Leeds United - v - Chelsea ***Matchday Thread***

[WTF11]

Absolutely agree about Alioski. He is not a left back. Its unfair to criticize him too much as he plays every week out of position. The guy has tried his heart out for the club.
On a lighter note, I noticed some of the lads without buns had real short hair cuts: Barndoor, Meslier, Alioski. Not sure about Dallas, who incidentally turned in another good game.
Saw meslier talking to a chelsea player after the game. Pretty sure they were talking about the state of the pitch.

Also agree with the above comments regarding Alioski.

Seen other comments about backing all players who wear the shirt (wrt the likes of stellar "performers" like Roberts and Costa amingst others), and from the same sources comments about selling Alioski (and "glad he's off elsewhere"). Slightly inconsistent, and completely ignoring that for just about every game he has played (and he has played a hell of a lot!) he has been played out of position.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Feel for Alioski as he always tries and gives 100% effort - remember the last minute goal v Reading?

Shame he is seen as a LB as not really had much opportunity at LM.

If we want to progress we need someone better at LB but I sure hope they have his attitude.

[joellufcprice]

Feel for Alioski as he always tries and gives 100% effort - remember the last minute goal v Reading?

Shame he is seen as a LB as not really had much opportunity at LM.

If we want to progress we need someone better at LB but I sure hope they have his attitude.

Nobody will ever doubt his desire, effort and commitment to the team and I'm sure even he realises he is punching above his weight in terms of quality. But he is similar to a lot of players likes of Ayling, Cooper, Dallas, Bamford, Klich who are all for me playing above what their capability is and Bielsa deserves a lot of credit for that.

[LeedsFTW]

Alioski... completely ignoring that for just about every game he has played (and he has played a hell of a lot!) he has been played out of position.

For me, it not about the position he is playing in, its simply that for me he doesn't have the attributes of a decent PL player, certainly not a regular first team starter.

Think he works hard and that was enough to get through in the championship. The amount of times he played on the left wing, made the wrong decision or was unable to put a decent cross in was very frustrating. He seemed to get lost in the final 3rd of the pitch. We need better.

Roberts I have no idea where he fits in. Costa simply to much money pumped into his acquisition to just get rid. He does have the skills but he just not brave enough imo and is to easily dominated by the opposition. If we get a decent offer, by all means he should be shown the door.

LB, DCM and Striker should be our transfer priorities plus an experienced Keeper to push Meslier on.

Cooper, I think if we promote more of the youth, he is defo expendable.

[WTF11]

Feel for Alioski as he always tries and gives 100% effort - remember the last minute goal v Reading?

Shame he is seen as a LB as not really had much opportunity at LM.

If we want to progress we need someone better at LB but I sure hope they have his attitude.

Go back to the days after he and Saiz had just arrived, THEN he was in position and had a strike partner, neither of which has been the case for the last two seasons minimum, and yet he has produced the goods at least as often and to greater effect than some of the dross that Bielsa continues to have faith in.

And yes I differ from the "any player in a Leeds shirt get my support" cohort, players get my support when they deserve it, not just because they get picked to play.

[WTF11]

Nobody will ever doubt his desire, effort and commitment to the team and I'm sure even he realises he is punching above his weight in terms of quality. But he is similar to a lot of players likes of Ayling, Cooper, Dallas, Bamford, Klich who are all for me playing above what their capability is and Bielsa deserves a lot of credit for that.

Agree with all if that, except Dallas who I think is showing just what he can do in the PL (and that's a good thing btw!). Also agree with your earlier post regarding incomings, and not gutting the squad. Thing is, if you were to replace those you name in that last post, that's what you would end up doing. They form the core of the current team, and of the "veterans" who got us promoted.

One or two class additions in positions we're all well aware of, take the last few games of this season to test some of the youngsters, retain the strength and spirit of the vets, build for a top ten finish next season, then for a top 5 in 2022/3.

[joellufcprice]

Agree with all if that, except Dallas who I think is showing just what he can do in the PL (and that's a good thing btw!). Also agree with your earlier post regarding incomings, and not gutting the squad. Thing is, if you were to replace those you name in that last post, that's what you would end up doing. They form the core of the current team, and of the "veterans" who got us promoted.

One or two class additions in positions we're all well aware of, take the last few games of this season to test some of the youngsters, retain the strength and spirit of the vets, build for a top ten finish next season, then for a top 5 in 2022/3.

For me next year I wouldn't want to replace Ayling, Bamford or Dallas I'd like to see them still in the squad then maybe the season after start replacing them. Cooper is fine as I think when our CBs are fit he will be behind Koch and Llorente anyway and probably Struijk now with the way he is playing.

Good thing is that for me we arent replacing anyone at left back as that position is basically vacant in my eyes at moment anyway and for the central midfield we need bodies, add 2 more and keep Klich there we should kick on.

[WTF11]

For me, it not about the position he is playing in, its simply that for me he doesn't have the attributes of a decent PL player, certainly not a regular first team starter.

Think he works hard and that was enough to get through in the championship. The amount of times he played on the left wing, made the wrong decision or was unable to put a decent cross in was very frustrating. He seemed to get lost in the final 3rd of the pitch. We need better.

Roberts I have no idea where he fits in. Costa simply to much money pumped into his acquisition to just get rid. He does have the skills but he just not brave enough imo and is to easily dominated by the opposition. If we get a decent offer, by all means he should be shown the door.

LB, DCM and Striker should be our transfer priorities plus an experienced Keeper to push Meslier on.

Cooper, I think if we promote more of the youth, he is defo expendable.

Agree to differ on Alioski. No other player (with the possible exception if Dallas), has been played out of position so often, and as starter or sub. Don't see how any objective analysis if his (or any players) contribution or ability can be had under such circumstances.

Anyway, he may stay, he may not. I just hope with all my heart that wherever and whenever he goes, it isn't to THAT club.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Agree to differ on Alioski. No other player (with the possible exception if Dallas), has been played out of position so often, and as starter or sub. Don't see how any objective analysis if his (or any players) contribution or ability can be had under such circumstances.

Anyway, he may stay, he may not. I just hope with all my heart that wherever and whenever he goes, it isn't to THAT club.

With you on Alioski - remember watching him early on against QPR when he, Siaz and Roofe tore them apart.

He just gets on with it a little like Berardi who also has played out of position over the years.