Is Firpo the victim of a smear campaign?

07 Dec 2022 10:05 am, by Ellandback1

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 7th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...

Is Firpo the victim of a smear campaign

Leeds have always had a fall guy when the chips are down, whether it be Tom Lees or more recently Junior Firpo. The 26 year old has endured a torrid time since his £13m transfer from Barcelona, 18 months ago; and has been dogged by injury in recent times. Fourteen games in, and the former Spanish U21 International is yet to start a game for the Whites, though to be fair, persistent groin injuries have hampered his progress. Is Firpo the victim of a smear campaign at Elland Road? Is he as bad as what people say, and if so, should Leeds try and cash in on him in January?

Is history repeating itself

We're nearly halfway through the season, and Leeds lie mercilessly close to the foot of the table, with two points separating them from the Championship trap door. The similarities between our present predicament compared to our standing at this point last season are uncannily similar.

Leeds are on the same number of points as they were at this point last season, same place in the league (15th), and the same number of points between them and the relegation zone. What do Leeds need to do to stop a repeat of last season? Are we better equipped this season for a relegation dog fight or, without Raphinha and Phillips are we in a worse predicament?

Is Chris Wood the answer

Being linked with ex-players are part of the course at Elland Road, but this one won't go away. It's been over 5 years since Chris Wood graced Elland Road (in a Leeds top), and at the grand old age of 31 (today), could make a surprise return.

We all scoffed when Newcastle splashed out £25m for the New Zealand International, but twelve months on, he could be on his way back! With 265 minutes of game time under his belt this season, and one solidary goal, there's plenty of reasons why Eddie Howe wants rid of Wood. He currently languishes in 18th spot in the Whoscored ranks with a pathetic 6.24 rating.

Would Wood be a good stop gap, or are Leeds setting the bar too low?

Breakfast Debate

29 Comments

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Overman wrote on 08 Dec 2022 06:21 am

faaip wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:48 am Firpo has a great left foot, very intelligent passer and can get to the bye line. Defensively he's about the same as Rasmus for me, capable of being caught out upfield, has saved goals by being there instead of the CB who's gone missing. The groin injury is unfortunate meaning a lack of game time but one sorted should mean a run of games should we lose Pascal who rightly holds the left back spot atm...Firpo looked very good pre season the last time he was fully fit, I love the attitude, reminds me of Adams there. He cost 12 M which is f**k all in terms of money in the prem.

A keeper for me but not a starter while Pascal is playing so well...

Wow, another classic. Up there with his assessment of Tyler Roberts.

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1964white wrote on 08 Dec 2022 06:16 am

DDB220 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:36 pm All this drama over Wood rather Woods. Fortunately I am not pedantic either, because if I read back a month or so and checked grammar and spelling there would be a lot of “Must try harder”

He will always be Woods for me.

Why?

We may as well drop the S off our American star player's name & call him Tyler Adam

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BobHirst wrote on 08 Dec 2022 05:39 am

whiteswan wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 7:32 pm Your not and you beat me to it!

Its Chris WOOD not woods. Drove me bonkers when he played for us and commentators couldn't get his name right

It should be "You're not" not "Your not".

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A Tourist wrote on 08 Dec 2022 04:06 am

Firpo has been less the victim of a smear campaign than the victim of his own performances. What happened against Leicester wasn't a lack of playtime. Lots of players struggle for time, but he was by far the most lost of the entire team. Directly culpable on the 2nd goal when he's beat by a simple ball in the channel leading to the overload on the weak side and looked second best to Ayling against Wolves.

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DDB220 wrote on 07 Dec 2022 10:36 pm

All this drama over Wood rather Woods. Fortunately I am not pedantic either, because if I read back a month or so and checked grammar and spelling there would be a lot of “Must try harder”

He will always be Woods for me.

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