Good Morning. It's Friday 7th April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road. Months of speculation over as Harrison pens new 5 year deal Jack Harrison has ended months of speculation regarding his future, by signing a new lucrative deal at Elland Road, extending his stay to the Summer of 2028. Although the finer details of the contract have not been disclosed yet, it is believed that his improved deal may exceed that of Rodrigo, which according to various reports earns anywhere between £80,000 - £100,000. As we know, Harrison came close to signing for Leicester City in the dying hours of the January transfer window. It is believed that the 49ers intervened at the last minute to scupper the deal. He has been in fine form lately, netting three times in the last four outings whilst enjoying the freedom of a more central role. Finally, we have something to cheer about (off the field). By securing his long term services, Leeds have made a statement of intent, suggesting they are ready to build upon their long term future. please log in to view this image Pundit predicts Leeds victory Former player, now pundit Chris Sutton, has predicted a Leeds victory and a clean sheet (steady on Chris) for the visit of Crystal Palace at the weekend. Leeds have been in fine form recently, rocketing up to seventh in the top flight form guide (three wins, two losses and a draw) with a respectable ten points from their last six outings; eleven places above Sunday's opponents Crystal Palace. The Eagles finally ended their thirteen game winless run last weekend, edging past Leicester City by two goals to one, but an injury to Wilfred Saha would have certainly have dampened Roy Hodgeson's celebrations. The 30yo is an instrumental part of the Palace setup, and without him, they could struggle, according to Sutton:- “Palace not only got a good result in Roy Hodgson’s first game back in charge, they played really well too. The only downside from that win over Leicester is that they lost Wilfried Zaha for a few weeks with injury. I am going with Leeds here, though, and I even think they will keep a clean sheet." “Leeds have taken seven points from the past nine available at Elland Road and the home crowd always helps but, more importantly, they have started scoring again too.” please log in to view this image Leeds Doctors to decide Cressy's fate Charlie Cresswell's season could be over after fracturing his eye socket during Millwall's 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns last weekend. He has been to see a specialist, but until the swelling goes down, they cannot make a prognosis, whether surgery is necessary. With 2354 minutes of Championship game time under his belt, the 20yo has made quite an impact in Bermondsey, amassing four goals, two assists, six man of the match awards and an incredible 5.2 aerial ability. Elland Road doctors will decide whether Cresswell undergoes surgery which would all but end his season. please log in to view this image
Happy Easter everyone On Harrison the jury is still out for me simply because he is having his worst ever season for Leeds. He did however redeem himself against Forest but he needs to end the season in the same top form. We then may get our monies worth. I think Cresswell is ahead of any CB at the club except maybe Koch and Wober. So for me he and Struijk should be their back ups next season. Sorry Coops, Bill you need to be moved on
Happy Easter everyone far and wide. Cresswell needs to calm down or else he will put himself out of the game permanently. Harrison needs to up his game for a whole season. He has the odd game where he plays well and then reverts. Hoping he plays out of his skin on Sunday and we win.
Was glad Palace ended their 13 game winless run last week, you know how it's normally us that end those spells. Plus it keeps Leicester below us, as I don't think Palace will be one of the three to go down.
Jack Harrison’s career at Leeds: 454 Premier League recoveries 280 chances created 254 successful take-ons 252 tackles won 197 appearances 180 starts 161 accurate crosses 98 Premier League apps 91 shots on-target 88 interceptions 83 games won 47 Premier League shots on-target…
Morning all. Early start tomorrow morning. Bus pickup 5am. New contracts sort of don’t bother me. As we know they benefit the player and in turn the club if he moves. Hope he maintains his forest form
Everton manager Sean Dyche has criticised the rise of gamesmanship in football where players exaggerate injury to gain an advantage. Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure was sent off in Monday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Tottenham for putting his hand in the face of Harry Kane, who fell to the floor. "I don't regard that as cheating. It's gamesmanship," said Dyche. "Harry Kane is a great pro but some of it leaves you scratching your head." He added: "If you make a rule, everyone will try to find a way to bend it. "So you make a rule that you can't touch anyone in the face and now everyone goes down if they do get touched in the face. "It was a big drama over nothing. It is worrying to me when I see the physio concussion-testing him after that. Really? Come on."
Afternoon all shame about Charlie I was looking forward to Cresswell vs Drameh in a few minutes on Sky
I'm positive that with Harrison being frozen out and they were trying to sell him, that has impacted on him greatly this season. The day I realised that Klich was going, I commented on the time that the way Harrison was looking when they went around the pitch, that he was the next one going. ONly because of a last minute change of heart did that not go ahead. He is enjoying his football again so will be fine going forward.
It's not a surprise really as this has been happening for ages. Some clubs get away with it depending on who they are. I hate the prima donnas that do this and it was what I loved about us under Bielsa that we just got up and got on with things with no play acting.
Think Kane should have gone as well. He got a yellow for the original shirt pull and should have gotten a second yellow for simulation.
It is certainly a big problem in the game, trouble is now if you don't go to ground or play act, you get nothing from the ref or VAR. case in point was when joe Gelhardt stayed on his feet against Chelsea, a stonewall penalty if ever their was one, but not even looked at by the officials, i guess their is countless examples out their, but until the officials VAR and players alike are all brought in line, sadly nothing will change, and these highly tuned highly paid footballers, will be falling over blades of grass or pulling up because another player grabbed hold of a loose thread on their shirt, until forced otherwise.
Had to laugh at this. It might cheer up a few of you (you know who you are! ). please log in to view this image
