The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 14th May)

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ellandback

ellandback

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Mar 30, 2011
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Good Morning. It's Thursday 14th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Leeds heavy favourites to land Openda

Leeds United have positioned themselves as heavy market favourites to secure the signing of Juventus forward Loïs Openda ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window, with Daniel Farke making the Belgian striker his top priority after securing their top flight survival. He operates as a central striker in high-tempo systems, possesses the explosive pace, direct running, and intelligent movement behind defences that align perfectly with Farke's attacking philosophy. While capable of featuring on the wing, the 26yo forward truly flourishes when leading the line or operating within a two-striker formation, where his goalscoring instincts can be maximised to devastating effect.

The Whites were previously linked with Openda during last summer's transfer window, only for Juventus to secure a loan agreement with his former club RB Leipzig that included a mandatory purchase clause valued between €44 million and €46 million, triggered upon the Italian club securing a top-half Serie A finish. However, the Belgian's spell in Turin has proved disastrous, with Openda managing just two goals across thirty-seven appearances under Luciano Spalletti's management. This prolonged drought has prompted Juventus to act urgently in their attempts to offload his substantial wages, creating an unexpected opportunity for Premier League suitors.

Leeds currently occupy "pole position" in the race to construct a loan-to-buy package but the fee could be an issue. The Old Lady wants to break even on the deal, which seems excessive considering the season he has had. Several reports suggest that Openda has already privately agreed to the move to Elland Road, attracted by the prospect of a significantly enhanced wage packet and top flight football.

Coventry City, newly promoted under Frank Lampard's management, have made concrete contact with Juventus regarding the striker but remain firmly second in the pecking order according to bookmaker indicators, with the required financial package placing significant pressure on the Sky Blues' resources. Meanwhile, Bournemouth have emerged as dark horses following Marco Rose's appointment, with the German manager possessing a proven track record of extracting exceptional performances from Openda during their successful partnership at Leipzig.

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Why the book must be thrown at Southampton after Spygate 2.0

The controversy surrounding Southampton's alleged spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final presents a stark contrast to the Leeds United "Spygate" affair of 2019, and in this instance, the Saints sinners have little grounds for justification.

When Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds were caught observing Derby County's training sessions seven years ago, the football authorities fined Leeds £200,000, even though no rules were officially broken. Being the gentleman is he, Marcelo Bielsa insisted on paying the fine himself. The media frenzy, at the time was more like a witch hunt. Journalists were camped outside Thorp Arch, and Bielsa's flat in Wetherby for weeks, making life very difficult for both the club and Manager.

In June 2019, the governing body introduced Regulation 127, explicitly prohibiting any club from directly or indirectly observing or attempting to observe an opponent's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. Southampton's actions were both calculated and intentional, and the evidence being gathered is damning Performance-analysis intern William Salt allegedly concealed himself behind a tree to film Middlesbrough's private training session on his phone before hot footing it to Rockliffe Hall Golf Club, where he changed his clothes (and appearance) to avoid detection, before making his escape through the golf course.

Middlesbrough's legal team, led by elite sports lawyer Nick De Marco, has submitted a comprehensive dossier including CCTV footage, pushing for authorities to expel Southampton from the Play Off final. Unlike Leeds, who stumbled into controversy through regulatory ambiguity, Southampton has no such shield, the book must be thrown at them. The rules are now crystal clear, and breaking them carries consequences that should serve as a deterrent to any club tempted to follow suit.

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Michael Oliver to officiate Brighton match

Michael Oliver will take charge of Leeds United's final home game of the season against Brighton this Sunday. The experienced Premier League referee will be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, with Sam Allison serving as the fourth official. VAR duties will be handled by Stuart Attwell from Stockley Park, completing a seasoned officiating team for this important fixture.

This Sunday's match marks Oliver's fourth Leeds encounter of the campaign, providing him with extensive familiarity regarding both teams' dynamics. He previously officiated the reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium in November, where Brighton's dominant performance resulted in a convincing 3-0 victory over Farke's side. Oliver has also managed Leeds' 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in February and the entertaining 2-2 stalemate against Bournemouth at Elland Road back in September.

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Morning all

I didn't want DCL and all things considered, he has been a good signing, if we get Openda I will judge him when he plays for us, let's be honest, if he had netted 20 times this season we wouldn't have a chance of getting him. I found the following article about him:

"Whereas Openda was able to tear apart Ligue 1 and Bundesliga defenses thanks to his rapid acceleration and change of direction in counter-attacking scenarios, he’s having less opportunities to do so thanks to Spalletti’s shift towards a more possession-heavy style of play as well as the league’s stingier defenses. Similarly to the likes of Ricardo Neto, Openda is a player who thrives with space to exploit. Take that space away, and he’s a fish out of water."

Luke Ayling - What a sportsman, he has dropped charges against the Southampton player, shook hands and moved on

I have a feeling Southampton are going to be hit hard, do I think it is nonsense, yes, but the rules were put in place and they have been broken. One analyst put stop comparing it to Leeds United, this is not Spygate V2 - Strict rules have been broken this time.

Boro have also secured some evidence from an ex Southampton employee who confirms they have done this more than once this season

Michael Oliver - One of the better refs in my opinion
 
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If Middlesboro are so worried about spying then why were they training alongside a golf course with no fence dividing their training area and the course. Surely they can afford something more private. It'll be a fine. Bigger cock up even was the inexplicable var decision in last minute of last nights Celtic game which has handed them a chance to win the title. Apparently there was only one camera view available
 
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Eireleeds1 said:
If Middlesboro are so worried about spying then why were they training alongside a golf course with no fence dividing their training area and the course. Surely they can afford something more private. It'll be a fine. Bigger cock up even was the inexplicable var decision in last minute of last nights Celtic game which has handed them a chance to win the title. Apparently there was only one camera view available
Click to expand...
If that's a penalty then we have lost the game of football...the power of the ball going away from the tussle is incredible to think it's come of his arm! GET VAR out of the game before it's over
 
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Eireleeds1 said:
If Middlesboro are so worried about spying then why were they training alongside a golf course with no fence dividing their training area and the course. Surely they can afford something more private. It'll be a fine. Bigger cock up even was the inexplicable var decision in last minute of last nights Celtic game which has handed them a chance to win the title. Apparently there was only one camera view available
Click to expand...

Middlesbrough shouldn’t have to put a fence up. If it’s now illegal to spy it’s illegal full stop.

Wasn’t against the rules when Leeds did it. Now the rules are in place. No excuse.
 
ristac said:
Morning all

I didn't want DCL and all things considered, he has been a good signing, if we get Openda I will judge him when he plays for us, let's be honest, if he had netted 20 times this season we wouldn't have a chance of getting him. I found the following article about him:

"Whereas Openda was able to tear apart Ligue 1 and Bundesliga defenses thanks to his rapid acceleration and change of direction in counter-attacking scenarios, he’s having less opportunities to do so thanks to Spalletti’s shift towards a more possession-heavy style of play as well as the league’s stingier defenses. Similarly to the likes of Ricardo Neto, Openda is a player who thrives with space to exploit. Take that space away, and he’s a fish out of water."

Luke Ayling - What a sportsman, he has dropped charges against the Southampton player, shook hands and moved on

I have a feeling Southampton are going to be hit hard, do I think it is nonsense, yes, but the rules were put in place and they have been broken. One analyst put stop comparing it to Leeds United, this is not Spygate V2 - Strict rules have been broken this time.

Boro have also secured some evidence from an ex Southampton employee who confirms they have done this more than once this season

Michael Oliver - One of the better refs in my opinion
Click to expand...

Harwood Bellis - what an absolute CNUT - taking the mickey out of Bill for his stammer.

Openly discriminating about Ayling's disability - how is that any different to racism?
 
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ellandback said:
Harwood Bellis - what an absolute CNUT - taking the mickey out of Bill for his stammer.

Openly discriminating about Ayling's disability - how is that any different to racism?
Click to expand...
Credit to Ayling though, he has dropped the charges (there would be 999 other players who wouldn't) but he shouldn't have to, it was brought to the refs attention, another player witnessed it, they should still punish Harwood Bellis, he still did it whether the player wants to drop charges or not
 
ristac said:
Credit to Ayling though, he has dropped the charges (there would be 999 other players who wouldn't) but he shouldn't have to, it was brought to the refs attention, another player witnessed it, they should still punish Harwood Bellis, he still did it whether the player wants to drop charges or not
Click to expand...

If you watched the game, Ayling was pumped and definitely indulging some ****housery himself. Maybe he felt he triggered it, and then got an apology and he felt that was enough. Maybe. I'm just speculating. Take your point though, should it be down to whether the player takes offence or whether what was said is considered offensive?

Personally, I'm against any discrimination and I'm not condoning what was said, but in life in general i wish more heat of the moment clashes of could be sorted with an apology and a hug/handshake
 
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milkyboy said:
If you watched the game, Ayling was pumped and definitely indulging some ****housery himself. Maybe he felt he triggered it, and then got an apology and he felt that was enough. Maybe. I'm just speculating. Take your point though, should it be down to whether the player takes offence or whether what was said is considered offensive?

Personally, I'm against any discrimination and I'm not condoning what was said, but in life in general i wish more heat of the moment clashes of could be sorted with an apology and a hug/handshake
Click to expand...
I wasn't angered originally, then I was reading an article where Ayling has never avoided a TV interview, he gives them knowing he is probably going to have a stammer, but he wants the kids and anyone struggling to know that it is okay, don't let it stop you doing things you want to do.
 
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FORZA LEEDS said:
Middlesbrough shouldn’t have to put a fence up. If it’s now illegal to spy it’s illegal full stop.

Wasn’t against the rules when Leeds did it. Now the rules are in place. No excuse.
Click to expand...
The fact they don’t tells you what a storm in a teacup this is, there’s clearly oohing special they do that’s worth hiding. As I said previously this is just Borough trying to get promoted because they haven’t been good enough on the pitch to do so. And I still think we should have refused to pay the EFL fine.
 
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I doubt it does help a huge amount but that doesn’t matter. They wouldn't do it if they didn't think it gained an advantage.

Teams think they are safe working on their team set-up, shape and tactics etc without having to do them indoors because spying has been outlawed.

The fact that teams cheat in other ways - by diving and time-wasting etc... all of which boil my p!ss as well... is irrelevant.

Southampton, allegedly, have willingly flaunted the rules to gain an advantage in a pre-mediated fashion. If so, they should have the book chucked at them.

If the rules don’t matter we should field 15 players against Brighton and brick up the goal we’re defending. Why the hell not if the rules don't matter. :emoticon-0105-wink:

As I said yesterday, the England squad put temp fencing up to stop this sort of thing when they trained at Rockliffe so boro could mitigate this if they prioritised the spend. But as forza says they shouldn’t have to.

I Find it bizarre to be honest that people choose to defend the cheaters and blame the cheated… because they don’t think it’s any advantage.
 
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ristac said:
Credit to Ayling though, he has dropped the charges (there would be 999 other players who wouldn't) but he shouldn't have to, it was brought to the refs attention, another player witnessed it, they should still punish Harwood Bellis, he still did it whether the player wants to drop charges or not
Click to expand...

Knowing Bill he settled it in the changing room

Well at least I hope he walloped the ****er
 
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milkyboy said:
I doubt it does help a huge amount but that doesn’t matter. They wouldn't do it if they didn't think it gained an advantage.

Teams think they are safe working on their team set-up, shape and tactics etc without having to do them indoors because spying has been outlawed.

The fact that teams cheat in other ways - by diving and time-wasting etc... all of which boil my p!ss as well... is irrelevant.

Southampton, allegedly, have willingly flaunted the rules to gain an advantage in a pre-mediated fashion. If so, they should have the book chucked at them.

If the rules don’t matter we should field 15 players against Brighton and brick up the goal we’re defending. Why the hell not if the rules don't matter. :emoticon-0105-wink:

As I said yesterday, the England squad put temp fencing up to stop this sort of thing when they trained at Rockliffe so boro could mitigate this if they prioritised the spend. But as forza says they shouldn’t have to.

I Find it bizarre to be honest that people choose to defend the cheaters and blame the cheated… because they don’t think it’s any advantage.
Click to expand...
Quite rightly too. I wonder how much has gone on that's escaped detection. They were pretty stupid sending someone connected with the club to do it. A quadcopter drone hovering against the backdrop of the trees would have done the job and the operator could be hidden away.
 
milkyboy said:
I doubt it does help a huge amount but that doesn’t matter. They wouldn't do it if they didn't think it gained an advantage.

Teams think they are safe working on their team set-up, shape and tactics etc without having to do them indoors because spying has been outlawed.

The fact that teams cheat in other ways - by diving and time-wasting etc... all of which boil my p!ss as well... is irrelevant.

Southampton, allegedly, have willingly flaunted the rules to gain an advantage in a pre-mediated fashion. If so, they should have the book chucked at them.

If the rules don’t matter we should field 15 players against Brighton and brick up the goal we’re defending. Why the hell not if the rules don't matter. :emoticon-0105-wink:

As I said yesterday, the England squad put temp fencing up to stop this sort of thing when they trained at Rockliffe so boro could mitigate this if they prioritised the spend. But as forza says they shouldn’t have to.

I Find it bizarre to be honest that people choose to defend the cheaters and blame the cheated… because they don’t think it’s any advantage.
Click to expand...
Can you imagine if we were in Southamptons position, the amount of moaning and whining would be going on among our fans
 
Brizzlewhite said:
Quite rightly too. I wonder how much has gone on that's escaped detection. They were pretty stupid sending someone connected with the club to do it. A quadcopter drone hovering against the backdrop of the trees would have done the job and the operator could be hidden away.
Click to expand...

I was having some banter with some boro fans i know and we were p*ssing ourselves at the amateur hour status of football spying. Andre Villas Boas used to go in disguise for Chelkse under Mourinho. Bielsa sends a guy in overalls with bolt clippers. This guy stands on a hill with a phone then runs into the toilets to change his clothes. It's 2026. Not James Bond is it.
 
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milkyboy said:
I doubt it does help a huge amount but that doesn’t matter. They wouldn't do it if they didn't think it gained an advantage.

Teams think they are safe working on their team set-up, shape and tactics etc without having to do them indoors because spying has been outlawed.

The fact that teams cheat in other ways - by diving and time-wasting etc... all of which boil my p!ss as well... is irrelevant.

Southampton, allegedly, have willingly flaunted the rules to gain an advantage in a pre-mediated fashion. If so, they should have the book chucked at them.

If the rules don’t matter we should field 15 players against Brighton and brick up the goal we’re defending. Why the hell not if the rules don't matter. :emoticon-0105-wink:

As I said yesterday, the England squad put temp fencing up to stop this sort of thing when they trained at Rockliffe so boro could mitigate this if they prioritised the spend. But as forza says they shouldn’t have to.

I Find it bizarre to be honest that people choose to defend the cheaters and blame the cheated… because they don’t think it’s any advantage.
Click to expand...
With respect, that is the most sanctimonious claptrap I’ve ever read. So, should we have been kicked out of (whatever we were in) because we watched a training session? If so, fair enough
 
Leedsoflondon said:
With respect, that is the most sanctimonious claptrap I’ve ever read. So, should we have been kicked out of (whatever we were in) because we watched a training session? If so, fair enough
Click to expand...

Spying on another team’s training session wasn’t against the rules when we did it. If it had been illegal to do so, knowing Bielsa, we wouldn’t have done it.

Now it is against the rules so yeah - kick them out.
 
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