The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 5th December)

Good Morning. It's Friday 5th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Erik ten Hag odds plummet
In a surprising twist that has left Leeds United supporters bewildered, the odds on Erik ten Hag becoming the next Whites boss have nosedived dramatically over the past 24 hours, from a long-shot 33/1 to a near front-runner’s 6/4. The sharp drop has raised eyebrows not just among bookmakers, but also among the Elland Road faithful, many of whom regard Ten Hag as a distinctly unpopular choice. While Gary O’Neill remains the favourite at evens and has strong backing from fans and pundits alike, the sudden market shift suggests that there may be more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.

Ten Hag’s stock has been volatile in recent years. After an intense and often polarising spell in charge of Manchester United, he returned to management in the summer by taking over at Bayer Leverkusen, stepping in after Xabi Alonso’s high-profile move to Real Madrid. The Dutchman’s tenure in Germany, however, proved remarkably short-lived. In just three competitive matches, he managed one win, one draw, and one loss. That middling start was enough for Leverkusen to pull the trigger, sacking him in what became a record-breaking managerial dismissal for the club.

Leverkusen wasted no time in appointing former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand as his successor, and the results have been starkly different. Hjulmand has guided the team to eight wins and two in 13 outings this season. His rapid success has only amplified the perception that Ten Hag’s recent track record leaves much to be desired.

The idea of appointing Ten Hag would be about as popular as Labour's latest budget, and potentially just as damaging. Whether it’s baseless bookmaker speculation or a genuine reflection of boardroom discussions, the latest rumours have certainly added a layer of intrigue to Leeds’ managerial hunt. Their excellent midweek win against Chelsea may have bought Daniel Farke a temporary reprieve, but it feels like little more than a stay of execution. Unless the German can pull off an escape act worthy of Houdini, his days are numbers.

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Injuries to forwards could open the door for Gray debut

Leeds potentially face a significant attacking headache ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Elland Road, with strikers Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both emerging as fitness doubts. Manager Daniel Farke revealed in his pre-match presser that the pair, who played starring roles in Wednesday night’s impressive 3-1 victory over Chelsea, are struggling with muscle problems. Nmecha is nursing a hamstring strain, while Calvert-Lewin has reported calf discomfort. While Farke has not yet ruled either man out, he admitted that late fitness tests will likely determine their involvement against Arne Slot's outfit.

The timing is awkward for Leeds, who are already without Daniel James and Sean Longstaff as they continue their rehabilitation from similar hamstring and calf injuries. Similarly it has since been rumoured that Joe Rodon is 'managing' a groin strain. Farke confirmed there were “no fresh injury concerns” beyond these, but conceded that the quick turnaround (three games in seven days) has put a heavy physical toll on his squad. “We need to take some late decisions, like always when you have such a quick turnaround,” the German coach explained. “We have a few players who are a bit more major doubts… Lukas Nmecha has some hamstring problems… Dominic Calvert-Lewin has some calf problems… There is also a question mark behind their availability.”

Leeds’ intense fixture list has left several players operating at the edge of their physical limits, especially in high-energy positions such as wing-back and central midfield. Farke specifically mentioned Ao Tanaka, who has shouldered a heavy workload in both the Manchester City and Chelsea matches, playing in a demanding role that required constant running and pressing. The Japanese midfielder’s recovery is being closely monitored, with Farke joking that he was “hopefully in the ice bath” before the press conference.

That heavy squad rotation in recent games could work in Leeds’ favour. Players such as Anton Stach and Gabi Gudmundsson were less involved against Manchester City, making them fresher options for Liverpool. The more seasoned campaigners like Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are accustomed to the intensity of playing multiple matches in quick succession, but Farke noted that some of the summer signings, especially those arriving from leagues without the Premier League’s relentless pace may find the adjustment more challenging.

If Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin fail to recover in time, Leeds could be forced into a bold reshuffle up front. One intriguing possibility is the introduction of 17-year-old Harry Gray, potentially handing the young forward his first Premier League minutes (potentially alongside Joel Piroe) would be a huge moment for him and a very popular decision among the Elland Road fan base.

It’s no secret that Farke’s position is under increasing scrutiny, with recent inconsistent performances leaving many calling for his head. The win over Chelsea bought him some breathing space, but a strong showing against Liverpool, one of the division’s toughest opponents, would go a long way towards rebuilding trust. Blooding a talented academy prospect like Gray could serve as both a tactical switch and a symbolic gesture that the manager is willing to back youth when circumstances demand.

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Nothing could be as bad as that.

 

Okafor will start with Piroe if both forwards dont make it.

Gnonto as back up.

We wont see Gray


Morning all

 

Troy Deeney team of the week includes:

Jaka Bijol (Leeds United): I could have put every Leeds player in from their 3-1 win over Chelsea. He gets his first goal of the season in a monster of a performance. Not only with the goal but defensively solid. Backed it up after just missing out a couple of times because a few of the Leeds defenders have been putting in bullish performances. I don't think defending has been the problem for Leeds - I think it's been a case of missed opportunities from an attacking point of view over the course of the season.

Ao Tanaka (Leeds United): There's been three times this season where he's just missed out because Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo have been great. Now that he's scored and Leeds beat Chelsea and everyone has seen the high energy, the press, the street-smarts that he has. He plays Premier League football like he's been doing it for 10 years. Small nuanced things like knowing when to make fouls, knowing when to use his energy to get past people.

Daniel Farke (Leeds United): Beating Chelsea was a massive result. There was a lot of pressure this week and talk if he lost all three, depending on the manner of the games, he'd be sacked. They had a wonderful performance against Manchester City and backed that up against the Blues, who everyone has been raving about. They handled the expectation and pressure so much that Enzo Maresca said Leeds were better in every department. That's a massive tip of the hat.

 

On my way home so will be back in time for the Liverpool game.. the bookies haven’t got a effing clue. DF has saved his bacon so far.. it wasn’t that long ago when Ten Haag was a name in the hat after Bielsa… It’s no from me as well! We’ve got a chance to beat Liverpool if we played like we did against Chelsea..

 

The madness of Ellands made up betting odds Gary O’Niel and now Ten Hag wtaf May as well add Ole Gunnar too ffs

 

Agreed…. no probs with either of them as second striker, but neither of them is a target man. Not convinced long ball will be fruitful with them as a pair. Hope at least 1 of dcl and nmecha is fit. Been impressed with nmecha last few games.

 

I reckon both will start anyway mate. Maybe an earlier than usual sub though

 

yeh he likes to downplay and up play injuries - fair enough really, keeps the opposition guessing

 

This is going to be a difficult game. They’re beatable but it really depends on how much energy was spent in winning the Chelsea game.

 

All this bollocks about ‘energy expended’ they’re not even at the halfway stage of the season ffs.

Plus the fact the scousers may have ‘expended a lot of energy’ scraping a draw against Sunderland.

Works both ways.

 

Would be a good idea to name Gnonto as a starter and make it look like we were going 4-3-3 and throw Liverpool out of sync

 

It’s the quick turnaround between matches and it’s well known that what we lack in quality we make up for with effort and endless running. Liverpool have a better squad for rotation.

 

Inter away on Tuesday, hope they don't have to work too hard

 

Too right, they should be able to play with a broken leg, smoke 20 woodbines at half time and play 4 times a week. Man's game innit.

 

Well tbf none of them do any of those things so they should be able to cope with a few games a few days apart expending the same amount of energy each time.

 

Commiserations to the Scottish who are the first team to be knocked out of the World Cup.

Brazil again.

 

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored nine goals in just six Premier League games against Leeds, with only Alan Shearer (20) and Thierry Henry (10) netting more against the Whites.

 

Everyone loves a Brazilian

 

‘Gary O’Neill remains the favourite at evens and has strong backing from fans and pundits alike,‘

really?

not from this fan

I think the Ten hag bolox is to soften us up so O’Neill does not sound so bad