Byebyegeegee wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:00 pm
Excellent game of football, enjoyed it thoroughly (the result helped of course). Is it just me or did we hit more long balls from the back today than we usually do? I think that helped defensively as there seemed to be fewer attempted short passes in dangerous areas.
Well done the lads, to a man they all played their part. Hope the injuries are not too serious.
We did Byebye we are learning to improvise a bit more
SG90 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:09 pm
Most of them were simple, easy saves. There was one he tipped around the post for a corner, but was very untroubled throughout. On the other hand, Schmeichel kept them in it in the first half.
Yes Schmeichel made two fantastic saves particularly the Bamford header, how did he squeezed that out from under the bar?
Not sure if it's a mental thing with Costa. He started the season well, but he changed as soon as we got Raph. Beginning to think he lacks confidence, mentally weak or both. He's beginning to look like another poor signing IMO.
Last edited by MightyWhites on Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ron Swanson wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:14 pm
Far more longer balls from the back, there is a happy medium, and against the better sides like Leicester we don't want defenders caught in possession or making sloppy passes into the defensive midfield area.
Hopefully Rodders & Rafa aren't seriously injured. Though they are probably the two players we can replace the easiest at the moment. Alioski can have a stay of execution at left back, continue with Dallas and Klich in midfield... I'd be tempted to bring Hernandez in on the right wing rather than Costa or Poveda.
I would definitely play Pablo ahead of Costa & Poveda, scores goals & makes assists those two can only dream of, his experience is key too!
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:25 pm
I have been saying for months we should play big Pascal at the back, a massive aid for Cooper to cope with aerial challenges. Hopefully Marcelo realises now Struijk is not a DM & is much more useful in his accustomed position. Another major plus today
Definitely a CB and not a DMC. The only reason he plays in midfield is because we haven't got a better back up to KP. Klich had one good game there. Dallas and Shackleton haven't shown it there. It's possible Gotts and McCalmont, both on loan, could be longer term options, but Strujik just plays there as the best option.
One thing about Strujik today though was that he showed a lot more confidence in the 2nd half, being more adventurous and proactive. That's what he's been lacking in the midfield games.
MightyWhites wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:36 pm
Not sure if it's a mental thing with Costa. He started the season well, but he changed as soon as we got Raph. Beginning to think he lacks confidence, mentally weak or both. He's beginning to look like another poor signing IMO.
Just hope Costa can repeat what he did early on. I think back to games like Liverpool and Fulham when he was great. Players seem to do better when they get a bit of a run and Raphinha coming just seems to have knocked it out of him. He should be proving a point every time he comes on as sub but for some reason it's not working for him. If Rapha is injured, maybe a couple of starts might bring out better. (Hopefully)
andrewjohnsmith wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:37 pm
Definitely a CB and not a DMC. The only reason he plays in midfield is because we haven't got a better back up to KP. Klich had one good game there. Dallas and Shackleton haven't shown it there. It's possible Gotts and McCalmont, both on loan, could be longer term options, but Strujik just plays there as the best option.
One thing about Strujik today though was that he showed a lot more confidence in the 2nd half, being more adventurous and proactive. That's what he's been lacking in the midfield games.
Gotts and McCalmont in and out at League 2 sides, can't see either being the answer to our troubles. But you never know with Bielsa, I guess.
IMO Costa looked lost when he came on, struggling to even raise discussion points now... He has shown us that he is capabale of good, sometimes great things. Which leads me to stick with my best guess a couple of months ago that it is mental and its a confidence issue..has MB anything left to give or show him?....Really feeling for the lad and I truly hope he can find his "mojo"
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:12 pm
Costa first two touches :
Passed a easy ball straight to a foxes midfielder,
Needless foul 30 yards from goal.
Raphinha cost the same money & is ten times the player Costa is offloaded in the summer I suspect
I hope not for a big loss...
I was gobsmacked when I heard we were buying him, but I think I was in a minority at the time. Some people seemed to think that as we had won the Championship automatically he had performed well...
Last edited by CHAPELALLMAN on Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:36 pm
I would definitely play Pablo ahead of Costa & Poveda, scores goals & makes assists those two can only dream of, his experience is key too!
And I agree with you 64
The flowers of common sense do not grow in everyone's garden
Chilli D wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:04 pm
The big worry is obviously Raphinha. I feel can manage without Rodrigo but losing Rapha will be a big loss.
Only because we know the replacement is Costa who will do a job but it's less exciting...Summerville though, who I think is the best young player I've seen for us, would be exciting.
"A mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open"
faaip wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:56 pm
Only because we know the replacement is Costa who will do a job but it's less exciting...Summerville though, who I think is the best young player I've seen for us, would be exciting.
Not sure he will even ' do a job. ' It's not that he's less exciting, he's just not very good, and a defensive liability too...
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:36 pm
I would definitely play Pablo ahead of Costa & Poveda, scores goals & makes assists those two can only dream of, his experience is key too!
This is without doubt a major concern. why MB is sticking hard to Costa and not playing Pablo is now a relevant question...Costa's rehab, improvement whatever you want to call it should be done in the U23's now, Pablo is the only one we have to realisticly replace Raphina...If we suffer Rodrigo as a loss also, we are better equipped to cover for him...On top of that Bamford could be out also, possibly dangerous times ahead ...
Ron Swanson wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 6:10 pmIf we are going to recover some cash on Costa he needs to be in the team on a semi regular basis.
Hernandez is worthless in terms of resale value, and I'd imagine he'd rather stay at Leeds rather than drop down to the Championship.
Well it's catch 22 . You could argue that if he keeps on performing badly then his stock will drop even further. It's a bit like buying some shares which drop in value rapidly but not closing the position because you keep hoping that the share will turn around. Often it doesn't and you end up even worse off than ever.
Smudge3920 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:46 pm
IMO Costa looked lost when he came on, struggling to even raise discussion points now... He has shown us that he is capabale of good, sometimes great things. Which leads me to stick with my best guess a couple of months ago that it is mental and its a confidence issue..has MB anything left to give or show him?....Really feeling for the lad and I truly hope he can find his "mojo"
Bielsa at the end of the match was asking players to give the ball to costa.
we are learning to improvise a bit more 
