Good Morning. It's Thursday 12th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road U21's Hammered again Even with the first team assistance of Casilla and Povada, Leeds U21's were taken apart by third tier outfit Blackpool 3-0, leaving the Whites rock bottom of group G in the EFL 'Papa John’s' Trophy knockout stage. Over their three games (Accrington Stanley, Blackpool and Barrow), Leeds conceded 12 goals, and scored twice. We are talking about multi millions of pounds worth of talent in the likes of Gelhardt, Summervile, Casey, Drameh, Cresswell, Davis and Greenwood to name a few. These players are supposed to be our backups when injuries, suspensions of fatigue takes its toll! Would you expect U21 youngsters, most of which have been capped at International youth level to at least give a decent game to third tier clubs? Their only point came against Barrow, who sit near the drop zone of the third tier. May 23rd please log in to view this image Do Leeds have the strength in depth to complete the season comfortably Whilst Leeds style of play and fitness has been universally applauded, will they be able to sustain it until May 23rd? Do Leeds NEED to invest in January to make certain of Premiership football next season? Have the players had an opportunity to properly recharge their batteries since last season ended for the Whites late last July? Do you think the break caused by the Corona Virus was a blessing in disguise for our Championship team of last season? Would they have had the energy and momentum to finish the season as strongly as they did without the Corona break? please log in to view this image Matteo speaks out about defensive woes Former Leeds legend Dominic Matteo has spoken out at Leeds frailties and how he would be feeling he he been in the defensive linew up over the last few games. While Robin Koch and Liam Cooper play for Germany and Scotland they miss out on that time on the training ground. I think Marcelo Bielsa, with all his knowledge, will be keen to make defensive improvements during this period because although we’ve been great to watch and had lovely compliments, he won’t want to ship so many goals. For defenders it must be a nightmare at times, because we’re so attacking. The first thing I was thinking about as a defender was ‘what if’ – what if we lose the ball – and Leeds don’t seem to have a ‘what if. No matter who is playing at Thorp Arch in these two weeks, the emphasis has to be on when we lose the ball and transition, getting numbers back. The fitness isn’t a problem, it’s just doing the right things. We conceded four against Leicester and four against Crystal Palace and, as a defender, I would be devastated. I remember playing at the back with Rio Ferdinand and thinking let’s try and be the best defence in the league. That’s going to be difficult for Leeds, they’re so attacking. Sometimes we just have to get the right number behind the ball and do the basics better. Offensively, I’m not worried about Leeds, I think they’ll create chances, they’ll have a threat and score goals – Raphinha came on against Palace and had something about him – but they have to get better defensively. I feel there’s been a bit of naivety in the last two games and we’ve conceded poor goals. Playing against a Roy Hodgson side, I know there were circumstances in the game that need to be taken into account, but there was poor defending. You know what you will be up against. I’ve been one of Luke Ayling’s biggest supporters and he has been outstanding for Leeds, before promotion and since, but up against a top line player like Wilfried Zaha, he just didn’t look comfortable defensively. Maybe he’s still looking to get forward when he should be taking up good defensive positions. I would be thinking just do my job today, defend, don’t give Zaha a chance but we just didn’t get tight to him. If he gets space and time he’ll kill you and he was a real thorn in our side. You know what you’re going to get with Zaha, he has quality and we struggled with him. I don’t care if you’re playing against Liverpool, City or Palace, if you don’t do the basics well you will be found out. People will think I’m being critical but when you’ve conceded 17, it’s too many. A lot of teams have been conceding and people point to the lack of fans for that, but we’ve had a lot of games now without fans, going right back to the final games of last season. It cannot be an excuse. We cannot say Leeds don’t put a shift in, but maybe sometimes conserve your energy and don’t waste it, you have to do the right things. In front of the defence Kalvin Phillips is a massive, massive loss and that’s become even more apparent. The role doesn’t really suit Mateusz Klich, as we saw against Leicester and we know Pascal Struijk will develop and improve, but it is a worry that when Kalvin is out, the team just don’t play the same way. Further forward, we were missing Rodrigo and Pablo Hernandez, who was fit but not selected. If you disrespect the manager when you’re substituted and you’re called out for it, sometimes there have to be repurcussions but I would have played him against Palace. I don’t know Pablo Hernandez personally but sometimes maybe he just needs that little bit of anger. He wasn’t brilliant against Leicester, he was frustrated and that’s when you need to pick him. Hernandez showed that other side to him and I don’t think Bielsa likes that, I think he wants everyone on the same page. He’s probably not been as fit as he wanted to be, not as sharp as he’d like to be, maybe doesn’t feel he’s had the game time. But Hernandez is one of the players we still need, if we’re going to have a decent year because he’s got that bit of quality. I think it was petulant, he was very frustrated but it did show how much it still means to him, even at his age. The game’s other talking point on Saturday is obvious, the goal that should have counted. Bamford deserved that goal, it was a brilliant move and he’s done nothing wrong, he wasn’t trying to encroach or cheat. Are we saying strikers can’t move towards goal with their arms lifted? I couldn’t quite believe it but we’re seeing a lot of it, it’s not just Leeds who have suffered. Handball is another issue. I would be conceding penalties for fun, Jamie Carragher has said the same - we were brought up to stand up and be big, get anything in front to block that ball. Confusion is not good for players or for supporters. Great moments and great games are being ruined by such bad decisions. please log in to view this image
Morning all I had high hopes for these U21s and it’s early days yet I know but yes I expected better. The match report states Blackpool dominated and I’m pretty sure they played several reserve players too. I guess we’ve been out the top flight too long and the fix as you go through the ranks is going to take time.
Morning all... Not much to say as bored to tears by international football, apart from it's quite unbelievable it's going ahead in a global pandemic. Good luck to NI and the Jocks though
Morning all Pointless having a pop at the 21s as these games are about learning. Kiko was our best player along with Cresswell and Jenkins when he came on, but the rest were very poor. Poveda, Gelhardt, Greenwood, Casey, McKinstry and McCarron were all very poor and just never got into the game. High hopes for a lot if those just named but Blackpool went out to destroy any plan we had by being in our faces and disrupting. These kids have been used to having their own way and dictating play. Well they got another shock last night and even Summerville was out of his depth and looked tiny against men
Morning All, Given the current defensive frailties do you think White would have been able to do any better? personally I don't think so. We are just lacking 2-3 of our key players right now. It's a team game and 20% missing isn't going to be good.
We really needed some of these players to step up last night to be capable of potentially plugging some holes in the future. Cresswell looking very capable and remember he is behind Struijk. Struijk a competent CB and can replace Phillips. We also have Llorente who can also play a better replacement for Phillips and is obviously another International CB. Our U21s were also depleted by Nohan Keneh and more off with England U20s kenneh can play anywhere in defence and midfield for Greenwood and Gelhardt to take the step up they really need to get the ball so that they can show what they’re capable of. Last night they were stifled and Summerville was stopped too so he couldn't supply
Pretty sure they lost in the semi finals on pens. Hopefully they stuff the English tonight though as the sooner Back 7 Southgate is gone the better
Is it the wrong time of the month honey ? Don't worry you'll feel much better next week you pedantic tw*t
Morning all. Id made the point elsewhere this morning. Just when our players, especially defenders need to double up on training with Bielsa, They're off messing about in international friendlies. They'll likely arrive back 48 hours before Arsenal game and hopefully not injured. Not much chance for Bielsa to change anything as youngsters are clearly no ready for the pl
If recent games are anything to go by, it'll be a six or seven nil win for England. I'd be surprised it the Irish even scored.
Bryce Hosannah has been given a contract extension until 2022, so a year extra due to the way he has been playing for Bradford City. Best player on the park since he landed so we are either hoping for a good fee if we allow him to leave or we see his progression and can be involved next season back at Leeds. Bryce was always one of the best footballers, most skilful, fastest and consistent performers for the 23s. He is already showing he is too good for the league hes playing in. Good luck to the kid who can now play anywhere in the back 5 or flying wingback
After losing 3-0 at home to Villa in their last game I think Arteta would prefer to be sorting his own players out rather than seeing them all off on international duty and having no one to train. Same problem for them, let's not start using excuses in advance.
Third and a bit week into lock down and I'm on anti biotics for a cough and snots ffs how do you still get sick when on lockdown.
I've had that for 3 months. Finally referred to hospital, and x ray shows I have infection on my right lung.
Last year I had 4 treatments from the docs, got a chest x-ray and they said it was clear, Went to a+e because of the pain, got another x-ray and was told I had bronchitis. It was eventually sorted. But I'll never forget the pain. So hope all works out for you Elland.
