Into November Kitching had another good game, his second of the week after he was watched by Bielsa and Orta in mid week. a win and a draw for the kid. Ekuban came off the bench but failed again in a 1-1 draw Grots game was cancelled due to floodlight failure Wilks was a sub who came off the bench but failed to shine Cibicki yet again scored and won MOM and he also scored last Monday night for Molde. Ideguch. Injured O'Kane Injured Sacko an unused sub again O'Connor suspended LDB great performance and getting his form back Anita was battered but played all 90 minutes but was up against the so-called best striker in Holland Coyle played all 90 as usual but had his worst game of the season in a 3-0 loss Denton played 80 minutes so almost 2 full games on the bounce and starting to look good at long last. So this weeks starts from our loanees is only Cibicki, but he tends to be on the list every week. Wonder if he will be asked back?
The Norwegian League ends in Dec so perhaps there is a role in the New Year for him as back up/ replacement for Alioski ?
Pavel Cibicki has only 3 more games for Molde’ before his loan period is up. So far he has been one of the best players out on loan and has played 16 games on the wing, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists. He has had very good reviews and Ole Solskjier likes him. Do we bring him back?
I don't think we have a choice his loan expires on the 31st Dec so he will be back unless he gets a loan elsewhere.
Just to finish this weeks loan players I now have the kids data. Oliver Sarkic (FC Barakaldo) wasn't selected even for the bench Alex Machuca (FC Burgos) came on as a 70th minute sub Adrian Balboa (Terrassa FC) Not even on the bench and they had 2 games this week Oriel Rey played all 90 minutes.
12th November Grot played full 90 minutes out wide in a 3-1 win and was selected by Holland for the U21s Coyle played the first hour for Fleetwood in an easy cup win 4-1. As usual safe as houses and created a goal too. Ekuban came on as a 54th minute sub but didnt score in a 5-0 loss. Anita put in a full shift on the left of midfield in a 3-2 win Bhouy played in the same game as Anita but was subbed off on 70 mins as they lost 3-2 Cibicki only played the first half in a comfortable 2-0 win Denton got yet another full 90 in as they won in the cup 3-1 O'Connor suspended Wilks played the full 90 in a 2-2 cup draw Sacko didnt even make the bus Harrison Male rested this week Machuca played for 60 minutes in a 1-0 loss Kitching no game this week LDB played well and the full 90 in a 2-1 win Rey played the full 90 in a 2-1 loss Balboa no game this week This weeks performers are Grot, Coyle again, Anita, Cibicki again, LDB and Rey
No O’Connor again Tyler Denton won MOM Played full 90 mins Wilkes subbed off after 13 mins, injured but not sure how bad yet Grot played for his country at U21 level but the Dutch were beaten 3-0 by the Germans Coyle yet another 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw Sacko yet again not made the squad never mind the bench Machuca got on for the last 15 minutes Balboa started and was subbed off on the hour but had a real impact in a 2-0 win Rey played the full 90 again Sarkic was on the bench and didnt get on So winners this week are Grot, again, Denton again, Coyle again and Oriel Rey the rest didnt play due to International break except for Idaguchi and O'Kane who are crocked for the season
As of Friday 23rd November the news out of Turkey is bad for Caleb Ekuban as it seems he will be sent back to Leeds maybe even before the end of his loan period. He has scored only once and has no assists and only taken part in 7 games. Not what was expected of him. Trabzonspoor dont rate him
26th November Anita played the full 90 mins Machuca on the bench Balboa subbed off after 54 mins Bouy an unused sub again Rey played the full 90 mins Sarkic an unused sub Denton played the full 90 mins again Coyle played the full 90 mins again O'Connor sat on the bench again Wilks came on in the 83rd minute Kitching played the full 90 mins again Sacko not even in squad again Grot played the full 90 mins on the right of a front 3 Cibicki subbed off in 2nd half and then not selected for a 2nd game LDB played the full 90 mins again to rave reviews Ekuban came on for the last 10 mins So top loans this week are: Anita Rey Denton Coyle Kitching Grot LDB A much better % of our loan players hitting the grade for a change
I will finish this post off next week but thought it worth mentioning this bit on Caleb Ekuban. This week he lost his mom but he came on as a sub today and scored to put his team ahead in the 82nd minute and they went on to win. Ekuban burst into tears after scoring and his teamates swamped him. Nice one Caleb, I will stay off your back this week and sorry for your loss. There photos of him after scoring on-line Coyle plays tonight Grot completed another 90 minutes wide left of a front 3 Denton an unused sub in the FA Cup O'Connor an unused sub in the FA Cup Wilks came on in the 62nd minute Sacko not even in the squad LDB another storming 90 minutes for him Anita yet another full 90 minutes Kitching after his heroics earlier in the week was out injured Machuca an unused sub Balboa went off injured after 67 minutes Rey played the full 90 again Sarkic an unused sub. So winners this week were Coyle, Grot, LDB, Anita and Rey and you will notice yet again no mention of the useless Ousim Bhoy
10th December Tyler Denton dropped and not even on bench. Sources close to the club reckon fatty Evans has lost patience and Denton will be sent back to Leeds, which could be curtains for his career. Jay Roy Grot played the full 90 minutes in hard fought 0-0 where he played left in a 3 man forward line Lewie Coyle was out injured so missed his first game of the season. Caleb Ekuban came on as a 68th minute sub and scored again to make it 2 in 2, but has been poor all season until last week. Vernun Anita played the full 90 minutes again as part of a 3man midfield but were battered 5-1 Ousim Bhouy bloody hell he actually got selected and played the full 90 minutes Cibicki is back at Leeds awaiting his fate. Puadie O'Connor came on as a 60th minute sub in a 1-0 win Malik Wilks started as a forward as sometimes he is played wide left, but he was striker and scored 2 goals. he went off in the 85th minute to a standing ovation Heidi Sacko as usual not even selected for the bench Alex Machuca came off after 75mins. Liam Kitching played 90 minutes earlier in the week scoring a goal and went off injured at the weekend after 75mins. LDB was an unused sub. Oriel Rey played the full 90 minutes. Adrian Balboa was subbed off after 55 minutes Oliver Sarkic was an unused sub Top loanees this week were: Grot, Ekuban, Anita, Bhouy, Wilks, Kitching, Rey Overall for the season so far Grot, Cibicki, Coyle, Kitching, Wilks and Rey
17th December Kitching played all 90 minutes and scored against York City Ekuban still not started and came on for last 15 minutes Anita was subbed off on 85 minutes Coyle yet another good performance and played all 90 minutes. Joey Barton loves him Wiks played 75 minutes in a comfortable win Grot yet again played all 90 minutes in a draw Denton not even in squad O'Connor an unused sub - is this loan working out because I think not LDB not in the squad Sacko not in the squad Bouy played all 90 minutes again as a CB in a 0-0 draw Machuca not in squad Rey another good 90 minutes Sarkic subbed off on 75 minutes balboa played the last 15 minutes. Big winners again are Kitching, Coyle, Grot, Wilks, Bouy and Rey. Keeping my eye on Bouy because all of a sudden he seems to be getting his act together. Coyle looks like he will need to leave Leeds Utd to get his career going unless Bielsa brings him back next month to understudy Ayling. Grot is a regular although as part of a front 3 he isnt on the scoresheet enough. Kitching must be brought back to replace Halme in the U23s. Will Wilks also need to leave the club?
The Internet is full of glowing reports for Coyle I wonder what it is that Bielsa doesn’t like about him or why it’s Dallas out of position or Shackleton ahead of him.
I don't think Bielsa's seen Coyle play in the flesh. Pre season training started on June 25th. Coyle going to Fleetwood was announced 3 days later, and so was presumably negotiated at least a few days beforehand (i.e. before pre season training started). I suspect an Orta decision. Coylie won't even have appeared on the tapes that Bielsa watched from the previous season, as he was playing for Fleetwood all year. I have to say though that the emergence of Shackleton might have a bearing on this. Bielsa gave him a chance & he didn't let him down. Coyle might just be out in the cold no matter how good he is. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out. I suspect his loan will be extended.
I'd be surprised if Bielsa hasn't had him watched though by someone within the current setup and I hope he does give him a chance when he returns even if it is in the U23's. When the squad is back to full fitness I am wondering if we could have Coyle and Shackleton battle it out for RB and Ayling moved to the right of a back three. Then again it would be stupid for the club not to have one eye on the PL and if we do reach it then are Coyle and Shackleton both ready for the jump up, I very much doubt it.
Have to say that I don't fancy Ayling as a CB. Only in desperate times, like when even I'm unavailable.
If he was available against Villa I would prefer to see Shackleton RB and Ayling in the middle at CB rather than Phillips at CB and Ayling RB
