Marching On Together

Good Morning. It's Thursday 25th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Bamford gives Leeds medical staff a scare

Patrick Bamford gave the Leeds Utd medical staff a scare when he twisted his ankle in training earlier this week. The 28yo has been sidelined since the trip to St James Park during mid September, and the marksmen cannot wait to get back to action - so much so that he is taking pain killing injections allowing him to train this week.

Well this doesn’t sound too good but last week I hurt my ankle again. But it wasn’t bad. I twisted it when I was outside running and they thought ‘oh, has he re-done the injury? But when they checked it the ligament has pretty much healed, obviously it healed quicker than it originally was. So every movement I do it catches on the ligament but Saturday I tried with the anaesthetic and it’s fine, so I had a little injection after that.

Bamford has not featured since the 1-1 draw against Newcastle back in September, his ankle injury keeping him out fo the last 7 games. Though he has returned to training this week, Leeds journalist Beren Cross suggests that Bielsa will want him to participate in a couple of U23 matches before being given the nod for the first XI. A return to first team action against Brentford could be a realistic target.





Brereton back on Leeds radar

Exciting Blackburn forward Ben Brereton has being strongly linked with a move across the Pennines according to recent media sources. Although this is not the first time the 22yo has been associated with the Whites, it has been revealed that he is refusing contract negotiations at Ewood Park prompting speculation they may decide to cash in on him. He has already netted 14 times this season.

Although his contract expires next Summer, Blackburn have the option of triggering a further twelve month extension should they wish to do so. As always, the usual suspects (Burnley, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton) have also been linked with the Chilean International! He made the switch to Rovers from Nottingham Forest back in 2018 for a fee of 7m. They have certainly got their monies worth.





Spurs ruing missed opportunity to sign Gelhardt

Following their 2-1 win, Spurs insider John Wenham has expressed his bitter disappoint of missing out on signing Joe Gelhardt when he was at Wigan. The North London journalist heaped praise on the young forward for his performance last weekend, conceding he wished Tottenham had signed him. A host of top flight clubs were making a beeline for the young England forward but with Bielsa's intervention, Gelhardt agreed on a move to West Yorkshire.

“I was really impressed with Gelhardt. Leeds picked him up from Wigan. And I know he is someone who Tottenham heavily watched. He was in the same youth set-up team as Alfie Devine when we picked him up.

It was annoying we couldn’t get him because he looked Premier League ready against us. I think he will save Leeds a lot of money in the long-term. He looks like he will go on to be a top striker. He put some of our players to shame in that disappointing first half. I thought he was excellent considering it was only his third Premier League appearance.

Raphinha fit for Seaside clash

Raphinha is fit, and raring to go. That's the news from Leeds journalist Beren Cross, who was replying to an anxious Leeds fan whether the Brazilian International had Covid, and whether he'd be fit for the weekends trip to the Ammex Stadium.

I don't believe it's Covid, no. And the pictures from training today would suggest he hasn't needed to go into isolation etc. We were led to believe it was just a minor illness that would not keep him out of the Brighton game.

Videos emerged of Raphinha returning to training at Thorp Arch this week alongside Rodrido, the pair should be available for selection this week. Patrick Bamford and Robin Koch also hit the grass again, though their return to first team football is still a while off.

Would love to see Raphinha & Gelhardt playing together.

I believe I'm correct in saying that in Joe's four appearances, Raphinha hasn't been on the park.

Raph & Joe would be great together, also Rodders slightly behind them.
Everyone else is raving about him, I understand Bielsa not rushing him in too quickly, but, what will happen when Paddy becomes available, will he ever get a better chance ?

1964white wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 8:59 am Would love to see Raphinha & Gelhardt playing together.

I believe I'm correct in saying that in Joe's four appearances, Raphinha hasn't been on the park.

I think you're right...

Gelhardt hasn't scored yet but that will come, hopefully this weekend. He's proved he's PL ready and imo he should have been started sooner. Hopefully him an d Raphinha will tear it up this weekend, however I fear he will be benched if Rodrigo is fit.
If we did sign Brereton, the first thing MB would do is make him lose some weight, he looks a bit heavy to me. He knows where the net is though.

With the emergence of Joffey and Bamford to return shortly and Greenwood waiting in the wings, there should be no urgency to sign another striker, although his strike rate does look impressive.

Once again, with the usual suspects listed as our potential rivals for his signature, it confirms that we are still shopping in the premier league bargain basement but I suppose that is where we are currently.

We really could do with a result against Brighton, preferably a win. With Raphinha back and Joffey up front at least we have a chance.

I suspect Joe will be on the bench once more unfortunately.

Pity, as like others I would love to see him start with Raphinha. Rodrigo has had ample opportunities in Bamford’s absence but on the whole he hasn’t taken them.

Brereton? When would he get a game? Surely he would be behind Bamford and Gelhardt as out and out strikers?

Depends on where you see Gelhardt starting, he's a true 10 I feel playing off a 9 for me, which is probably Rodrigo's forte too

Bamford.

Well if Bielsa is true to form it will be well into 2022 before Paddy is Bielsa ready anyway.

He will need about 20 u23 games.

I would think anyone expecting Bamford to save our season any time soon will be very disappointed.

Brereton.

We arent interested in him anyway, clickbait nonsense.

Gelhardt/Raph/Rodrigo.

I thought Gelhardt did well vs Spurs, nice touches, brave on the ball, fairly accurate in his shooting, hit the target at least.

Not perfect, very raw, but good enough to keep his place.

That being said we know how Bielsa works, we have seen it often enough with Struijk, once a senior sqyad member is fit they come in and the kid goes, anyone in that 18 comes before and u23 and unfortunately that means its likely that Joffy will lose his place vs Brighton.

Personally id drop Harrison for Raph. I certainly wouldn't play Rodders in midfield so that it can part for Brighton like the red sea.