Don't think Jansson and Cooper work well as a CB pairing, they're both left footed so one of them has to play out of position on the right of the two Last season Jansson had his poorest spell when paired with Cooper, as he was the one who shifted over So even when Cooper is fit to return I don't think Berardi will be the one to drop out
Maybe it's due to the last decade or so but I have to agree it wasn't easy to feel relaxed watching that game. Norwich are considered by their own fans to be underperforming and at times we didn't look the better team on the pitch. OK a three goal win and a clean sheet but we really need those 2-3 extra players on loan otherwise I can imagine a fall from grace like last year. Next game is Boro, they are a big side, Pulis isn't totally stupid, although he is Welsh, and they have good players so 4.45am saturday morning is going to be an interesting time. It's too late to be still drinking and too early to have a drink to calm the nerves !!!
Jansson is 100% right-footed, so I don't see that as an issue. Besides, Jansson and Bartley were both right-footed and that partnership worked pretty well. Players nowadays need to be two-footed, at least to some degree, so I don't think it necessarily matters if it's two right-footed or two left-footed centre halves playing together. Agree that it does balance things nicely, but I don't consider it something that should prevent players playing together - as an example, Ramos and Varane are both right-footed, as are Kompany/Stones/Otamendi (although granted, Laporte is left-footed!). I didn't get to many games last year, partly through general apathy at how poor we were, so I can't comment on how Jansson and Cooper worked together - but I'd think that under Bielsa, they could definitely work as a partnership. I don't personally see any reason why they wouldn't, but maybe I'm wrong! Either way, I'd consider Berardi to be a lot more than just a stop-gap option now, I just feel he's a little suspect under the high ball - more so than Jansson and Cooper - and when teams realise that's a potential vulnerability for us, they will aim to exploit it.
I don’t think Berardi will be dropped the way he is playing, when you read up on Bielsa teams of the past, it is well documented that he likes to play a defensive midfield player or a R/B or L/B in the middle due to their better ball control. Against Swansea he still did this when he moved Ayling to the middle, Berardi is ideally suited for a Bielsa team at this level, hard tackler, can play LB or RB can cover a threat naturally happening down the right if Ayling is caught too far forward. As I see it without the ball or losing possession with a threat down one of the wings it is up to Phillips to drop back into a CB role and either Cooper/Berardi to cover whichever side the threat is coming from. Yesterday is was Pontus Berardi, it’s up to Pontus now to make it hard for Cooper to win his place back.
Agree with you and i noticed phillips move over to the right touchline and cover hassling and making tackles without lunging in.a much improved and more intelligent game from Kalvin.it seems we have coach who the players trust and listen to.very well prepared and playing as a unit.Bielsa & co will be easily paid for by the results and increased crowd food and drink and of course the corporates. Put a couple of good cup runs together and we will be in dreamland.
Given the papers claim promotion to the Prem can be worth £170m that’s another way the £3m he and his team cost becomes irrelevant. (Just got to do it )
An immense outstanding performance. The fluency returned once we had a proper CB in Jansson back & Ayling in his wing-back position Another wonderful day out following Leeds United, as one our fans reminded me, we've traveled over 1000 miles in the last week, worth every mile when Leeds are playing with so much style & confidence, scoring great goals too! Positives Our fluency is back after Swansea stemmed our flow to a certain degree. Pontus returned & coasted the game. Kalvin Phillips immense performance, his blocks & passing was top drawer. Pablo as classy as ever, producing the goal of the day In Klich we have another goalscoring midfielder. Alioski showing more consistency, another assist & a smashing goal. We defended Norwich's only threat ten corners so well. Our dominance & style of play is so impressive. Wonderful atmosphere once again. Negatives Difficult to find any negatives, I actually know some Leeds fans who are negative though & still expecting the worst! Maybe we should have scored more than three but that is being picky & greedy. 7 Peacock-Farrell 7 Ayling 8 Berardi 9 Jansson 7 Douglas 9.5 Phillips MOTM 9 Hernandez 8 Saiz 9 Klich 8 Alioski 8 Roofe Subs 7 Bamford 7 Baker
I thought the same but took him at his word as decent up front so went for them to at least get a consolation and cost me £30....
Ah shame I tend to just get on results not scores as I never get them right. Lower odds but I’m up quite a bit since I opened my sky bet account a year ago (won my first free bet, never spent any real cash so far).
Friday I lost my wallet and keys and had to climb over the back fence at 4am. Found them. They were in my pockets the whole time.
