Leeds United v Norwich City Match Thread - Bamford starts for Leeds

[1964white]

Sunday 13th March 2:00pm | Elland Road


Leeds face their most important game in recent times when Norwich City visit to Elland Road on Sunday lunchtime. Between them, the leakiest defences in the top flight, have conceded 125 times so far this season, though goals may be harder to come by on Sunday! Both sides have had issues finding the back of the net. Dean Smith's men have netted just 17 times, with Teemu Pukki responsible for half of them. Raphinha is Leeds leading scorer with 8 out of their 29 goals scored

Leeds have lost six on the trot, conceding 21 times, only scoring twice in reply. They are six points clear of the Canaries, who are bottom of the top flight. Dean Smith's side only fair a point better in the last six. Norwich have the second-worst away record in the Premier League this season, picking up just eight points from 13 matches

Leeds will be without the services of Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Leo Hjelde, Tyler Roberts and Junior Firpo. In Firpo's absence, Stuart Dallas will adopt his familiar left back duties with Llorente and Struijk in the middle of defence. It was hoped that Phillips would have been fit to take the bench midweek against Villa, but Marsch didn't want to risk it. Klich will partner Forshaw in midfield with Raphinha and James on the wings. Patrick Bamford is set to start up front with Rodrigo having played 30 minutes midweek.





Canaries duo Adam Idah and Andrew Omobamidele will miss out through injury, though Billy Gilmour will be available for selection after missing the 3-1 defeat against Chelsea midweek. Max Aarons and Brandon Williams are set to feature at full-back. Gilmour and Rashica are likely to start, with Pierre Lees Melou and Christoph Zimmermann dropping to the bench. Sam Byram missed that game with fatigue but is likely to feature on Sunday.

Leeds will be boosted by recent results with Burnley losing 2-0 to Brentford yesterday whilst Norwich and Watford also both lost on Thursday. Watford face a tricky trip to Southampton this afternoon, the Saints had found some form before recent losses to Villa and Newcastle. It means a result for Leeds could start to put some distance between themselves and the relegation places as they look to complete the league double over Norwich for the first time since 1980-81.



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[Ellandback1]

Personally, I feel that Struijk has been poor lately. I'd play Llorente and Koch at centre back, and obviously Dallas on the left.

I think its important that we have two forwards playing. Two from Gelhardt, Bamford and Rodrigo.

[Scoobychief]

They've all been playing poor of late he needs to grow a pair and bench a few first teamers and get them kids in. Same team would mean a loss against Norwich I feel

[BGwhite]

Personally, I feel that Struijk has been poor lately. I'd play Llorente and Koch at centre back, and obviously Dallas on the left.

I think its important that we have two forwards playing. Two from Gelhardt, Bamford and Rodrigo.

Have to agree there , Struik's confidence is shot probably. I'd play the most experienced CB'S here on in which I suppose is Llorent and Koch but cooper when he's fit depending on how well the first pair get on. Ayling has to return to RB.

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[Kennyb41]

It doesn't matter what team he puts out, Dean Smith has our number, have a good bet on Norwich and make yourself some holiday money for the summer and drown your sorrows with it whilst heading for the Championship.

This team of Championship players have been well drilled by Bert to play his way.

For John Wayne to now try and instill his, well, all i can say, is the confusion and contrast in style will blow their tiny little brains into total meltdown, they just won't be able to process the two in the speed it takes to pass the ball.

Caught in two minds ? Fck me one is enough bart Bert....'what would Bert want?'....'what did John Wayne say to do with it?' ' Oh fck, dunno, just hoof it'

1-3

[DDB220]

Norwich will start with intent, smelling blood and going for the kill. If we do not at the very least match them and somehow stop giving the ball away we will in all likelihood go on to win. If we do not match them or play as we did against a Villa I suspect it will be another chastising defeat.
They have no pace at the back when they throw Aaron’s forwards - James should profit if he keeps a calm head or Marsch has grown a pair and starts a recognised 9.
If Marsh rejigs the same tired starting 11 with the only change likely to be PB for Firpo we will be truly all at sea again.

[pjm2019]

If we lose we deserve to go down.

Norwich and Watford are going down and then it is 1 of Leeds, Burnley, Everton to join them.

If Marsch plays players out of position then we are doomed. We have enough CB to play Ayling as a RB.

[Chilli D]

Personally, I feel that Struijk has been poor lately. I'd play Llorente and Koch at centre back, and obviously Dallas on the left.

I think its important that we have two forwards playing. Two from Gelhardt, Bamford and Rodrigo.

Not so long ago, literally only a few weeks, Struijk was playing very well but I have to admit, he has been poor lately

[Broad Ford]

This match seals the fate for the loser, so is a must win if Leeds are to believe they can survive. Surely Marsch knows the importance of winning this one along with what it means if the good ship Leeds United go down with just a few bubbles breaking an oily surface.

Burnley travel to Brentford on Saturday where an away win would drop Leeds right init with only victory on Sunday being acceptable. I hope Leeds manage to turn a corner and play in style recording a 2-0 / 3-0 win. Come on Paddy.

[mentalcase]

Not so long ago, literally only a few weeks, Struijk was playing very well but I have to admit, he has been poor lately

You can say that for around another 5 players, now they're all off the pace.
Ayling RB and Cresswell at CH if fit, DJ to wing, PB up front with JG, drop rodders and lazy harrison.
We are so much stronger with LA at right back dashing down t' wing feeding Rapha.
This is a must win game.

[Cjay]

Needs to stop shoehorning our players into a narrow formation which doesn't suit the squad

Needs to stop making the same ludicrous square pegs mistake Bielsa kept making.

Ayling Koch Struijk Dallas

. . . .Klich . Forshaw . . . .

Raph . Gelhardt . . James

. . . . . Bamford . . . .

[Johnboy1965]

You can say that for around another 5 players, now they're all off the pace.
Ayling RB and Cresswell at CH if fit, DJ to wing, PB up front with JG, drop rodders and lazy harrison.
We are so much stronger with LA at right back dashing down t' wing feeding Rapha.
This is a must win game.

This

[Johnboy1965]

Needs to stop shoehorning our players into a narrow formation which doesn't suit the squad

Needs to stop making the same ludicrous square pegs mistake Bielsa kept making.

Ayling Koch Struijk Dallas

. . . .Klich . Forshaw . . . .

Raph . Gelhardt . . James

. . . . . Bamford . . . .

We'll get carved up right down the middle with that midfield of Klich Forshaw and Gelhardt. Forshaw will have it all to do on his own as Klich can't tackle. Raph and James need to come more central when we don't have the ball to tighten things up.

[Rook]

I'm dreading this match. Absolutely dreading it.

[Tyzy]

I'm dreading this match. Absolutely dreading it.

Me too,it brings the realism even closer that we are actually going to be relegated

[BGwhite]

Remember 2019 when we played Norwich at home in a big game ? That didn't end well .Just hope we don't fold in this one as well.

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[Siqu]

If norwich pinpoint any remaining match as a ray of light then it has to be this.
Our defence is shambolic and something seems rotten in the squad since the year began, so there will be. No "Marsch-ing on together" here.
Id like to see gelhardt and bamford up front. Especially while pats still building minutes again, but fear even if it was strujk, llorente and koch we'd sttuggle to tame pukki and rashica.
Hope im wrong, but im predicting 2-1 with pukki and rashica to score.

[Lumiukko]

Needs to stop shoehorning our players into a narrow formation which doesn't suit the squad

Needs to stop making the same ludicrous square pegs mistake Bielsa kept making.

Ayling Koch Struijk Dallas

. . . .Klich . Forshaw . . . .

Raph . Gelhardt . . James

. . . . . Bamford . . . .

Exactly my preferred team too (given Dallas has no choice but to play LB against Norwich). I wouldn't mind seeing Llorente and Koch together, mind, but not sure if we need a left-footed CB in there so would stick, hesitantly, with Struijk. Raph and James would need to play narrower from time to time, as someone mentioned above.

I also have no problem seeing Rodders on as a sub at some stage as I think he'll play better after someone else has tired out the oppo defence. Cresswell should come on to shore up defence if we're protecting a narrow lead.

Sadly, I don't see anything better than a draw in this game. I'm going to go 1-1.

[Carrick Dave]

If we need a double pivot in midfield to shore things up, why not put Bate in there alongside Forshaw? Let's face it we need something radical.

I'd play Llorente and Cresswell at CB too, but what do I know.

[HarryofOz]

Marsch is not going to throw in a bunch of young inexperienced players in such a crucial game. I don't usually see a match as a must win, but this is one.

Firpo will miss this one, so Dallas will move to left back, Ayling to right back and either Koch or Llorente to centre back. The only other change will be Paddy in for Rodrigo with James slotting into the midfield and Paddy upfront.