The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 27th August)

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 27th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Not fit to wear the shirt

The Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday was not merely a defeat; it was a stark reminder that despite guiding the Whites to automatic promotion, Daniel Farke is out of his depth. Just days after a humiliating 5-0 league thrashing, this second-round tie against a Championship "crisis club" – fielding a team with an average age of 21, including five teenagers – was precisely the fixture manager Daniel Farke needed to steady the ship.

The expectation, both from the team and undoubtedly the travelling fans, was a straightforward victory against what was, on paper, a significantly weaker, makeshift side in a sparsely populated stadium. Yet, Leeds’ first-half display was nothing short of dire: slow, ponderous, and disjointed, lacking any semblance of urgency or creative spark. They played as if merely turning up constituted a win, failing to grasp the opportunity for a morale-boosting response.

Even a slight second-half improvement couldn't mask the fundamental failings. The match raised serious questions about Farke’s tactical choices, the quality of their recent signings, and the players’ collective hunger and fight. The penalty shootout, sealed by three consecutive Leeds failures, was a fittingly ignominious end to an evening that underscored a troubling lack of desire and conviction. They got exactly what their lacklustre approach merited, leaving more questions than answers ahead of another crucial league fixture.


Farke hurt and embarrassed

Daniel Farke admitted he felt ‘hurt’ and ‘embarrassed’ after last nights result, and made an odd claim on the scale of the upset. Eight of the Owls players involved last night had played less than five senior matches.
Out of their outfield starting 10, skipper for the night Jamal Lowe was the only Wednesday player to have earned more than Gabriel Otegbayo’s haul of 18 first team appearances.

“We have to take all of the criticism and we are self-critical because out of all the chances we should put four or five goals to bed. “It’s always a bit annoying and you feel a bit embarrassed as a Premier League side, but we have been involved in so many games on this level, especially in the cup – this is why there are so many surprises and shock results.

“Even the team in the lower league can win such a game. Today was one of those days and congratulations to Sheffield Wednesday.” “You can feel for them (the fans). We’re sorry anyhow. We feel a bit embarrassed that we don’t go through in such a game. We can just say ‘sorry’ because they made the trip and wanted to celebrate.”

please log in to view this image

 

Morning all

For me, it’s the dire performance against Arsenal, not the scoreline, it was the lack of urgency yesterday, not getting knocked out

I add the two together and it’s a worry going forward. I also now question the logic and quality of some signings. Perri was a concern at the weekend, Okafor is not as good as Gnonto, DCL got into some decent positions but together with Nmecha did we need both or should we have splashed out on someone else. Two strikers on a free, one thing not scoring against Arsenal but Wednesday!!

I’m not looking forward to the next few games

 

A striker linked to us all summer Dimirovic scored at the weekend and twice last night. Just saying

 

Far too many knee jerk reactions. Since I began following Leeds in 68 we've been knocked out of cups nearly every season by teams we thought we should have beaten. We are where we are. We can't attract top players or managers for all the reasons discussed to death. OK, for those wanting rid of Farke, who will replace him, and forget about naming the fantasy stuff. It'll be another out of work Marsch level candidate. What will that achieve. These players need a couple of months to acclimatise to a new club, tactics and league and then assess them. Who knows, they may all turn out to be dross like most of the lot Orta signed in his 100m splurge but that's a chance you take with players nobody else is competing for. It's going to be a tough couple of years if we survive. But you know what, if relegated Id prefer we still had Farke to mastermind next seasons promotion push. And by the way, regardless who's in charge Arsenal city Liverpool and Chelsea will still batter us

 

I would add also that too many of the players are at the same standard of level. Replacing like for like. I hope that I am wrong...

 

Like I posted yesterday....big Sam is willing so he said ....

 

At least we’ve bought big lads in for him this time

 

You’re right about the cups. Salford and Histon immediately spring to mind.

 

I'm hoping that the disjointed effort is down to lack of familiarity with each other and Farke's system.

 

Sean Dyche is currently unemployed and available…just saying

 

That's how I saw it when we were signing them. There was only Stach I was pleased with and even with him, you find yourself asking how good someone aged 26 but still playing for Hoffenheim can be.

We strengthened the depth of the squad not the first 11. Now that's actually important, so i'm not being overly critical - teams are as strong as their weakest link - so we'll need them. But there's been no sprinkling of stardust.

 

Results do impact on future performances so they always matter, but yeh i agree, you want to see some green shoots in performances, signs you can be competitive going forward. Arsenal was chastening. I'm less bothered by some than last night - it is embarrassing but regardless of the calibre of player... scratch teams often don't gel and these games can be a leveller.

It's maybe worrying that Gnonto who was a bit part player last year has been our liveliest attacker to date. Even against Arsenal, he didn't do much but he looked like the only one technically capable of receiving the ball under pressure and then hitting his man with the layoff.

I'm going to stick my neck out here maybe and say that i actually thought the DCL cameo was promising... he was probably a bit unlucky with the chances but he was getting into the right positions and looked like he might score (off his arse) - something neither of our other strikers have threatened. It could be coincidence - as his arrival coincided with gnonto and bogle addiing some urgency.

 

Agree on DCL

 

Well know in a couple of months

 

The Don started it all with Colchester. Didn't hear any calls for his sacking though. And back then it was a big deal to go out of the cup. Nobody cares anymore

 

He definitely showed he’s an upgrade on Bamford by actually getting on the pitch.

 

I just bet he is and I wouldn't have let him put his arm around my missus

 

So is Gareth Southgate

 

We need to decide if we want PL football or we want to be a charity case.