The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

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Ellandback1
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Breakfast Debate The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »



Good Morning. It's Friday 24th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Five games in, and Leeds are still without a win, languishing dangerously close to the drop zone. Since the first kick of pre-season, the cogs have not been turning. The players who months earlier were earning rave reviews for their performances week in, week out, look a shadow of their former selves.

To make matters worse, an injury crisis threatens our position further. Harrison, Llorente, Koch, Bamford, Struijk and Ayling are all likely to miss the visit of David Moyes in form side team. Even the most staunch Leeds supporters will be wondering when Yorkshire's finest will record their first three points. Every team suffers a lapse during the season, every team suffers an injury crisis, but this seems more than just a bad run of form!

Many have been critical of Leeds recruitment this Summer, especially when it was obvious we desperately needed a midfielder, and a backup for Bamford, alas this did not happen, and we could be paying the price now!

Being able to replicate last season's feat was always going to be difficult, and whilst the jury's out on our new recruits, I can't help thinking that Victor Orta must have been pulling his hair out, having been denied the opportunity to sign the likes of Nandez, Cunha and Lang who are flourishing at their respective clubs!

To be told the coffers were empty halfway through the Summer was a disgrace, especially when investors are lining up to invest! Is Radrizzani now regretting his actions?





Was buying Firpo a mistake

Many of us were concerned to hear that Leeds had lost interest in long term target Romain Perraud this Summer. The 23yo had built up a solid pedigree with Brest, following his move from Nice, and at 8.5m, he looked a bargain. Concern however turned to joy after it was disclosed that we had signed Junior Firpo from the 'Camp Nou'! He played for Barcelona, so he must be good, right?

In truth, it's very difficult to judge a player's capability when he's playing alongside such a strong line up. Even their second string would have given Serie A outfits nightmares. A weak link is far more difficult to exploit if you have a superior team.

During his short Elland Road career, the former Spanish U21 International has looked like a rabbit in the headlights. He does not look comfortable on the ball, has lost possession multiple times, and has been exploited for pace time and again.

Have we made a mistake with Firpo, or is it too early to tell?





Bielsa's pre match press conference v West Ham


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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by 1964white »

Did Firpo play for Barcelona's B team :lol:

Time will tell as Bielsa does improve players although he is a defender :roll:

One of my best pals who attends every Leeds game (home & away) describes Firop as the new Bessone :(
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

1964white wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:24 am Did Firpo play for Barcelona's B team :lol:

Time will tell as Bielsa does improve players although he is a defender :roll:

One of my best pals who attends every Leeds game (home & away) describes Firop as the new Bessone :(
We've had our fair share of failures at left back.

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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ratscoot »

Morning EB et all

The answer is never simple but in this case Yes we definitely should have bought at least 1 more player a specialist Attacking Midfielder was a must then Rod could be back up for Bambi.

Who could have predicted the sudden and unexplained demise of our CBs coming into the season on paper we were in one of the best positions for CBs we'd had for years, a few weeks in a couple of injuries a suspension that never was and fans are screaming for a kid from the U23s as if he's the messiah - he could well be crucified if we stick him in against Antonia on Saturday.

Firpo oh Firpo again on paper it should work, Bielsa thinks it will work and I really hope it does work but so far he's running at a C- but we need to give him time to adjust to the dizzy heights of Leeds in the Prem, plus it's not like he's had a consistent team around him, even the Ball Boy changes every week, poor lad hasn't a clue who he's playing with.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Leeds1000 »

Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer:

Definatley we needed a Pablo type creator. Players who can open things up like Pablo wouldn't have been cheap tho for the top flight. Everytime we sign a player it seems to be a winger. :) I was thinking with the right investment we could maybe push on another couple of places in the league, i think i got carried away with last season if i am honest. I think the enthusiasm carried the lads along last season, much last SU the season before us and this season will be the real marker to what we are really about.

Was buying Firpo a mistake?

Still early doors. Its his close control that bothers me abit. I can remember the stick Ali used to get at times tho so he's in good company.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

Just a quick point, I'd like to share.

I don't want anybody to think the posts are negative, but its far easier to get reaction, and debate going with a controversial post.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

This is brilliant. It's an hour long but well worth it

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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

My team for tomorrow

------------------------Meslier--------------------
Shackleton---Cresswell--Cooper---Firpo
---------------------Phillips----------------------
Raphinha-----Klich-----Rodrigo----James
---------------------Gelhardt--------------------
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

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Ellandback1 wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:04 am My team for tomorrow

------------------------Meslier--------------------
Shackleton---Cresswell--Cooper---Firpo
---------------------Phillips----------------------
Raphinha-----Klich-----Rodrigo----James
---------------------Gelhardt--------------------
I'd be happy with that based on who we have available but there's no way MB will start with Gelhardt.
I expect Rodrigo will be up top with Roberts in the 10 position. And if Raphinha is out I guess Summerville may get a start.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Leeds1000 »

Ellandback1 wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:04 am My team for tomorrow

------------------------Meslier--------------------
Shackleton---Cresswell--Cooper---Firpo
---------------------Phillips----------------------
Raphinha-----Klich-----Rodrigo----James
---------------------Gelhardt--------------------
Shacks into midfield, Rodders up top and Dallas in at fb. I don't know if WH go with 2 up top?
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Overman »

Indeed we should have invested more and particularly in the key areas. It must be coming back to bite Radz on the arse at the moment. If he hasn't got the funds to invest significantly, then perhaps it's time to sell on. He did mention quite a few interested parties previously, so I'm sure we wouldn't be short on offers. Either that or more of our youth start making the transition to the first team. That's going to take time and time is something we can ill afford in this league.

As for Firpo, it doesn't look too good at the moment. He's not reading the game, looks off pace and his positional play is poor. He's probably one who needs time in the U23's to fully adapt. At the moment, playing him is not really helping the side. I hope the lad comes good though, but failing that, we've always got Forshaw.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

Ratscoot wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:38 am Morning EB et all

The answer is never simple but in this case Yes we definitely should have bought at least 1 more player a specialist Attacking Midfielder was a must then Rod could be back up for Bambi.

Who could have predicted the sudden and unexplained demise of our CBs coming into the season on paper we were in one of the best positions for CBs we'd had for years, a few weeks in a couple of injuries a suspension that never was and fans are screaming for a kid from the U23s as if he's the messiah - he could well be crucified if we stick him in against Antonia on Saturday.

Firpo oh Firpo again on paper it should work, Bielsa thinks it will work and I really hope it does work but so far he's running at a C- but we need to give him time to adjust to the dizzy heights of Leeds in the Prem, plus it's not like he's had a consistent team around him, even the Ball Boy changes every week, poor lad hasn't a clue who he's playing with.
Morning pal

I really hope we see a good performance on Saturday. I'll me amazed if we win, but at least a good performance in front of a packed out ER will mean we are moving in the right direction.

One Leeds fan said to me earlier that he wouldn't start to be concerned unless we were in the bottom three in the New Year.

I fear we may lose one of our star players if this was the case! We have a small squad, Bielsa likes it that way, yet our 100m+ wage bill doesn't reflect that on the field, but it should, and nobody knows why!

It can't be down to the teams we have played against. I doubt we'd get any change from the likes of Villa, Spurs, Brighton, Leicester, Arsenal or even Wolves!
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

Leeds1000 wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:25 am Shacks into midfield, Rodders up top and Dallas in at fb. I don't know if WH go with 2 up top?
I would drop Dallas.

He really hasn't played well. Shackleton should be rewarded for his performances so far.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

Overman wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:34 am Indeed we should have invested more and particularly in the key areas. It must be coming back to bite Radz on the arse at the moment. If he hasn't got the funds to invest significantly, then perhaps it's time to sell on. He did mention quite a few interested parties previously, so I'm sure we wouldn't be short on offers. Either that or more of our youth start making the transition to the first team. That's going to take time and time is something we can ill afford in this league.

As for Firpo, it doesn't look too good at the moment. He's not reading the game, looks off pace and his positional play is poor. He's probably one who needs time in the U23's to fully adapt. At the moment, playing him is not really helping the side. I hope the lad comes good though, but failing that, we've always got Forshaw.
He had the funds to try and buy a Serie B club this Summer! There's a waiting list of would be investors....
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Gandalf »

The midfield debate has been done to death, so barring any suitable free agents becoming available (highly unlikely), then nothing can happen until January. Marcelo identified Conor Gallagher as his main midfield target, but he didn't happen for whatever reason. Either we couldn't guarantee him enough games, or he didn't want to re-locate. Based on his performances for Palace, he has looked a good player. I described him as a "Poundland Grealish" after his performances for West Brom, which confirms that Marcelo knows a lot more about football than I do. I am awaiting Cjay's 1500th post on the subject with anticipation (not).

Firpo, as Ratscoot has already stated has had to contend with playing with a different defence every game, so he can be given a pass, at the moment. It can't be easy moving to a new country, and adapting to a new playing style, and having to contend with all the defensive injuries, plus losing Harrison to Covid, just as they were starting to show glimpses of gelling. Perraud is currently justifying his £9 M fee by not being able to get in the Southampton side.

For the 3 and a bit years that Marcelo has been here, he has constantly stated that he requires an 18 man squad, complemented by the U23's, and for 3 and a bit years people on here have questioned this. He has proved that he can make it work in the Championship and the Premier League, so he has enough bonus points in his locker for me to think that he can make it work again, especially as the talent level of the U23's this year has significantly increased. He hasn't deviated in his time here, and neither have I, he is the best thing that has happened at Leeds United since Wilko, so start supporting and stop sniping.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

Gandalf wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:53 am The midfield debate has been done to death, so barring any suitable free agents becoming available (highly unlikely), then nothing can happen until January. Marcelo identified Conor Gallagher as his main midfield target, but he didn't happen for whatever reason. Either we couldn't guarantee him enough games, or he didn't want to re-locate. Based on his performances for Palace, he has looked a good player. I described him as a "Poundland Grealish" after his performances for West Brom, which confirms that Marcelo knows a lot more about football than I do. I am awaiting Cjay's 1500th post on the subject with anticipation (not).

Firpo, as Ratscoot has already stated has had to contend with playing with a different defence every game, so he can be given a pass, at the moment. It can't be easy moving to a new country, and adapting to a new playing style, and having to contend with all the defensive injuries, plus losing Harrison to Covid, just as they were starting to show glimpses of gelling. Perraud is currently justifying his £9 M fee by not being able to get in the Southampton side.

For the 3 and a bit years that Marcelo has been here, he has constantly stated that he requires an 18 man squad, complemented by the U23's, and for 3 and a bit years people on here have questioned this. He has proved that he can make it work in the Championship and the Premier League, so he has enough bonus points in his locker for me to think that he can make it work again, especially as the talent level of the U23's this year has significantly increased. He hasn't deviated in his time here, and neither have I, he is the best thing that has happened at Leeds United since Wilko, so start supporting and stop sniping.
'Whoscored are a recognised website used by companies such as Bet365. They use their data to clear up disputes regarding results etc.

They also do a player's comparison:-

comparison.jpg
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

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Leeds1000 wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:25 am Shacks into midfield, Rodders up top and Dallas in at fb. I don't know if WH go with 2 up top?
We all know that Marcelo will start Roberts at 9, with Rodrigo playing 10. I just hope he takes him off before the game is gone and gives Rodders a chance, with Shaks behind him to create as you suggest.

If we still lack teeth then give Joffrey a run, he’s like a piranha.
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by Ellandback1 »

Dan James has been used as a striker before, and with his pace, wouldn't be a bad shout!
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

Post by danhirons »

Ironically the positions where we're having player shortages due to injuries are positions that nobody was asking to reinforce...

We were all calling for a centre mid or a creative attacking mid which we are definitely lacking...
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Re: The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th September) Should Leeds have invested heavier in the Summer

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Gandalf wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:53 am
For the 3 and a bit years that Marcelo has been here, he has constantly stated that he requires an 18 man squad, complemented by the U23's, and for 3 and a bit years people on here have questioned this. He has proved that he can make it work in the Championship and the Premier League, so he has enough bonus points in his locker for me to think that he can make it work again, especially as the talent level of the U23's this year has significantly increased. He hasn't deviated in his time here, and neither have I, he is the best thing that has happened at Leeds United since Wilko, so start supporting and stop sniping.
This is fair and balanced.

It’s nice to be able to moan about our perceived shortcomings from the lofty comfort of the Premier League. In the end, as far as I’m concerned our priority this year as last is to stay there, anything else is a bonus. I’m sure I’ll still have a little frustrated whinge from time to time. :)

The U23s are the future for us, with a careful recruitment strategy over several years - moving that talent through to the first team is a management nightmare in itself and I don’t envy Marcelo the job. One thing is for sure, it won’t happen any quicker due to extraneous noise from us armchair experts.

Sam Greenwood for 10 anyone? :whistle:
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