The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 4th November)

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 4th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Stach targets Forest return

Anton Stach has shed light on the painful rib injury that has disrupted his promising start at Leeds. The 26yo has impressed the Elland Road faithful with his physicality, ball-winning ability and powerful engine, but a broken rib sustained in October against Spurs has been costly. The injury, coupled with a broken finger, came at a time when Stach was beginning to establish himself in Daniel Farke’s midfield. Rib damage is notoriously difficult to manage, with even simple movements like breathing or twisting bring discomfort.

Despite the intense pain, Stach was thrust into the starting line‑up against Burnley next game; a decision that backfired as his restricted mobility hampered his performance and undoubtably contributed to the team’s dismal result. Speaking to German outlet Kicker, Stach admitted that the challenge was “mostly a mental thing,” explaining how he instinctively held back in physical duels to protect himself. While unable to perform at his peak, he remained on the bench against Brighton to offer support to his teammates and maintain his presence within the squad.

“After breaking my little finger, I also broke a rib against Tottenham. I initially tried to keep playing,” “But you definitely feel an injury like that. For me, it was mostly a mental thing, because I automatically held back in challenges. The coaching staff still wanted me on the bench to support the team.”

“The break did me good, and I got better day by day,” Stach continued. “Now I need a few training sessions to get used to the intensity again; especially in midfield, you have a lot of challenges, and elbows can come in quickly.”

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Is a draw good enough at Forest

Leeds make the short trip to the City Ground this weekend knowing they'll need to improve at both ends of the pitch if they are going to get anything from Sean Dyche's new look Nottingham Forest. Their inept display against an injury-hit Brighton side (last time out) left fans angry, and they will demand a better performance next time out!

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, sit at the foot of the current form table with just two points from their last eight outings. Yet their spirited showing against Manchester United last weekend hinted at a turning point. Forest’s squad brims with depth and attacking flair, the kind of resources Leeds could only envy. From defence through midfield to the forward line, there is quality in abundance; if only it can be channelled into consistent results.

Under the experienced guidance of Sean Dyche, there is a growing belief that Forest will eventually steer themselves clear of danger. Dyche’s no-nonsense style and tactical organisation seem tailor-made for a survival fight, and the performance against United suggested his ideas are beginning to take hold. Leeds, in contrast, continue to look vulnerable at both ends of the pitch, brittle in defence, blunt in attack - a combination that leaves them open to being picked apart by a side with Forest’s attacking options.

Given the circumstances, Leeds fans might admit that a draw may not be the worst result on Sunday. A point on the road, especially against a team seemingly on the rise under Dyche, could be a platform to rebuild momentum. With West Ham hammering Newcastle on Sunday, the precious points difference between safety and the drop is shrinking, so is a draw enough?

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Draw would be good but not enough. We've had easy start to our campaign, you've only to look at what's facing us in the next nine games to prove that. Points will be hard come by between now and mid January. At least a couple of wins needed to prevent us sinking further. But hey ho, another welcome international break around the corner should give Gerard plenty of time to get to know our players

 

In this league, against any of the teams away from home, a points a good result. Obviously against a few of the “so called” lesser teams we’d hope for better. The quality of our squad pretty much ensures we are reliant on our home form, with a few away performances to hopefully get us above the drop zone.

We are probably a few points shy of where our performances indicate we should be. All is not lost, I’m not doom and gloom, though every defeat always hurts - think we’ll pick up a few points upto and including the Christmas fixtures. Think the African Cup will impact a few clubs, especially Sunderland.

Our home form will be key. Pretty straightforward really .

 

Forest have got a good squad, Dyche will get them well organised and they have the players to be hard to break down and a threat in transition. Sadly they will rise in the table and this is a tough game. That said there's nothing especially to fear, and a point is always a good result away in the PL.

 

yup, you got it. My fear is that in not taking the points we should have when they were available, that confidence will slide when we hit a tough patch... like the run of games looming on the horizon. I see the villa game as a biggie. They've won some games but been bang average doing so. Given what follows that's a crucial game for us.

 

Also having had a broken rib myself, what the fck was Stach doing playing with one? If that was Farke's call, that's questionable at best.

 

Of course it's Farkes fault. He was also the one who Broke Stachs rib. How about the constant fans moaning week after week why such and such isn't playing. Ut would never enter their heads that said players could be carrying a knock

 

They can be pretty vicious some of these German sausage fights. A Bratwurst to the ribs is no laughing matter.

 

To be fair in this case it is. He chose to play a player who had a broken rib.

 

Would have been cleared by the medical team first surely

 

I know you’re on the windup above SG but I’m not sure when he can take a job, there’s a certain amount of time he can’t work or he has to pay an enormous amount of tax on the money earned in (wherever he managed), it’s why he turned down Rangers.

 

Our away form is so woeful that I’d be grateful for a point. Morning all by the way.

 

We’re going to lose embarrassingly but at least this time there won’t be much of the weekend ruined.

Small mercies etc.

 

Gary O’Neil has pulled out of taking over at Wolves again so wonder who is going down with them

 

So is the Yorkshire martial art of Ecky Thump involving black pudding sausages.

 

That's a blast from the past. Black Pudding Bertha...

 

That’s what I was trying to remember when I posted … I had ripping yarns and the ‘blackest black Pudding’ episode in mind but it was indeed the goodies.

 

Any result away from home is a good result in this league however we’ve got some tough fixtures coming up so ideally we want the win. Forest are also playing in Austria Thursday night so tired players and hardly any/if any prep time for our game means we should be winning. The thing is if not West Ham and Forest, who else? Need to keep these teams down there and at bay!