Our Squad

[cherrypie7]

Agree with that Oz - Strujk looks like he could be excellent in future, but the Premier League is very unforgiving of anything less than a solid defence - my fear is that the all out attack method of defending (TM M which has worked in the champ will be picked apart in the prem by better players - as Arsenal did in the second half in January.

We need the insurance of a very strong defence behind our great attacking play - we were always so vulnerable in this league to being 'done' on the break, and young lads in the first year of their first team career won't cut it as first choice players imo.

Yes we were vulnerable on the break last season. Amazed that we didn't concede more. Before he came to Leeds, Bielsa teams always played 3 at the back. That's how Chelsea played to win their last premiership.

[LeedsFTW]

I'm struggling with that option a bit Cherry. And certainly not saying they won't be good enough in the future. But the thought of them only being bench players in the Championship, and then expected to step straight into the Premier League positions??? If that is the club's expectation at this stage, then as much as you wouldn't want them playing against us, they probably should have been out on loan at another Championship club.......so they did get more experience at that level at minimum.

Agree with this, we in essence have a championship squad, devoid of any player that has recently played in the premiership. I think the squad will be okay but it will be a steep learning curve as there is a different quality in the PL compared to the Championship.

I would also be surprised to see any of the youngsters being relied upon in the first 6 months in PL. They have not been out on loans, they have barely played in the championship so to play in the PL would be a lot to ask of them, especially as there is no PL experience of note in the team.

[CLIVETHELEEDSFAN]

i really dson't think we will be out of place in the prem even with just our current squad, but if we don't retain all our loan players then we will need some reinforcements theres no doubt, i don't see why we shouldnt aim as high as we possibly can though, i don't fear most teams in the current pl, obviously the likes of the rich bunch will be tricky but the rest i don't think we need to fear them, they should possibly fear us, we shall see what happens, crucial preseasonh in terms of ins and outs

[bathlad61]

Be interesting defence wise, who MB brings in, with White gone, Struijk has made breakthrough, but we look pretty fragile when defending / attacking from set pieces etc
Overall quality of corners / free kicks will be higher than Champ, many teams in Prem use this as major part of their play, and no doubt they have already noticed the weakness that we have in this area.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Some of our players may actually be better suited to the prem than the championship where it is less physical. Think Pablo and Alioski fall into that category especially.

[cherrypie7]

Some of our players may actually be better suited to the prem than the championship where it is less physical. Think Pablo and Alioski fall into that category especially.

But Pablo was not great when he played for Swansea in the Prem. Of course, the system is quite different here at Leeds but it makes one wonder how effective he is going to be in the Prem.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

But Pablo was not great when he played for Swansea in the Prem. Of course, the system is quite different here at Leeds but it makes one wonder how effective he is going to be in the Prem.

big difference this time is MB - both his system and his coaching make players better and give them a platform to perform.

watched bits of the FA cup final and both Arsenal and Chelsea looked slightly lethargic compared to the tempo we typically play at.

hopefully, Mr White realises the best thing for his development for the next 3 years is ER 😎

[cherrypie7]

big difference this time is MB - both his system and his coaching make players better and give them a platform to perform.

watched bits of the FA cup final and both Arsenal and Chelsea looked slightly lethargic compared to the tempo we typically play at.

hopefully, Mr White realises the best thing for his development for the next 3 years is ER 😎

I too saw bits of the Cup final and thought the same thing. When looking at these 2 teams on the basis of the performance, we have little to fear. Also I realize what we need is a forward or attacking midfielder who can make strong runs directly into the box. Like Puladick, Aubemayang, Salah, Firminho, Son, etc. Not sure who we have with those qualities. It should be striker or number 10.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I too saw bits of the Cup final and thought the same thing. When looking at these 2 teams on the basis of the performance, we have little to fear. Also I realize what we need is a forward or attacking midfielder who can make strong runs directly into the box. Like Puladick, Aubemayang, Salah, Firminho, Son, etc. Not sure who we have with those qualities. It should be striker or number 10.

agreed - decent striker with pace, decent number 10 and cover at CB and anything above that is the icing on the cake.

Part of me wants Brentford to lose next week as there are two or three players there who fit the bill.

[cherrypie7]

agreed - decent striker with pace, decent number 10 and cover at CB and anything above that is the icing on the cake.

Part of me wants Brentford to lose next week as there are two or three players there who fit the bill.

Absolutely agree. Then again we have Augustin who is that sort of striker. Not sure what Bielsa's problem is with him. I thought he was injured for most of his time at Leeds.