The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 27th October)

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

Leeds return to winning ways against Hammers

Daniel Farke’s Leeds Utd finally gave the fans something to smile about on Friday night, grinding out a nervy but vital 2-1 win over West Ham at Elland Road. The three points couldn’t have come at a better time after a miserable run that had seen just one win in eight. The result lifted the Whites up to 15th in the table, six points clear of the drop zone.

The evening started in dream fashion. Barely three minutes in, Jayden Bogle whipped a teasing delivery into the West Ham box, Noah Okafor’s clever header forced a sharp save from Areola, and Brenden Aaronson was on hand to stab home from close range. It was a statement goal from a player who went on to have his best game in a Leeds shirt. For a while, it looked like Farke’s men might run riot. Twelve minutes later, a Longstaff corner found Joe Rodon stealing free of Lucas Paquetá’s attention, and the defender thundered in a header to double the lead, as the stadium rocked.

But when have Leeds ever made things simple? The game soon turned scrappy. Injuries disrupted the rhythm; both Scarles and Gabriel Gudmundsson were forced off, and chances came and went at both ends. West Ham thought they’d pulled one back when Paquetá hammered in after a fortunate bounce, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. That reprieve didn’t do much to calm Leeds nerves, though, as the visitors began to find their footing.

As the minutes ticked away, Leeds continued to press but couldn’t find the killer third. Okafor curled just wide, and Bogle’s drive drew another fine stop from Areola. Then came the inevitable late drama—Fernandes glancing home a Jarrod Bowen cross in the 90th minute to set up a tense finale. Fortunately for Farke, his side held firm through four anxious minutes of stoppage time. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t comfortable, but it was absolutely necessary. Leeds might never do it the easy way, but this hard-fought victory could prove priceless in the battle for Premier League safety.

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Medford Messi on fire

Brenden Aaronson delivered his finest performance in a Leeds United shirt during the 2–1 win over West Ham on Friday night. Many supporters had called for him to be dropped, yet Daniel Farke kept faith with the American for a sixth consecutive Premier League start, and was richly rewarded.

Aaronson needed just three minutes to open the scoring, a simple finish that meant the world to a player who had been wrestling with self-doubt. The celebration that followed showed a man liberated, playing with freedom and grit rather than fear. From that point on, he looked reborn—pressing with purpose, gliding through challenges, and nearly adding a wonder goal after dancing past four defenders before rattling the crossbar.

His performance didn’t go unnoticed. Leeds fans handed him 62% of the Man of the Match vote, while Troy Deeney named him in his BBC Sport Team of the Week, describing his display as “monstrous.” Deeney also praised Farke’s bold decision to start him ahead of Jack Harrison and Dan James, calling Aaronson a “difference maker.”

According to the trusted WhoScored system, his 8.58 rating made him the standout performer across both sides; proof of how influential he was in every phase of play. It’s easy to forget how much Aaronson has adapted since his last spell in the Premier League. Often misused last season as a No. 10, he’s far more effective as a box-to-box midfielder, where his energy and timing between the lines shine brightest.

Against West Ham, he combined his trademark stamina with strength and composure, drawing fouls intelligently and driving Leeds forward at every opportunity. In contrast, AO Tanaka, ranked 10th with a poor 6.42 rating could certainly take a page from Aaronson’s book when it comes to using movement and physical presence to influence games.

Beyond cementing his place in the Leeds XI, he’s battling for inclusion in Mauricio Pochettino’s USA squad ahead of a home World Cup next summer. Performances like Friday’s suggest he’s ready to prove he offers more than relentless running. If he maintains this level, Leeds may have rediscovered not just their Medford Messi, but a midfielder capable of driving their season forward.

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Calls for DCL to be dropped against Brighton

Calls are growing louder among the Elland Road faithful for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be dropped from the starting lineup against Brighton this weekend. The striker, signed from Everton during the summer, has endured a difficult spell at Elland Road, finding the net just once this season. His early promise marked by a sharp finish against Wolves has faded quickly, leaving fans and pundits questioning his place in Daniel Farke’s plans.

Despite a steady supply of half chances, the team have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. Much of that frustration has been directed toward Calvert-Lewin, whose finishing has fallen well below expectations. Statistical analysis highlights the depth of his struggles: he has underperformed his expected goals (xG) by an alarming 10.4 since the start of last season, the worst return among Premier League forwards over that period. For a player once tipped to become England’s next top striker, such numbers paint a concerning picture.

With Leeds aiming to climb away from danger, pressure is mounting for change. Some analysts and media outlets have suggested Joel Piroe as a viable alternative to lead the attack. Piroe’s prowess in front of goal and movement could offer the spark Leeds need to convert their chances into goals. However, manager Daniel Farke remains publicly loyal to Calvert-Lewin, emphasizing his hold-up play, aerial prowess, and relentless work rate as key assets that extend beyond his goal tally.

Still, patience among supporters may be wearing thin. Leeds have shown resilience and creativity in recent matches, but without a reliable finisher, their attacking efforts risk going unrewarded. The trip to Brighton now looms as a pivotal moment—not only for Leeds United’s season but also for Calvert-Lewin’s future in the starting eleven. Whether Farke opts for loyalty or change could shape the narrative of the club’s campaign in the weeks to come.

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We’ve now beaten the two worst teams in the division which is all we can hope for. It’s a very different kind of league this season with established teams in bottom three, bin dippers in rotten form and Sunderland flying it. Almost restores a lads interest in the pl

 

Aaronson closed down a lot of arguments about him and he was deffo MotM by a way. Besides his goal and work rate that mazy run was unlucky not to see the goal of the season result if not for a slight deflection.

if DCL got some service I think he is bound to scuff one in and then we might see him shine. His work rate, effort and the way he he closes down defenders and gets his head onto long balls is classic CF play, but he needs service. On Friday he had a couple of long range headers and that was it. If he had the instinctive finishing of Piroe we would have a top top striker.

 

Aaronson hopefully takes confidence from this and backs himself alot more in games to come. His first instinct is to always turn back and play the safe option. On Friday night when he went on the run from his own half he just put his head down and burst through the gaps that were there. He needs to do that much more.

 

Afternoon all

We did what we had to against West Ham, just hope Okafor isn’t going to be out for long

 

Afternoon all. Apologies for my pedantic nature but VAR didn’t rule out Paqueta’s goal, the linesman on-field flagged for offside, VAR was checking whether this was the correct decision.
Great to win, particularly as I was watching in the con club filled with wham fans. If we can get a draw at Brighton I’d consider that a point gained.

 

Wonder what team will Brighton field against Arsenal Wednesday in the caraboa. Presume it’ll be a second string effort

 

Hopefully they go for it, strongest side left not in Europe and beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates in this cup 3 years ago.

 

I guess they will but, with luck, maybe they won’t consider themselves as relegation contenders after their last few seasons and will field a strong team in the hope of winning a trophy (following the successes of Newcastle & Crystal Palace).

 

You got in ahead of me

 

But not quite, eh?

 

Any update on our injuries? Gudmundsson in particular who wanted to go off but was told to stay on. Wonder if there'll be fallout from that.

 

Not even near for me it is so boring.

 

guess the question is whether the gaps will be so obvious against other teams, but hope springs eternal!

 

According to Jonny Cooper Bijol had the most passes and pass completion on the pitch, and on top of that had a solid game defending and driving forward. I think for his first start we can see why he was bought. For me he is a cut above Struijk and should start. What say you?

 

Think he did ok, however I wasn’t that impressed with his passing, and not just the iffy one he played towards our left in the 2nd half that was easily intercepted. Hopefully this was merely rustiness as he’s new to the team.

 

I've been thinking of comparisons for this current team vs the one that got relegated last time and can say I would far rather have Rodon, Struijk and Bijol as our main options rather than Koch, Llorente and Struijk.

I would also rather Gabby (certainly defensively) over Firpo in this league. Perri looked decent enough the other night (and has overall when he has played) and simply has to be better than Meslier. Loved Ayling but, again, Bogle for me. Okafor and Harrison is pretty much of a muchness with Harrison & Sinisterra for me. Ampadu at least equal to Adams, Longstaff over Weston McDonalds every time, Stach over the non existant Roca providing he can rediscover his early promise.

Now Rodrigo was a superior footballer to DCL but he went missing a lot, particularly when things weren't going well whereas DCL gives everything.

So, overall, not all roses but I think we have a chance of digging in and surviving as our league position suggests. Going to need a lot of determination from the players and likely a fair dose of patience from the fans.

 

what say I? I say pass the bong Jonny Cooper.

Not saying Bijol isn’t/won’t be better than struijk But he looked a bit ponderous and not very cultured to me, plus had a few hairy moments. Nothing to concern but nothing to excite either. CBs usually have good passing stats unless it’s a route 1 team.

He was definitely no nonsense in his duels and played his part in a defence that held firm until Ampadu let Fernandez run off him. Overall thought Bijol was ok.

 

No one else notice we didn't go eight without a win,we beat wolves 5 games back.Pay attention lads.

 

He regularly gets 'in behind' players and finds the spaces in between lines. It's just that his first instinct is to retain possession so twists and turns and plays sideways and backwards. I'd much rather see a Pablo type that tries the killer pass and isn't afraid if it goes wrong.