Everton versus Super Leeds - Unofficial MDT

Do we really want american owners, (biggest shareholders)?

We can see what the yanks have done to Manu, hopefully they will pull out completely and they nose dive faster than a fat lad after spotting an ice cream on the ground.

The yanks at liverpool didn't seem to think to create and join a new Super League was any problem.

Do american business tycoons really understand English Football clubs? the jury on that is still out for me but i cant think of any successful yank takeover.

You could argue what do the Arabs know about english club football also but the amount of money those lads have and by the time they put in a lot of money in their eyes (like a 100 gazillion) that club will have won 4 or 5 Champions Leagues and built a stadium that holds 120,000 should they pull out the Clubs trophy cabinet will have been extended a few times.

The way things are going tho and whether fans like it or not money runs the show now and players / agents have latched onto this and have zero affinity to any football club. I wouldn't be surprised if the ESL group don't go balls out next time round and look for a World Club League with Arab based money franchising a few Spanish teams, a few English, Italians, Brazilian, Argentinian, German, UAE regions, China & a couple of American Cities teams (maybe a 20 team league) of the creme del creme and turn football into an elitist sport with only the world wealthiest families being able to afford ticket prices and sure they can go off to USA this week take in an LA Galaxy versus Bayern Munich game and jet off to Europe next week and watch Real Madrid play River Plate or Boca Juniors.

I wouldn't be surprised that with the links Sheffield have with steel id be amazed that a Chinese billionaire dosen't think about buying either the blunts or the pigs just for a bit of fun.

Well,if we survive this season we just have to hope the 49ers are still interested in a full take over in the summer.... They may not have as much money as Newcastle or Man city's owners but it would get us a little closer to them and maybe we'll be a mid table/top 7 team in time.... 👍

I agree mate that the stratospheric height of the Premiership is far out of reach unless we have a similar buyer to the Geordies. The established sides in the Premiership have at least 16 years investment over us as we languished in the lower divisions with madmen and potless Arabs.

Even Everton with a relatively recent big splash have struggled. I think we all have to manage our expectations. In the lower divisions we always aimed for the top spot no matter how dire things were. In this rarified atmosphere that is currently a pipe dream.

Our time was as a big club ( we'll a club that can win something) is well and truly over. We are a million miles away, Bielsa orta and radz , as good as they have been, have absolutely no chance of winning something except the championship. Its not their fault either. We just don't have the trillions required.

We should be capable of staying up but can't expect to be in the prem every year unless we get taken over by some mega rich folk. When you take away the monied clubs that will be there every year it leaves very few places to battle for and with 3 going down we will fall in to that trap occasionally.

We can't compete with some clubs at all and it's not much fun watching us being beaten easily up and down the country.

Football is not what it was. Money rules over everything look at West ham and zouma, absolutely no moral compass.

A lot of the grounds in the prem are a bit boring too. Everton was a bit old school but that will change next year.

Yes Plan B for Bielsa is to do Plan A better i whole heartily agree with that but surly with MB at ER now since 2018 someone can approach the manager ask the questions that most of us fans are pondering over

why are we not playing our best available fit striker in the absence of our injured No.1 striker?

Why is that whenever a substitution is to be made its always Roberts first?

Is the plan to go into these next 4 (difficult games in any season) with the same Plan as if we were playing Watford or Norwich?

If Plan B is to do Plan A better (and that's not working) have we a Plan C?

These are difficult times for leeds and compounded by our injuries however no team in the history of any sport wins all the time but the sign of any good team is to win when you don't play well. When last can we say we won NOT PLAYING WELL? (i would suggest the championship winning season).

Again i don't want to come across as ungrateful fan because nothing can be further from the truth but in every job it is easy to stick to same routine but if MB was in a job that was commission based and ok done extremely well the first year he joined but now the performance and way of doing the job when you first came aren't yielding results anymore i wonder would he change tact then and find a new solution?

Again we gotta bear in mind MB has zero interest in money or the politics of football, football and the way its played is all that matters, if Messii wanted to play for Leeds but wouldn't do the fitness training that MB demands of all of his players i'm convinced MB wouldn't play him despite having no play maker in the Club.

I'm not looking forward to this block of 4 games and i'm certain the knives will be out "if" we lose all 4 the media will have a field day at our demise and will say MB time is over and that he cant continue blah, blah lazy punditry, but the Club must think survival is of utmost paramount and every stone must be overturned to achieve that goal, relegation will be a disaster, as other have said we will be left with none of the players (bar roberts) he will become our main man and Marcelo will be back in Argentina.

If we go down would we come back up in 22/23?? NOT A NOTION

lucky to be back in 32/33 if you ask me, and can you imagine the gap then between a championship side getting into the PL competing to sign players ahead of the Burnley's or Palace's of this world, forget City, Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelski, Manure, etc they will be in a different stratosphere by that time. Our days as top footballing Club would be well and truly over and we would be seen as another Oldham, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth etc all top flight Clubs in their day but now just limping along between the lower league tables waiting for a third round FA Cup draw hoping to be paired with a super power.

Jezz im depressed now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must agree with a lot you say Soopa & andyl.

Last season the team & individual players played out of their skin.

Bamford as an example was putting away chances he missed in previous season & took to the Premiership like a fish to water. Teams perhaps underestimated us and we surprised them with the intensity & quality of our displays.

This season the injuries have obviously taken it's toll & teams have found out how to play against us (hurt us). The soft underbelly at corners remains an issue. As stated above MB has only one way to go about things.

Due to a lack of form and with vital players missing, we often haven't looked like the 'old' Leeds. When most of our players aren't firing on all cylinders we tend to look like a rather mediocre side. Up front, in a fair number of games, we've been rather toothless.

Biggest issue isn't MB, to me the board over the summer and again in this window have taken a gamble with not adressing the obvious gaps in the squad that needed to be adressed.

Pre-season proved teams were ticking us off and running right through us, with some ease. Those warning signs were simply ignored.

We haven't got a natural left back, just several players who're being deployed there. There is no playmaker in the whole squad and is there a real back-up for Philips? Closest to Philips is perhaps Forshaw (stretching it a bit) and we're just damn lucky he somehow got fit again.

There is no back-up striker for PB, and we're having to rely on a very talented 19year old, (who hardly gets picked anyway).

Staying up would probably again bring in well over £ 100M.

Going down would put us back for god knows how many years.

And not only would we lose most of our better players, those intent on leaving would also go for far less money.

To me that seems a very big gamble to take.

Can only hope we survive & lessons will be learned.

Can’t put my finger on it but, injuries aside, we don’t look the same free flowing team.

Maybe the core Championship players we have so far over achieved last season they can’t possibly do it again. For example Bamford had the best season of his life. We miss his goals but could he have done the same this season if he was fit?

Oh, and we didon’t replace Saiz or Pablo

There's a famous management book called: "What got you here won't get you there"

Bielsa has a unique skillset - it was exactly what Leeds wanted and needed when he walked through the door - he has raised the standards across so many areas of the club - we should all be eternally grateful he came along and gave us so much. We should also respect that his skillset has a limit and that's why he moves on and doesn't win much.

It's wrong to now criticise the same mentality and method that got us here, instead we should accept that they won't get us there (up the table and in Europe). I believe the hierarchy know this and that's why so many U23's were begging for a loan - there's a big summer coming and those young lads need to be battle ready to get a squad place.

What BB says about Plan B being Plan A but better is bang on - it's who Bielsa is and he hasn't changed recently and got worse. We over achieved finishing 9th last season - we were 12th most of the time until a 5 game winning streak at the very end of the season. This season we're 15th with much worse injuries and only 3 points away from 12th.

I am still worried - I don't take survival for granted but I'll bet anything we win games before the end of this season we weren't supposed to just as we've lost games we should have won.

Next season we do need to be a Prem side - that's not a given right now, but that's when we'll see the next gear employed and I would love it to be a guy like Potter.

Thing is that, because of the way we go about things (open play and often throwing caution to wind) that even teams, struggling to find any kind of form will always fancy their chances to get back to winning ways.

Forshaw on his own again in midfield is a recipe for disaster, not sure if the presence of Klich & or Koch alongside him will be enough to stop the likes of Pogba & Fernandez. Up front they've got the pace & quality to destroy.

Everton players certainly left our defenders trailing, surprised to see how easy they got away from our players (lack of pace & mobility was often showed).

Make no mistake, them lot will be up for it, crowd at ER will make sure of that.

If we are to get anything out of the match, our 11 will need to be on top of their game.

Worried sick.

I'm going for Roberts to score 1st and Leeds to win 1-0 .... it's written in the stars now 🤣🤣

If we get hammered this weekend I’m afraid I’m done with MB.

This almost has that feeling about it like when we lost 4-0 and that d.ickhead Cantona celebrated in front of the Kop. Mind you it was getting toxic for Wilko after that awful cup final.

Even if MB tries something a little different it would be nice, but I predict James as a 9 and Roberts as first sub.

PS. Can anyone remember a game when a Roberts substitution had a positive impact on a game?

MB has been clear from the beginning. He has an Option B which is to play Option A better.

Everton had 24 hours more rest than us and the opportunity to train/set up for us for at least 2 days.

We would have returned to TA/ER in the early hours of Thursday, which would be a recovery day. MB only had the Friday to set up for Villa

Lampard was able to bring in a few fresh faces into his 11, we could not or did not.

Early sub on for Dallas restricted MB's ability to make changes at half time. I agreed with Forshaw coming on but totally baffled by Rafa going off for Roberts.

IMO MB should have waited until the 60th minute and then brought Joffy on but he is a top top manager and I am just an armchair fan.

The Man U game this weekend is vital. We are at ER, they are wounded and have a point to prove. The created loads of chances this weekend and v Middleborough so I can only hope they still cannot find their shooting boots v us or we will be mauled!

I agree andy it feels like we are a bunch of Judas fellas hiding in the corner with a dagger in our hands, but its not like that surly there comes a time that every manager must say to themselves "jezz this team we are playing today are really good so i cant play my "normal" way" surely these thoughts must enter Marcelos head.

I don't want to come across as being ungrateful as nothing could be further from the truth, but yes the warning signs are there and have been there for well over a year now. We all recall Karen having a pop of us on telly and her argument at that particular time wasn't correct but she was right to say that our players do get tired and Saturdays performance proved that, Everton ran us ragged and we were bad against Southampton but jezz Saturday was a new low which i dont like saying as i have nothing but admiration for our players because they do try and i will never say they dont. But there comes a time to change tact. I dont agree with the Donny Van Der Beek transfer, someone pointed out that it was for a loan period only with no option to buy so effectively we take DVDB get him fit for manure to sell him in the summer, thanks but no thanks we are nobody's lapdog least of all manscum.

Should we have signed a player in the Jan window 20-20 vision is fine but look "if" someone does come in MB wont play him until he has reached the required fitness levels which could take 3 months so a new signing wasn't going to help us last weekend imho.

Now for me yes our small squad is hurting us and tbf we saw last season things beginning to unravel but players got back (maybe because of the Euros) and the lure of international football in summer but this year it dose seem like the perfect storm has hit us right on the smacker this time and shows no sign of easing up.

Am i worried that we go down (not really) but if Kalvin, Bamford, Cooper, etc all stay out then i think there will plenty of a nervous times between now and May. The squad will eventually snap so something MUST give either

a) get all the players back for the last 3 months

or

b) target some games where we all out for the win and "throw" some of the others by playing a weaker side. (nobody will like that) but if that's what it will take to stay in the PL that's exactly what we gotta do.

Will MB ever select option b) NEVER, but where and what is of utmost importance for LUFC and the owners, for me PL survival much like promotion to the top flight will and should always take priority.

Yes we all scratched our heads as to why MB (when safe in the league table) didnt rotate and blood some of the youngsters, but again my take on this is that MB plays ever game as there is no other the concept of a 38game, player managing, keeping all in a reasonable size squad happy by rotating and game management has no attraction for MB and his ultimate game of football.

Last weeks should prove this to everyone

Yes on Wednesday the game versus villa was end to end and one that will live in the memory of many a fan (not alone leeds and villa fans but neutrals loved it) then 3 days later we play same again but this time no energy, wrong setup (admitted by MB himself) and instead of picking up 4 points from those 2 games we end up with one and to compound our league table position the team below us closed the gap significantly.

I for one will be for ever in gratitude for MB becoming LUFC manager and for what the guy has done to get us back into the top flight something many a manger tried over the those 16 bleak years but NONE succeeded. I truly hope someone in the Club can approach MB and stress the importance of PL football at ER, because MB will go back to Argentina but in what division will LUFC be in?

It almost feels than MB is untouchable at the club.

I wonder if Corberan was moved because he had a different view rather than to develop his managerial skills as we all thought?

For all the affection I hold for this humble man, criticism seems harsh, but there has been a catalogue of them this season.

For me it started at the end of last season.

Instead of trying out some of the U23s, he ploughed on with his first team squad, despite being safe in the league. Surely it was time to give some of the first team a break,especially with the Euro’s coming up

The pre season was a car crash and the poor form was carried into the season proper. I thought at the time something wasn’t right as the free flowing football of the previous season was missing ( and IMO hasn’t returned yet )

Didn’t the club say this would be a season of U23 integration? Well, it kind of happened, but only when the first team had so many injuries MB had to play some of them.

I think MB has to have a gun pointed at his head to play any player outside his 18. The most glaring example is poor Joe Gelhardt. He is the most naturally gifted striker at the club and finds himself behind Roberts and James as a number 9. Just imagine how good Joe would be if MB dedicated as much time to him as he does on, let’s face it, a bang average Championship player in Roberts.

THE most baffling management strategy I’ve seen in recent seasons.

MB stated he would only buy players who are a step up on the ones he’s got. Really? Van de Beek offered was not up to the level of Roberts?

We have zero tactical flexibility. Bielsa ball is in its glorious best when teams give us the space to do so. Most have worked us out and don’t. Citeh can do it because player for player they are light years ahead of most of our squad.

I sincerely hope MB can change his approach slightly and stop us getting hammered every few games. Love to see Joffy get a few games at number 9 and perhaps Summerville get the nod over the unbelievably inconsistent Harrison. ( although it seems he has done a “ Pontus” and seems destined to never play for MB again )

I absolutely loved the first three seasons with Bielsa, but if I’m being honest, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t enjoy a season as much as this one.

Firstly apologies the run is over, secondly WHAT THE ACTUAL FCK was that on Saturday?????????

OK 2 games in 3 days is tough i agree but seriously we made Everton look like title winning contenders where in fact they are exactly where they are in the table (mid to bottom half).

I was fuming Sat night didnt improve much on Sunday either if the truth be known but after watching yesterdays games i still give us more than a decent chance of staying in the PL for another year.

However if we rumble into next season with the same style, attitude, and pig ignorance to change rather than tinker at the edges we WILL GO DOWN.

Weve all had enough of Tyler being the 1st sub role. If MB dosent think Joffy is good enough or ready for PL games WHY PUT HIM ON THE BENCH?

Bring a Defender and play 6 at the back and try to defend the point that all teams at the start of the game?????????

Yes those methods are completely against MB ethos and yes i admire a man that has and sticks by his principals, but surely "if" Joffy has the position on the bench as does Tyler surely there comes a time when the manager must think (lets give this other fella a shot, what have i to lose)?

3 nil to Everton?????????? is it any wonder we were ripped apart in midfield and i dont have any Football Coaching Licences in my pocket but i can guarantee you scum, and spurs will defo hurt us in there and liverpool will murder us if we decide to go one on one all over the park. If MB dosent change tactic for the liverpool game in particular, eventhough id say they will be at least 1/6 with the bookies, i think his time at LUFC is done. Why? because it means that no matter what the team we are playing he thinks the players in his squad can compete with one of the best sides in Europe/World (top 5).

Its like the saying goes "you gotta cut your cloth" we gotta be realistic we must change our method of play against liverpool to one of containment and hope for a point, anything else is futile and irresponsible of any manager to think so.

Lets just hope Watford, Norwich & Burnley keep losing because its coming to the stage that i cant see where our next win is coming from, will it be Norwich at ER on the 12th of March?? If im honest our manager is an "all in" type of guy im struggling to see where our next point comes from

The Norwich home game in itself will be a defo 6 pointer. Norwich play Brentford the week before that game and they could be coming to ER with a bounce in their step where as we could be coming into the Norwich on the back of 5 straight defeats????

Someone mentioned "nail biting" i fear alot worse and think alot of leeds fans will be doing that RSPCA course with Kurt Zouma in a about a months time

Need to put the Everton game behind us now. Bad performance. MB set us up all wrong but no time to prepare.

A week now before we play a wounded MU at ER.

Time for us to put in a display or they will rip us apart.

Its a real difficult one for the board to look at. Bielsa has taken the club to the promised land and the rewards that it reaps. The football style is either exciting or deflating depending on what happens on the day!. He is clearly a very loyal person and this extends to the group of players that believe in his philosophy on how he wants the game to be played, sometimes to the point of sheer disbelief from some of us.

The game against Everton was shocking, especially on the back of a real gutsy performance against Villa, in fairness, he did hold up his hand and said he got the Klich positional play wrong, but it was not all down to this and turning to Roberts was not an answer, however for whatever reason, we do not have depth in the first team squad and it seems he only has complete trust in the very experienced players on the bench, but is there anyone in the club who would dare raise the suggestion that perhaps he is getting some of the player decisions wrong? In truth, probably no and in truth, the same would be said of Alex Ferguson who would never counter anyone tinkering with his selections, so what do we do?

Well in short, we will be biting a lot of finger nails from now until the end of the season and hope we finish at least 17th. For those who bravely have said we are not going to be relegated I don't at the moment share your optimism. 1 point from rubbish teams like Newcastle, Villa and Everton is poor, I cannot see us getting anything out of the next 4 games, given that we are intent on parting our midfield and defence like the Red Sea, so in essence potentially 1 point from 7 games is relegation material. I haven't got Nero's fiddle out yet, but I may start to get it tuned up soon!

If it is to be MB ‘s last season I hope the club have got a replacement in mind and don’t dither like they do in most windows.

The easiest route would be Corberan as I think that was the intention of sending him out for some first team managemen experience.

Personally Potter would be my choice but I think there would be little chance of that happening.

Disappointing. Good job Watford and Norwich lost too. No just hope Newcastle and Burnley lose today too.

Next 4 games - Man U, Liverpool, Spurs and Leicester. We could be in for a tonking in each.

Daniel, as I said before, it wasn't just Klich who was the problem in midfield.

Forshaw replaced him and the net result wasn't much different/better.

It's merely the fact that both were virtually alone in there.

Even if it had been Philips he would still have struggled.

A midfield consisting of 4 lightweight & fully attack minded players doesn't work. From the 3 CB's perhaps only Pascal was anything like half decent, and he too misplaced a big number of his passes. Llorente struggled bigtime and it seemed Koch didn't know what to do. At times he tried marked a player, on other occasions he tried to give cover, but most of the time he ended up doing neither.

During the first half we could hardly string 3 passes together.

You point the finger at James but we hardly played any decent ball towards him.

Raphina had perhaps just the one decent action in 45mins.

Don't know what's wrong with him atm, be he's simply not performing to anything near his ability, perhaps contract/transfer issues or believing he's better than he is? Harrison also had a poor game.

Says it all really when most of you're players have a real stinker in the first half, and still someone like Roberts, comes on and he actually succeeds in being even worse and this by some stretch.