Middlesbrough v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[Sean_Nile]

Opta super cumpootr say we we'll finish third. Has a machine ever been right about predicting the future.

Today in Finland we have bright blue sky's and it is Middle of April and the weather men say we will have 5cm of snow by the weekend... The super computers predict it, still not time to change the winter tyres they say.

[Baldbloke]

Sorry ..my bad

Thanks
Slag brothers? Thought Pitstop would have been 1st

[Chilli D]

Thanks
Slag brothers? Thought Pitstop would have been 1st

Or Professor Pat Pending in the converter car?

[DDB220]

Anyone care to give their thoughts on what Dallas's best position was at Leeds?

Any player can look poor in their preferred, or best, position if their teammates aren't on the same wavelength. Players can also adapt to play a position. What is a number 9? If you compared even just a handful of 'traditional' number 9s you would see a variety of different attributes and differences in how they play the game. For me Piroe is a clever player, he takes up some good positions, 'first yard in the mind' type player. A Pablo Hernandez type player would love playing with him as he would be able to read his movement and play the right pass, at the right weight so that Piroe could get onto the ball and get a shot away first time or at most needing to take one touch first. At Leeds we don't have a player that can play those passes or read the game the same way so instead Piroe gets passes aimed at him and has to make the most of them. People say he is never in the 6 yard box but that is because he is trying to find pockets of space in a crowded penalty area so that players can pick him out or so that he can react to a loose ball.

Totally agree.

Personally, I have no issue in debating how effective a player is playing a certain position, perceived strengths and weaknesses etc, but adamantly suggesting a player is a 8,9 or 10 is just guesswork.

Young players play different positions all the time in academy’s. Personally, I think keeper is the only true specialised position these days. But even keepers these days are required to play more with their feet.

What was John Charles best position ?

[DDB220]

Opta super cumpootr say we we'll finish third. Has a machine ever been right about predicting the future.

Today in Finland we have bright blue sky's and it is Middle of April and the weather men say we will have 5cm of snow by the weekend... The super computers predict it, still not time to change the winter tyres they say.

IMG_20240418_114733.jpg

It is just pure maths based upon how many points are available. We win the next game and the teams around us draw or lose - the percentages change - not exactly rocket science.

Bring back that Octopus I say.

[Sean_Nile]

It is just pure maths based upon how many points are available. We win the next game and the teams around us draw or lose - the percentages change - not exactly rocket science.

Bring back that Octopus I say.

Or an Ostrich picking pebbles with a name written on them.

[Barlow Boy]

Connor Roberts to miss the next two away games.

[Cjay]

Farke's here - how much is this about handling the pressure?
All aspects in football are important. Crunch time period. Keep the nerves and stay focused on the contents. Quality of the team and players, luck in terms of injuries, quite important. Focused on what you can influence. Always crucial.


Injuries
Jamie not in team training yet, but from tomorrow. Could be the game comes too soon for him. Good news with him.

Sadly, some bad news, Connor Roberts. Muscle showed reaction in training this week and he will miss the next two games, maybe the last game against Southampton. Tried to manage him well after the break, but maybe not careful enough. That's the only bad news.



Christopher John
Without him because he had the choice to run through the opponent's dugout to complain. The fourth official was in their dugout and he ahs to accept he's not with us for this one 


Clear week been important?
Every game is important. Closer to the end every point becomes more important. We have to concentrate on being good in our game. Need to focus on winning as many games as possible.

Not too much to pay attention on other fixtures. We have two away games in four days. Play before Ipswich, but after the other two


Pressure from the owners on you to be promoted?
Just backing and trust from the owners. We are in a privileged position and we want to use it. Top class season. Remarkable points tally. By far the best team in the second half of the season. We are more or less leading this league. Lads playing a fantastic season.

Definitely finish in the top four and if you do this then you want the last step to play a perfect season and be promoted, either in the top two or by using the play-offs. We are playing a fantastic season.


Boro - could be out of the play-offs by Monday - impact?
No, because they are unbeaten with many good wins and good performances in recent weeks. Still a chance they make the top six. Expect them to be highly motivated. Expect them to not feel pressure, with nothing to lose now.

Tough game for us, but this is what we face in 46 game days. We know we have to be at our best.



FA Cup changes?
I try to concentrate on what I can influence and do not comment too much on decisions. Leave it to the authorities and leave it to them. As a manager, you can be concerned about too many games, but it depends on the situation. Normally, I would rather play games than train. I am far away from punishing replays.

First position here in England, for Norwich, big pressure to bring money in to survive. Had good cup runs, with a big tie against Chelsea, got a replay and needed the money from that. Really helped the club keep going forward. Beneficial for smaller clubs to present bigger clubs in home games to their supporters is great.



German clubs in Europe - model there gives you hope Leeds can do it without a sugar daddy?

Do not base a trend on one year. Top clubs are always competitive. Extraordinary three GErman clubs are in this position. Important for every club to work with sustainability and what you are capable of doing, being smart with what you spend. Do not be addicted to short-term success. Have to build the club. This is why I signed here.

We want to develop this club. Spent money on the training ground in recent months. Corner steps for us. When I see our squad, we have some quality players and also better, more financial opportunities. Try to spend it wisely.

Our last line-up: Meslier, experienced but young. Rodon and Ampadu, our rivals are more experienced. Gruev and Gray: our rivals have more experience. Our attackers, Summerville, 21, Gnonto 20, Rutter 22, Piroe 24: rivals have more experience.

We still have to develop and grow. We are not the finished product.

I would not label it the German model, but the smart model. I would never put pressure on the owners to do something stupid or not healthy for our club. If we are struggling to be there with perfect results, I take it. I don't want to buy success, I want to build for success. I don't want to be in the PL for one year spending money and then being out of it for 10 years. We want to be there for a long, long time.



Klaesson car crash?
I don't like to comment too much on private lives of my players because they are mature and adults. I was shocked and we all were with the crash and pictures. Very happy he is okay physically and mentally. The most important thing.

He explained what happened and I have no reason to doubt his words. Nothing there to criticise or accuse, just a very unlucky accident as he explained it. Relived he came away without any problems. Good training in the last few days.

[Cjay]

Interesting point here is its entirely possible the playoffs will be out of the grasp of Boro by the time we play them.

If Norwich win.

[Jaydog]

Interesting point here is its entirely possible the playoffs will be out of the grasp of Boro by the time we play them.

If Norwich win.

Didn’t Sunderland have nothing to play for?

[mentalcase]

Pressure from the owners on you to be promoted?
Just backing and trust from the owners. We are in a privileged position and we want to use it. Top class season. Remarkable points tally. By far the best team in the second half of the season. We are more or less leading this league. Lads playing a fantastic season.

Definitely finish in the top four and if you do this then you want the last step to play a perfect season and be promoted, either in the top two or by using the play-offs. We are playing a fantastic season.

Do not be addicted to short-term success. Have to build the club. This is why I signed here.
Our last line-up: Meslier, experienced but young. Rodon and Ampadu, our rivals are more experienced. Gruev and Gray: our rivals have more experience. Our attackers, Summerville, 21, Gnonto 20, Rutter 22, Piroe 24: rivals have more experience.

We still have to develop and grow. We are not the finished product.

I don't want to buy success, I want to build for success. I don't want to be in the PL for one year spending money and then being out of it for 10 years. We want to be there for a long, long time.

[Cjay]

Didn’t Sunderland have nothing to play for?

I think (may be remembering wrong) they technically had a chance of the playoffs still but required basically a miracle.

Like they needed to win all remaining games and teams above them to lose the lot

[mentalcase]

I think (may be remembering wrong) they technically had a chance of the playoffs still but required basically a miracle.

Like they needed to win all remaining games and teams above them to lose the lot

No, they had nothing to play for but pride, my cousin is a ST holder there, admitted they were lucky but they were chuffed to bits to get a point in a very dismal season for them.
Every team puts in a shift against us, especially when they can either stop us getting promoted or halt a cup run.
Can we rise to the occasion !!!

[Jaydog]

I think (may be remembering wrong) they technically had a chance of the playoffs still but required basically a miracle.

Like they needed to win all remaining games and teams above them to lose the lot

Maybe but they were virtually a nothing to play for team and if Boro are by then it probably won’t stop them making life difficult for us. Actually you’d wonder if it might be better if they desperately needed a victory to keep the playoff chance alive when they play us.

[whiteswan]

Robert's! Recurring injury from international week. I hate our players being on international duty. This could wreck our season.....

[WhiteRose]

He has certainly had his moments and there yet may be more to come in the playoffs but can’t help but feel we have not made the most of Connor Roberts, similar to Spence there just doesn’t seem to be an appetite to give right backs a chance over an 18 year old in his rookie season playing out of position.

[DDB220]

He has certainly had his moments and there yet may be more to come in the playoffs but can’t help but feel we have not made the most of Connor Roberts, similar to Spence there just doesn’t seem to be an appetite to give right backs a chance over an 18 year old in his rookie season playing out of position.

We are in the days of metrics, stats and listening to instructions. His defensive stats are as good as anyone’s at the club in terms of successful tackles etc.
as CJAY has said we attack predominantly down one side of the pitch. He has tended to use Roberts when he wants to change attacking emphasis, whether late in games or from the start.

I do not understand why Archie is essentially disparaged by this Rookie tag. He has been a great player for us this season.

[Irish Ian]

He has certainly had his moments and there yet may be more to come in the playoffs but can’t help but feel we have not made the most of Connor Roberts, similar to Spence there just doesn’t seem to be an appetite to give right backs a chance over an 18 year old in his rookie season playing out of position.

Part of that is developing one of our own players over a loanee.

In part I agree with it, Gray will be a first team player or a very selllable asset in the seasons on come.

Of course the downside is the great unknown.

Could Roberts have made a difference this season...

[Ellandback1]

Monday 22nd April 8:00pm | Riverside Stadium


Leeds travel to the Riverside Stadium on Monday evening knowing that only a win will do, if they want to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive. The Whites have not been firing on all cylinders since returning from International Duty a month ago, but neither have their competition. Even so, after two loses, two draws and a win, Leeds have slipped to third place, two points from the summit. Michael Carrick's side are unbeaten in nine games, including credible draws at St Mary's and Portman Road. Just like Leeds, Boro have completed the double over Championship favourites Leicester City.

Leeds will be without the services of Connor Roberts, due to the reassurance of the thigh injury he picked up during Wales' loss to Poland. Best case scenario, he may return for the season finale against Southampton. Sam Byram or Archie Gray are the oprions at right back, the latter would mean a shuffle of midfield with the probable return of Glen Kamara.Pascal Struijk will not play again this season following surgery but Jamie Shackleton will be back in training, though not in time to feature on Monday night.





The hosts will be without the services of Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood who are restricted from playing against their parent club, though Captain Jonny Howson, who spent fifteen years at Elland Road, would like nothing more than to put one over on his boyhood club! Marcus Forss (foot), Tommy Smith (achilles), Riley McGree, (foot) and Darragh Lenihan (ankle) are also sidelined, whilst Josh Coburn (groin and Hayden Hackney (knee) face late fitness tests.

Reflecting on the significance of each match as the season approaches its climax, Farke stressed the team's need to maintain focus and concentrate on their own performance rather than worrying about other fixtures. Despite potential pressure from owners to secure promotion, Farke emphasized a commitment to sustainable growth and development, echoing the importance of building a club for long-term success rather than seeking short-term gains. With a young and evolving squad, Farke acknowledged the ongoing journey of improvement, reaffirming his dedication to shaping Leeds United into a perennial force in English football.

[WhiteRose]

We are in the days of metrics, stats and listening to instructions. His defensive stats are as good as anyone’s at the club in terms of successful tackles etc.
as CJAY has said we attack predominantly down one side of the pitch. He has tended to use Roberts when he wants to change attacking emphasis, whether late in games or from the start.

I do not understand why Archie is essentially disparaged by this Rookie tag. He has been a great player for us this season.

Wasn’t aiming to disparage at all and rookie isn’t a tag it’s just a fact, he has done an admirable job in that position but personally I think it would of benefited him and us more to have him playing in midfield all season and not filling a position others were probably better suited to - with ayling, Spence or Roberts there we likely wouldn’t have developed this over reliance on the left to attack.