Pre-season Games - Villarreal v Leeds

[Smudge3920]

I commented on that during the match time as well. I have no idea what Bielsa was saying, but it looked like he was yelling at Shacks to get up. If that was the case really poor stuff from MB, the lad got a serious blow. But I need to be careful with premature conclusions as there could be that MB was saying something else?

Agreed, I have just posted in the morning debate thread...I did review it as I really cannot see MB berating a potentially injured player, I think he was frustrated at what happened, in a friendly pre season game.

[The Subhuman]

We're fans, we want our team to win every game, no matter the competition, no matter the opposition so it stings when we get humped. But it is pre-season, it is about fitness and formation and maybe trying players in different positions. A poor pre-season does not necessarily mean we will have a poor season, nor would a great pre-season mean we were going to sweep all before us. I remember us outplaying and beating PL Newcastle a few pre-seasons back only to then have a mediocre Championship campaign. There's no correlation, imo. That said, I am concerned we haven't got an AMF, but I remain hopeful. To finish, we all get worked up because we care, but that isn't an excuse to take potshots at each other. All Leeds, aren't we??

Famously the Detroit Lions won all 4 of their preseason games a few years back, beating a lot of good teams in the process, drawing a lot of plaudits. Detroit fans finally excited their team was on the up and now a threat. They went 1-15 in the regular season IIRC.

You win nothing in pre season

[mothbanquet]

There you are Dan.

Our previous friendlies under Bielsa

Hopefully we'll be ready to go with all cylinders firing come the 14th August.

17/07/18 CLF Forest Green Rovers 1 - 2 Leeds United
19/07/18 CLF York City 1 - 1 Leeds United
22/07/18 CLF Southend United 1 - 1 Leeds United
24/07/18 CLF Oxford United 4 - 3 Leeds United
26/07/18 CLF Guiseley 3 - 4 Leeds United
29/07/18 CLF Leeds United 1 - 0 Las Palmas
10/07/19 CLF York City 0 - 5 Leeds United
11/07/19 CLF Guiseley 1 - 2 Leeds United
17/07/19 CLF Manchester United 4 - 0 Leeds United
20/07/19 CLF Western Sydney Wanderers 1 - 2 Leeds United
27/07/19 CLF Cagliari 1 - 1 Leeds United[/color]

Was wondering about this myself, thanks for posting mate. Fitness, minutes, experimentation - those are the purposes of these games. The only results that really matter are those that put points on the table.

[mothbanquet]

We're fans, we want our team to win every game, no matter the competition, no matter the opposition so it stings when we get humped. But it is pre-season, it is about fitness and formation and maybe trying players in different positions. A poor pre-season does not necessarily mean we will have a poor season, nor would a great pre-season mean we were going to sweep all before us. I remember us outplaying and beating PL Newcastle a few pre-seasons back only to then have a mediocre Championship campaign. There's no correlation, imo. That said, I am concerned we haven't got an AMF, but I remain hopeful. To finish, we all get worked up because we care, but that isn't an excuse to take potshots at each other. All Leeds, aren't we??

Exactly this.

[rich_leeds64]

Some of the comments on social media last night were ridiculous. Relegation fight, Bielsa is clueless, players are L1 standard at best, likening us to Sheffield Utd, it was pathetic to read.
As Leon posted we’re playing better opposition, what was the point in the Hockaday era of playing FC Gherdinia and winning 16-0, what did we learn. I’d much rather us play Ajax and get thumped 0-4 but learn from our mistakes and where to improve

[1964white]

Was wondering about this myself, thanks for posting mate. Fitness, minutes, experimentation - those are the purposes of these games. The only results that really matter are those that put points on the table.

Tbh Moth we are playing classier teams in our friendlies in Real Betis, Ajax & Villarreal, these games were always going to be a tough ask against such opposition especially with our limited resources, one mistake & they punish you.

Those players beyond our first 12/13 first team players will struggle at the highest level.

[1964white]

We're fans, we want our team to win every game, no matter the competition, no matter the opposition so it stings when we get humped. But it is pre-season, it is about fitness and formation and maybe trying players in different positions. A poor pre-season does not necessarily mean we will have a poor season, nor would a great pre-season mean we were going to sweep all before us. I remember us outplaying and beating PL Newcastle a few pre-seasons back only to then have a mediocre Championship campaign. There's no correlation, imo. That said, I am concerned we haven't got an AMF, but I remain hopeful. To finish, we all get worked up because we care, but that isn't an excuse to take potshots at each other. All Leeds, aren't we??

Burnley have won all 6 of their friendly matches
Norwich won all three
Southampton unbeaten

All against tinpot opposition.

Even so I expect those three clubs to be fighting relegation or in the bottom half of the PL table.

[WestgateRun]

We shouldn't take any notice whatsoever of pre-season results.
Minor differences in the fitness and preparation of the opposing squads can throw up some strange results. And it is very rarely an our best XI vs their best XI game, over 90 minutes.

At the back of all this forum angst is the memory of the previous game at Old Trafford. Being 4-0 down before the game had even got going.

[Mick Jones shoulder]

Some of the comments on social media last night were ridiculous. Relegation fight, Bielsa is clueless, players are L1 standard at best, likening us to Sheffield Utd, it was pathetic to read.
As Leon posted we’re playing better opposition, what was the point in the Hockaday era of playing FC Gherdinia and winning 16-0, what did we learn. I’d much rather us play Ajax and get thumped 0-4 but learn from our mistakes and where to improve

I'd pretty much agree with all that with one exception, the mistakes that are made are normally over playing in defensive areas leading to goals. Seems to be a constant weakness, with the flip side being when it comes off they tend to be in acres of space.
No points available for these games as stated previously so pretty ambivalent really concerning the results.

[Irish Ian]

Just saw highlights

All 4 straight through the middle.

No KP we fall apart. Nothing new there but it far worse with Ayling at CB.

Meslier error prone too.

Hopefully you learn more from a poor performance and we can improve.

Meslier honeymoon is over now and the lad will need to stop making those errors.

[SG90]

Oh come on we were totally outclassed tonight after being battered by Ajax juniors this afternoon, we were doing our best but our best was nowhere near good enough.

These are the type of games we'll have to compete & cope with if we have any European ambitions.

Bielsa wasn't happy tonight so why should our fans be content with extremely average performances.

We're a long way off top 6, regardless of the friendly result!

[SG90]

Some of the comments on social media last night were ridiculous. Relegation fight, Bielsa is clueless, players are L1 standard at best, likening us to Sheffield Utd, it was pathetic to read.
As Leon posted we’re playing better opposition, what was the point in the Hockaday era of playing FC Gherdinia and winning 16-0, what did we learn. I’d much rather us play Ajax and get thumped 0-4 but learn from our mistakes and where to improve

[SG90]

I get why people would be annoyed if they spent loads of money on the matches. But since Bielsa has been here we've had crap results, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise! I'd rather play Ajax and Villarreal, than non league and League 2 teams and run in big scores.

[1964white]

I get why people would be annoyed if they spent loads of money on the matches. But since Bielsa has been here we've had crap results, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise! I'd rather play Ajax and Villarreal, than non league and League 2 teams and run in big scores.

Test your wits against the better teams

[Bally]

Is this what people were falling out about don't people ever learn pre season games mean sod all,look at England before the Euros their friendly performances wernt great but went on to get to the final,stop bickering at least until the games actually mean something

[1964white]

Another tough ask v the Europa Cup winners tonight at 7pm.

[The Subhuman]

Last friendly and I'll probably miss this one too as it's a Saturday evening. I'd like to see something closer to the team that will start v Manure but I'm not expecting it.

[1964white]

Last friendly and I'll probably miss this one too as it's a Saturday evening. I'd like to see something closer to the team that will start v Manure but I'm not expecting it.

Would assume Kalvin & Coops will get plenty of minutes this evening.

[White Riot]

Last friendly and I'll probably miss this one too as it's a Saturday evening. I'd like to see something closer to the team that will start v Manure but I'm not expecting it.

I actually think he might put his best team out, barring Llorente is injured, again

So I though about who he'll play next week, and I have to say Rodrigo may not get a start

My team would be:

Meslier (as long as he stops with the Kiko impressions)
Ayling (Please never again at CB)
Koch (He's a CB)
Stuijk (Starts ahead of Cooper every time for me)
Firpo (As long as he hasn't got relaxed alongside Forshaw)
Phillips (Our best and most important player)
Dallas
Klich
Raphinha
Bamford
Harrison

Subs:
Klaeson
Cooper
Rodrigo
Cresswell
Shackleton
Roberts
Forshaw (Dunno if he'll make it back, or if he does how long he'll be fit and available?)

[White Riot]

Another tough ask v the Europa Cup winners tonight at 7pm.

7pm ko is great as the Lions v Springboks should just have finished, hopefully a triple celebration for me