Leeds Utd v West Ham Utd Match Thread

[1964white]

I think you've morphed into me

Well Swannie, the problems are there for everyone to see unless you turn a blind eye.

I'm probably one of few on here who watched all our friendly games, I mentioned we lacked zip & our form was poor. I was informed by some of our members that a winning mentality didn't matter, as friendly games were all about match-fitness.

I also went along with the majority that we needed to repair our central midfield, plus our squad is not deep enough.

All coming to fruition now.

[1964white]

I hope you realize that my tongue was firmly in my cheek when I was writing that piece.

team selection does get easier if you have fewer players, but the main question is the quality of those players. I expect there are metrics for each and every Leeds player, and choices have to be made accordingly, to select the best possible team.

not an easy task with so many injuries and suspensions

Many of your posts are tongue in cheek Rab

[1964white]

That's how MB operates. This is the small squad syndrome and with an over reliance on Bamford, with no adequate back up. We have Rodrigo who's rarely impressed as well as being played ineffe tively as a CM. Another worry is the form of Firpo, he is struggling to adjust to PL and even getting the basics right at the moment. This will be another area West Ham will be seeking to exploit.

That said, we'll probably come away with a win.

Just can't see this small squad mentality working in the premier league long term, unless you have 18 top class players.

Truth is, we haven't got that amount of quality.

No way would a club with such low resources manage if they are involved in European tournaments.

[Leeds1000]

Declan Rice will have a field day. No pun intended. WH are flying boosted by knocking mu out of the cup, they will relish a full house at ER baying for blood (what footballer wouldn't) i can only see one outcome i am afraid. We just look short in so many areas at the minute and we seem too reliant already on certain players. I just hope the fans show some dignity if we get beat and don't start turning on Marcelo.

Short memories can lead to rash decisions. Last season is looking a long time ago.

Should we have invested more? Yes. Do we have the money? Probably not. What level of player can we really attract? The lad from Huddersfield.

I mean lets face facts. Without the money what is the point of being in the PL? We are never going to win the league, we just make up the numbers to be shot at. Whilst we squabble over Dan James, citet spend £100m on Grealish, mu bring in Ronaldo, varane, sancho and all already being mooted for Declan Rice despite being about a billion in debt. I mean what's the point really.

To quote the Bee gee's. Welcome to the Ah Ah Ah Ah Stayin alive club. Oh and if we are lucky we may get to play Citeh and their multi million dollar reserve team at Wembley. Ah Ah Ah Ah Stayin aliiiivvvvvvveeeeeeevvvvvvvvveeeeeeee.

Burnely fans all is forgiven. We suddenly feel your pain.

[White Riot]

I still feel like summat will Klich for us soon and we'll find form and results.

Football is a funny old game and matches can turn on a sixpence.

I'm hoping MB goes with:

Meslier
Ayling
Cresswell
Cooper
Firpo
KP
Klich
Shackleton
Raphinha
Rodrigo
James

With subs appearances for:
Gelhardt
Mckimstry
Summerville

[1964white]

I still feel like summat will Klich for us soon and we'll find form and results.

Football is a funny old game and matches can turn on a sixpence.

I'm hoping MB goes with:

Meslier
Ayling
Cresswell
Cooper
Firpo
KP
Klich
Shackleton
Raphinha
Rodrigo
James

With subs appearances for:
Gelhardt
Mckimstry
Summerville

Dallas will be in the XI, although the poor man needs a break I feel.

Shackleton will give us energy in the centre of midfield.

[Johnboy1965]

Would hope that Rodrigo gets a start up top but I believe Bielsa will play Roberts there as he has a hard on for trying to convert Rodrigo into a 10.
Hope I'm wrong otherwise can't even see us scoring.

[White Riot]

Dallas will be in the XI, although the poor man needs a break I feel.

Shackleton will give us energy in the centre of midfield.

If Dallas has got personal issues that he needs to focus on, then he should be given some time off.

Doesn't seem himself, along with Ayling, Harrison, and Cooper this season.

[White Riot]

Would hope that Rodrigo gets a start up top but I believe Bielsa will play Roberts there as he has a hard on for trying to convert Rodrigo into a 10.
Hope I'm wrong otherwise can't even see us scoring.

Yeah, Rodders would be the logical choice to start up top and then give Gelhardt the last 20-30 minutes.

I hope I've seen the last of Roberts in a Leeds first team shirt, I've never been part of his fan club. It's more annoying when you see the kids like Summerville, Gelhardt and McKimstry not getting a chance.

Hopefully, Fulham was the end of Bielsas obsession with Tyro. Wish him all the best somewhere else.

[Cjay]

MB's faith in Roberts seems limitless.

Their was last season a brief glimmer of frustration when the boss publicly called him out for only starting as a last resort, but then they gave him a new deal and the sound of heads hitting tables could be heard all over Leeds.

The fact is i think MB feels a real sense of gratitude and loyalty to the squad that have been with him from the start and therefore any poor performances they have the idealist in him puts down to an issue with his style on the day not the individual.

Once you are in that 18 group your place is practically guaranteed until you decide to leave (like Ali).

[1964white]

I hope I've seen the last of Roberts in a Leeds first team shirt, I've never been part of his fan club

I can say with total conviction you haven't, mate.

[Johnboy1965]

I can say with total conviction you haven't, mate.

I'm afraid your right 64.

Gelhardt should be way in front of Roberts in the pecking order imo especially as he is in a rich vein of form atm.

Admittedly it was "only" Fulham but I thought all our youngsters acquitted themselves well showing calm heads on very young shoulders in the penalty shootout.

We need to start integrating a few into the first team and now is the perfect opportunity given our horrendous injury list.

[1964white]

I'm afraid your right 64.

Gelhardt should be way in front of Roberts in the pecking order imo especially as he is in a rich vein of form atm.

Admittedly it was "only" Fulham but I thought all our youngsters acquitted themselves well showing calm heads on very young shoulders in the penalty shootout.

We need to start integrating a few into the first team and now is the perfect opportunity given our horrendous injury list.

I would like to see just one or two of the U23's playing in a mainly experienced XI rather than a whole glut of the younger players in a weakened first team.

[Johnboy1965]

I would like to see just one or two of the U23's playing in a mainly experienced XI rather than a whole glut of the younger players in a weakened first team.

Exactly. I'm not advocating a glut of youngsters but the likes of Gelhardt, Cresswell and Summerville deserve their chance and one or two of them being integrated into the first team wouldn't necessarily weaken us.
Let's face it we need to try something different as one or two of the seniors aren't exactly setting the world on fire

[Cjay]

With Gelhardt starting for u23s must mean Roberts and Rodrigo tomorrow.

Just hope MB finally let's Rodrigo play up top (although his finishing vs Newcastle was dire) it makes 0 sense to keep shoehorned him into midfield so Roberts can have his 50mins up front

[Carrick Dave]

Gelhardt scores again for U23s.

[John in Louisiana]

Cooking in a barbecue competition tomorrow and won’t get to see the game. Counting on this thread to keep me apprised of what’s going on.

Thanks to all in advance.

[Cjay]

Time to play spot the player

Ayling and Raph are their (although it should be noted Llorente was at Fulham but played no part) so being there is no guarantee of fitness.

Summerville I think I saw, KP, Rodrigo, Roberts, Dallas.

Don't think I saw Harrison.

[Boo Radley]

WHU were able to beat Man U with a B team in the League Cup that needed only one starter from the league game they played last weekend. We needed seven first team players from our league game at the weekend to draw with Fulham.

They are far ahead of us in terms of squad options. We are left just hoping new things/people/combinations will work tomorrow. They are expecting theirs to work.

I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t see us getting anything out of tomorrow.

[1964white]

Gelhardt scores again for U23s.

Two fine individual goals from the young man once again

Joe doesn't need them laid on a plate, he makes his own goals