Good Morning. Its Friday 13th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Hay confirms rift between Hernandez and Bielsa Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay has confirmed what many of us had been thinking. All is not well between veteran midfielder Pablo Hernandez and 'the gaffer' Marcelo Bielsa Before the squad left for London and during Saturday’s post-match press conference, the players were not aware of what was coming. “He was available and I picked other players,” Bielsa said. “I choose the 18 players who I think are most apt but you can evaluate my decision as wrong.” Even though Rodrigo was missing with COVID-19 and Leeds’ bench was patched up with under-23s, a fit Hernandez did not travel! Was Bielsa right to drop Hernandez from the squad? Can you see Hernandez leaving in January? please log in to view this image Dallas injured on International duty Stuart Dallas suffered an arm injury during Northern Ireland's heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Slovakia last night. The Leeds utility man was left in a heap following an aeriel challenge which left Dallas unable to to bend his arm. Visibly in agony, the 29yo continued through the pain barrier for a further 100 minutes. Dallas did look to recover, but it could have been adrenaline. We will hear about the gravity of the injury this afternoon, after x-rays. please log in to view this image Costa to make way for Raphinha Many Leeds fans believe Summer signing Raphinha has shown enough during his short cameo appearances to be awarded a starting place against Arsenal a week on Saturday. The versatile Brazilian can play in the middle behind the striker or as a front man in his career to date, but is expected to continue to provide Bielsa with wide options. Helder Costa was the one to make way in south London, and the former Wolves winger is most likely the one under threat from Raphinha’s presence. Bielsa stated: “Fundamentally he [Raphinha] plays on either wing,” “He is a player who is naturally very attacking, with ability to get in behind, with dribbling skills. “They are virtues to attack and these are skills applicable out wide as well as in the centre. “I won’t say that I won’t use him in any other position but fundamentally I see him as player to play on either wing. “He has played in the centre as a striker and attacking midfield but he arrived in our team to be an alternative or option on the wing.” please log in to view this image
Just want the International break to end and the damage the Internationals have done to our squad has affected our league performance and position. Dallas now injured, Llorente and Cooper both doing groins with Llorente’s worse. We really needed Llorente these last couple of games because he is a natural DM to replace Kalvin. Hes also a natural RB or CB and boy have we needed a level headed International to manage that defence. After having a couple of seasons of full on adoration by the fans, Pablo is beginning to understand that staying on a platter means having to play to a high standard. Pablo isnt doing that and hasn't done that since the season before last. We saw his performances waning last season and the injuries were increasing. His goal scoring dropped off and his match turning performances dropped off too. He was still given a new contract but as much as I love him he will never be the player of a year ago. He hasnt played a full match since the Derby away game and that was because the league was already won. Pablo needs to add his experience and professionalism to the squad and especially the kids, but sadly he was lacking in that regard after being replaced recently. Sort your **** out Pablo and be a team leader again or experience Bielsa treating you with the contempt you deserve.
Good morning. Not really sure we can learn a lot from that international break. The Paddys still can’t play football. England remain technically good enough to beat pub teams but don’t have the flair to do it on the big stage. Peacock-Farrell still can’t stop shots from range. I was all for the Scottish qualifying but their crying at the final whistle was embarrassing. Do they realise these “major” tournaments happen every other year and this isn’t even the main one. Jesus Christ. On Hernandez, obviously we don’t know the full details but i’d have preferred to see him benched rather than not travelling at all. I respect Bielsa’s approach but it seems a petty way to piss off a player we might come to rely on this year.
Have to agree on Hernandez can produce a special pass. Strange one is Bielsa persisting with some players who couldn't cross a road let alone a ball
I doubt Pablo at his age now that he'd get signed by a Prem side, Championship side yes. As far as I'm concerned he let himself down, he knows he did and he's apologised for it. I hope Bielsa will move on now, just like I have on the matter.
Morning all. Saw the Pablo thing coming as I watched him trudge off the field. No comment or interest in internationals. Almost 100 players currently injured in the pl so we just have our fair share. Our problem being the tiny squad. Kids on the bench don't count
For me personally if Pablo has apologised they should move on, but he was petulant and if MB decides that’s a droppable offence and is consistent with it then I’m fine with that. As for Pablo’s performances, I’ve said this his entire time at Leeds, he’s usually either the best or the worst player on the pitch. He sees and makes passes other’s can’t but on the days when he’s off it/leggy he’s a liability. Over time, the proportion of poorer performances has increased but he’s still an option you want in your squad. Regardless, They obviously don’t think he has the fitness levels to do a full 90.
Did he actually face a shot from range? He’ll be disappointed with the winner, but it was from inside the box. It looked like he might have been a touch out of position and maybe slightly unsighted, but no keepers like being beaten at their near post. He had some man of the match performances to help get them there, but this is what he’ll be remembered for... that’s life for keepers!
Yeah I'm being a bit harsh on him just trying to find some interest from a Leeds angle. The goal was Evans' fault but still one you'd hope an international keeper would get to and one we've seen him concede plenty of in a Leeds shirt. Disappointed that we won't see Dallas at the Euros.
Yeh, he certainly made mistakes for us. Keeping’s a funny position, I’ve watched a few of NI’s games in the last year or so... he’s had a couple of absolute blinders - then a few where he’s conceded 5 and barely touched the ball... sometimes they’re just in range and sometimes just out of range... it’s often hard to know whether another keeper would have saved it. Like with meslier this year... been a fair few already where you think could have saved it, not many where you think 100% should have.
I was behind the goal when he ****ed up twice against brum I think a few seasons ago. Did the same thing.
Afternoon all, This problem with Pablo is something we potentially should have seen coming. He has been the main man for two plus years now. That is what he and we have gotten used to. We have now reached another level. Sadly we have reached this level at the point in his career where he is slowing down and maybe his abilities are starting to wain. We have also signed new players who can do what he does. It is always difficult to watch our heroes age and I expect it is hard for him to accept that this is happening. Looking at the Leicester game other than hitting the post with a piece of excellence what did he do to warrant not being substituted? To me he looked off pace and added nothing in defence or attack. Can we afford to start him in games hoping that he will be able to pull something brilliant out of the bag? I understand why he didn't, wanting to play in the Prem one more time, but would the end of last season be the perfect time for him to retire? Talk about going out on top and forever a hero and legend at the club. I worry that just the fact we are having this conversation will take away from his legacy.
Not disputing that Pablo wasn't exactly our best performer, but I actually thought he was coming into the game more & more. I was as shocked as him that he was sub'd. It seems I might be alone in offering Pablo some sympathy. He's not match fit, but how do you get match fit if you're not played? I'm surprised that he's not being used off the bench as a game-changing supersub, as if anyone can change a game, he can.
I agree. Meslier has pulled off a few great saves this season but there's been a couple where i've wondered if he's made a simpler save look more spectacular. Like you say though, unless you see another keeper face the exact same shot it's not always easy to tell.
Tend to agree with this although I would add he could be used for a half in the U23s for a bit of experience. last week when we were 3-0 at half time against the barcodes we lost 4-3 which was a joke and we needed a level head. He could have got match fit by doing minutes for the kids. He could have played for the 21s against Blackpool earlier this week as we fielded an U18 team in reality and they cant handle mens pro football yet. Bielsa isnt stupid so why is he not allowing Pablo to get match fit?
Bielsa has to learn to deal with temperamental players as he'll experience more problems with top foreign prem stars than the ones he took on managing our championship squad last season. Big test for Marcelo in the prem, he'll come a cropper if he cuts off his nose to spite his face. If I was Marcelo I'd be more concerned how we defended that 4th Palace goal, lack of pressing & five defenders in & around the box with not one of them marking Ayew please log in to view this image