Good Morning. It's Tuesday 16th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Young Whites defeat Mansfield Town in League Cup match The young Whites recorded their first win in the Premier League Cup last night at the hands of Mansfield Town U23's at York City's LNER Community Stadium. Mark Jackson named 15-year-old Archie Gray (father to Andy, Grandfather to Frank, and obviously we can't forget Uncle Eddie) and 16-year-old James Debayo in the starting line up, and they didn't disappoint! Leeds needed a victory, having suffered losses at the hands of Wigan U23's and Sunderland U23's. Sean McGurk broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half. Hughes (on the right wing) centred the ball to Dean on the edge of the area. His scuffed shot rolled nicely into the path of the former Wigan teenager. He managed to ride the challenge of a defender and squeeze the ball under the despairing dive of on loan keeper George Shelvey. McGurk turned provider for Leeds second. His cross fell nicely for Max Dean who chested the ball, before thumping a first time volley into the roof of the net. Mansfield scored a late equaliser three minutes from time, but the young Whites held on for a well-deserved win. please log in to view this image With Bamford still sidelined, what are Leeds chances on Sunday? The Whites travel to North London on Sunday hoping to build on their three game unbeaten league run, but what are their chances? Leeds trips to the Capital rarely end well, and with Harry Kane finding the back of the net seven times in two games for England, will the Leeds defence manage to keep him quiet? On the injury front, Firpo is nearing a comeback. Only this morning, he posted a cryptic one-word message to the Leeds Utd faithful simply saying 'Soon'. Unfortunately, it looks like Bamford may not return until next month according to Danny Mills! “You start to wonder, do they know the root of the problem? “What is the issue? What is the reason for him breaking down? “We know how intense the way Bielsa plays. We know the fitness level that he will insist his players are at to come back into the team. “When you’ve been out for that long, it is going to take him a little while even when he’s started training, to get back up to speed and get back up to what Bielsa wants. “If the injury keeps going wrong, if you come back too soon, even if it’s just a few days you may just tweak it. That delays it by another week. “Sometimes the longer it goes on, the more you try to force it. Injuries are a very delicate balance and he could be out until December now.” please log in to view this image Don't wait until the Summer Leeds journalist Phil Hay has suggested that Leeds should sign a new midfielder in the January transfer window, not wait until next Summer, when he expects an influx of new players. He also disclosed that Bielsa has a soft spot for Reading playmaker John Swift. Picking up a bargain can be difficult enough, let alone during such a small window of opportunity. Even if Messts Orta and Bielsa were to agree on a signature, that's only part of the job done. They would need to get fit; not just match fit - but Bielsa fit! "I can definitely see the value in signing a centre mid in the window, partly to help this season but partly to create one less job for the summer window (which will be far more active). They were clearly very keen on O’Brien but I don’t know if I see Huddersfield lowering his value (particularly with him on a new contract). Was interesting to see John Swift linked over the weekend because Swift is someone Bielsa quietly admires" please log in to view this image
Morning all Reading a few threads on FB supporter groups, many are suggesting Swift would be a ready made 10 and O’Brien would be best suited at 8 If Swift was signed for the more attacking role he’d be fighting Rodrigo and Roberts for the position and more recently James. O’Brien he would be trying to take the Dallas/Forshaw/Klich spot. I think I’d edge towards O’Brien as either one won’t be considered Bielsa fit for 6 weeks and you’d assume Carlos would be more in tune to Bielsa training methods
Morning all, Firstly if it's Danny ****ing Mills saying Bamford is still out bet your mortgage in him to start Sunday and score an hat trick, that's how clueless he is. Big congrats to Cooper on getting a good assist for the jocks last night. A Twitter user made a good point this morning. Cooper should be held up as the perfect example of hard work and commitment can raise you to levels your natural talent may not get you. He isn't the best player we've had in recent years but since signing he has worked his way from League one to Captain of Leeds United in the premier League, playing for his country in the Euros and being on the cusp of going to a world cup with them. Great respect to him.
All hail the word of Phil Hay who for the last few months has been saying that Leeds will not buy anyone in January. He has obviously changed his tune as he does on everything. John Swift has been on Orta’s radar for 2 seasons and we have tried to get him at least once. Last season he was injured and we all know that he is leaving Reading at the end of the season. Reading also know they need to cash in for as much as they can get because he walks away for free in the Summer so a discounted January sale is better than getting zero. I dont know if we will get him because he has a lot of options, but I hope we do. If a player becomes available who is on Bielsa’s list they will go and get him in January without a doubt, even if he never starts a game this season. Its one job already covered that doesn't need doing in the summer. It also sets out a marker that we mean business next season, and to be fair anyone on our list has already met most of the criteria Bielsa and Orta are looking for, so getting Bielsaball ready shouldn't be too hard. Spurs and Newcastle will rip the transfer window open in January so there will indeed be a lot of action Watford, Wolves and Norwich may also enter the fray so a lot of activity at inflated prices, but may reveal some rich pickings for a smart cookie
I get what you are saying but signing John Swift who is set to walk away from Reading on a free transfer will hardly scare the opposition or spell out watch Leeds they mean business, it's more like spelling out they haven't much money left to spend, they're looking for average bargains I wonder how much we can get Raphinha for.. If he improves the team fine, there are enough supporters who feel he would add a positive benefit to our squad but I can't help feel it is more to do with how poor and how lacking our midfield is rather than Swift being a superstar signing. I can't believe the excitement myself signing a 26 year old who has zero Premier League experience and nobody else has bothered to meet any asking prices in the last 5-6 years. There is no solid foundation to support this player being a hit in the PL
Bit off subject ,but i thought i would look at the festive period of fixtures 11th Chelsea v Leeds 14th Man City v Leeds 18th Leeds v Arsenal 26th Liverpool v Leeds Now i wish i never, could ruin my christmas Morning all
I popped an image of these fixtures up a couple of weeks ago, it doesn't look good does it. Throw in an away match in London to Spurs next up, away to an in form Brighton and then a home fixture against an equally in form Palace it leaves the only half winnable fixture being our home game against Brentford just before this little lot creep up on us. I'm not saying we can't beat Palace or Brighton but it won't be easy To make it worse, those below us are all playing each other so someone will get points. Burnley have Watford, Villa and Newcastle, Newcastle are also playing Brentford and Norwich, Villa also have Norwich. At least two teams below us are likely to pick up 5 points so we really need some points before that festive nightmare
Well thank you for showing me the bigger picture, that's made me feel a lot better, I don't think --------
I get what your saying however I remember the state of some Leeds fans complaining about Connor Gallagher, why are we chasing him, whats he done. The problem is though Ristac that Bielsa and Orta had earmarked him to do a job that both knew he was capable of doing. He has had a great season doing exactly what Bielsa wanted him to do at Leeds hes now a full England International and should have scored 2 goals last night. Swift in the eyes of Bielsa is better than Gallagher and a few prem clubs are chasing him. Leeds will break their transfer record next summer, buts its not all about how much money you splash out look at Leicester they buy wise and sell high and then invest again.
So poor old Derby have been given a 24 points deduction with 3 points suspended, so in reality lose 21 points. Bates was a criminal and a cheat and only got 15 points deducted so how much of a criminal was Mel Morris? How did Morris get onto the EFL Board, why was there no investigation f Shaun Harvey who quickly ran away from being boss of the EFL and in fairness nobody at the EFL can explain how football club CEO who went into administration 3 times was deemed suitable to head the EFL. Feel sorry for the Derby fans and even for Rooney who in fairness can enhance his managerial credentials by doing his best to get as many wins as possible to reduce the deficit
So on Derby I'd just like to take a moment to say.. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, oh oh, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, ooohhhh, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
I don't think anyone is 'excited' by the potential signing. He did actually break in to Chelsea first team squad towards the end of his time there but went to play minutes at Reading. He was nominated for EFL young player of the year with Ollie Watkins in his first season. Reading immediately gave him an improved 5 year deal to tie him down. They slapped a stupid price tag on him to scare off clubs wanting to take a chance on him. Since then he has consistently been one of the most productive midfielders in the Championship until he spent a large chunk of time on the sidelines last season. He has come out firing on all cylinders again this season and is out of contract at the end of this season. He is refusing to sign another because he knows he will play at a higher level next year as Reading can't demand a fortune for him. As for Leeds? Well he is tall (set pieces), works hard, has a good engine, takes up intelligent positions in the final third and regularly creates chances. Does that sound like something we need? For a couple of million, a bigger sell on fee and the potential to kick on its a no brainer if we went ahead with it. He won't take us in to Europe but he might stabilise us short term until better players become available.
In regards to Gallagher I think it was more a fear for fans that it would be Ben White all over again, why develop another teams player for 12 months who you have no chance of signing? I’m curious as to what makes you believe Bielsa likes Swift more than Gallagher that sounds a crazy assumption? Gallagher is only 21 he played 30 Premier League games last season, he’s by far a greater player.
In Bielsa's first two seasons in the Championship I distinctly remember 3 midfielders who single handedly tore us apart or consistently caused us problems. The three were Gallagher (Swansea), Luke Freeman (QPR) and John Swift (Reading). I kept an eye on all three and Gallagher and Swift did it week in and week out. Luke Freeman was a little bit more hit and miss but when he was in 'hit' mode looked every bit as good if not better than the other two. Gallagher was and is perfect for Bielsaball and is now proving his class at the highest level. Swift isn't as good as Gallagher but is more consistent than Freeman. A somewhat middle man between the two. For a cheap fee he is worth the risk because if he can replicate the goals and assists at a higher level then he will be worth his weight in gold and potentially keep us up this season. If he struggles we would easily recoup the small fee. Its a free hit. He could be our Tim Cahill signing.
I don't recall Swift shining for reading against us, nor do i actually recall us being linked to him. Olise, yes, Ejaria yes.. maybe it was all cover for Swift I remember Eze at QPR giving us the runaround. Olise, Gallacher, Eze, Bowen, Pereira - were the 'playmaking' talent from the championship that stood out for me in recent years. Benrahma and Buendia maybe too.
