Good Morning. It's Tuesday 11th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Is It Time for Aaronson to Take a Breather? Brenden Aaronson's resurgence this season has been a bright spot for the Whites. After a somewhat controversial departure, he's won back the fans with his tireless work ethic and crucial contributions, netting eight goals and providing two assists. He's become a mainstay in the starting eleven, clocking more minutes than almost anyone else in the squad. However, the sheer volume of work Aaronson is putting in raises a crucial question: is he running on fumes? The stats paint a clear picture of his commitment, topping the charts for distance covered in the Championship, even outstripping many box-to-box midfielders. While this dedication is admirable, his recent form suggests fatigue might be creeping in. A single goal in the last twelve games is a significant drop-off compared to his earlier performances. Leeds United's recent performances as a whole have also appeared somewhat sluggish, hinting at a collective fatigue within the squad. This begs the question: is it time to inject some fresh energy into the team, even if it means benching a key player like Aaronson? The problem for Daniel Farke is the lack of a direct replacement for Aaronson's unique skill set. However, the squad does possess options brimming with potential and, crucially, fresh legs. Both Wilfred Gnonto and Largie Ramazani have been largely sidelined recently, despite possessing the talent to make a significant impact. Ultimately, the decision rests on Farke's assessment of Aaronson's physical and mental state. Is he simply going through a rough patch, or is he genuinely suffering from exhaustion? If it's the latter, a temporary spell on the bench might be the best course of action, allowing him to recharge and return to his peak performance level. Introducing Gnonto or Ramazani could provide the team with a much-needed spark and a different attacking dynamic. please log in to view this image Aidy White Questions Joe Rodon's "Stand-Offish" Second-Half Performance Former Leeds defender Aidy White has voiced his surprise at Joe Rodon's contrasting performance during the loss at Fratton Park at the weekend. As part of the LUTV commentary team, he noted a significant drop in Rodon's form in the second half, particularly highlighting moments where the defender appeared "stand-offish." The blame for Colby Bishop's goal remains a point of contention. While Stuart Dallas suggested both Rodon and goalkeeper Illan Meslier were at fault, he pointed to Meslier's hesitation as the catalyst for Bishop's shot. There appeared to be tension between the duo with words exchanged in the heat of the moment - though that can be put down to competitiveness. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, White focused on Rodon's performance, expressing astonishment at the stark difference between his first and second-half displays. He praised Rodon's initial brilliance but questioned his subsequent lack of assertiveness. "First half he was brilliant, was Joe Rodon," White stated. "But he came out and for me, the way he ran off the back of him – that’s not like Joe Rodon that." White elaborated on his observations, emphasizing the uncharacteristic nature of Rodon's behavior. "A couple of occasions he looked like he was stand-offish," he explained. "There’s got to be some accountability for him, he’s a leader, he’s really competitive, he’s performed really well but that second half was a dip." White's comments raise questions about the factors contributing to Rodon's perceived decline in the second half. As a designated leader and typically competitive player, Rodon's "stand-offish" demeanor has sparked debate amongst fans and pundits alike. please log in to view this image Can Rodon finish the season If Brenden Aaronson is running on fumes, we need to spare a thought for Joe Rodon! The ever present centre-back has started every league game this season, only been spared a four minute breather, after being taken off on 86 minutes against Burnley last September. He's played maximum minutes for Wales in all four of their qualifiers, the full 90 during Leeds league Cup defeat against Middlesbrough and even featured against Harrogate in the FA Cup. He has amassed over 3700 minutes of game this season and will no doubt play the full 90 against Millwall and QPR this week before heading back out on International duty with Wales. If I were James Debayo, I'd be scratching my head. We all recognise the importance of Rodon, but there have been dozens of occasions where the Welshman could have been given a breather, giving players like Debayo an opportunity to be bloodied in. What happens now if Rodon finally crashes? please log in to view this image
Morning all. In reference to the above points raised, one of the worrying facts is that those players mentioned, who may be indeed be knackered, will all be playing for their countries during the international break. They'll get no rest and we all remember the effect of last March's break. Maybe time for Aaronson, Rodon and James to develop wiggly injuries towards end of QPR game and get a couple of weeks rest. Ourfour games after the break come in a space of about eleven days and all against teams to the best of my knowledge, have little or no internationals, Swansea Luton Boro Preston. All hugely winnable games in normal circumstances but we can't afford to be trying to carry any tired players through that period. They are the four potential wins that could all but cement promotion
Morning all, I don’t think any of them need a rest. But just to change things up a bit it might be worth playing Gnonto or Ramazani instead of Aaronson.
I thought Rodon was to blame for that goal. He was way off of their man, on the wrong side of him and seemed to be jogging back. Even if he thought that Meslier would get to it, he should have harried their player or gone inside him to close the angle. Never mind WTF were Bogle and Struijk.
Yep, Ramazini for Aaronson. Worth the experiment. Aaronson is overthinking stuff. Mind you, so does Gnonto.
Agree about Gnonto. At his best when he plays on instinct. Like when he came on as sub (can’t remember who it was against) and with his first involvement ran at the defence and scored.
Morning all This time last season, all the top 4 teams started slipping up, luckily for Leicester they had built a commanding lead. We were relying too much on the likes of Rutter and Summerville, hoping they would rediscover some form and they never. We have had some tough games and it will be the hindsight argument all over again, should Farke freshen it up, if he does and fails we will ask why, if he doesn't we will ask the same question, this is where he earns his wages and uses his experience. I'd be tempted to use Gnonto as the striker and drop Piroe to the bench, I would also be tempted to use Ramazani in place of Aaronson, failing that I would still look at giving two of our attacking options a break We need West Brom to take points from Burnley tonight, we need the Sheffield Wednesday so take some on Sunday in the derby game I would hope we come away with 6 points from our next two, if we do, then I would hope we would have a small gap built again
U Unfortunately these are the games that Burnley/Sheff Utd seem to nick 1-0 wins, with us you can see where the defeats will come, sadly i with others were right about the Portsmouth match. QPR away does not bode well either, our fate is in our own hands, but sadly we all know what tends to happen then. Basically we need Burnley/Sheff Utd to start dropping points just to give us some leeway in the upcoming fixtures. Whether this happens or not remains to be seen.
I was more concerned about QPR and expected three points against Portsmouth, looking at my predictions in the prediction league table recently, that should give great hope of a win against QPR The danger is everyone expects us to choke, our own fans expect it, opposing fans are preying for it, with everyone saying it enough the players start to believe it as well, we really don't want it filtering through to them, Meslier goes to pieces when the pressure mounts. If we screw up over the next two games our wheels falling off, Leeds crumble, it will all be out there again and it will have time to sink in with an International break We need 6 points, if the other two manage six we will still be top but the pressure will be on them more than us as they also have to play each other with three games to go
Both Burnley and the blunts have difficult games tonight, Bristol City are in good form. Neither Rodon, Struijk or Meslier covered themselves in glory for the goal. Ultimately it was Meslier who dithered though. If he hadn't done the hokey cokey and committed himself he'd have got to the ball well before the attacker. If you just watch him for the goal, he went back then forward, then back again and then finally forward. Re Aaronson... we have 3 games this week so he 'could' rest him. However... he's the best athlete at the club... probably in the division. I'm not sure everyone appreciates how much that's valued in the modern game... how leading the press, the harrying etc impacts on us winning the ball back and how we play as a team. I like Gnonto as a 10 or at least coming in off his wing, in open games, but he can't do what Aaronson does and Ramazani? The guy has some nice skills but Jeez he looks shagged after 20 minutes on the wing and he's even more of a lightweight than Aaronson. I can see him coming on when the games slowed down if we're chasing a result but starting at 10? Can't see it unless DF has a whole tactical shift lined up and I don't see him panicking after one bad result. I've just guaranteed him a starting spot ahead of Aaronson tomorrow
Good afternoon all. With regards players being knackered/burned out, I would like to think we have a medical team analysing the players health to inform DF whether they are in the “red zone” and need rest. The problem with Ramazani or Gnonto replacing Aaroson is neither has the natural instinct to press and harry opposition players with the ball, both are out-and-out attack minded, there’s the issue why Aaroson always plays. A few fans on Twitter now believe Rodon has an open dislike towards Meslier, having painfully watched the goal, it was clear that Mes dithering made the mind up on the finish for the attacker, however, when Mes went to the ball Rodon should have been busting a gut to get to the goal line to at least try to clear it. I still fear my worst nightmare coming true and losing to Fat Frank in the playoffs. To throw away a five point lead is shameful choking at its finest.
Afternoon all Twitter is a buzz with talk that Phillips is coming back. Verbal agreement reached. Fee of £20 million
Off topic but if anyone is watching Barcelona v Benfica in the champions league, it’s hard to believe that we had Raphinha at Leeds.
It’s all social media clickbait. Facebook awash with same nonsense. 49ers will want to sign half. Team for 20m
