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Next season squad: Do we go young or aged and experienced?

So the question for next season is whether we go young and exciting or old and frustrating for our season in the Championship. There has already been fan chatter saying that we need to have Cooper (great squad man but not a starter), Ayling (Mr mediocrity on his best day), Dallas (injury ended him) Bamford (makes barndoor Billy Paytner look polific) and Forshaw (great on the ball but zero positional awareness causing midfield holes) as our main stays as they a "good fellows" and have done it before. Forgotten are their terrible performances prior to Biesla recreating them into real footballers. Do we base our team on them or do we base it on Cresswell (comfortable at Championship level), Hjelda (comfortable at Championship level), Gyabi ( ready to step up), Perkins (ready to step up), Gray (Mancity and Liverpool interest), and Joseph (rumours that lower table Spanish clubs think he could start now for them).

For me it is the younger team with a few older heads to help them and not the good old boys. It needs a new direction with a young manager to grow with the boys.

I like the following side:

Klasion

Cresswell, Striujk, Hjelda,

Gyabi, Wober,

Summerville, Gray, Gnonto

Perkins, Joseph

45 comments

45 Comments

Richard Jackson

Jun 13, 2023

I have to say I like Forshaw and I think he’s a decent Centre Mid if he can stay fit. My guess is he’s been given opportunity to look elsewhere, with the option of coming back for pre season with us. This gives him the chance to look at his options, it also gives whoever our new manager is, the chance to have a look at him. They can decide then whether he will fit their tactics or not.

personally I would look to offer him some form of contragt where he gets his full wage if he is fit to play (regardless of whether he plays), if he is injured or not fit to play he then gets a much reduced wage. Whether that is something that can be negotiated I honestly have no idea.

TC10

Jun 13, 2023

Sorry but when did Forshaw play well for us?

He didn't even shine in the Championship when we got promoted!

How many games was the most he played in a row for us before breaking down?

Off the top of my head I'll guess the most games he started in a row was 5!?

We're just stopping the progress of Gyabi and Gray if we keep persisting with Forshaw.... with the money we should have for transfers, we should get a massive upgrade on Forshaw and dip the youngsters around the new signing.

I know people will come back and say they'll learn from the experience of Forshaw but just cause he's of a certain age you don't just play him.... learn from him on the training ground if he's that influential!

TC10

Jun 13, 2023

Replying to

He's made an average of 13 apps per season with us and an average of 16 per season overall with his Championship and L1 clubs.... 😲🤔

Nice work if you can get it....

guy.permentier

Jun 14, 2023

Replying to

Have to agree with you TC. When and if fit, he's a decent player, but at his age and with his problems regarding (longterm) injuries he's not the way forward, even at reduced wages.

As you say, and more importantly he would perhpas hold back players like Gray, Gyabi.

Smurf

Jun 14, 2023

Replying to

Yeah, inclined to agree with you both. His contribution hasnt been at the level of Cooper or Ayling. He’s surplus imho.

Jun 12, 2023

Forshaw and Robles invited back for Preseason Training and could be offered new deals on reduced terms.

They now have 3 weeks to figure out what they want to do.

IMO we always looked better when a fit AF was in CM. So I hope he stays

Bull Thick With Drink

Jun 13, 2023

Replying to

I think Forshaw will need to prove that he is a PL player to other Clubs first. Yes when he did play he looked as if he could handle the job but unfortunately he hadnt any real sustained period of time in midfield playing against different setups to show what level he can play at.

I like AF, i think he is a grafter but i hope he stays with us in the championship prove his worth in the Championship and then if leeds go up all good, if not he will have shown his value to other scouts. Only problem i see is his age at 32, 33 if he waits a year, will he have the legs to battle in the PL?

Jun 13, 2023

Replying to

Best chance AF has to play in the PL again is to stay with us, play great football and get us promoted.

Lord Snodgrass

Jun 12, 2023

I wish Forshaw well. Plagued with injury, good player on his day.

1972Glory

Jun 12, 2023

Forshaw and Robles have been released.

Jun 09, 2023

Looks like 75% of last seasons first team sqaud want out with their agents already meeting clubs to discuss possibilites.

Good job we have got great U21s!

Bull Thick With Drink

Jun 12, 2023

Replying to

Let them off.

To me they have shown (by there own actions) they are not committed to the LUFC, so off with them, give me a committed guy over a prema-donna any day of the week.

Daniel2

Jun 06, 2023

Rumour doing the round is that Dremah willing to sign a new deal but he has to be first choice and we have get rid of either Ayling or Kristensen to show we mean what we say...

Smurf

Jun 06, 2023

Replying to

I wouldn't blame him if he did.

Could see Kristensen moving to CB, especially when Koch and Llorente leave.

Stevethemouse

Jun 05, 2023

Jun 01, 2023

Dan - your post is totally right!! I would just keep some of the old heads you want replacing as they are good for 10-15 games in the championship and can help the kids learn what it is to be Leeds.

Daniel2

Jun 02, 2023

Replying to

Think Wober and Adams can be that more senior type players we require.

stuoldroyd

May 30, 2023

We are under no pressure at all to sell anyone imo.... the finances at the club are the only thing going for us.... We are not desperate for cash and while we could do with one or two coming in for the 'wantaways' we do not have to sell any player who does not want to leave.... Heck I'd keep Harisson if he turned round and said he is willing to stay another season.... I'd like to keep Meslier aswell for the future because he's only young and will only get better... but I think his head has been turned already....One thing I would do though is keep most of the loanees,especially the ones who've done well...And under no circumstances should feel obliged to sell players on the cheap... Anyone who has a few years left on the contract and has played well out on loan should be retained and kept to help us get back up unless we are offered silly money 👍

For one reason or another,whether it was a confidence thing or down to management,we have alot of really good players who have underperformed this season... and if we can keep the majority of them aswell as players who have played well out on loan,getting relegated might be the best thing for them...they will have the hunger and motivation to get back up and hopefully we can get the right manager in place to help them do that....Sometimes it takes a step backwards to move forwards again.. And the 2 things that we will have going for us this time are; We are on a sound financial footing and we have the added bonus of the parachute payments so we are not forced to have a fire sale,and on their day the squad is as good if not better than what the opposition will be like... 👍

Smurf

May 30, 2023

Replying to

My thoughts exactly. There’s no need for a firesale. Need to prioritise the DoF and manager roles before we do anything with the players.

May 30, 2023

I would keep Cooper, Ayling, Dallas, Forshaw and Bamford for their experence in getting out f this division even if they only start 10-15 games.

Build around Cresswell, Hjelde, Gyabi, Summerville, Gray, Bate, Gnonto, Rutter, Joffy, Jimmy, Sinister-Terror, Perkins and Jospeh + keep Wober and maybe Baby Shacks + James. Enough there to get us up the first time

I would also keep Drameh and assure him he gets first crack at RB.

Sell Meslier, Koch, Llorente, Struijk, Firpo, Rasmus, Adams, Roca, BA, Rodrigo, Jack and Costa + let Robles go too. May get between £180million-£200million for them.

Bring in experiened (25-30 year olds) GK, LB, RCD, CM and striker which may cost £60-£75million or less if we get good loans and leave us with a bit to spend in Jan to top up.

26 players in August + perhaps 3-5 kids in addition

May 29, 2023

Lets see which players really want to play for the shirt!!!

1972Glory

May 29, 2023

Strangely I would still keep Cooper, Aying and add in Dallas and build the young team around them, however we have excelled when we have midfield maestro, right side of 30, who can pull the strings (Strachan/Hernandez), so we need to start looking and depart from our obsession of buying wingers!

Daniel2

May 30, 2023

Replying to

Problem with your players named is that were mediocre at best prior to Beilsa in the championship and with him gone they have been poorer then mediocre. Keeping say Cooper and having the rest go I say would be great but having them all here is bad for squad playing standards. This has been the problem since just before Beilsa left. The so called leaders best performances being of a low standard has insured every other player plays only to that level.

TC10

May 29, 2023

I didn't realise quite how well Cresswell and Hjelde did out on loan in the Championship....

They may be too young and inexperienced to play together but maybe Coops could play as a sweeper in the middle of them 2?

We don't want to lose them if they have proved that they can play at this level....

Smurf

May 29, 2023

Replying to

Cresswell is an oven ready championship player, it's a no brainer to partner him with Cooper. To think, Marsch considered selling him!

TC10

May 28, 2023

Could we somehow keep Adams and get rid of the rest of the overpaid and underperforming dross?

Our worst run of form coincided with him being injured....

Get rid of Meslier, Coops, Strukij, Koch, Wober, Firpo, Forshaw, Sinesterra, Harrison, Aaronson, Rodrigo, Gnonto, Bamford, Roberts... I'd like to keep a few of those players but know player power and greedy agents will see them leave wether under contract orr not.

Smurf

May 29, 2023

Replying to

Which goalkeeping scouts? I'm pretty confident I could dig out a few that say otherwise and a cursory search brings up Mesliers name amongst the best young keepers in the world. No mention of Caprile anywhere.

And before we completely dismiss our players, these are largely the team who got us promoted and into the top half of the premiership, so I'm more than happy to stick with Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Dallas and Hanford if they want to stay.

guy.permentier

May 29, 2023

Replying to

Yes Smurf, they got us promoted but we're 3 years down the road.

And they (most of them anyway) have taken us down again.

Ayling, Cooper, Bamford and Forshaw have hardly looked like the players they once were. So begs the following questions; a) are they still good enough, b) how many games, considering their age and injury history would they be able to play.

Meslier's the exception but he'll be off anyway.

Smurf

May 29, 2023

Replying to

I would say after three years in the premiership, they are even more ready. Injuries have been their bigger problem and one of The reasons we struggled over the past two years is because Cooper and Hanford in particular were missing with injuries. The problem performances haven't been with the older players, but with the newer ones.

Stevethemouse

May 24, 2023

I don’t want to gamble on a young keeper we need big strong central defenders with experience codey at lb is fine by me Hjelda at rb is also fine Dan James on left wing as Willy will be off as will Summerville but love him to be a 10 in not just number

striker again in the championship you need a strong hold up player

Daniel2

May 24, 2023

Replying to

Suppose we may end up with Dan James on the left wing and Helder Costa on the right wing. Could have Llorente at RCB with Wobber at LCB. Adam's and Aaronson at RCM and LCM respectively. Up front Bamford and Harrison.

Lord Snodgrass

May 24, 2023

I would try and keep the younger players barring aaronson as they may improve but I would attempt to shift some of the older ones, won't be easy like.

Harrison will obviously go as he is decent, wober too.

Meslier can go if we can get a decent ish price.

In all honesty though, I won't be too upset whoever goes.

Enoch's extra leg

May 23, 2023

Gnoto,Wobber & Summerville will be sold I think.

But I would go with a mix of youth and experience.

Something like this

Robles

Dremah Cresswell Coops Hjelde

Gyabi Roca

New winger x2 Greenwood

Joseph/Ruter/new striker

With a bench of Klasen, Ayling,Strujic ,Gray,Perkins,Joseph/Rutter,Dallas, Gelhardt

It's going to be a busy summer,we have a load of players on big contracts that will have to be moved on.

I'd expect Meslier ,Koch, Llorente,Firpo ,Adams, Wobber,Forshaw,McKennie,Jack ,Willy, Cry ,Rodders,Bamford at minimum to be sold

Possibly Roca,Aaronson as well

It's going to be a total rebuild when we go down.

I think we will be down for a while with this rebuild.but if we could convince a few key players to stay like Wobber,Cry & Rodders we would come straight back up ..

1972Glory

May 23, 2023

Replying to

I hear what you say about Wobber, Cry & Rodders and yes it would be great to keep them, but for me the key player to try and retain is Adams. He runs the midfield and gets the team going forward, added to which I think he would make an excellent captain and maybe become our Leeds Keano, however it will probably never happen.

Daniel2

May 23, 2023

Replying to

Think it is Summervilles best interest to stay and play a full season. He needs full games, back to back for 20 to 30 game to get comfortable..

Roca, think his game will see him reciecing a lot of yellow and red cards in the Championship. His continued jumping in on tackles and lack of actual mobility will ensure these cards.

Aaronson should be pushed back to midfield where he made his name at RB. Think he will benefit from toughening up in the Championship and by playing in his actual position.

Greenwood is a striker or number 10 and if given the chance to play the whole season in this position we see goals and assist from. He played all his youth there and was extremely successful so why change now.

If we could keep Dremah which is near impossible and have him next to Cresswell we will have a extremely solid right side defence that could develop into a EPL above average duo.

Archie Gray could be our new Bowyer/Dacoure. Allow him 35 minutes every game off the bench and by season end he will be ready for 90 minutes. Develop him correctly.

Now my dark horse is that kid Charlie Allen. He can play anywhere across the midfield. He will perfect bench player.

May 23, 2023

Think we need to try to get straight back up due to financial implications and it is also the best way to keep the most promising youngsters. If they are really good, PL clubs will be in for them otherwise.

Definitely an opportunity to play some in the Championship but also need to rely on some experienced players.

Forshaw can go because he cannot stay fit. New manager would have to make calls on who he wants to keep, assuming they are willing to stay.

1972Glory

May 23, 2023

It all depends presumably on the strategy. Do we want to get back into the Championship at first attempt in which case I can see a number of the old guard being retained for experience and investment made in hard battled players, however they may choose to take a more longer look and plan to stay in the Championship for no longer than 2/3 years, thereby giving the youngsters a good season or 2 to get together, gel and then return to the Premiership and actually stay there without continually fighting for 17th place. I prefer option 2.