Are we really boring to Watch ?

[Monaco_Totty]

Strange how footballing fans see things differently.

I adored Bielsa, who indeed improved most players who played for him at all his clubs but anyone present into witnessing our 6-2 humbling at Old Trafford, with respect, would argue that any ideology in handing players to play without fear would only end in a Leeds team playing far too openly & easily taken apart today, imo.

All teams have to have a basic system to deploy & have decent passing sequences whilst pressing. If not, then the high energy risk employed by Bielsa which more often than not resulted in 'risk' via deploying lot's of high tempo transitions. Of which during those lines of attack then the opposition are at their most dangerous - as the tactic leaves teams horribly exposed.

All pressing teams today, like Leeds, always have an overall compact position map, wisely to clog up the middle-third which is designed to prevent being hit on the break particularly effective from "park the bus teams" which we've encountered in over 50% of our matches.
Farke has designed a 'system' which he cannot tweak to much cos its hiding weaknesses of some current players fielded but also is allowing them their strengths too, to be fair as in Gnonto, James & Tanaka been fielded to effect - so overall fair do's Farke i'll say.

Players strengths & weaknesses determine what level they play at - we're a Championship club, a good one too, but our playing squad in fairness reflects that situation currently, imo.

Its easy to watch a game & identify 2 or 3 players who are technically efficient but there are other qualities required as in the ability to communicate, understanding of tactics & in how far a Coach can actually stretch them individually in tandem into meeting the needs of the team as well, so indeed to maximise a players personal potential levels in skill, body & mind & incorporate into a unit.

Problem is for a Championship club if that procedure is achieved then hanging on to such players a'int easy - as we know well at Leeds.

Really difficult discussing "player development" as enjoyment should come first on the training pitch via working hard into creating the club values & behaviours we as fans are wanting to see on a matchday.
Trouble is expectations are to high from some fans if you look closely to what is at stake & what we have currently available squad wise into achieving our aims particulary with an army of assassination "scribe-critiques" always ready to pounce on impulse looking for straws to grasp upon to vent their daily discord.

Let's see how we go as the table does not lie now or at a seasons end.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Strange how footballing fans see things differently.

I adored Bielsa, who indeed improved most players who played for him at all his clubs but anyone present into witnessing our 6-2 humbling at Old Trafford, with respect, would argue that any ideology in handing players to play without fear would only end in a Leeds team playing far too openly & easily taken apart today, imo.

All teams have to have a basic system to deploy & have decent passing sequences whilst pressing. If not, then the high energy risk employed by Bielsa which more often than not resulted in 'risk' via deploying lot's of high tempo transitions. Of which during those lines of attack then the opposition are at their most dangerous - as the tactic leaves teams horribly exposed.

All pressing teams today, like Leeds, always have an overall compact position map, wisely to clog up the middle-third which is designed to prevent being hit on the break particularly effective from "park the bus teams" which we've encountered in over 50% of our matches.
Farke has designed a 'system' which he cannot tweak to much cos its hiding weaknesses of some current players fielded but also is allowing them their strengths too, to be fair as in Gnonto, James & Tanaka been fielded to effect - so overall fair do's Farke i'll say.

Players strengths & weaknesses determine what level they play at - we're a Championship club, a good one too, but our playing squad in fairness reflects that situation currently, imo.

Its easy to watch a game & identify 2 or 3 players who are technically efficient but there are other qualities required as in the ability to communicate, understanding of tactics & in how far a Coach can actually stretch them individually in tandem into meeting the needs of the team as well, so indeed to maximise a players personal potential levels in skill, body & mind & incorporate into a unit.

Problem is for a Championship club if that procedure is achieved then hanging on to such players a'int easy - as we know well at Leeds.

Really difficult discussing "player development" as enjoyment should come first on the training pitch via working hard into creating the club values & behaviours we as fans are wanting to see on a matchday.
Trouble is expectations are to high from some fans if you look closely to what is at stake & what we have currently available squad wise into achieving our aims particulary with an army of assassination "scribe-critiques" always ready to pounce on impulse looking for straws to grasp upon to vent their daily discord.

Let's see how we go as the table does not lie now or at a seasons end.

Loved Bielsa too - football was exciting and at times bonkers. No cheating, no diving just 100 miles an hour fun.

[ozleeds]

Strange how footballing fans see things differently.

I adored Bielsa, who indeed improved most players who played for him at all his clubs but anyone present into witnessing our 6-2 humbling at Old Trafford, with respect, would argue that any ideology in handing players to play without fear would only end in a Leeds team playing far too openly & easily taken apart today, imo.

All teams have to have a basic system to deploy & have decent passing sequences whilst pressing. If not, then the high energy risk employed by Bielsa which more often than not resulted in 'risk' via deploying lot's of high tempo transitions. Of which during those lines of attack then the opposition are at their most dangerous - as the tactic leaves teams horribly exposed.

All pressing teams today, like Leeds, always have an overall compact position map, wisely to clog up the middle-third which is designed to prevent being hit on the break particularly effective from "park the bus teams" which we've encountered in over 50% of our matches.
Farke has designed a 'system' which he cannot tweak to much cos its hiding weaknesses of some current players fielded but also is allowing them their strengths too, to be fair as in Gnonto, James & Tanaka been fielded to effect - so overall fair do's Farke i'll say.

Players strengths & weaknesses determine what level they play at - we're a Championship club, a good one too, but our playing squad in fairness reflects that situation currently, imo.

Its easy to watch a game & identify 2 or 3 players who are technically efficient but there are other qualities required as in the ability to communicate, understanding of tactics & in how far a Coach can actually stretch them individually in tandem into meeting the needs of the team as well, so indeed to maximise a players personal potential levels in skill, body & mind & incorporate into a unit.

Problem is for a Championship club if that procedure is achieved then hanging on to such players a'int easy - as we know well at Leeds.

Really difficult discussing "player development" as enjoyment should come first on the training pitch via working hard into creating the club values & behaviours we as fans are wanting to see on a matchday.
Trouble is expectations are to high from some fans if you look closely to what is at stake & what we have currently available squad wise into achieving our aims particulary with an army of assassination "scribe-critiques" always ready to pounce on impulse looking for straws to grasp upon to vent their daily discord.

Let's see how we go as the table does not lie now or at a seasons end.

When you play open fluent football yes your open to some heavy defeats but mostly you win. Our last top flight win under wilko if you go back we had some disaster loses 4 nil and more but we still were the best team and rightfully won the title. Man U under Fergo was like that they were never out of games even after the last minute because that's what they were a fluent team. Lot's can be said about fergos team but the dude at least brought through top English kids and toped of with a couple top player's around the world. Unlike Man city who are more like cheating than winning fergo was the best of all time. English football is sadder by the loses of this great managers. Bielsa yes was one of the best but his insistence on playing the same trash over and over was the downfall of him much like our current maestro.

[Monaco_Totty]

When you play open fluent football yes your open to some heavy defeats but mostly you win. Our last top flight win under wilko if you go back we had some disaster loses 4 nil and more but we still were the best team and rightfully won the title. Man U under Fergo was like that they were never out of games even after the last minute because that's what they were a fluent team. Lot's can be said about fergos team but the dude at least brought through top English kids and toped of with a couple top player's around the world. Unlike Man city who are more like cheating than winning fergo was the best of all time. English football is sadder by the loses of this great managers. Bielsa yes was one of the best but his insistence on playing the same trash over and over was the downfall of him much like our current maestro.

I'll take some of that Oz.

But Arsenal have not been very Arsenal like recently since Martin Odegaard went down with an ankle injury, as manager Arteta seems to have come to the conclusion that his team has a better chance to win games if they sit a bit deeper in a solid defensive structure rather than trying to dominate the game with high pressing via a high volume of possession "in the opposition half" - alot slower in tempo too, which is more the traditional style of the Arsenal of older seasons defensively pre-Wenger, for sure.

City too having to shift their emphasis now, as too have Liverpool who are now less flamboyant but far more methodical in their possession & sitting top - this is the trend in Europe too now if you watch the games, maybe chess like but better teams know when to up the tempo & when to slow it down & that's why we are 3rd - we'd be 1st if we had a natural regular clinical goal scorer but as yet we have not.

My main point is players at our disposal presently been young, old, having differing skill sets & mindsets are trying to be grafted together as a fighting unit in a hard, tough & long seasoned Championship league, with many often away playing internationals too.

Farke uses a tempo that is a "one fit for all" & its grinding results out, imo.
Jose Mourinho used similar too & if Farke goes then Jose would be my choice as he fits the bill with how he sets up teams which sure would bring this thread back in the fold regarding "boring" again. 😅
But Jose has recently been quoted as wanting a return to a bottom PL club - & if we go up we'll defo fit that bill !

The Managers, coaches you mention Oz, to be fair had far more superior players to mould, pick, choose & use from, imo.

Anyway great talking to you Oz, probably bollux but fun. 😘

[WTF11]

I'll take some of that Oz.

But Arsenal have not been very Arsenal like recently since Martin Odegaard went down with an ankle injury, as manager Arteta seems to have come to the conclusion that his team has a better chance to win games if they sit a bit deeper in a solid defensive structure rather than trying to dominate the game with high pressing via a high volume of possession "in the opposition half" - alot slower in tempo too, which is more the traditional style of the Arsenal of older seasons defensively pre-Wenger, for sure.

City too having to shift their emphasis now, as too have Liverpool who are now less flamboyant but far more methodical in their possession & sitting top - this is the trend in Europe too now if you watch the games, maybe chess like but better teams know when to up the tempo & when to slow it down & that's why we are 3rd - we'd be 1st if we had a natural regular clinical goal scorer but as yet we have not.

My main point is players at our disposal presently been young, old, having differing skill sets & mindsets are trying to be grafted together as a fighting unit in a hard, tough & long seasoned Championship league, with many often away playing internationals too.

Farke uses a tempo that is a "one fit for all" & its grinding results out, imo.
Jose Mourinho used similar too & if Farke goes then Jose would be my choice as he fits the bill with how he sets up teams which sure would bring this thread back in the fold regarding "boring" again. 😅
But Jose has recently been quoted as wanting a return to a bottom PL club - & if we go up we'll defo fit that bill !

The Managers, coaches you mention Oz, to be fair had far more superior players to mould, pick, choose & use from, imo.

Anyway great talking to you Oz, probably bollux but fun. 😘

Mourinho?????? Please god no, we have no need of another egoist keen to advance his own agenda as opposed to that of LUFC. Not quite a case if "anyone but", but not far off.

[cherrypie7]

I'll take some of that Oz.

But Arsenal have not been very Arsenal like recently since Martin Odegaard went down with an ankle injury, as manager Arteta seems to have come to the conclusion that his team has a better chance to win games if they sit a bit deeper in a solid defensive structure rather than trying to dominate the game with high pressing via a high volume of possession "in the opposition half" - alot slower in tempo too, which is more the traditional style of the Arsenal of older seasons defensively pre-Wenger, for sure.

City too having to shift their emphasis now, as too have Liverpool who are now less flamboyant but far more methodical in their possession & sitting top - this is the trend in Europe too now if you watch the games, maybe chess like but better teams know when to up the tempo & when to slow it down & that's why we are 3rd - we'd be 1st if we had a natural regular clinical goal scorer but as yet we have not.

My main point is players at our disposal presently been young, old, having differing skill sets & mindsets are trying to be grafted together as a fighting unit in a hard, tough & long seasoned Championship league, with many often away playing internationals too.

Farke uses a tempo that is a "one fit for all" & its grinding results out, imo.
Jose Mourinho used similar too & if Farke goes then Jose would be my choice as he fits the bill with how he sets up teams which sure would bring this thread back in the fold regarding "boring" again. 😅
But Jose has recently been quoted as wanting a return to a bottom PL club - & if we go up we'll defo fit that bill !

The Managers, coaches you mention Oz, to be fair had far more superior players to mould, pick, choose & use from, imo.

Anyway great talking to you Oz, probably bollux but fun. 😘

Firstly, I always enjoy your posts Monaco especially when you give background on the players and the places/cities to which Leeds travel for away matches. I was and still am a genuine "egghead" so live to learn about geographical and historical features of different parts of the UK.
As for this season, some interesting points I have learned. In the season we went up, we beat QPR 2-0 in the 15th game. We did the same this season. We had 28 points and sat 2 points behind WBA and Preston in 3rd position. We had outstanding players in the spine of the team in Meslier, Ben White, Philips, the truly wonderful Stuart Dallas, and a healthy Bamford. We had a few lesser lights like Tyler Roberts and Helper Costa. Down the stretch, when it mattered most, Dallas, white and Pablo Hernandez were simply magnificent. I think this season, we don't have players (except for Gnonto and James) of that calibre but we have a larger squad. Importantly we have played the best
Teams and now we have to take advantage of the middling clubs. We also don't concede much. Very important for success in any league. 2 of Farkes Norwich teams and leeds last season have gone for extended winning runs sometime during the season. Hopefully, it will happen this season too.

[Monaco_Totty]

Firstly, I always enjoy your posts Monaco especially when you give background on the players and the places/cities to which Leeds travel for away matches. I was and still am a genuine "egghead" so live to learn about geographical and historical features of different parts of the UK.
As for this season, some interesting points I have learned. In the season we went up, we beat QPR 2-0 in the 15th game. We did the same this season. We had 28 points and sat 2 points behind WBA and Preston in 3rd position. We had outstanding players in the spine of the team in Meslier, Ben White, Philips, the truly wonderful Stuart Dallas, and a healthy Bamford. We had a few lesser lights like Tyler Roberts and Helper Costa. Down the stretch, when it mattered most, Dallas, white and Pablo Hernandez were simply magnificent. I think this season, we don't have players (except for Gnonto and James) of that calibre but we have a larger squad. Importantly we have played the best
Teams and now we have to take advantage of the middling clubs. We also don't concede much. Very important for success in any league. 2 of Farkes Norwich teams and leeds last season have gone for extended winning runs sometime during the season. Hopefully, it will happen this season too.

Thanks Cherry, hope you & family all ok.

I got Oxford Utd our December 21st 2024 visitors at ER in draft form as an early Christmas prezzie for you, Cherry 👍

*SPOILER ADVANCE ALERT WARNING*

Interesting the largest amount of money Oxford Utd have ever received was by selling Kemar Roofe to us for ?3m in July 2016.

Roofe left to join Anderlecht for ?7 million August 2019 despite Bielsa wanting him to stay.

Kemar, 32 in Jan2025, still remains a free agent after leaving Rangers in the summer (4 months ago) but has been tipped to getting firing once again at Norwich City this week despite question marks around his fitness & sharpness, given how long he has been out of action for.

Mmmm, he defo new where the net was for us, when fit.

[WTF11]

Thanks Cherry, hope you & family all ok.

I got Oxford Utd our December 21st 2024 visitors at ER in draft form as an early Christmas prezzie for you, Cherry ��

*SPOILER ADVANCE ALERT WARNING*

Interesting the largest amount of money Oxford Utd have ever received was by selling Kemar Roofe to us for ?3m in July 2016.

Roofe left to join Anderlecht for ?7 million August 2019 despite Bielsa wanting him to stay.

Kemar, 32 in Jan2025, still remains a free agent after leaving Rangers in the summer (4 months ago) but has been tipped to getting firing once again at Norwich City this week despite question marks around his fitness & sharpness, given how long he has been out of action for.

Mmmm, he defo new where the net was for us, when fit.

So you would suggest we "open negotiations"? Not disagreeing, just asking.

And conditions?

[cherrypie7]

Thanks Cherry, hope you & family all ok.

I got Oxford Utd our December 21st 2024 visitors at ER in draft form as an early Christmas prezzie for you, Cherry 👍

*SPOILER ADVANCE ALERT WARNING*

Thanks in advance! Seen a few British shows based in Oxford e.g. Lewis, Morse, A discovery of witches. Really want to learn more though.

[ozleeds]

Thanks in advance! Seen a few British shows based in Oxford e.g. Lewis, Morse, A discovery of witches. Really want to learn more though.

You got witches and brooms flying all over the place in here what more you want to learn