Whites limp into 4th Round of FA Cup Good Morning. It's Monday 13th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds United limped into the FA Cup fourth round after a narrow victory against League Two strugglers Harrogate Town, setting up what promises to be a bruising encounter with Millwall (as long as they can overcome Dagenham & Redbridge this evening. Hopes of seeing the stars of tomorrow (Debayo, Crew, Chambers and even Joffy) were dashed when Daniel Farke named a fully strength outfield side, with Guilavogui giving Rodon an hour off, and likewise Joseph deputising for Piroe. Leeds had 21 attempts on goal, with five on target, forcing two proper saves; perfecting emulating their recent endeavours in the final third. Struggles to convert chances remains a significant issue, evident in their frustrating performance against a team ranked 68 places below them, echoing similar problems faced in the Championship. The only goal of the game came on the hour mark when Ramazani headed home Solomon's pin point cross at the far post, giving Belshaw no chance. Given the Sulphurites have only conceded a goal less than the bottom club in the football league (Carlisle Utd), they'll certainly take a 1-0 loss at Elland Road. please log in to view this image Are Leeds leaving themselves thin on the ground with Cup run Whilst Sheffield Utd and Sunderland get to focus all their efforts on promotion, Daniel Farke has apparently set his sights on a Cup run this season. If a gruelling 46 game season isn't hard enough, the gaffer made his intentions known, by fielding an almost fully strength side to ensure progression to the fourth round! Couple that with the amount of players they will lose on International breaks between now and the end of the season, and Leeds are at risk of finding themselves in the same predicament as last March, during the season finale last time round! Leeds have made their feelings abundantly clear regarding recruitment this month, despite all those around them desperately strengthening. Nobody wants to go out of the Cup to league 2 opposition, but surely promotion must take precedence? please log in to view this image
A cup run is always good for the soul. We have alot of depth for a championship team so should be able to manage it fine.
Farke is paid to win matches, not throw them. If wed lost with a scrap side, there would be many here and elsewhere looking for his head
Morning all We hit the woodwork twice, it could easily have been 3-0 and we did what we needed to do and that was get through to the next round with no new injuries. A few fringe players got a run out, a few players shared game time keeping everyone fresh, we have another home draw against a lower placed team, it was a nice change from worrying about the league table I see we are being strongly linked now for the Spurs LB Davies, Blackburn are showing an interest in Bamford, Geldhardt expected to complete a medical today for a move to Hull and we are still after the CB from Forest who was left out of their FA Cup game. I am hoping the Bamford interest is true and you would hope that if both Bamford and Joffy depart we bring in a new front man
they always talk about squad size and harmony etc... but as far as i'm concerned if they were happy with squad size, it's 1 out 1 in. If either Joffy or Paddy leave, then we need a replacement - if they both leave we need two. Gives options for target man and the much needed 10 we were trying and failing to get all summer. All assuming we can find one of appropriate quality who's prepared to come.
Just wonder why you describe those all round us desperately strengthening. I don’t see that as desperation unless they are signing rubbish maybe
Whilst I remain confident, the next couple of home games we really want to get max points from. We highlighted the christmas/jan period as a relatively 'easy' set of fixtures whilst our competitors had a hard run and played each other. That's coming to an end. On paper the blunts in particular have an 'easy' looking Jan and Feb. Meanwhile, from our game at Burnley at the end of Jan we have a tough looking run through February. Now football doesn't always work like that... but we need to get back to winning ways.
Gelhardt off to hull on a permanent in next 24 hours if he can pass a medical. Guess that means el Croco Bamford is staying to collect his next six months sick pay
Sorry but we don't need to replace Gelhardt as he never plays. What we need is one good tall striker who is physical too. Bamford is injured permanently and we would have to pay him to leave so can only afford one in.
Won’t happen. We’re stuck with home for another two years. That’ll be five seasons milking the club. Don’t forget if we get promoted he’ll pick up 1.5m a year pay rise and probably another 1m promotion bonus
Exactly bamford is a crock so barely counts as a squad member, even though he's been getting minutes. If joseph and/or piroe get crocked/suspended then who do we play? Plenty of our first team squad don't get a game... doesn't mean you want to enter the second half of the season with fewer players than the first. Typically more injuries happen in the second half of the season. So whilst i agree, Gelhardt is a waste of a wage for us, getting rid of him frees up the opportunity to replace him with someone who isn't.
Millwall won. I think it’s at ER? They are less of a threat away, despite their HUGE following. still don’t really care about a cup run though
I was at Leeds Millwall a few seasons back and they actually brought two bus loads. The state of what got off the buses though, shocking