Good Morning. It's Thursday 7th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Trio could still make Saudi moves The Saudi Arabia transfer market closes its doors at 10pm tonight (local time), with it being possible Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo or Helder Costa could still depart. It was recently reported that Cooper turned down a lucrative move to Robbie Fowler's Al-Qadsiah, but with less than twelve months left on his contract, he may reconsider should an offer be right! Several media reports have suggested that the Leeds stalwart is looking for a contract extension at Elland Road, something which is unlikely to happen. Junior Firpo is nearing a return to action, but remains out of favour with large sections of Leeds fans whilst Helder Costa has been frozen out altogether. please log in to view this image Villain or Scapegoat Few players received the amount of stick that Illan Meslier had to contend with last season, but with his defence proving as useful as a chocolate teapot, was the criticism justified? The Frenchman conceded 69 times from 38 appearances averaging just two saves per game, half what he was averaging during Leeds maiden season back in the top flight. It's fair to assume that whilst his self-belief was shot to bits, his confidence in his back four would have been little better. He was widely tipped to be one of the first to leave Leeds this Summer, but for one reason or another, a move never materialised. Whilst it was refreshing to see a first team player not pushing for the exit door, I can't help but think that his reputation has been tarnished by his stats of last season. Leeds must have assumed the 23yo was on his way, after snapping up Karl Darlow on the cheap. Whilst nine years his senior, the former Newcastle shot-stopper didn't arrive at Elland Road to warm the bench. How important is Meslier to our side? Is he the best keeper in the division? Are you pleased he stayed? What now for Darlow? please log in to view this image Will Bamford ever regain his place Once one of the finest strikers in the Country, Patrick Bamford's fall from grace is as well documented as his injury record. The 30yo (this week) hit-man is one of a few remaining players for Bielsa's reign to survive both, the test of time and Bielsa-ball. He netted 17 times, and laid on 8 assists during Leeds maiden season back in the top flight, but has only managed 11 goals (and 7 assists) ever since. As he nears a return to action from his most recent ailment, how likely is it, that Bamford will regain his spot in Daniel Farke's starting line up? Stats suggest (at this level), that Joel Piroe is more than capable of occupying the No 9 shirt, and with Bamford's wages still rumoured to be around £45,000 a week, should Leeds be looking to off load him, or does he still have a pivital role to play? please log in to view this image
Morning all Bamford adds some depth to the bench, I’d prefer to see him on it than Greenwood, Joffy or a few of the others we had to use earlier this season, like the third choice keeper. I’d allow Cooper (for a fee) and obviously Costa to leave. Firpo I’d like to see how he performs at this level but the downside is you’ll always be waiting for the next injury, if we were offered the high price we paid for him then bye bye. Although out of position, Byram and Shackleton have been more than adequate at LB
Morning all, I said all along that a lot of Mesliers problems came from an awful defence and a worse goalkeeping coach. I'm not saying his drop in form wasn't slightly his fault but imagine what having to play behind that lot last season did to a young man's confidence which affects his decision making. Then the one man in training who is supposed to help correct his errors is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike
Morning all. Meslier would be far better behind a decent defence and facing half the attacks he has in last two seasons. As for Bamford, his career is as good as over and the sooner we can get him off the books somehow the better. Doubt there will be many takers on 40k a week so expect yet another huge hit to get rid
I think a dodgy defence can effects a goalkeeper's confidence and vice versa... sometimes keepers just have a bad run of form that can then be exaggerated because in their position mistakes are magnified. However, he has been statistically poor for two seasons (really poor the last) and made errors all through the season... from shot stopping (historically his strength), poor basic positioning - and flapping shots and crosses back into the danger area. And his distribution hasn't been great. He'll have less to do this year because he's in a lower division. Hopefully results will pick up and the whole team's confidence will pick up with it. None of that, in my view takes away from the fact he was pretty awful last season and a major contributing fact towards our relegation. Telling that for all the hype... nobody came in with serious interest in buying a player that was known to have been made available.
Interestingly Milky, at a q and a with John Giles at end of last season, he was asked his opinion on Meslier. He rated him as a great keeper and laid most of the blame on what was in front of him
I remember you saying that fella. Jamie Carragher thinks the defence and keeper were equally culpable... and that the sides with the worst 3 keepers (in his opinion) got relegated. Jockies are the worst tipsters
We'd be better off keeping him on our books, then paying him off, so he can join another Championship outfit who pip us to 2nd place on the last day of the season.
Afternoon all. If ever there was time for taking on FIFA and getting them to half the international calender then surely this week is it. The reality is they don't own any of the players, or pay their salaries or transfer fees but yet get to commandeer them whenever they feel like it just because they've always done so. World Cups are great but after that the rest is mostly a load of old bollocks. Maybe the Saudi's will end up being the Kerry Packer of football and finally bring them to their knees.
For me Cooper stays, when fit he plays, one thing we didn't address during the summer was bringing in a replacement captain, I believe Wober was lined up but we still had time to find one. Imo there's not a better captain at the club, Ayling an adequate replacement but his game time is surely limited from now on. Happy to give Mes this season, see if he can regain his confidence. He needs to mature in to a all round keeper from now on. Surprised Bamford is still with us tbh, I don't think he's happy at the club and resented a lot of the stick he got last season, Saudi is probably his only other option unless he's willing to take a pay cut.
CIES Football Observatory have named Wilfred Gnonto as the Championship's most valuable player at £34m
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Bamford not good enough. Cooper not good enough. Meslier not good enough. Firpo is ****. Ship em out. See ya tomorrow!
I think we all know, all bar a few couldn't give a **** what happened last season, bunch of mercenaries twats. Much happier with the squad we have now, most would have had options and chose us, so they want to be here.
Don't think Coops will be going anywhere. He's proud to be the club captain & will end his career with us, I'm sure. Another factor is that he's either just about earned a testimonial for his loyalty to the club, or he's very close to it. How many players have given us 10 years of service this century? I can only think of Kells & Lucas.
Or you can probably get Jammy's old one on eBay for £ 25.00, I would imagine his Farke one is due any day now
