The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 16th October)

Good Morning. It's Thursday 16th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Troubling struggles in the latter stages of games for Whites

With almost a fifth of the Premier League season completed, Leeds United’s statistical profile is beginning to tell a concerning story about their struggles in the latter stages of matches. On paper, the Whites appear competitive in attack, averaging 12.1 shots per game—good enough for eighth in the league. Yet, the raw numbers conceal a deeper issue. When broken down, Leeds generate just 3.5 of those attempts in the final half hour, a figure that plunges them into the bottom three for late-game productivity. This lack of second-half threat may hint at waning fitness levels, ineffective substitutions, or perhaps a tactical rigidity that opponents have learned to exploit.

Despite their overall shooting volume, only 3.4 attempts per match find the target, dropping Leeds to 15th in accuracy. In comparison, attacking powerhouses such as Arsenal and Liverpool comfortably surpass 15 shots per game, while relegation rivals Burnley, Wolves, and West Ham linger among the league’s least prolific sides. The most telling statistic, however, lies in their goal distribution: five in the first half, just two after the break, and none in second halves away from home.

Defensively, the pattern persists. Leeds have conceded six second-half goals, raising more questions about endurance and in-game management. Daniel Farke must address whether his squad’s conditioning, tactical shifts, or squad depth are to blame. Are Leeds visibly fading in the second half of games, and what can Daniel Farke do to reverse the trend?

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Getafe manager vetoes Bamford move

Getafe’s pursuit of former Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has come to an abrupt end after manager José Bordalás vetoed the deal at the final stage of negotiations. The 32‑year‑old forward, who recently turned down the opportunity to join Sheffield United for guaranteed first team football, had been keen on a dream move to La Liga.

According to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, Getafe’s hierarchy had made significant progress toward securing Bamford on a free transfer, viewing his experience and proven goal‑scoring record as valuable assets. However, Bordalás is said to have “expressed his disagreement” with the signing and ultimately decided to pull the plug, effectively ending the talks.

The decision highlights an apparent difference in vision between the club’s sporting directors and their manager. You can't blame Bordalás for wanting a younger, fitter and less injury prone forward to lead the line at Getafe. With nine goals from the last two seasons in the Championship, the one-time England hitman cannot afford to be so picky about his next move.

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Maybe those who were lamenting the loss of Bamford will be realising just how much a liability he was in last two seasons. A free agent now and still nobody will take a chance on him. Will he ever play again?

 

Morning all

Bamford - We paid him off so we never saved anything in showing him the door, I guess we might have saved a bit if we negotiated an amount but it wouldn't have been cheap

 

Under Bielsa we were known for playing the last 10 minutes just like the first 10 minutes. That's not a 'bring back Bielsa' statement, but what has changed? We were sometimes naive back then, tying to play the 'we'll score one more than you' game, but its worrying that we're fading in the second half.

 

Do you think we are chasing the ball too much, and perhaps running out of steam a little?

 

Even Wrexham don't want the liability.

 

No just not good enough.

 

Exactly this. We’re getting found out by the extra quality of premier league teams, we could see games out in the championship.

 

Ipswich fans were all moaning last season that they dropped off in games for the last 15 minutes and the fitness levels required in the PL were greater than imagined

I do find it strange as I would have said you'd need to be fitter in the Championship. I think it is more a mental approach than physical, just switching off for a moment and getting punished when the opposition quality is far great than the Championship

 

I accept everyone who said that Bamford was entitled as per his contract to just sit on his ass and do nothing. Let’s face facts we have given him a great lifestyle as reward for what he did for 3 seasons under Bielsa however he has done nothing for this club for the next 3 seasons. He has been more interested in picking up his wages than actually going to a club to play football, otherwise he would have gone. So personally I don’t care about Bamford and don’t recognise his value to us now. I love players like Cooper, Dallas, Klich, Phillips, Alioski even Harrison. If Bamford had left he would have been a hero but not leaving proves he has been a drag on the club for years.

We have a problem at the end of matches this season just as Ipswich did last season. The players are so desperate to hold on that they lose shape, forget the game plan and defend to low inviting non stop attacks

 

I'm going to start with a Caveat but I launch into this... I think we're doing pretty well for a team that has just got promoted however I have said this year's premier League is unpredictable.

Now...

Farke is a one trick pony. Run, run and run then sub at the 70th min. Last 2 seasons I've noticed we can control the game when we ran fast and we could attack. The Wendies realised that and slowed the game.

The quality in this league is light years ahead of the Championship. It's more.of.a.physical game with the best in the world playing. Even the likes of Bielsa and Jose get found out in the end.

Let's get on to the managers in this league. There's some world class managers in this league. Pep, Slot, Iraola to name 3. They'll be able to see through Farke's game plan

Again I say Farke is not as good as some people make out. You can say all you want about Norwich not backing him but a decent coach can make Deadwood in yo world class players. Look at Nuno at Forest or if you want to go back Martin O'Neill and Leicester and Villa.

It all.adds.up.

 

Not quite sure why the dig at Farke or what the point of it was?

 

Tbh it was an observation from where I stand. Where people want to take shots at the owners or Underwood (and I'm not fan of the 49ers) I think they've tried their best this summer. If it goes tits up it falls on Farke's head.

 

because he likes having a dig at Farke?

As it goes, Iraola got a point at Elland Road, but even he thought they didn't really deserve it.

As for us not being productive late on. I think you have to consider the game state. In most of our games we've been hanging on to a lead or what what would have been a good point. Instinctively you're going to sit back and let the opposition are going to come chasing the game. We created opportunities late on against Spurs when the boot was on the other foot.

For a few games now we've had limited wide options on the bench and been forced into more defensive changes, when legs got tired... this may or may not be a factor. However, there's no doubt that we do go all-in from the off so i do think it's worth keeping an eye on whether we fade in games consistently.

 

Previous point. Perhaps we are chasing the ball too much

 

Yes I do like having a go at Farke but I've had the same stance now for 2 years and that was we shouldn't have hired Farke when we all knew the aim was promotion and then survival whilst pushing up the table.

When Red Bull take over they will bring their own man in

 

The anti Farke thing has become tedious to say the least. Maybe get Marsch back and keep everyone happy

 

It's not about being anti Farke it's knowing his limits as a coach. He's amazing in the Championship but so is Warnock despite my hatred towards Colin I wouldn't want him managing us in the Premier League cos we wouldn't survive

 

Wolves I’m no Farke fan but you have to be fair. He deserves the chance to show us he is good enough and so far he has done an ok job besides Arsenal. Average a point per game is pretty good and his new midfield is holding up well so far, Stach has been awesome and even Aaronson has some of the leagues best defending stats. So right now I’m keeping my powder dry until everyone can see the wheels coming off. If he gets to January he will have more than beaten my prediction and I hope he makes me look stupid and has a great season as a coach

 

So, are you saying it’s impossible for Farke to keep us up this season? Secondly, from your reply to my earlier post, are you blaming Farke or the 49rs for your predicted failure of ours (because your response was something of a mixed message)? Finally (as I ask this of everyone when they make this point, usually with radio silence at this point), as you never wanted Farke and still want him sacked, who (realistically) would you have appointed at the time and who would you replace him with now (which might be easier now we’re in the prem)?