Leeds United v Nottingham Forest Match Thread

[Cjay]

Your time has come Sean.

[Cjay]

My money is on Longstaff back in.

Watching the presser, I got the impression Buonanotte is some way off a starting berth just yet.

[Irish Ian]

Biliol coming back into the reckoning is a big plus. However losing Stach is a bummer. Those two guys are always able to come up with a goal scoring opportunity.

James nearing fitness.

Have we missed him? He hasn't been great for almost a year now.

Pity about Nmecha but perhaps Piroe may see a few more minutes, if he does let's see how he contributes.

[Ellandback1]

Leeds United v Nottingham Forest
Friday 6th February@20:00 | Elland Road

Friday night football returns to Elland Road with a fixture that carries significant weight at the wrong end of the Premier League table. The Whites host the Tricky Trees in a clash that offers the hosts temporary restbite, with the chance to move nine points clear of the drop zone, at least until Saturday afternoon when West Ham visit Turf Moor. Currently sitting level on 26 points, Nottingham Forest are equally keen to put distance between themselves and West Ham in 18th place

History is firmly on the side of the Whites; they have won their last three Premier League home meetings with Nottingham Forest dating back to encounters in 1996, 1999, and 2023. Furthermore, across 25 top-flight home matches against the "Tricky Trees," Leeds have never failed to find the back of the net. That record provides a comforting statistic for the Elland Road faithful, but the challenge of a Sean Dyche style set-up cannot be underestimated.

Only bottom side Wolves (6.7%) have a lower shot conversion rate than Nottingham Forest in the top flight this season (8.5%), leading Dyche to secure the services of Italian international Lorenzo Lucca on loan from Napoli, with an option to buy in the summer. Standing at 6ft 7in, the towering centre-forward is a physical presence designed to disrupt defenses and offer a focal point in the final third. Lucca is expected to lead the line on Friday, adding a new dimension to Forest's attack that the Leeds backline will be desperate to contain.



In fact, Forest have been active in the market, and could thrust several other new recruits straight into their starting line-up. With regular keepers Matz Sels and John Victor both ruled out through injury, the door has opened for a debut for shot-stopper Stefan Ortega. The former Manchester City goalkeeper arrived for a bargain £500,000 and is widely predicted to start between the sticks. Deadline-day signing Luca Netz, who joined from Borussia Mönchengladbach for just £2m, is also predicted to start. The left-back’s inclusion is almost a necessity, with Neco Williams suspended and Nicolo Savona injured, forcing Dyche to shuffle his pack immediately.

Manager Daniel Farke provided a mixed bag of injury updates during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday lunchtime, offering both relief and concern. German international midfielder Anton Stach is confirmed to miss out due to a hip injury, a blow that will see him sidelined for approximately 10 to 14 days, potentially stretching into the FA Cup tie against Birmingham City, meaning a possible recall for Sean Longstaff, who is fully fit after his calf injury. On a more positive note, Farke confirmed that Jaka Bijol has returned to team training following a hamstring issue.

While it may be too soon to thrust the Slovenian international back into a starting role after three games out, his presence on the bench would be a welcome boost. Similarly, versatile defender James Justin is available after fears of a broken toe were allayed, with the injury revealed to be merely a bruise. Supporting forward Lukas Nmecha remains the only other notable absentee, still working his way back from a hamstring strain, though Farke suggested he isn't too far from a return. Once again Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line, supported by either Okafor or Aaronson.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

Dan James, our best new January signing since Adam Forshaw.

How does this club manage to sign so many players prone to being crocked for long periods of time ?

Forshaw
Roberts
Bamford
James
Nmecha
Probably Longstaff

I must have missed one or two....

[The Subhuman]

With Stach out my 11 plus bench is. Think Farke will have 2/3 players either carrying an injury or not fully back from injury on the bench

Perri
Justin
Gudmundsson
Ampadu
Rodon
Bornauw
Struijk
Tanaka
Calvert Lewin
Gnonto
Aaronson

Darlow
Bogle
Bijol
Gruev
Longstaff
Okafor
Buonanotte
Piroe
James

[Chilli D]

Not just go safe and bring Longstaff in

Which is exactly what he will do.

[Chilli D]

My money is on Longstaff back in.

Watching the presser, I got the impression Buonanotte is some way off a starting berth just yet.

The Birmingham game will be his window

[Irish Ian]

Which is exactly what he will do.

He will try and win the game.

How he goes about that is always at odds with the crowd until we take the lead but it's all about the points

[Chilli D]

He will try and win the game.

How he goes about that is always at odds with the crowd until we take the lead but it's all about the points

I'm not criticizing him playing Longstaff just saying that is what he will do.
I'll be very surprised if he doesn't.

[Irish Ian]

I'm not criticizing him playing Longstaff just saying that is what he will do.
I'll be very surprised if he doesn't.

Fair enough and without Stach available it makes a bit of sense. Tho this may suit Tanaka on Friday.
Tends to play well in front of the home crowd.

[whiteinfrance]

Leeds

43.00%
5/4
Draw

27.00%
12/5
Nottingham Forest

30.00%
12/5

[Orange Box]

Bit harsh calling Riot a 6-pointer idiot, 4 pointer at most imo……..Oops hadn’t my glasses on

It doesn’t take much to catch a plonker.

[Pullhard]

Would like to see Bijol in against their new 6 ft 7 lad

[Ellandback1]

Very winnable.....

I disagree

If we get a draw, we've done really well

[The Subhuman]

I disagree

If we get a draw, we've done really well

Nah, 64's right. This is very winnable ... I'd be disappointed with a draw

[Sean_Nile]

Great that Nottingham forest have a wonderful manager like Sean Dyche... Oh wait a minute!!!

When he managed Everton they were just 1 point above the relegation zone when he was dismissed.

In his final stretch: Only 1 win in the last 11 games, failing to score in 8 of their last 10 league matches.

The leopard does not change its spots.

[CUSSIE01]

Nah, 64's right. This is very winnable ... I'd be disappointed with a draw

So will I, these are the games that could make the difference between staying up or not.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

We're playing with fire if we draw too many games at ER - ultimately it's home form that will keep us up or otherwise. Start drawing or losing games at home and we will be in big trouble very quickly.

And having now lost our last game at ER we need to restore the balance quickly with a win.

"With regular keepers Matz Sels and John Victor both ruled out through injury, the door has opened for a debut for shot-stopper Stefan Ortega. The former Manchester City goalkeeper arrived for a bargain £500,000 and is widely predicted to start between the sticks. "

So we spent 14m on Perri was it, and then failed to bring another keeper in during the window, even though Forest managed it for £500k. If we survive this season the recruitment team needs to be totally revamped.

[1964white]

Which is exactly what he will do.

Longstaff will start, now he's had some game-time, there is more to his game than Gruev's sideways & backwards style of play.