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Firpo, Aaronson, James

What do these three have in common?

They are Leeds players who most of us had given up on, and they have demonstrated courage and hard work to prove us wrong. That deserves respect.

Are they good enough for the Premiership? - we’ll see next year! MOT

6 comments

6 Comments

TC10

Nov 03

Firpo is the best attacking FB in the Championship....

Firpo is the worst defensive FB in the Championship....

I'd rather have my FBs being able to defend....

Smurf

Nov 03

Replying to

Let's unpick that. Yes, with one goal and three assists, and a passing accuracy rate of 82%, Firpo is statistically one of the best attacking FBs in the Championshi[p. I agree.

However, he is far from being the worst FB defensively. He's top notch aerially and wins 55% of duels - 74 this seasaon compared to 62 for Struijk, 75 for Bogle and 41 for Rodon. He's strong at tackling - 27 tackles won compared to 32 for Bogle, 18 for Ampadu, 12 for Struijk and 10 for Rodon. We don't have statistics but FIrpo is excellent at recovering the ball, due to his acceleration and intelligence. He's also good when blocking attackers who try to go inside of him. He's made 15 intereceptions this season compared to 20 for Struijk, 8 for Bogle and 7 for Rodon.

He does get caught out on occasion being further forward but that's the team tactics, not the player's fault, especially when the wingers play narrow. Bogle has the same challenge, but Firpo's acceleration results in him being the more effective of the two. It's all down to probabilities, and the positive attacking plays outweighs the risk of being caught out of space.

I also have no problem with FBs picking up yellow cards. That's what happens when you tackle and I'd much rather my FBs tackle than track their opponents backwards.

Where he isn't so good is when defending crosses but that's not enough to damn him as a bad defender.

In summary, I'd rate Firpo amongst the top Full Backs in the Championship. I'd much rather have a player who can adapt in a modern system as an attacking Full Back than have another full back who just stays in a static back four line.

Who Score rate Firpo as our joint second best player this season ('m ignoring Rutter).

https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Show/England-Leeds

Edited

Danish Leeds Fan

Nov 03

James was almost always played as forward by Bielsa, which was good for nobody. The most natural winger, ever.

TC10

Nov 03

Sorry but Firpo is nowhere near Premier class as he can't defend, is out of position so often and always liable for a silly yellow.... not a proper one with a crunching tackle.

If he played as a wing back then we'd see him as maybe very decent cause his attacking game far outweighs his defensive liabilities....Farke won't play that system though but although I can't knock that at the moment, he does need to have a Plan B formation.

James is definitely good enough for the Prem and getting better....

I'd give Aaronson another chance, and would be a good squad player, because of his great attitude and should have learnt from his last time in the Premier ....

Soopaleeds

Nov 03

Replying to

I never gave up on Dan James either......

Firpo and Aaronson I still have doubts about.

Smurf

Nov 03

To be fair, Firpo has been top drawer since Christmas, and James has delivered since coming back from loan. It's really Aaronson whose lamp has shone recenly. I reckon our first choice XI are all premiership class.