Good Morning. It's Thursday 23rd October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Elland Road expansion: Fans left frustrated as bureaucracy threatens progress It’s hard not to feel a burning sense of frustration over the latest developments surrounding the Elland Road expansion plans. We’ve waited years, decades even, for real progress on bringing our historic home into the modern era, and now it feels like bureaucracy could derail the entire project for yet another season. The council’s planning process, which was supposed to take around 13 weeks, has already stretched to 20, and fears are growing that construction might not even begin until after another full campaign. For a club that has fought its way back to stability both on and off the pitch, the thought of more red tape and delays is unsettling. The main sticking point, as always, seems to be transport. Leeds City Council’s latest report has flagged “significant concerns” over the club’s Travel Plan, with requests for revised frameworks and additional data. Of course, traffic and congestion are real issues-anyone who’s been to Elland Road on matchday knows that. It feels like the club is being asked to jump through endless hoops. Active Travel England and National Highways have both lodged objections, and while Leeds United have been cooperating and updating their submissions, we’re still stuck in the mire of consultation and paperwork. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, and the longer this drags on, the more likely it becomes that the start date will slip well beyond May 2026. What makes this harder to swallow is that the club clearly recognises the challenges and is actively addressing them. The goal of reducing car use, improving public transport links, and ensuring a safer matchday experience is being taken seriously. But progress requires momentum, and right now, it feels like there’s too much hesitation from decision-makers. Elland Road at 53,000 capacity would be a symbol of how far we’ve come, a stadium worthy of our ambitions. Yet, instead of forward movement, we’re trapped in a cycle of reports, deferrals, and missed deadlines. It’s time for the council to match the club’s urgency and ambition. Leeds United are ready to invest, ready to build, and ready to elevate Elland Road into the 21st century! please log in to view this image Alarming DCL stats that will unnerve Whites fans If scoring goals were judged on effort alone, Leeds United would be title contenders by now. The 1-0 loss to Burnley wasn’t just another dent in Leeds survival hopes; it was the fourth time in eight matches that Daniel Farke’s men have failed to score. That’s despite producing an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.63 at Turf Moor, proof, if ever needed that creating chances and burying that don't go hand in hand. At the centre of the storm is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the man tasked with leading the line and, theoretically scoring the goals. He’s managed the first part convincingly; he does lead the line, but the second has become something of a disappearing act. He has managed just 22 touches in the opposition box this term, over 449 minutes of game time, less than five touches per 90 minutes!!! According to the data gods, since the start of the season, Calvert-Lewin has underperformed his xG by a staggering 10.4. To put that into plain English, he should have scored ten more goals than he actually has, putting him in last place. Next is Nicolas Jackson with 7, followed by Beto (6.2), Darwin Nunez (6.1) and Keane Lewis-Potter (5.5). It's a bitter pill to swollow considering DCL's £120,000 per week (that's over half a million a month) salary. please log in to view this image
you'll upset Leeds of London by mentioning xg, Matt... anyway he won't comment on it, not even to say what nonesense it is However, you need to have a word with your data gods, or your AI platform, because the figures quoted are complete gibberish DCL has had the worst xg record in the prem combined over the previous 2 seasons for Everton... but this season the whole teams xg is 10, and he didn't play all the matches. DCL's own xg is between 1 and 2 depending on the 'data god'.... 1.3 according to opta. He's missed good chances but no real sitters, and the goal he scored was a really difficult chance.
Morning all DCL stats don't unnerve me, Milky pointed it out just before we signed him, he is set to make it previous three seasons. You have to take your chances in the PL it's not like the Championship when you might manage 10 good chances and put 2 away and come back with three points, you're lucky to get 3 good chances in the PL
I’m not at all surprised that the stadium travel plan is a sticking point. It was always likely to be a major issue for the 2 bodies referred to. From experience Consultants tend to be unrealistic about what is needed to satisfy the various parties involved. They often take a less is more approach hoping that’ll work. It rarely does, especially with developments this size. I have a fair bit of experience in these types of things and unless the club and their traffic consultants get “real”, time will tick on. Not all matches kick off at the weekend, when there’s lass traffic about. In the prem we can play on any working day, if Sky dictates. Should the unthinking happen and we get into Europe that escalates the travel issues by increasing midweek fixtures. These bodies are required to look at the now, but also what happens 10 yrs and more down the line. I might criticise the Council etc for many things, and I desperately want to see the stadium expansion happen - but my guess is its not as black n white as is being reported.
Good morning Excellent debate Matt, thank you 49ers understand exactly what is needed when it come to developing a world class stadium, the Levi Stadium where SF 49ers play is one of the best in the world and seen as a blueprint for others (Spurs used it as a model) ... the council will be wanting to keep their own costs to a minimum, and this will be the sticking point ... they are able to put in any transport framework they like, but they will be fighting to avoid costs Meanwhile, over in Manchester, the council is doing all they can to build Scum a new stadium for free ... FFS!!!! DCL will come good, I'm sure of this ... the key stat that stood out for me is just 22 touches in opponents area ... this tells us that he's not getting the service
On the stadium front I’m with Eire as the 49ers are not confident of being in the prem next season now so redevelopment will shrink to tweaks. They should have guaranteed staying up by investing in a quality squad and demanding that FARKE selects players the 49ers spent £110m on. DCL and Nmecha will be viewed as genius or ineptitude by January
