The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 28th November)

Good Morning. It's Friday 28th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Midfield crisis worsens amid Longstaff calf injury

Leeds United face a significant midfield crisis as they prepare to face Manchester City this weekend; a fixture already daunting enough without the added headache of missing key personnel. Anton Stach is unavailable due to concussion protocols, and will only resume team training on Sunday, making his involvement against Chelsea next Wednesday equally doubtful.

Thursday’s press conference saw Daniel Farke deliver more bad news, confirming that Sean Longstaff will miss 4-6 weeks with a calf injury, leaving Leeds worryingly thin in the centre of the pitch. Against one of Europe’s most formidable midfields, Farke’s options are limited. Brendan Aaronson is expected to retain his place but will be tasked with filling Longstaff’s box-to-box role, which may pave the way for Dan James to return on the right wing.

AO Tanaka appears the most likely direct replacement for Stach, though his modest 6.17 Whoscored rating suggests he will have much to prove. Alternatively, Ilea Gruev could be brought in as a midfield pivot; defensively solid and adept at breaking up play, the Bulgarian might help contain City’s attacking waves, though his skillset is less suited to creative build-up. If further flexibility is required, James Justin’s adaptability could be key. The wing-back’s capacity to operate across multiple midfield positions might offer Leeds some tactical unpredictability in a game where they’ll need every possible advantage.

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Could hard running and stamina be Leeds lifeline?

Leeds head to the Etihad on Saturday staring down some grim statistical realities, and frankly, the omens couldn’t be much bleaker. Since that early-season slip-up at home to Tottenham, Manchester City have transformed their patch into a fortress, rattling off five straight league wins with a fearsome combined score-line of 16–2. Despite back to back losses Pep Guardiola look ruthless, efficient, and hungry at the Etihad, not exactly the traits you want to encounter when your own season is in freefall. Leeds, meanwhile, have tumbled into the relegation zone after losing five of their last six matches, their confidence ebbing away almost as quickly as the points are disappearing.

Daniel Farke is under mounting pressure, but the German appeared unfased in Thursday’s press conference. In fact, he even found a positive: Leeds are apparently second in the Premier League, behind only City, when it comes to “physical output” this season. “Good fitness level and mentality,” he insisted, suggesting that hard running and stamina might just be their lifeline. It’s a nice stat, but stamina alone may not be enough when you’re coming up against City’s technical precision and clinical finishing.

History doesn’t help calm the nerves either. Leeds were humiliated 7–0 at the Etihad in 2021, and although the 2–1 defeat in 2023 was more respectable, it still left them empty-handed. With City in imperious home form and Leeds so worryingly brittle, another heavy defeat feels like a very real possibility. The bigger question looms in the background: if a walloping does arrive, will it also bring the curtain down on Farke’s tenure at Elland Road? Saturday might well give us the answer!

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It already feels like sitting on death row, with relegation looming.

No reprieve in sight.

 

Its possible that we pick up 3 wins in the next 3 games but we are more likely to be in 19th place in the league.
Some other names have been mentioned in conjunction with replacing DF, so forget Bo Swenson as the job is too big for him and it may well be too big for Carlos Corberan and I’m a big fan of his. Many of us don’t like Brendan Rodgers but there are positives and negatives with him. However two top coaches are available besides Marco Rose and Roger Schmidt.

Thiago Motta the former top Italian player who served his coaching apprenticeship at PSG before doing some things at tiny outfits like Spezia. He changed the direction of a small time club going nowhere Bologna where he gave them a 46% win ratio and then took over at Juventus where he had a 43% win ration. His systems are dynamic all based around attack and high energy pressing. It starts off as 4-3-3 and turns into 2-7-2 as described by top Italian football journos.

Adi Hutter is yet another former player but has a highly respected coaching CV, again based upon power pressing and all out attack. RB Salzburg 65% win ratio, Young Boys 59%, Frankfurt 48%, Gladbach 40% and Monaco who had underachieved for years 52%. Runner up in the league behind PSG a couple of seasons ago took them into the Champions League first time for decades and did it again the following season by finishing 3rd in the league and into the CL again.

 

Some interesting names there Doc especially the last two you mentioned.

As we’re well and truly ****ed with Farke anyway we might as well get one of them in.

 

Change needs to far enough ahead of the Jan window for the new guy to have a chance with players he wants.

 

There's this guy with a power pressing game who had a better win ratio (68%) at Salzburg - maybe we could go for him... can't remember his name. Jose? Jose Mulch? Something like that.

 

Cant get my head around why you insist the ****yank was good for Leeds especially when he can’t even do a great job for his international job. Or do you just enjoy trying to wind me up. You can say whatever you want about Marsche but in my eyes he was shyte end of

 

Afternoon all

Ampadu, Aaronson, Tanaka in the middle, Okafor and Gnonto out wide, if Okafor fades after 45 minutes, don’t wait until 70 minutes, bring on James

 

I still think the most sensible move if we don’t go for an established top coach who is out of work, would be Lampard. I know I know I hate him, but you cannot take away what he’s done with Coventry City. This season Coventry are 10 points clear at the top of the Championship. Not only that but when you look at the squad valuation reports and compare to what Farke has had at Leeds. The season before last when we failed to go up Leeds had the 2nd highest valued squad behind Leicester, so that was a failure. Last season the Leeds squad was the highest valued squad at £247m and did win promotion. Coventry City this season have a squad valuation of only £107m but are 10 points clear and their squad is £140m less expensive than Leeds last season. We need someone who can make players better,who can set up a team against various types of player and tactics. Leeds are now near the bottom of the premier league squad valuation stats and are not turning water into wine. Coventry are actually scoring lots of goals so would bet Lampard can get DCL scoring again.

 

It’ll be damage limitation by then. If he hasn’t been booked take Ampadu off to save him for the next drubbing on Wednesday.

 

I've never said he was 'good' for Leeds except when clearly having a bit of banter.

I did defend him when I felt the vitriol about him was over the top. Same as I do with Farke. Because I believe that to be true in both instances. I usually provide evidence to back up my opinion that people usually choose to ignore. I regularly disagree with posters who seem to think Managers are responsible for everything that happens on a pitch because I don't see it that way. And lest there's any confusion, I don't care too much whether you or anyone else agrees with me and I welcome the variety of perspectives that a board like this brings.

And the above comment wasn't intended to wind you up, it was meant as a light hearted comment that you can't read too much into success rates in lower european leagues... using my reputation as a Marsch luvvy to add a bit of relevance.

Canada's international ranking has significantly improved under Marsh.

Hope that's cleared it up, and if it hasn't? Well i'll get over it

 

Lampard has done a great job with them. He's my least favourite person in football, I'd never want him at the club.

 

Mine too but he seems to be in a different league to his mate Steve Gerrard now. I hate Lams as much as Brian Clough but you cannot fault what he’s done with hardly any budget against clubs like Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton, Boro, Blunts. Not easy getting so far ahead of everyone in this league so soon