The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 6th September) Boro can't wait to unleash Greenwood

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 6th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Boro can't wait to unleash Greenwood

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick can't wait to unleash Sam Greenwood, and kick start their campaign. The former England midfielder snapped Greenwood up on a season long loan, as he tries to boost their attacking options in what promises to be a long and arduous campaign

The Smoggies sit bottom of the Championship, picking up just a single point from their opening five games. They were widely tipped to be one in or around the top six come May, but face a monumental battle to turn things around; yet Carrick is confident that Greenwood's attacking prowess will help his side rise up the table.


[quote[Sam is a really exciting talent, I say talent in the best possible way because I think he’s got huge potential. He’s creative and strong with both feet, so we’ll certainly be looking to get the best out of him in those attacking areas. We want him to be positive and show the threat that he can have.[/quote]





Firpo snubs Leeds in favour of talk about International return

During a recent interview with Spanish sports outlet 'Momento Deportivo', Junior Firpo revealed that he is nearing a return to action, and can't wait to play for the Dominican Republic again! Firpo has been out of action since early July after tearing his lateral ligaments in his left knee.

He has recently resumed training at Thorp Arch, under the supervision of Rob Price's medical team, as he works on his fitness. The 27 year old left wing-back is keen to resurrect his international career, and as Spain are not returning his calls, has decided to switch his allegiance back to the Dominican Republic. His fractious relationship with the Elland Road faithful will not be helped, by not even mentioning the club that pay his wages.





Hay names LWB duo Leeds missed out on this Summer

Elland Road journalist Phil Hay has confirmed Leeds tried to sign both Charlie Taylor and Luke Thomas this Summer, as they looked to resolve their long standing left back problem. Leo Hjelde, Sam Byram, Stuart Dallas and now Jamie Shackleton have all given it a go with limited success, whilst their only specialist player for the position is obviously out of favour.

Injuries have taken their toll, for those brave enough the don the No 3 position. Hay described Leeds pursuit of their former academy player 'doomed to fail', whilst similarly stating that the Foxes were never going to lend a player of Thomas's ability to a Championship rival.

The Summer at Elland Road would not be the summer without some debate about left-backs. Leeds had Charlie Taylor on their list of targets — United have never filled the hole properly since he left Elland Road for Burnley on a free transfer in 2017 (although Ezgjan Alioski was as good as it got and a regular, energetic presence in Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure as head coach)."

Interest in Taylor was doomed to fail because Burnley did not have the cover to let him go. Two loan enquiries for Luke Thomas also yielded no result since Leicester City were not about to lend him to another team who might rival them for promotion to the Championship.

The absence of a new left-back arriving at Leeds leaves Farke with three options there, two of whom are injured but close to returning. On Saturday, against Sheffield Wednesday, Jamie Shackleton stepped into the breach and did a good turn for Farke, but it is unlikely the manager plans for Shackleton to rack up minutes on the left side of defence.

Leo Hjelde started the season in that role but the 20-year-old was quickly dropped. Sam Byram stepped in ably but suffered an adductor strain away at Ipswich Town and his injury record was something Leeds considered seriously before signing him as a free agent.

Junior Firpo has been missing since pre-season and there is probably no player at Leeds with more public scepticism about him. Farke, evidently, has choices at left-back. What remains to be seen is whether those players have the quality or durability to keep that area of the line-up in order for 41 games.

[weasel]

What a lot of people don't know is that Byram played predominantly at left back for Norwich so Farke knew what he was getting with Byram - it wasn't a gamble to sign him to play left back in terms of his ability to do the job but obviously a gamble due to his injury record. We've seen with the likes of Dallas and Alioski that attacking players can be converted into the position, especially given it is viewed these days as an attacking position so I don't see why Shackleton can't embrace it and do well there - the evidence, albeit limited, so far is good. Once Cooper is fit there is also the option of Struyjk there and Firpo should fare better than he did in the prem due to the far lesser ability of the opposition he will face.

[The Subhuman]

Inverted full backs are a thing these days

[Irish Ian]

Morning everyone..

Why does ellandback lie to the forum?
What are his motives?


Speaking in an interview with Momento Deportivo RD (4 September) he said: “Right now I’m feeling very well, I’m almost recovered from my last injury with a lot of desire to play for the team again.”

Firpo also revealed that he was honoured that Dominican Republic fans want him to play for the national side and that he intends to one day play international football for the tricolour.

How is that in any way snub to Lerds fans?

So tell the truth EB. Why did you purposefully lie to the forum?
What do you think it achieves?
Are you a bully?

[Byebyegeegee]

No surprise that Firpo has had to substantially reduce his international aspirations and has had to settle on The Dominican Republic rather than Spain. It may be as a result of him now playing (not playing yet) in the Championship or it may be the realisation that he is miles off being good enough to play for Spain. I would have been happy enough had he been sold or loaned out, but as that is not the case, it’ll be interesting to see how he looks at this level, if he can ever force his way back into the reckoning.

It’ll also be interesting to see how Sam fares at the Smoggies. He’s a steady player from what we’ve seen but without being outstanding. As it stands, I would consider him useful for squad depth rather than him ever being the first name on the team sheet. But we’ll see!

[Sara]

Morning everyone..

Why does ellandback lie to the forum?
What are his motives?


Speaking in an interview with Momento Deportivo RD (4 September) he said: “Right now I’m feeling very well, I’m almost recovered from my last injury with a lot of desire to play for the team again.”

Firpo also revealed that he was honoured that Dominican Republic fans want him to play for the national side and that he intends to one day play international football for the tricolour.

How is that in any way snub to Lerds fans?

So tell the truth EB. Why did you purposefully lie to the forum?
What do you think it achieves?
Are you a bully?

Clickbait. You clicked.

[Lufc76Cor]

The 27 year old left wing-back is keen to resurrect his international career, and as Spain are not returning his calls,


I'm guessing that's the whole country of Spain, as in every single person in the country and not just the national team manager or association , the funny thing is usually the manager or football headquaters contact the player for a call up not the other way around

[DDB220]

Lots of twitter links to Finlay Gorman - a 14 year old kid in the academy who is bossing games in the u18’s. Midfield playmaker who has had 20 goal involvements either through scoring or assists in 9 games this season playing at u16 and u18 level.

Quite a bit of footage - the kid looks special but a young age to make any sort of prediction.

Cue Geronimo to add how he will get poached by one of the big clubs before we ever see him anywhere near the u23’s or first team.

[Sean_Nile]

Firpo has heard that the Dominican national team during training sessions practice the "Santo Domingo Samba," a unique dance celebration that is said to improve a footballers footwork.

It involved a fusion of merengue and samba moves, and this is why he has switched allegiances from Spain to the Dominican Republic.

No doubt Leeds will benefit once Firpo has learnt this nippy footwork.

As for Sam all I can say is Welese the Gweenwood

[geronimo]

What a lot of people don't know is that Byram played predominantly at left back for Norwich so Farke knew what he was getting with Byram - it wasn't a gamble to sign him to play left back in terms of his ability to do the job but obviously a gamble due to his injury record. We've seen with the likes of Dallas and Alioski that attacking players can be converted into the position, especially given it is viewed these days as an attacking position so I don't see why Shackleton can't embrace it and do well there - the evidence, albeit limited, so far is good. Once Cooper is fit there is also the option of Struyjk there and Firpo should fare better than he did in the prem due to the far lesser ability of the opposition he will face.

The left back issue ain't been addressed in three years, the players currently at the club been used in these positions are either not good enough , injury prone too old or should not be playing there in the first place because they are like a fish out of water , because it is not their natural position that is the crux of the problem

The club won't go out and spend decent money on two natural and decent full backs who are good enough , they would rather put square pegs on round holes forever, they have brought Spence in on loan who ain't a long term solution, so the problem will just keep arising until we have two full backs who can do a good job
Ayling is finished , firpo is garbage , Byram is constantly crocked , Shackleton ain't good enough and ain't a full back anyway , struik ain't a full back in a million years
It ain't rocket science to see why already this season why we are constantly been overrun in these positions and leaking goals for fun again
The centre back issue is exactly the same rodon and Spence will both go back to spurs, cooper is finished the defence needs a complete overhaul altogether putting ampadu in front of a constant chasm every week is like trying to block a burst water main by sticking a bucket over it

[The Subhuman]

Firpo snubs Leeds in favour of talk about International return

During a recent interview with Spanish sports outlet 'Momento Deportivo', Junior Firpo revealed that he is nearing a return to action, and can't wait to play for the Dominican Republic again! Firpo has been out of action since early July after tearing his lateral ligaments in his left knee.

He has recently resumed training at Thorp Arch, under the supervision of Rob Price's medical team, as he works on his fitness. The 27 year old left wing-back is keen to resurrect his international career, and as Spain are not returning his calls, has decided to switch his allegiance back to the Dominican Republic. His fractious relationship with the Elland Road faithful will not be helped, by not even mentioning the club that pay his wages.

[Cjay]

What a lot of people don't know is that Byram played predominantly at left back for Norwich so Farke knew what he was getting with Byram - it wasn't a gamble to sign him to play left back in terms of his ability to do the job but obviously a gamble due to his injury record. We've seen with the likes of Dallas and Alioski that attacking players can be converted into the position, especially given it is viewed these days as an attacking position so I don't see why Shackleton can't embrace it and do well there - the evidence, albeit limited, so far is good. Once Cooper is fit there is also the option of Struyjk there and Firpo should fare better than he did in the prem due to the far lesser ability of the opposition he will face.

It's still square pegs though isn't it and based on hope rather than evidence.

Byram can't stay fit regardless and in all probability will keep Rob Price company more than the first 11, but a few games at left back for Norwich don't make him a left back, he's played about 30 games in his career at left back.

Shackleton may be OK but again it's a square peg and having two inverted players on one side will cause problems (and questions still exist over a player pushing 24 and 6 years as a professional over whether he is good enough at all never mind in a totally unfamiliarand unnatural role).

Struijk would get destroyed at left back let's not even go that direction

And Firpo has 1 decent season in his career playing in a back 3 and a few cameos for Barcelona. Is yet to show he has the quality, heart, desire to be that man for us.

Left back needed sorting and is a blot on the window imo, shouldn't pretend otherwise, it was a priority for most of us and we failed and are now back to hopes and prayers.

I still wonder though whether Hjelde is the obvious option, he isn't a natural but he did OK for Rotherham.

Ask him to defend more than attack and effectively become a 3rd cb most of the time and it could work.

Farke usually asks the right back to push on more than the left back anyway.

Tweak the system more for the players you have which a manager should do anyway and it could work.

[mentalcase]

My burnley mates said Taylor was ready to come back to us but they didn't have enough back up as the injuries started so kept hold.

[DDB220]

It's still square pegs though isn't it and based on hope rather than evidence.

Byram can't stay fit regardless and in all probability will keep Rob Price company more than the first 11, but a few games at left back for Norwich don't make him a left back, he's played about 30 games in his career at left back.

Shackleton may be OK but again it's a square peg and having two inverted players on one side will cause problems (and questions still exist over a player pushing 24 and 6 years as a professional over whether he is good enough at all never mind in a totally unfamiliarand unnatural role).

Struijk would get destroyed at left back let's not even go that direction

And Firpo has 1 decent season in his career playing in a back 3 and a few cameos for Barcelona. Is yet to show he has the quality, heart, desire to be that man for us.

Left back needed sorting and is a blot on the window imo, shouldn't pretend otherwise, it was a priority for most of us and we failed and are now back to hopes and prayers.

The use of fail is a tad unnecessary. If there is not LB available that meets the requirements of Farke, or if there was and we didn’t have the means to get that player then it is what it is. Farke can not right every wrong in one window.

At least we didn’t buy a punt to add to the list of previous punts. Whether it will be an issue going forwards remains to be seen, although I will be surprised if this position does not cause us a problem as the season unfolds. Shacks looks the best option right now. Whilst he has played well he has yet to face an attacking team with pace and trickery on his side of the pitch. Hopefully there will not be too many if he does struggle.

[Ellandback1]

Morning everyone..

Why does ellandback lie to the forum?
What are his motives?


Speaking in an interview with Momento Deportivo RD (4 September) he said: “Right now I’m feeling very well, I’m almost recovered from my last injury with a lot of desire to play for the team again.”

Firpo also revealed that he was honoured that Dominican Republic fans want him to play for the national side and that he intends to one day play international football for the tricolour.

How is that in any way snub to Lerds fans?

So tell the truth EB. Why did you purposefully lie to the forum?
What do you think it achieves?
Are you a bully?

Where's the click bate?


The other forum got it wrong. Firpo was talking solely about the Dominican Republic, without a mention of Leeds!

Original link: https://momentodeportivord.com/junior-f ... edofutbol/

Ian, let me know if you would like me to read it to you!


SANTO DOMINGO.- The work that Rubén García has been carrying out as president of the Dominican Football Federation, was praised by the Dominican player Junior Firpo, in a meeting with the directors of Fedofútbol in England.

Firpo, who was born in Santo Domingo on August 22, 1996, also admitted that he always follows the national team, and that he plans to play for the tricolor at some point.

Both García and the coach of the national team Marcelo Neveleff traveled to Europe to continue working so that these players from the Dominican diaspora can play with the national team.

“Right now I feel very good, I have almost recovered from my last injury and I really want to play with the team again,” said Firpo, when speaking with García and Neveleff.

“Of course I have followed it (the selection). I always follow a little what the Dominican Republic does in terms of sports. In the end, I was born there, my entire family is Dominican and for me it is a source of pride every time the Dominican Republic achieves something at the sporting level, which is what I dedicate myself to,” added the Leeds United defender.

“It makes me very happy that the Dominican Republic is finally starting to be known at the level of national teams in football, it is very important what the U20 team did and that the country qualified for an event as important as the Olympic Games, which will have a global visibility,” he said. “

“We had a very good talk here in England, very productive in which I could see that the direction of Dominican soccer is in good hands right now and that it has a promising future. And yes, obviously they presented me with the whole project and all the ideas for the future of football in the Dominican Republic, as I said, it was a very healthy and good conversation,” argued Firpo.

For Firpo, “it is a pride and an honor that the Dominican fans await my arrival to the national team. But well, in the end I am always cautious with my words, I don't like to get anyone's hopes up or make promises and then not keep them."

He concluded by saying that “the only thing I can tell the Dominican fans is to trust in what is being done, the federation is in good hands and the future is very good.”

[Ellandback1]

My burnley mates said Taylor was ready to come back to us but they didn't have enough back up as the injuries started so kept hold.

Hay was saying the same, though he's barely had a look in. He hasn't even made the bench in any of Burnley's league games, though he started for them in the Cup.

[geronimo]

It's still square pegs though isn't it and based on hope rather than evidence.

Byram can't stay fit regardless and in all probability will keep Rob Price company more than the first 11, but a few games at left back for Norwich don't make him a left back, he's played about 30 games in his career at left back.

Shackleton may be OK but again it's a square peg and having two inverted players on one side will cause problems (and questions still exist over a player pushing 24 and 6 years as a professional over whether he is good enough at all never mind in a totally unfamiliarand unnatural role).

Struijk would get destroyed at left back let's not even go that direction

And Firpo has 1 decent season in his career playing in a back 3 and a few cameos for Barcelona. Is yet to show he has the quality, heart, desire to be that man for us.

Left back needed sorting and is a blot on the window imo, shouldn't pretend otherwise, it was a priority for most of us and we failed and are now back to hopes and prayers.

I still wonder though whether Hjelde is the obvious option, he isn't a natural but he did OK for Rotherham.

Ask him to defend more than attack and effectively become a 3rd cb most of the time and it could work.

Farke usually asks the right back to push on more than the left back anyway.

Tweak the system more for the players you have which a manager should do anyway and it could work.

you cant educate pork fella.

[mentalcase]

Hay was saying the same, though he's barely had a look in. He hasn't even made the bench in any of Burnley's league games, though he started for them in the Cup.

I think they know he's still got his uses but, he's way down the pecking order now, unlike some clubs' managers, Kompany is thinking ahead.
We could end up with him in January mind.

[Ellandback1]

I think they know he's still got his uses but, he's way down the pecking order now, unlike some clubs' managers, Kompany is thinking ahead.
We could end up with him in January mind.

I think he can play midfield too...

[weasel]

It's still square pegs though isn't it and based on hope rather than evidence.

Byram can't stay fit regardless and in all probability will keep Rob Price company more than the first 11, but a few games at left back for Norwich don't make him a left back, he's played about 30 games in his career at left back.

Shackleton may be OK but again it's a square peg and having two inverted players on one side will cause problems (and questions still exist over a player pushing 24 and 6 years as a professional over whether he is good enough at all never mind in a totally unfamiliarand unnatural role).

Struijk would get destroyed at left back let's not even go that direction

And Firpo has 1 decent season in his career playing in a back 3 and a few cameos for Barcelona. Is yet to show he has the quality, heart, desire to be that man for us.

Left back needed sorting and is a blot on the window imo, shouldn't pretend otherwise, it was a priority for most of us and we failed and are now back to hopes and prayers.

I still wonder though whether Hjelde is the obvious option, he isn't a natural but he did OK for Rotherham.

Ask him to defend more than attack and effectively become a 3rd cb most of the time and it could work.

Farke usually asks the right back to push on more than the left back anyway.

Tweak the system more for the players you have which a manager should do anyway and it could work.

It took Byram far less than 30 matches when he first played for us to see that he was absolute quality a right back. Given that Farke had him as a left back at Norwich and what he has shown for us then I have no doubt that he is at the very least as good as any left back in this division. So it's a peg that has been moulded and fits perfectly and the only doubt is the injury problems, certainly not the ability. You need touse your eyes and actually watch him play rather than just saying he has a right foot so burn him at the stake. His assist v Ipswich doesn't happen if he doesn't have a decent right foot.

Again with SHackleton just open your eyes. He's always done a steady job wherever he was played. He was also trained by Bielsa as to how to be a right back. That for me is more important than if he'd just come through the ranks as a left back. I have no doubt that if Shackleton played there all season he would have a good season, yeah maybe some errors, same as any attacking fullback, but he would be just like Dallas and Alioski before him.

Struyjk would be a conservative choice there if Farke decided to go all in with Spence and give him completely free reign to not have to defend. He had some good games there in the prem and against lesser opposition I don't really see why he would get 'destroyed.'

Firpo is what he is. He'd be my 3rd choice at the moment.

Jeez Cjay have you not seen Hjelde struggle for us and be subbed at half time in his first two matches. Likely he would have been subbed in the Salford match too if Farke had options. Does it not tell you something that when Byram got injured and Hjelde was on the bench that Farke chose to use Drameh and then SHackleton instead of Hjelde. You just need to use your eyes and not just suggest he is the answer because he has a left foot and did okay for another team at left back. Same as with Drameh playing well for another team doesn't make you a good fit in a team playing a different way. You suggest playing Hjelde in a way similar to how I suggested Struyk being an option yet think Struyjk would get destroyed. Did you not see Hjelde ballwatching against Salford (when Struyjk bailed him out)?