please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Watford Saturday 2nd October@15:00 | Elland Road Leeds have the opportunity to escape the confounds of the drop zone, but only if they can secure three valuable points against Watford on Saturday. The Whites find themselves in the dire position of 18th after their winless start to their 2021-22 campaign stretched to six games. Should they not pick up maximum points this weekend, it be the first time in their history they have gone seven games without victory. Leeds welcome back Pascal Struijk after his three game ban. He is set to replace Charlie Cresswell who did a sterling job in his absence. Fellow centre backs Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are also not far away from first team action, after overcoming their respective injuries. Patrick Bamford is set to miss out again. The 27yo forward has been working on his upper body strength whilst sidelined from training with the first team. He shared a recent update on the Leeds Utd podcast yesterday : “Just doing gym, little bit of boxing today,” “Bit of swimming the other day, my shoulders are hanging off – apart from that I’m all good.” Raphinha too, may join the casualty list. If recent reports are to be believed, Raph has been carrying an injury for the last couple of games, but as our most creative player, has had to play through the pain barrier. As well as creative, he has scored 50 percent of our goals so far this term (3). In Raphinha's absence, Daniel James would switch to the right wing, with Harrison operating on the left! This leaves Rodrigo as our only striking option (unless you count Roberts); but the Spanish International has always maintained that he is not an out-and-out goalscorer. Former Leeds legend Michael Bridges agrees: "Rodrigo is not massively prolific but he suits the ‘Bielsa-ball’ style," "Leeds have signed him for his work-rate off the ball, his runs and his movement. They don’t just look at the goal scoring. "That’s why when I see Rodrigo play for Spain, there is a lot of rotation, there is a lot of movements he makes, which I like to call unselfish runs to open up space for other players. Rodrigo understands this. "He knows how to win the ball back and he knows how to do the pressing. It’s a sensational signing for the Bielsa style and the goals will just be bonuses."
We are at the must win stage with this game, a defeat and even the players will start to have relegation fears ringing in their ears.
Presser later today so will probably find that Bamford and Raphinha both out. Harrison back on the left and James on the right with Summerville on the bench. Rodrigo playing false 9 again with a toss up between Roberts and Joffy as cover up top, but remember Joffy can play Bielsa’s 8,9&10 roles too.
Leeds will win against Watford ... there were a lot of positives from Saturday, we need to remember that Sham are a damn good team
There are turning points each season, and for me this game is one. We do really need 3 points, get them and it will bring confidence for the next 3, which are winnable games, 7 points from those and it's starting to look OK again.
Really looking forward to this one. It's our first game at home where we are actually expected to win...nothing to fear then, just get out there and get the job done
I'm in the same boat. it's a must win game in the sense of getting the ball rolling again but not a defining must win game. We need to go out and show Watford we are better than them and deserve to be in this league more than them by putting on a performance and winning. No hiding place Saturday. We are in the bottom 3 like it or lump it regardless of who we have played so far. It's a place nobody wants to be in once you get in there it's very hard to get out with so much quality in this League. so it's now up to the players to get us out of it. No more we are getting there, no more games of 2 halfs. No more laughing on the pitch when we lose the ball or players having poor efforts on goal. its graft now lads go do what you get paid for and leave the smiling till after the game when them 3 points are on the board. we have to go out there like we did against WBA in the Championship and put in a shift of 90mins. suffocate them, force them on the back foot leading to mistakes and constantly hassle them so they have no time to play the ball and gasping for air. This is the Bielsa Leeds way lets have 90 mins of it tomorrow.
I don't think it's a MUST win but we are getting in to that territory now. Its certainly a MUST NOT lose game. We should be the better team on the day. We just have to be more clinical in front of goal. The lad Sarr on the right wing is a good player. He will be up against Firpo. Whoever is the winger on that side has to help Firpo. I think we'll win 2-0. As someone else said its time to go out there and do your job.
Definitely a MUST NOT lose game. I know we've had a few tough games but come on it's Watford for ****s sake ! I always say wait until we're 10 games in to see how the land lies. Tomorrow is game 7 so we getting to that point. We played decent against a strong side last time out and we've got a good run of winnable games so let's do this !!!!!!!
Yep. Watford at home is bread and butter for us. It's not a foregone conclusion but we should be winning this and fairly comfortably. Only needs a red card or a dodgy decision to make it a rough day though.
I presume you mean the last sentence? If so then yes I agree. I don't expect to win every home game though. There are some that are easier than others. One of those is Watford. I'm expecting 3 points but it won't take much to swing it in Watfords favour.
Lack of goals is costing us points. Lack of any investenent in a quality mid and proven goal scorer up front. I do not understand you guys saying we should beat Watford. We are bottom three for a reason a lack of quality. This season will be a scrap unless someone steps up (bielsa never lets anyone) or we sign someone. So much for the 49ers and investement. Figures are being quoted of Leeds spending so many millions on players. But that is total bull shyte. Payments are spread out and include many clauses. Koch (laugh) being a prime example of a non quality signing. A centre back who is rubbish at defending and whom bielsa thinks will make a good dm. Enjoy the bielsa way of playing but it will not keep us up.
