please log in to view this image Leeds United v Brighton please log in to view this image Saturday August 3rd, 2013 - K.O 15:00 - Elland Road please log in to view this image Opening day of the Championship season sees the Mighty Whites host beaten playoff semi-finalists Brighton & Hove Albion. Leeds hosted the Seagulls for their final home game of last season, a game which saw the visitors run out 2-1 winners and Leeds lose both Rudy Austin and El-Hadji Diouf to red cards. The two sides took very different approaches to the pre-season programme with Brighton playing a notably higher standard of opposition. New head coach Oscar Garcia saw his team pick up a victory against La Liga side Getafe, with a draw at Premiership opposition Norwich and a loss to Villareal. Brian McDermott opted for familiar ground on the pre season tour of Slovenia, but also chose a high quality opponent in FC Nurnberg who visited Elland Road last Saturday and took a 2-0 win. In terms of transfer activity it has been a reasonably quiet close season for both sides. Leeds splashed the cash on promising young midfielder Luke Murphy from Crewe, and also drafted in Matt Smith from Oldham and a familiar face to McDermott in Noel Hunt from Reading, both on frees. In terms of youth, Dominic Poleon has shined in the pre season, and players such as Chris Dawson and Alex Mowatt remain promising albeit maybe not ready for regular first team action just yet. There had been rumours that Diouf was to be sacrificed in order to free up some wages, however the Leeds boss has cooled those rumours in the last 48 hours. Brighton on the other hand secured the services of Matthew Upson who spent last season on loan at the club, and also brought in young MK Dons defender Adam Chicksen. Probably the highest profile departure was that of Stephen Dobbie who left for Premiership new boys Crystal Palace. Garcia has allowed some preseason time to the youngsters coming from the development squad, and indeed Brennan Dickenson, Rohan Ince and Courtney Richards may all play a role this season. Both teams will be wanting to make an impression in their first game of the season, the Brighton players especially so in front of their new boss. The Seagulls will want to replicate their performance of last season and at least manage a playoff spot, while most (realistic) Leeds fans acknowledge creeping into the top six would be a very good result, eyes are on at least a top half finish. Over 30,000 tickets have been sold for this one, so the atmosphere inside Elland Road should be electric as Leeds fans look forward to life without Ken Bates. Form Guide (Preseason Only) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brighton[/TD] [TD]W - W - W - L - X[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]10[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds United[/TD] [TD]L - L - W - L - W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]36[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]10[/TD] [TD="align: center"]79[/TD] [TD="align: center"]62[/TD] [TD="align: center"]+17[/TD] [TD="align: center"]56[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brighton[/TD] [TD="align: center"]36[/TD] [TD="align: center"]10[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]62[/TD] [TD="align: center"]79[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-17[/TD] [TD="align: center"]41[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 31/7/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Brighton Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]29/20[/TD] [TD]23/10[/TD] [TD]9/5[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Team News Leeds United Brian McDermott sees his team weakened by both suspensions and injuries for the first game of the season. Player of the Year Sam Byram is out after sustaining a hip injury in the close season, while El-Hadji Diouf is out following the contraction of an infection while injured. However, Diouf also carries a suspension for the upcoming game, as does Rudy Austin who both received red cards in the game against Brighton last season. Luke Murphy is expected to make his debut in the white colours of Leeds, and appearances from Smith and Hunt wouldn't be surprising either. Ones to Watch Ross McCormack - always capable of producing something when the ball is at his feet, and he is looking in better shape this preseason than he has for a while. Dominic Poleon - arguably the most promising player of preseason and I expect him to have some impact this season. Luke Murphy - has settled into the holding role in midfield well and looked solid enough against Nurnberg although slightly off the pace. Brighton Brighton are still without Craig Mackail-Smith who is sidelined until September with an Achilles injury dating back to last season, with Will Hoskins suffering another injury set back that leaves the door open to youngsters Dickensen and Barker to step up along with Ulloa and Barnes upfront. Left Back seems to be something of a headache position at the minute for the Seagulls with Ãñigo Calderón seeming the most likely choice to switch from his preferred RB position as cover. The other options available are unproven youngsters Adam Chicksen and Vitālijs Maksimenko. Ones to Watch Ashley Barnes - A very capable striker who is always a threat going forward. He'll be a real test for the Leeds defence. Will Buckley - Buckley always poses problems for Leeds, and he popped up with one of the goals in the last meeting. Definitely one to keep an eye on. Liam Bridcutt - A good solid midfielder who likes to take control of the game and get the ball moving, I think Bridcutt will be a big part of the plans for the new boss. Durham's Prediction Not wanting to start the season on a downer I'm going to suggest that we'll nick this one 2-1 and get some revenge for the last meeting. A big crowd is expected in Elland Road, and it'd be great for the players to give the fans something to cheer about and start the season on a positive note. I'd like to think that Poleon will start off the back of his preseason performances, and with the lack of natural wide players he seems more suited to the style of play than Smith, who needs a different level of service. I think the team that McDermott fielded against Nurnberg is a huge indicator of his current thinking, and his dislike of the diamond he had persevered with in the earlier games. Without natural wingers though, we are constantly putting players out of position, so hopefully we'll free some funds up and move on soon. I can't see Hall starting, as he hasn't really had a preseason, so it looks like White will continue to feature as a winger for the time being. Brighton have a strong attack so our back 5 will be put to the test, and that's where my concerns lie for the minute. Pearce made a couple of bad mistakes in the Nurnberg game, so there is always a worry that a goal will come from somewhere. I think BMD will go with: please log in to view this image With probable sub appearances from Hunt and Smith. If that is the lineup he goes for I'll be hoping for some fluidity in the attack as we know McCormack and Varney are capable of drifting out wide, allowing White and Poleon to change things up and make breaks through the center. I think Murphy and Green will be a solid holding midfield, but I think Austin will be pushing for Green's place when he is available again. Audio Link for Saturday: BBC Radio Leeds FM Coverage Alright, over to you guys. Let's get some team & score predictions going...
Fair play Durham, very good match day thread. I'm not going to try and pick the team because I'm crap at that, but I agree with your lineup which I think will be pretty close to Maccers team. I am worried about our defence, but I'm hoping that with home advantage and a brilliant attendance that we might win this, just. 2.1...
Cheers Shak Defence is my big worry as well. I still think we could do with a center back as a priority along with some width. Maybe Hunt will start on one of the wings, as he can do a job there. Even though to be honest I'm fed up of saying a player "can do a job" on the wing, it's better than the diamond for me.
Nice thread mate! Would have to agree with the sentiments above about diamond etc. I'm trying my hardest to find a lineup that I'm honestly confident in but its difficult. I too think that the lineup from Saturday will be the one. I didnt think Poleon was that bad on the wing. And I'm desparate for Ross to be featured UP FRONT not floating around midfield. But its what we've got at the moment. Kenny Peltier Lees Pearce Warnock White Green Murphy Poleon McCormack Varney
Cheers Orion mate. I completely agree with your thoughts on Ross too. I had the lineup exactly like you suggest with him just behind Varney initially, and changed it purely because I want him to go back to being an out and out striker. He can definitely play that CF/CAM role, but just like when he is out wide, I think we lose a bit of his impact having him in those roles.
Good thread work sir Contain Buckley and its game on. No CMS to worry about this time! Tight game, think we may just edge it but I wouldnt be suprised with a 1-1 draw. If a link appears I will post it on here and also edit the original post to reflect if your happy with that Durham?
Cheers Bucks, and yeah no problem on the link. I was thinking of doing the same if I find they don't work or if firstrow has one or something From trawling through match reports on their pre season games it looks like Barnes, Buckley and Lopez will be the main attacking threats with a couple of their youngsters thrown in. On some of their forums the fans are crying out for another striker to be brought in since Hoskins has picked up yet another injury. Think we can nick it, as long as our defence have a good day.
Poor performance on the matchday thread. Not enough tactical nouce or explanation as to how the crowd will play their part. LiD out I say!! Having now extracted my tongue from my cheek, fine effort matey. With Austin unavailable, I think we'll see either Murphy or Brown in the holding role at the base f the diamond with Ross at it's head. I think Poleon or Varney will start up front with Smith. Why Smith? Because he gives us something different; a significant height advantage with Poleon being able to put it on his head from Smith to either knoc in himself or lay it off for others to finish off. Should be a good game, and eve with 30k+ of Yorkshire's finest, I think it'll end up with a 1-1 draw.
Cheers Boggers I see where you're coming from with Smith, but in the diamond formation even more so than the 4-4-2 with wingers I just think the service to him would be throttled. Until we get some proper wide players I don't think we will unlock his full potential. If he can do a job holding the ball up to lay off to Poleon/Ross/Hunt then that would add a good dimension to the game. Something I always wanted Becchio to do more of rather than looking for the ground in those situations. (And I don't mean holding up a ball that Lees has lofted over the top of our midfield either!!) Enjoy the match Simon, wish I could be there
Fair point all round LiD. The days of hoofing it up to Becchio are now over thank god. Pity we don't still have Becchio to benefit from this. If he can get 20 goals a season with us playing hoofball, how many might he have got if we'd kept the ball on the floor?
Can't make this one as I'm at Old Trafford. CALM DOWN. Watching the third ashes test at Lancashire County Cricket Ground. I shall be relying on you morons to keep me up to speed with the game on Saturday.
Excellent match thread Durham I have a feeling we are going to have a problem scoring goals and I can see us loosing this one 0-2
Good Thread Rather impressed with all the graphics etc, etc I've still got reservations regarding Varney being in the starting 11 would rather have Hunt there but TBH I'd rather us sign another striker. Hoping that a few kids are blooded in over the course of a season.
Cheers guys Wolves White, I've got similar reservations to be fair. I think that he should be given a chance in the new system, but not much of one. And the reasons I put Varney up front would apply to Hunt as well, someone who can mix it up and be more fluid when it comes to positioning. As for the graphics, gives me a chance to let my creative side out Had a good hour drawing the numbers and making up those shirts yesterday! Still undecided whether to do away shirts for the away games.............. Ristac, at least in the beginning I think we're going to have to lean pretty heavily on Ross for goals, or for providing that spark of creativity. I worry a bit about him being a confidence player and maybe knowing that there is quite a lot of expectation on him at the minute though.
