please log in to view this image Norwich City v Leeds Utd Saturday 25th August @3pm Streaming links to follow Hi Folks Leeds travel down to Norfolk on Suturday to face Norwich City at Carrow Road. The Canaries have strengthened their team during the Summer bringing in Keeper Tim Krul who had just been released by Brighton, midfielders Moritz Leitner / Emiliano Buendía, forwards Teemu Pukki / Jordan Rhodes, full back Felix Passlack and winger Ben Marshall. Their most noticeable player to fly the coup was James Maddison for signed for Leicester City for 22m. Delia's boys started the season with a 2-2 draw at St Andrews, then a seven goal home thriller edged by West Brom. Norwich made easy work in the League Cup against Stevenage only for the Blunts to complete a sheffield double. Daniel Farke's men (no jokes please) recorded their first league victory last night (Wed 23rd Aug) at home v Preston courtesy of two late goals. Have they found their form at the right time or perhaps they have gained a psychological advantage? We heard earlier in the week that Norwich had redecorated their away dressing room to a lovely shade of pink in the hope it would lower opposition players' testosterone! Whilst many would bulk at the idea, the pink technique was used for years in college football in America and was believed to be so effective that the governing body banned the tactic. Leeds await fitness news on central defenders Jansson (back) and Cooper (malingering git) before making any decisions on his team. Its fair to say they lost their high tempo during their 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium midweek so I wouldn't be surprised to see some changes. Alioski or Harrison? Baker or Phillips? Hernandez to rest? Bamford to start?
Can't see Bielsa making many changes, if any. He likes to stick with his winning team untill it gets disastrous. Although we drew with Swansea, it was a team who didn't lower their heads but fought back for the draw. I don't think Alioski being subbed is going to make a difference, Swansea had a good defence and caused us problems down both wings, plus Alioski got very little service from the players behind him. The players coming on against Swansea seemed to upset the apple cart a little, in that they're not used to playing with the likes of Saiz, Pablo and a few others. I think we'll beat Norwich by 1 or 2 goals.
I think that we will overcome being in the pink but I do worry about our CB'S I would drop Phillips as he as become inconsistent again Reece Oxford would be a welcomed addition giving us more height
Hi Ellandback, you may want to give the original post a wee edit: "Delia's boys have had a difficult start to their season losing 5-1 at Hillsbrough on the opening day of the season." The game against the Wendies was our pitiful surrend at the end of last season. We kicked off with the 2-2 at Brum. From a Oppo perspective, it is hard to be too optimistic of a win in this one, I watched your openning game against Stoke and at least in that game you looked a cut above, a bit Wolves of last season like. I haven't seen much but Quest highlights since, but your results suggest a team that will be beyond our currently struggling team. Upto last night we were carrying a threat going forward, but hopeless at the back, last night we turned that on its head, for the best part of 80 minutes we didn't get a shot on target and were seriously poor. But inspite of conceding some half decent chances, for once it was the opposition not us who were wasteful infront of goal. We're all hoping that our few bright bits of play can become more the norm, rather than the relentlessly dull passing around amoungst our back 4. I don't expect a win, in fact I voted 2 goal win for your lot, But its the championship so hope springs. Bah!
They’re all tough, I’m nervous as usual, don’t know how Norwich play but if they’re big an physical then I’d replace Alioski. For me he gets bullied and is ineffective against teams like that.
As long as there is no correlation between goals scored and number of fingers on the fans hands, we’ll be fine
bamford left wing for me he's a starter very smart player.if klicky plays defensive then baker should step up and give us his best game,must say i like the lad.as for the defence i just hope someone gets fit because our luck will run out soon and one of the square pegs needs replacing.
I’m hoping for a win, I’m more hoping we can play a tempo like we did against Stoke and Derby, a point away from home is good, three points away to teams Like Norwich and that’s promotion contending territory
BPF to be replaced by Blackman, his height would of tipped the Swansea second over the bar, as for the first goal he would have defo stopped that one. Jansson in for Cooper and Harrison for Alioski, then the rest to be put on there toes but defo swap the keeper IMO
I reckon Bpf would have to have a disaster of a game before bielsa drops him. Not that i rate him far from it.not agile or tall enough for me.in fact i dont rate him at this level at all.to me he is the weakest link in the side.
I think Blackman will get his chance against Preston and if he takes it he will be in. BPF distribution in the current system is spot on and I think this plays a big part in Belisas selection process
I wouldn't say he was very good, but certainly nothing worth dropping him for. Having seen the 2nd save makes me think he could have done better with their first goal and with a stronger hand pushed it wide, though a tackle could have come in much earlier in the move. Can't see how a free header in the box is his fault at all TBH. Given the time he had it was a perfectly placed header.
I think we will find Bielsa makes few unforced changes. It would not surprise me if Phillips starts and Pontus does not. Alioski I’m less sure about. I’d be amazed if BPF does not start. There will be some who won’t like his approach (especially when we finally lose a game) but I think his style is to keep faith, treat with respect, see a players performance in the round not punish for an error. I can imagine the players will like that, I can imagine we fans with our rather black and white (racist alert) views, will not.
Bielsa hasn't lost a game yet, why change the line up. I wouldn't be surprised to see 10 out of the 11 starting again. There's been a bit of talk about putting both Jannson and Berardi as CB's untill Cooper recovers, don't know if that'll happen or not.
Worryingly I agree with most of that Btw no need to reply to every comment that includes the word racist
