Leeds Utd v Sunderland Match Thread

[Overman]

Waited a couple of days to post as I was so disgusted by the management and whole team. I think clearly the team is playing with too much fear and are being strangled by the manager's rigid system. For me the only logical solution is to ditch the manager and play all our U18 side who showed no fear when beating Millwall in the Youth Cup. They should be fairly fresh and that could be key when playing against tired players coming to the end of their season.

Leif Davis played in our youth side as did the fella at Coventry as well as Jack Clarke and Huggins at Sunderland so clearly this is the way forward. We might have to write this season off as to be honest I think if there were more than just 5 matches remaining I feel we would drop out of the play-off positions. Playing these youngsters not only gives us a chance to re-ignite this season which has completely fizzled out but gives us a head start going into next season as by then the youngsters would have gained experience and probably be able to add the proper FA Cup to their U18 Cup. Losing to the 7th place team in the championship was the last straw.

Yes, why not it's seems like a sound plan and could be fun to watch. If we do get promoted to the league of greed, we'll only drop straight back down. At least in this league, we look half decent. We should grind it out for a few more seasons.

[Kennyb41]

You may have a point, Kenny boy.

Fact & truth is, we won't win as many games in the PL as we have in the championship this season.

Would be great if we remain unbeaten at home, especially after our appalling home record in 2022/23.

Get away.

[The Subhuman]

Bamford.

Not a like for like switch, Piroe has been playing the 10, mainly or the 8 at times all season. He’s had about 30 minutes as striker this season so far

[Irish Ian]

Not a like for like switch, Piroe has been playing the 10, mainly or the 8 at times all season. He’s had about 30 minutes as striker this season so far

That's true but if we are up against a side who will deny space I think Piroes better technique and anticipation will be sharper weapons.

[The Subhuman]

That's true but if we are up against a side who will deny space I think Piroes better technique and anticipation will be sharper weapons.

I’m not sure his technique and anticipation are better than Joseph’s, (that chest pass a game or two ago was a thing of beauty. ) Joseph also gives us more pace and probably better instinct in the box

The only thing Piroe has over Joseph is experience. Which, I grant you, is important

[White Riot]

Social media hint from Leeds is that Ampadu is part of the squad for tonight, so likely that he's playing.

[1964white]

Social media hint from Leeds is that Ampadu is part of the squad for tonight, so likely that he's playing.

Hope so!

Would rather have a 90% Ampadu than a 100% Cooper playing.

[Cjay]

I was quite surprised that he put him such a staunch defence of The Fraud

Talk about nailing your colours to the mast, that was a clear message that he'll be starting tomorrow.

"He runs around a lot"

What about putting the ball in the net? Holding the ball up? Competing for the ball? Getting on the end of crosses? Finishing? Creating? Being physical?

These reporters just sat back and said nothing when he was talking this shite about Bamfraud.

If he continues to start then forget promotion.

It will go one of two ways.

Either Paddy will feel backed and confident and do well, likely then end the season well (as he tends to perform in blocks of a few games).

Or he will be overwhelmed by the pressure and falter and be useless for the rest of the season (as he has been for this block of games).

Hopefully the former.

But not sure, he isn't one who copes with pressure well.

[1964white]

Yes, why not it's seems like a sound plan and could be fun to watch. If we do get promoted to the league of greed, we'll only drop straight back down. At least in this league, we look half decent. We should grind it out for a few more seasons.

I always felt we are going to win at home & rarely lose away from ER in the championship this season.

Enjoyed it to be honest!

[Cjay]

Been wondering the same, Cjay. James has gone off the boil, as well (worldie to end the Hull match excepted). Will force Georgie to get further upfield and if he loses the ball, it will be in less disadvantaged positions. He also has looked dangerous at the edge of the box on that right side…imho, more so than on the left.

The team needs a spark and that might just do the trick.

Still defer to DF given injuries and illness, but hopefully things are improved before team selection tomorrow.

Maybe now isn't the time for experimenting Joe.

But when player go off the boil sometimes a change of tactic can help?

Who knows.

DF isn't going to.

Just a thought.

[White Riot]

Hope so!

Would rather have a 90% Ampadu than a 100% Cooper playing.

Hopefully, he can last the full match Leon.

If Byram is fit I'd be happy with him at right back and move Archie up into midfield in place of Forshaw, oh I mean Kamara

[1964white]

Hopefully, he can last the full match Leon.

If Byram is fit I'd be happy with him at right back and move Archie up into midfield in place of Forshaw, oh I mean Kamara

The similarities are uncanny, James, In fact I think Forshaw was the better footballer of the two.

[pjm2019]

He is not out of form, he is isolated.

You will soon see a 'return to form' if that's what you think it is.

Rubbish - he has 2 strengths. 1. getting on the end of crosses and scoring, which he has not done for 5 games + and he has missed 2-3 open goals in the last 2-3 matches. 2. holding up the ball and bringing others into play, again he has failed to do this in the last 5 games or so.

[Irish Ian]

I’m not sure his technique and anticipation are better than Joseph’s, (that chest pass a game or two ago was a thing of beauty. ) Joseph also gives us more pace and probably better instinct in the box

The only thing Piroe has over Joseph is experience. Which, I grant you, is important

I was comparing his attributes to Bamfords.

Part of me wants Joseph to start but I dunno.

[Johnthewhite]

To be fair I think those of us in the stadium have stuck by the players massively, I can’t really recall any big dissenting moments this season.

Agreed
Just a little quiet at times,need some noise for the next two crunch games.

[weasel]

Bamford is doing what Bamford does, not sure why people are knocking him for it. He has always been a streaky player, capable of greatness and equalyl capable of glaring misses. He isn't a different player to the player he was a few matches ago, the only difference was he was scoring. He could just as easily bang in 6 goals in our remaining 5 matches as he could go without scoring.

[Kennyb41]

Rubbish - he has 2 strengths. 1. getting on the end of crosses and scoring, which he has not done for 5 games + and he has missed 2-3 open goals in the last 2-3 matches. 2. holding up the ball and bringing others into play, again he has failed to do this in the last 5 games or so.

I'm not sure you understand football enough to work out what's been happening recently tbh.

But anyhoos, we'll see what happens for the remainder, when DF goes back on the front foot and the 3 behind including the LB and RB + Kamara join in.

And i'll stick to my prediction of 'We quite simply go up if PB stays fit'

No need

Must dash.

[Jaydog]

Bamford is doing what Bamford does, not sure why people are knocking him for it. He has always been a streaky player, capable of greatness and equalyl capable of glaring misses. He isn't a different player to the player he was a few matches ago, the only difference was he was scoring. He could just as easily bang in 6 goals in our remaining 5 matches as he could go without scoring.

7 goals in 14 games this year?
None in last four which is the problem for most people I think but then the 7 in the other 10 is pretty critical to where we are now.

[Tyzy]

It's blustery night in Leeds hope it doesn't have an impact on the game

[The Subhuman]

Bamford is doing what Bamford does, not sure why people are knocking him for it. He has always been a streaky player, capable of greatness and equalyl capable of glaring misses. He isn't a different player to the player he was a few matches ago, the only difference was he was scoring. He could just as easily bang in 6 goals in our remaining 5 matches as he could go without scoring.

Because we have better, all that "stuff" some purport is what makes Bamford actually doesn't exist. He doesn't make those good runs, he doesn't find space in the box and he doesn't hold the ball up at all well.. He does work hard and he does attempt to close down ...but so could any number of players. Paddy can also pull a bit of magic out of the hat but they're getting further apart and again we have others that can do that too. In this squad, right now, Paddy would best be served coming off the bench

Paddy is the Cooper of forwards. And indeed they're probably on a level in terms of quality, but we have better in Rodon and a DMF turned CB. Struijk too when fit is better than Cooper.. Liam

This is not getting at Paddy, I have no axe to grind here and I'll support him while he's at ER and really hope he can find some form however unlikely that seems atm. I'll be praising him if he bangs in a couple tonight, he probably needs to.