The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 4th February) - Leeds United have made their bed...

[WhiteRose]

I agree with most things mentioned here but there are still 4 teams in the mix and a slight drop in form and we're in play off positions

So it’s only Leeds in danger of a drop in form? All 4 clubs are likely to hit poor runs at some point, we just need to believe our team is more capable of riding them out than the others. We have a small cushion to 3rd and a massive advantage in goal difference

[Ellandback1]

I personally think the drop off in performances at the end of last season was due to us playing catch up from the start of the season and having to approach every game as a must win, full on, minimal rotation etc. It was a pretty herculean effort to catch and then overtake Leicester; easy to say in hindsight, but that was always going to catch up with us. This season, we have been there or thereabouts all season, so I don't fear the same burnout. Noticeably, Farke is using his bench better, and we have better options coming off it. Of course, we can't legislate for injuries, and that is a concern, we'll need a little bit of luck there.

I'd still have liked to have seen us get a 10, something I think we are crying out for in games where teams come to park the bus, but it didn't happen so it's as you were. I think we'll be fine, but ask me again in May!

I see the turning point being the International break, in particular the Wales play off v Poland which went to extra time and pens. We fluked the next game with James scoring from the half way line, then just crumbled

[DDB220]

I see the turning point being the International break, in particular the Wales play off v Poland which went to extra time and pens. We fluked the next game with James scoring from the half way line, then just crumbled

I think in part it was down to a lack of experience to deal with the pressure and expectation. I do not have those concerns this season, the drop off in form at the back end of last season and the associated disappointment is more likely to galvanise the focus of the team.

Adversity is a great learning tool to strengthen resilience, belief and a will to win.

[Sean_Nile]

I agree with most things mentioned here but there are still 4 teams in the mix and a slight drop in form and we're in play off positions

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

[Chilli D]

I agree with most things mentioned here but there are still 4 teams in the mix and a slight drop in form and we're in play off positions

Very true.
February is the key month. We play Sheff U, Sunderland and West Brom, three tough games.
If we're still top 2 at the end of Feb we will get promoted imo.

[Sean_Nile]

Faint heart never missed the boat ( in reply to Sean Nile’s thread )

As Donald Trump once said during a presidential debate "There is more than one way to skin a defender"

[ruttermania]

Given where we were in mid August 2023 with players leaving, going on strike, threatening legal action against the club etc. it seems somewhat ironic that people are now throwing strops over the fact that nobody was signed during the January window. The previous time the club was relegated from the Premiership the fallout ultimately led to 14 years in the wilderness including banishment to League 1. At the time those of us with memories were more than grateful to have a cool calm head like DF in charge to guide us through what felt like the beginning of another meltdown . It was nothing short of miraculous that having steadied the ship that we made up so much ground that we went from a position of looking like we would be lucky to make the playoffs to being genuine challengers for the automatics . Yes we fell off from March on to which there were three major contributory factors 1. The mental strain of the long catch up particularly on a young squad 2. The unfortunate timing and outcome of the Wales playoff which had a devastating impact on our Welsh contingent and also contributed to injuries suffered by Roberts and James 3.The somewhat unbalanced nature of our squad which led to an overreliance on certain players (Rutter and Summerville particularly) which made us easier to stifle especially as they grew fatigued at the end of the season . So far we have played 14 away games ,winning 5, drawing 7 and losing 2. At least 3 of the draws could easily have been victories which would more fairly reflect the dominance we have enjoyed in many away games .After Saturday if Aaronson needs a rest then we should try Firpo at 10 as he certainly can pick a pass !!

[GreennWhite]

I agree with most things mentioned here but there are still 4 teams in the mix and a slight drop in form and we're in play off positions

Exactly , its still a very open league regarding the top 4 at present, and we need to keep adding to our points tally in every game. Be very surprised if any other team can put a good enough run together to join the top 4 and stay there.
But all 4 teams are in the same position as we are. I can see positional changes hapening in the top 4 from now to the end of the season. You cant really afford too many slip ups. But having said that if we do lose a game or 3 in the remaining fixtures, i would be amazed if the other 3 teams dont lose games as well.
Which team can handle pressure best ?

[Irish Ian]

We need 9 wins.

Is that doable?0

[GreennWhite]

So it’s only Leeds in danger of a drop in form? All 4 clubs are likely to hit poor runs at some point, we just need to believe our team is more capable of riding them out than the others. We have a small cushion to 3rd and a massive advantage in goal difference

Just been writing something similar WhiteRose, its not just us that have to be careful. Some fans would make you think we are the only team that have these issues

[GreennWhite]

We need 9 wins.

Is that doable?0

The way we have played at times this season, absolutely doable. If we have our shooting boots on, like the last game.
9 Wins ? is that taking into account the other tems done lose any games ?

[whiteswan]

I see the turning point being the International break, in particular the Wales play off v Poland which went to extra time and pens. We fluked the next game with James scoring from the half way line, then just crumbled

That's always been my take on our collapse Matt. Plus sky making us play 3 days after the Wales game.

[Ellandback1]

That's always been my take on our collapse Matt. Plus sky making us play 3 days after the Wales game.

100%

Rodon, James, Amps were so important to us, and they had literally couldn't give anymore. Also, Roberts got injured which didn't help during the Wales v Poland game.

Rodon got injured too, but played the last 10 gets with pain killing injections before every game.

[Ellandback1]

Whooooooo - that's 10,000 posts!!!!!!!!!

[1964white]

We need 9 wins.

Is that doable?0

I believe we need ten wins & yes that is doable

[Orange Box]

Whooooooo - that's 10,000 posts!!!!!!!!!

And no other poster sparks as much debate. Well done EB.

[1964white]

Actually, 8 wins & 5 draws out of our remaining 16 games would probably see us promoted.

[weasel]

Given where we were in mid August 2023 with players leaving, going on strike, threatening legal action against the club etc. it seems somewhat ironic that people are now throwing strops over the fact that nobody was signed during the January window. The previous time the club was relegated from the Premiership the fallout ultimately led to 14 years in the wilderness including banishment to League 1. At the time those of us with memories were more than grateful to have a cool calm head like DF in charge to guide us through what felt like the beginning of another meltdown . It was nothing short of miraculous that having steadied the ship that we made up so much ground that we went from a position of looking like we would be lucky to make the playoffs to being genuine challengers for the automatics . Yes we fell off from March on to which there were three major contributory factors 1. The mental strain of the long catch up particularly on a young squad 2. The unfortunate timing and outcome of the Wales playoff which had a devastating impact on our Welsh contingent and also contributed to injuries suffered by Roberts and James 3.The somewhat unbalanced nature of our squad which led to an overreliance on certain players (Rutter and Summerville particularly) which made us easier to stifle especially as they grew fatigued at the end of the season . So far we have played 14 away games ,winning 5, drawing 7 and losing 2. At least 3 of the draws could easily have been victories which would more fairly reflect the dominance we have enjoyed in many away games .After Saturday if Aaronson needs a rest then we should try Firpo at 10 as he certainly can pick a pass !!

Well said. There were a lot of factors which unfortuantely derailed us.

The catch up was a huge factor. Just like in horse racing often a stalking horse gets to the front and then runs out of gas. We got to the front with all the momentum but that momentum is hard to sustain and we then had a drop off. Ipswich and Leicester had had their drop offs but due to their big lead they were still right there. Southampton, another chaser, had a great run. I think it was something like 26 unbeaten, got close and then like us dropped off. We were playing every match as a must win, giving 100% for the full 90 and there were not many matches where we could take our foot off the pedal, make susbs to rest players etc. We have been able to do that a lot more often this season, getting the 2nd goal and then giving players a rest. That should benefit us.

The Wales play off was terrible for us. Our welsh contingent had to play a lot of must win matches and the 120 minutes in the play-off and then the emotional devastation of the penalty shoot out. Most times when something like that happens it is the ast match of the season and players can get away from football for a few weeks and recharge. Our lot were thrown traight back into a promotion race.

The squad wasn't as balanced. We were very relaint on Summerville whereas this season I think picking any 2 from the 4 wingers and we are still strong. Rutter's form went completely, some will blame the injury but I just felt he got a bit found out and playing as a 10 he got less freedom than he did as a 9 (where he was able to drop deep and the centreback wasn't going to follow him ala Koch against Arsenal). So whilst Aaronsen may not have the silky skills of Rutter he is weighing in with goals at a decent rate. Our wingers may individually not produce the goals that Summerville did but we are seeing, espeically with Solomon and James, them scoring and assisting. We're getting tap ins rather than Summerville trying his 20 yard curlers. I think it is fair to say we haven't missed Rutter or Summerville, we certainly aren't scoring less as a team.

We are more of a team this season. I think if any player got injured we would cope just fine.

[WhiteRose]

Be interesting to see what happens with sheff united who have brought in 8 players a number which is unfathomable for mid season. Not saying it won’t work but it can’t be great for squad cohesion and you would think it would tie their hands a bit in the summer whether they go up or not.

[Ellandback1]

And no other poster sparks as much debate. Well done EB.