Fulham - v - Leeds United ***EFL 3rd Round***Matchday Thread***

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I don’t agree from last seasons experience that those kids wouldn’t have played but we will never know Oz - what we do know is that in the last few weeks a few have made debuts. Shackleton has also demonstrated he is good enough.

Shackleton and Summerville must now be pushing for regular game time. Cresswell and JG have show they can do it but can they do it regularly - the interesting thing will be if they can jump ahead of Roberts or others in the pecking order - I would play Shackleton or Gelhardt ahead of Roberts but then again I am Bielsa.

I think Tichi made a valid comment to the doomster and gloomster - we first had the I GUARANTEE none will see first team action and then when they do - they shouldn’t take penalties - why not - great test of character and they all passed with flying colours. Tichi was just pointing out these points and the classic tactic of damn my first point I can’t defend what other crack can I have at Leeds.

It’s not being harsh or mean it’s just so draining when we are called **** WITS or idiots or something else for daring to disagree.

Great result last night and WTF has to find something to have a go about. Fulham at home are a test and we passed it with a team scattered with youth.

So many highs from last night too.

[ozleeds]

I don’t agree from last seasons experience that those kids wouldn’t have played but we will never know Oz - what we do know is that in the last few weeks a few have made debuts. Shackleton has also demonstrated he is good enough.

Shackleton and Summerville must now be pushing for regular game time. Cresswell and JG have show they can do it but can they do it regularly - the interesting thing will be if they can jump ahead of Roberts or others in the pecking order - I would play Shackleton or Gelhardt ahead of Roberts but then again I am Bielsa.

I think Tichi made a valid comment to the doomster and gloomster - we first had the I GUARANTEE none will see first team action and then when they do - they shouldn’t take penalties - why not - great test of character and they all passed with flying colours. Tichi was just pointing out these points and the classic tactic of damn my first point I can’t defend what other crack can I have at Leeds.

It’s not being harsh or mean it’s just so draining when we are called **** WITS or idiots or something else for daring to disagree.

Great result last night and WTF has to find something to have a go about. Fulham at home are a test and we passed it with a team scattered with youth.

So many highs from last night too.

The thing Hope it doesn't matter what thoughts are on an individual as by responding, in the same manner, you are not better than them. Taking time to have a crack at someone who hasn't even mentioned you personally over and over it doesn't come across as a decent person.
As for the highs last night well the kids were and we scrambled through but overall our senior players were poor. Meslier having to make so many saves while their keeper I can't recall having to have to make even one due to our poor finishing. Dallas is struggling really needs a couple of weeks' rest MB needs to play players in their positions eg let Klitch play where he plays instead of experimenting with Rod and Roberts just to prove a point. Cooper bar from injuries should not be playing as he is more liability than anything else. If Koch comes back let him fight for the CB spot not play him midfield. Pat was a midfielder let him play there as the Phillips type and let Phillips loose Like you say I'm not Bielsa just my opinions.
If our team was fully fit this is the team I would choose.
Meslier
Ayling,Lurente,Koch, Dallas
Phillips, Klitch, Pat,
Raph, Bamf, James
Didn't include young ones as I know won't be used.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

The thing Hope it doesn't matter what thoughts are on an individual as by responding, in the same manner, you are not better than them. Taking time to have a crack at someone who hasn't even mentioned you personally over and over it doesn't come across as a decent person.
As for the highs last night well the kids were and we scrambled through but overall our senior players were poor. Meslier having to make so many saves while their keeper I can't recall having to have to make even one due to our poor finishing. Dallas is struggling really needs a couple of weeks' rest MB needs to play players in their positions eg let Klitch play where he plays instead of experimenting with Rod and Roberts just to prove a point. Cooper bar from injuries should not be playing as he is more liability than anything else. If Koch comes back let him fight for the CB spot not play him midfield. Pat was a midfielder let him play there as the Phillips type and let Phillips loose Like you say I'm not Bielsa just my opinions.
If our team was fully fit this is the team I would choose.
Meslier
Ayling,Lurente,Koch, Dallas
Phillips, Klitch, Pat,
Raph, Bamf, James
Didn't include young ones as I know won't be used.

I hear ya Oz but I also know why people bite and respond and can fully understand that - it is the pivoting from an argument that has been lost (often with insults being thrown) to a new dig at something else that can be falling.

I try and call out bad behaviour and bullying which many of you probably think FFS about but often it is pointless as it just descends to insults thrown your way.

Hey ho - regardless we now know we have youngsters who are capable and one or two who could be great for us. Happy days irrespective of league form.

Bielsa flexed the system at the end of last season to be a tad more defensive so sure he is working on how to sort out the issues this time around.

As the song goes - follow, follow, follow we’re the best f’ing team in the world.

[ozleeds]

7 Injuries plus Harrison covid and pat suspended

[WTF11]

I don’t agree from last seasons experience that those kids wouldn’t have played but we will never know Oz - what we do know is that in the last few weeks a few have made debuts. Shackleton has also demonstrated he is good enough.

Shackleton and Summerville must now be pushing for regular game time. Cresswell and JG have show they can do it but can they do it regularly - the interesting thing will be if they can jump ahead of Roberts or others in the pecking order - I would play Shackleton or Gelhardt ahead of Roberts but then again I am Bielsa.

I think Tichi made a valid comment to the doomster and gloomster - we first had the I GUARANTEE none will see first team action and then when they do - they shouldn’t take penalties - why not - great test of character and they all passed with flying colours. Tichi was just pointing out these points and the classic tactic of damn my first point I can’t defend what other crack can I have at Leeds.

It’s not being harsh or mean it’s just so draining when we are called **** WITS or idiots or something else for daring to disagree.

Great result last night and WTF has to find something to have a go about. Fulham at home are a test and we passed it with a team scattered with youth.

So many highs from last night too.

I said no more from me, but felt I had (yes, had) to correct what is obviously a misconception on your part (and possibly others)

I "found something to have a go about" BEFORE Gelhardt took his penalty, but after Dallas and Forshaw missed theirs, as that footage was being shown on Sky sports news, which I could watch. You will note I made comment about not caring what the result was in the first post I submitted on this matter, and the result wasn't known at that time.

I stand by every word I posted, including the pleasure from knowing that the youngsters had performed well (in certain positions better than the players who are the usual occupiers), but particularly the sequencing of the penalties. The senior players were used at a stage in the penalty shootout where a miss would not necessarily lead to a loss, as proved to be the case. The "junior" players were placed in a position where their single kick of the ball WOULD lead to loss or success. Not sure what it is so difficult to grasp the differing significance of that, not about taking penalties, its when they get taken.

"Blooding" players in cup competitions isn't anything new, and as I say, the performance reported/seen by the likes of Cresswell and Shackleton prove that they are due 1st team time (if Firpo can go straight into the 1st team with NO English league time at all then Cresswell deserves similar treatment), but doing so in a sudden death penalty taking situation is neither fair nor sensible. We were fortunate that the lads held their nerve and (in Gelhardts position for sure) nearly broke the back of the net, well done, but no-one who has criticised me for my position on the matter has had the courtesy to respond to my question regarding what might have happened (and could have been entirely avoided had the youngsters been used in the initial penalty taking sequence), had they missed (as Tich so helpfully points out, anyone can miss a penalty).

(Oh, and please don't tell me anyone took my comment about guaranteeing there would be no youngsters used seriously (albeit that no-one took me up on the offer of standing a £5 on it))

Last but not least, when have I called you or anyone else a f00kwit or an idiot even (that latter being quite mild even if true!) since I made it clear name-calling was in the past?