Good Morning. It's Friday 19th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Kinnear plans to turn ER into World Class Stadium

Leeds United Managing Director Angus Kinnear has been talking on the Leeds Utd podcast about developing Elland Road and making the venue a world-class Stadium. Andrea Radrizzani has been eager to develop the facilities of the grounds, whilst obviously improving the team on the pitch. Kinnear said...

That process started prior to promotion. It's now accelerated with some pace. There's a clear vision from Andrea [Radrizzani] and the 49ers that we should have a world-class stadium for a world-class team.

Investment from the 49ers is going to strengthen the club at all levels. Andrea has been very clear and very selfless in his principle that if anyone wants to come in and help make Leeds United stronger, then he will welcome them with open arms and allow them to have a piece of the pie. With the 49ers, having known them now for two years, we found a group of people who not only have really great financial resources, but also have excellent operational and technical skills in terms of elite performance and running a sports organisation.

So there is a lot of empathy with the challenges we face and the opportunities. "But more importantly, they have become friends. Paraag and Jed [York] are now huge Leeds United fans. They are making this investment more through passion than any economic advantages. So with Andrea's vision and their capabilities, I don't think Leeds has had a stronger ownership group for some time, and I think we will see the benefits of that on the field and off the field.

I think there is a good chance of potentially something happening at the end of the season, for the cup finals," he said when asked about the prospect of fans returning. "But I think most of the Premier League is focused on ensuring that we get a full return to fans at the start of next season. "I think the learning across everybody as we've looked at all of the operational requirements, it's actually just better to get everybody back. Rather than have half or 25%, we just need to get back to full stadiums.

If the plan is to turn Elland Road into a 'top class Stadium' to compete with the likes of the Emirates or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, surely Elland Road needs to be flattened, and start again, or accelerate the plans and designs to try and incorporate both training facilities and new Stadium on or around the Matthew Murray site where Leeds new training ground will be?





Liam Cooper

Leeds skipper Liam Cooper has certainly had his ups and downs since his 1m transfer from Chesterfield in 2014. Seven years on, Bielsa has molded the Hull born centre back into the best player he can be. Will Cooper ever set the World alight in the same way that the Chief did twenty years ago - No! We he always have a mistake in him - yes; but we know what to expect from the 29yo who has just completed 200 caps for the club.

There is no secret that Leeds need to improve significantly in defence. The extraordinary bad luck Leeds have had this season regarding Llorente and Koch have not helped Leeds cause but it has highlited Leeds frailties in defence. To have conceded 42 goals in 23 games is shocking, and it needs addressing urgently. Whilst we can point the finger at Cooper's defensive partner, we have to ask the question whether Cooper will be good enough next season when Leeds start to build a stronger team? If not, who would be a natural Captain?





Team news for tonight

Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo have both been ruled out of tonight's mid table Premiership clash at the Molineux. Pascal Struijk will drop back to defence to partner skipper Liam Cooper, allowing Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling to revert back to their natural wing back positions (thank goodness). Stuart Dallas has the unenviable role of marking Wolves power house Adama Traore. Diego Llorente has returned to training and he is available for selection. Due to his recent injury issues, he is likely to be used sparingly.

It's Mateusz Klich's turn at defensive midfield as Bielsa tries to find the best option to temporarily fill Kalvin Phillips boots! Out of the five games Phillips has missed through injury, Leeds have won, just once (home v Crystal Palace). Shackleton keeps his plack in midfield, and Alioski drops to the bench. Nuno Espírito Santo's team are looking to complete the double for the first time this season!