The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 24th April) Two horse race for second spot

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 24th April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Two horse race for second spot

Leicester City have all but cemented their place back in the top flight after annihilating sorry Southampton 5-0, last night at the King Power Stadium. A win at Preston on Monday will be enough see see the Foxes bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt, and although they face punishment for breaching FFP regulations, the riches on offer make any smack on the wrist well worth while.

Southampton were pitiful and could not even muster a shot on target all evening. If they have already resigned themselves for the play-offs, that could be good news for Leeds, who play them on the last game of the season!





Do Leeds have the easier run-in?

The mist has cleared, and realistically, it's Leeds or Ipswich Town for the coveted second spot. Only a point separates the two teams, and although the Tractor Boys have a game in hand, Leeds superior goal difference may realistically play a big part in who goes up.

Kieran McKenna's side face a more difficult fixture list, having to go to Hull and Coventry City before ending their campaign at home against relegation threatened Huddersfield Town. If the Terriers can overcome Birmingham City (who failed to beat Rotherham Utd last weekend), then survival is very much in their hands!

Before the Season finale against Southampton, Leeds face a trip to Loftus Road, who, after beating Preston at the weekend, have dragged themselves 4 points clear of the drop zone. Anything baring a miracle suggests the West London outfit are now safe, and have little to play for!





Leeds favourites for automatic promotion

Despite Ipswich Town having a game in hand over the Whites, Bet365 place Leeds firm favourites for second spot. With Southampton bowing out of the automatic promotion race, the betting giants have slashed the odds of a top two finish to 8/13, which given their recent form seems very strange!

They may have picked up three points at Boro on Monday evening, but certainly rode their luck at times. Importantly, during the trip to Teeside, we saw Summerville and Rutter return to form. Their creative influence will be imperative over the next 180 minutes. Ipswich, who are a point behind Leeds are 'EVENS'.

[Kennyb41]

That damn 'luck' where the feck do you get it from?

Who's gonna be 'lucky' ?

[Chilli D]

I think it's imperative that Hull win against Coventry tonight so they then play Ipswich with a real chance of catching Norwich.
A draw tonight will be a disaster as it basically rules both teams out of making the play offs.
Whether we have an 'easier' run in remains to be seen.

Southampton's performance last night was embarrassing. I bet they don't play that badly against us although there is a chance the game is a dead rubber by then if Ipswich have already clinched second. Let's hope not.

[Sean_Nile]

That damn 'luck' where the feck do you get it from?

Who's gonna be 'lucky' ?

Good luck is when opportunity meets preparation, while bad luck is when lack of preparation meets reality.

-Eliyahu Goldratt

[The Subhuman]

Neither team has the easier run in

[pjm2019]

you expect Hull and Coventry to give Ipswich a real test and even Huddersfield who may need the points will play with heart. So i do believe we have the easier run in and i still think we will finish in the top 2


MOT

[The Subhuman]

Good luck is when opportunity meets preparation, while bad luck is when lack of preparation meets reality.

-Eliyahu Goldratt

We're not a lucky team, so it's a lack of preparation and reality?

[Sean_Nile]

Eliyahu Goldratt developed the "theory of constraints" which is every chain has a weakest link.

In football the goal is to produce goals and win games, either by scoring goals, to give your team an, advantage, or defending goals to limit the opposition.

The constraints could be that Bamford does not score enough goals and is therefore the weakest link and needs to be replaced, or that Firpo is a liability in defence in that he is responsible for letting in goals. Both of these players are often viewed as being responsible for the lack of productivity in the team, and for the team to play better these constraints must be improved soon.

However it is difficult to find the right balance for what Firpo lacks in defensive abilities he makes up for by having some flair in attack, and conversely Bamford though not prolific in goal scoring defends from the front by pressing the opposition's defence.

The theory of constraints could be applied to many other areas of team management, in particular how do financial constraints influence team performance... Wage bills, transfer fees.

The secret is to identify the weakest link and replace it with something stronger, be it manager or owner. It is a paradox that once you remove a constraint that has been limiting you, there will always be a new limiting constraint that needs to be solved.

To move forward the process is never ending... Always seeking out the weakest link and removing it.

[Supersaint3]

Ask me after QPR on Friday who's going up... Ipswich seem to be an unstoppable monster this year... Hopefully Coventry's exertions against the scummers have tired them out, as Chili pointed out Hull need to have something to play for on Saturday...

[Orange Box]

Eliyahu Goldratt developed the "theory of constraints" which is every chain has a weakest link.

In football the goal is to produce goals and win games, either by scoring goals, to give your team an, advantage, or defending goals to limit the opposition.

The constraints could be that Bamford does not score enough goals and is therefore the weakest link and needs to be replaced, or that Firpo is a liability in defence in that he is responsible for letting in goals. Both of these players are often viewed as being responsible for the lack of productivity in the team, and for the team to play better these constraints must be improved soon.

However it is difficult to find the right balance for what Firpo lacks in defensive abilities he makes up for by having some flair in attack, and conversely Bamford though not prolific in goal scoring defends from the front by pressing the opposition's defence.

The theory of constraints could be applied to many other areas of team management, in particular how do financial constraints influence team performance... Wage bills, transfer fees.

The secret is to identify the weakest link and replace it with something stronger, be it manager or owner. It is a paradox that once you remove a constraint that has been limiting you, there will always be a new limiting constraint that needs to be solved.

To move forward the process is never ending... Always seeking out the weakest link and removing it.

Which will, by default, create a new weakest link, albeit in a slightly stronger chain.

Edit: by re-reading your last line is exactly what you said. Apologies.

[Sean_Nile]

Which will, by default, create a new weakest link, albeit in a slightly stronger chain.

Edit: by re-reading your last line is exactly what you said. Apologies.

Whether they know it or not most MOT members are engaging in the theory of constraints... replace Bamford with Joseph, get a new left back, sack the manager.

Every one has their own weakest link that has to be removed to make the chain stronger.

[whiteinfrance]

Middlesborough is in Teeside NOT TYNESIDE !!!

[Jaydog]

Middlesborough is in Teeside NOT TYNESIDE !!!

We don’t let facts get in the way of our stories.
Did you know Bamford is an alien. And Daniel Farkes real name is Brenda.

[1964white]

Ask me after QPR on Friday who's going up... Ipswich seem to be an unstoppable monster this year... Hopefully Coventry's exertions against the scummers have tired them out, as Chili pointed out Hull need to have something to play for on Saturday...

Welcome to our forum, Supersaint.

[Muppet the Cat]

Middlesborough is in Teeside NOT TYNESIDE !!!

Just noticed that and changed, WiF……..before scrolling down and noting your post.

[Irish Ian]

I'm awaiting the injury updates with real worry that we will be without James.

Ipswich have it in their hands and I can't see Huddersfield being in the fight or Qpr feeling safe.
Straws are being clutched, just let's take it to the last weekend.

[Ellandback1]

Ask me after QPR on Friday who's going up... Ipswich seem to be an unstoppable monster this year... Hopefully Coventry's exertions against the scummers have tired them out, as Chili pointed out Hull need to have something to play for on Saturday...

Who's going up to QPR on Friday night?

[WhiteRose]

Worse thing for me is if we let ourselves down on Friday night, can only focus on our games and anything other than a win is a surrender - still think 96 will do the job but can we get it?

[weasel]

We don’t let facts get in the way of our stories.
Did you know Bamford is an alien. And Daniel Farkes real name is Brenda.

That is a lie. His real name is Hugh Givsa Farke.

[weasel]

I think it's imperative that Hull win against Coventry tonight so they then play Ipswich with a real chance of catching Norwich.
A draw tonight will be a disaster as it basically rules both teams out of making the play offs.
Whether we have an 'easier' run in remains to be seen.

Southampton's performance last night was embarrassing. I bet they don't play that badly against us although there is a chance the game is a dead rubber by then if Ipswich have already clinched second. Let's hope not.

I'm not too sure it really matters to several Hull players whether the play-offs is possible or not. Their key players are there on loan and unlikely will be there next season so really it doesn't matter to them as much, no financial incentive, no chance to prove themselves in the Prem with Hull next season etc. As such for them it is the same as it was previosuly just another game for them to play in, another chance to impress their parent clubs before leaving Hull. In fact with them being young they may already be looking forward to their holidays in Ibiza etc rather than wanting to stay at Hull for a few more weeks.

Coventry on the other hand will likely have more players desperate for the chance to play in the prem and their best hope of getting there would be with Coventry. If Coventry win then they still have the mathematical chance and in reality it would be better than Hulls current chance given Coventry's goal difference is nearer to Norwich's.