead on 11 minutes, but Struijk's far post header bought a superb reflex save from de Gea. Unbeaten in the previous 13 games, the hosts fired back with efforts of their own. Sabitzer and Fernandez both had efforts thwarted, but it was Garnacho who went closest on the half hour mark. The Argentinian latched on to Martinez' through ball, leaving Ayling trailing in his midst. He rounded the onrushing Meslier forcing him wide, allowing Ayling time to play catch up. Unfortunately the Leeds right back slips, giving Garnacho the space to to turn and fire into an empty net, only for Wober to save the day with a headed goal line clearance. Leeds doubled their lead on 48 minutes. Koch picks up the ball in midfield, and plays a diagonal ball to Gnonto on the edge of the penalty area. He takes a touch before laying the ball off to Summerville, who cuts it back across the penalty area. With Bamford primed and ready for his third of the season, Varane panics, and turns the ball into his own net. The hosts hit back on the hour mark, when Marcus Rashford out jumped Koch, and headed past the despairing dive of Meslier. They added their second 10 minutes later, when Sancho's speculative effort somehow went through the body of the Frenchman. On reflection, Leeds earned respect last night; kudos they can take into Sunday's game at fortress Elland Road, and if they play half as well as they did last night, we're in for a treat! please log in to view this image
Morning all On the head coach front my hope is that a deal gets done for Iraola, but there’s conflicting reports saying he has rejected us, or his club have rejected a move so really needs sorting out quick. My preferred guy has always been Marcelo Gallardo but Orta needs to beg him to come out of his little holiday as he’s had 5 months off now…. Very very pleased for everyone at the club last night. Some great performances and nobody let us down. It clearly showed we have a squad good enough for mid-table and just need a coach who can join the dots.
Morning All If you had told me we were going to draw at Old Trafford I would have laughed at you. I don't think I've actually been so happy with a draw. Scum are on form compared to what we've seen over the last few years when we've gone over the Pennines yesterday was fantastic. If results carry on like this over the next few games I'm gonna stick my head out on the line and say we should offer Skubala the job on a temporary basis. I mean fortune favours the brave and all.
Morning all Let's play the return fixture against Man U and see where we are at, I know it is a gamble but yesterday was a great result. I am edging towards limping along as we are and getting the right man in for the job when he is available or reviewing the situation game by game. Personally I don't feel Gallardo or Iraola are the right people but that's another discussion. Any new guy outside of the PL is not going to have a clue about our players or best starting 11 it's not an ideal situation but nor is employing a 3rd or 4th choice that are still huge gambles in themselves, no matter what route we take it is a gamble so why take that even deeper by not getting your main man and it also costing us. What kind of coach leaves his club at this stage of the season, not a very honorable one, I have to admire those who say no not mid season. Leave the U21 guy to orchestrate things and bring in a couple of fitness coaches instead. Offer a new coach the chance to join us for the start of the new season or immediately when the current one finishes for them Not only that, new ones will surely surface as they face the axe from their current clubs, Potter could be one of those if he is deemed suitable
The spine of the team going forward should be: Koch and Wober Adams and McNennie 2 of these 3 Bamford, Georginio and Rodrigo That should be the skeleton for me just add full backs and wings/AMs
There will be lots saying let’s keep it as it is until the summer but lets see how that’s works out at Bournemouth for example. O’Neil took over as temp but was then given the job after doing great but now on the verge of sack. The guy at Cardiff lost his job too and most end up sacked and then losing their original jobs with the kids. Its a massive gamble and I don’t think the club dare tempt fate even though Skibby was great last night
No my plan would never be make him permanent, it always goes tits up when you do that, I would just give him it on a week by week basis. If Potter became available three weeks down the line then personally I would move in for him, if he doesn't we review it every 7 days If Gallardo is the number one choice and he is agreeable to a summer move we keep it in mind, the minute we are mathematically safe offer it to him. If Man U thump us and we then get thumped again by Everton review it again. My argument is no new coach can change it drastically in 2 games, he won't have a clue who is best suited to play where. We have a decent squad and I have always insisted (along with many others including you I know) that it was Jesse and his tactics hindering us. Get some fitness coaches in to build up the stamina and leave the U21 coach to pick the best 11
Now that my heart rate has fallen a bit. I have to say the lads did us proud last night. Our American duo in midfield were animals(in a good way) they play with such intensity and wind the opposition players up. The only thing that pissed me off was the foul not given on Summerville, it looked outside the box, but it looked like a foul. Then the other thing was when that horrible twat kicked Bamford on the ground. Don't even think it was even looked at. Why have VAR if they won't use it. Home town decisions.
Was out last night so gutted that I couldn't watch the game, but seems like there's a lot to be positive about if we can get the right man in to get the best out of them. Definitely a side in there capable of surviving before the last game of the season. That foul on Bamford was disgraceful, or rather the follow up, dirty **** ! If VAR didn't look at it the FA should take a look and slap him with a retrospective ban.
Good Morning from a chilly sunny Bardsey iT FEELS SO MUCH BETTER AFTER LAST NIGHTS RESULT WELL PLAYED The new manager and te team.I think iut showed Marshe was not up to it by not playeng McKennie from the start I think that was his downfall I hope we get a new manager in soon and I favour the young Spaniard.I am sure that if we offer him a big incentive especially after last nights result he will come
Morning all. Great stuff from the lads last night but we do need a need coach in asap. In fact it's imperative we don't let things drift as there's only 17 games left and in case anyone's forgotten we still haven't won in ages. Well done to the coaches from last night though, they did us proud in extremely difficult and testing circumstances
It'll be interesting on ref watch on Sky Sports when that ex ref knob Gallagher is on to see what he says about it.
Loyalty ? Rare in football I know, but he's been with the side for a couple of years and took them on a meteoric rise, could be almost like a Bielsa type relationship with the fans. Who am I kidding, it's money. Get the cheque-book out Radz.
We can't offer him a contract, we can ask for permission to speak with him. He could quit and we offer him a contract he is not happy in signing, if he quits and walks out on them he isn't the kind of guy I would want here
I can't watch that show anymore Shako, I end up wanting to boot the telly in. Gallagher just agrees with the ref every time, he will say there wasn't enough in it.
But you've just said you'd like to see Potter get the job, when he walked out on Brighton. That's football, we can't wait until a decent manager leaves a job, on the off chance that he might then join us.
His contract will have terms of employment and basically he would have to break his contract and could be out of pocket for a hell of a lot of money. Also not a good idea for his CV or reputation. When managers get sacked they are entitled to be paid their full contractual salary, so works both ways
