Leeds Utd v Chelsea Match Thread - Cooper, Costa & Klich Out, Struijk, Alioski & Harrison In

[Smudge3920]

He went straight down the tunnel apparently - that usually means injury or annoyance.

Maybe he needed a p*ss

[The Subhuman]

No shots and no chances created, no successful dribbles either.

He is a winger, that isnt acceptable imo no matter how much defending he does.

I get the negative vibe, fortunately Bielsa doesn't see it that way. He knows Jack's contribution is difficult to replace

[Cjay]

If you want to be like any of the top 6 then 27mill on the bench is exactly where we want to be...Give him time.

Thinking more from Rodrigo's point of view.

He was Spain's leading striker when he arrived, his direct rivals are having far better seasons than him, id imagine he wont be at the Euros.

Is Rodrigo going to be willing to sit on our bench at his age knowing that once you lose your starting place here you may never get it back?

His international future probably depends on him playing each week.

[The Subhuman]

Thinking more from Rodrigo's point of view.

He was Spain's leading striker when he arrived, his direct rivals are having far better seasons than him, id imagine he wont be at the Euros.

Is Rodrigo going to be willing to sit on our bench at his age knowing that once you lose your starting place here you may never get it back?

His international future probably depends on him playing each week.

If he's unhappy here then of course, But aren't you the one saying we should put our foot down and keep our better players regardless?

[Cjay]

IMO he was taken off mainly due to Bamfords possible injury, Rodrigo will be needed if Paddy misses the next game or two...Rodrigo is still progressing to full match fitness, he had already had a yellow card in this game... MB was protecting a needed player...

Maybe mate.

If he isnt starting vs Fulham then questions will be asked.

[White Riot]

James please vote in the rate the ref topic

That's a real easy one Chris - nada

[Carrick Dave]

Thinking more from Rodrigo's point of view.

He was Spain's leading striker when he arrived, his direct rivals are having far better seasons than him, id imagine he wont be at the Euros.

Is Rodrigo going to be willing to sit on our bench at his age knowing that once you lose your starting place here you may never get it back?

His international future probably depends on him playing each week.

I was thinking that too. Potentially difficult situation for both him and Bielsa.

We’ll need him next few games if Paddy is out, maybe an opportunity for Gelhardt to get a run.

[The Subhuman]

Maybe mate.

If he isnt starting vs Fulham then questions will be asked.

Really? Assuming bamford is fit and I think he will be, and Roberts retains on form. Where does he play?

[Velotrax]

That's a real easy one Chris - nada

Too obvious mate lol

[White Riot]

Maybe he needed a p*ss

Or got the Aztec two-steps

[Cjay]

If he's unhappy here then of course, But aren't you the one saying we should put our foot down and keep our better players regardless?

I do but Rodrigo is a bit different for me.

I dont think he quite fits the system and because of his age his resale value is diminishing, plus his wages will be probably the highest in the squad.

If he is happy to stay fine but if a side offered us the same amount we paid for Rodders in the summer, id take it.

[White Riot]

Too obvious mate lol

Actually the cnut doesn't even deserve a 0

[Velotrax]

The infamous Nil point is all we have lol.

[White Riot]

0-0 Against a big 6 club(with an even bigger cheque book) who have not lost in 11...good result.

Defo a good result mate, especially considering the squad and injuries we have.

We just need time and we'll be at that level.

I'll be very happy when we get over the safety line, maybe we already are?

[Cjay]

Really? Assuming bamford is fit and I think he will be, and Roberts retains on form. Where does he play?

Right wing?

[The Subhuman]

Raph's better side?

[Prisoner37]

I can't believe that Cole and Ferdinand spent 10 minutes talking about how Crapski need to spend more money.

I would love to see a league table where a handicap system has been applied to the money spent on and wages paid to the squad.

The handicap system should also take in to account money robbed from the poor of Russia.

Well done to the team today, big confidence boost before Fulham. Hopefully Citeh will put at least half a dozen past em.

[Cjay]

It is a good question.

Perhaps Bamford starting the season so well surprised Bielsa? But after paying so much he couldn't leave Rodrigo out of the side?
I think most of us expected to see Rod lead the attack with Bamford starting on the bench,

Perhaps mate and thats perfectly logical.

I suppose Rodders is the deciding factor in all this.

Will he be happy with his role?
Will he settle for a potential bench role next season?

Maybe im being overly harsh, it is a strange season..

Just feel we got the wrong Rodrigo especially seeing the role we are trying to shoehorn Moreno into, its exactly the one De Paul plays naturally.

[Cjay]

Raph's better side?

Harrison is out of form and MB seems to always play Costa right anyway.

Would be nice to see what Rodders could do there for 45mins?

[White Riot]

Why did we buy a 30 year old to try and retrain him to play a position he has never played before? Doesnt make sense.

I like him as a player, has quality but just doesnt fit the system imo, he always looks shoehorned in.

But is this just not evidence that we failed to get a number 10 in?

For me Rodders and Bamford should be competing for CF, and with Bamford's goals and work rate he's been hard to drop.

If Bamford lost form, or was unavailable I'd expect Rodders is the 9 and Paddy then has to fight for his place.

Just all speaks that we need a 10 to me and have done since Saiz left.