After that Saints ShytShow last night its looking like we can only rely on ourselves to save the season. I have been saying that Burnley wouldn't get 30 points and were gone. Now worrying a bit but Everton will lose this weekend and they have an even tougher run in than us. Marsch has had plenty of time to drill his team in the way he wants to set up, with the final touches only coming in the summer in preseason, but we should be able to see even more of his style on Monday. Ever the optimist I am going for a Leeds win and the reasons are: we are now able to put out our strongest 11 except Bamford. I believe every player is wanting to impress Marsch as they all know there is going to be big changes this summer. I believe a strong 11 is a better team than Palace who have also only won 8 games this season, but we’re told they are having a good season? They just managed to draw games where we lost some for not scoring. Its going to be OK. Speaking about summer changes, the Leeds employee and former striker Tubs Whelan is saying that Poveda is someone Jesse will Love? If this comment is in anyway true, it shows the difficulty Marsch is going to have this summer as Poveda added to (Raphinha maybe going) James, Harrison, Summerville and Costa seems to be a glut of wingers for a man who likes half wingers? We have a glut of CBs but Elland Morning thread talking about Joe Rodon? The U23 Table shows the jeopardy facing us with only 2 games remaining and Chelsea have an easy run in compared to Leeds who face 2 of the best teams in the league. We will also be playing with one hand behind our backs still as cannot see Joffy playing and we may see skipper Cresswell play the full match as we have plenty of first team CB cover now. Greenwood and Summerville may get 45 minutes, but this game against City is a tough ask
The U23 League as a whole needs to seriously look at the match scheduling for next season. With 5 subs being allowed in the PL it would make more sense that the U23's play after the weekend so that any bench warmers who didn't get 1st team minutes then can get a full 90 in for the U23's and continue their development. So Monday nights should be the regular night for U23 fixtures (not this week obviously).
Think Everton's fixtures are pretty similar *Same as us Chelsea home Arsenal away The timing of the Chelsea game is better for us given it's 3 days before the FA Cup final. *Top 2 They go to Liverpool, us at home to Man City. *"Winnable" at home We only have Brighton, they have Brentford and Palace. *Aways Palace and Brentford for us (middle teams) vs Watford and Leicester (one "easy", one tough for them). Hopefully a 4 point advantage to us, going into the final 6.
The concern with Everton is that their home form is ok… you’d fancy them against those midtable, nothing to play for sides on their own turf. I can see 4-6 points there. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they won at Leicester who just seem a soft touch. Their away form though is is pitiful, so long may it continue.
That's pretty much how I see it as well. The thing I'd add is that Everton after they play Pool (a), Chelsea (h) & Leicester (a) then have a run of 3 very winnable fixtures....Watford (a), Brentford (h), Palace (h). If they get some momentum by winning the first then that's where all their points are likely to come from. Last day away at Arsenal looks tough unless the Gunners have already missed out/qualified for the top 4. It's game on !!!
I had a rant at the start of this season when the fixture list came out (page 1 of the OP) all the cup games were slipped in between games played on Mondays and Fridays, so sometimes 3 games in 6 days not giving our players any break. Ghis meant that we sent out under 17 and U18 squad players and got battered by grown men. You are right Jamster there needs to be a rethink on fixtures as there is nill development happening and a season like this means better 23s were not getting any game time and we had Summerville and Drameh wanting to leave
Hearing that Forshaw has damaged his knee in training (Jesse overtraining?) season over for Forshaw if true
Not good news. It may force Jesse to start Phillips and we don't know if he's ready for 90 mins yet...we really can't afford for Kalvin to break down so caution required. As you said earlier this week though Doc at least Firpo is back training and that potentially frees Dallas up for other roles.
Bamford back on the grass Monday and on schedule for availability last 2 games. Firpo fit, Kalvin fully fit
this is part of jesse’s de-stressing campaign to combat over-training. Paddy’s foot’s still fcked but he doesn’t care.. as he rolls another huge cone of the finest Thai weed.
Is Jesse like one of those laid back, medicated Vietnam vets who never get stressed. “palace? Just another team of 11 v 11 of no worries man” like watching Nao in the Matrix doing everything in slow motion and reading a book too whist everything around him is at triple speed.
I hope kalvin is bloody ready for 90 minutes - he’s been nearly ready for months… in fact he’s spent almost as long being ‘nearly ready’ as mrs milky does applying her paintwork in the bathroom - though to be fair she only has to prepare for about 2 minutes of action.
WARNING!!!! Do not throw bottles of water at Mlke Tyson on a plane (where you can't run away)! Watch the vid: ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-61192417
Some thoughts after watching Burnley last night. Firstly they started in a bloody awful fashion, think us at Everton it was that bad. The suddenly out of nowhere their right back scores a really good goal and they were like a different team. Yes Southampton missed two really good chances from corners but it's no exaggeration to say that Burnley could have scored 4 in that first half. Second half Saints huffed and puffed but never really looked like getting anything from the game. What struck me after the game though was the belief the Burnley players were exuding and even though the sacking of Dyche seemed a weird decision it really seems to have brought the whole squad together. To sum it up I'd say they feel liberated, involved and like they have nothing to prove but everything to gain. The worst thing they could do right now is appoint a new manager, they need to just ride this wave and see where it takes them.
Absolutely they should. Three horse race with the one that finishes last going straight to the knackers yard.