Our Squad

[WTF11]

He also brought in Alioski, Poveda, Klich, Bamford, Costa, Douglas, Tyler Roberts, Pontus Jansson, Struijk.

So Orta joins in June 2017 and on 13th July "he brings Alioski in"? I suspect others will have been watching, all Orta had to do was nod his head. 23rd June Klich signs, ditto observation. Jansson joined Leeds in August 2016, nearly a year before Orta came on board.

Of the rest, I'll give you he was DoF when they were brought in, but by the time he "brought in Bamford" and the rest, he had Bielsa to cater for, so his days of supermarket sweep round Europe and the Far East were curtailed (a little). His ratio of success in signings is as patchy as Bamfords is in regards to chances converted to hitting the back of the net. Neither is good enough (on their own at least) for the PL (there was a reason Boro got rid of both Karanka and Orta, and it wasn't for over-performing).

[WTF11]

wtf, take a look at the sheffield united squad, virtually all championship level players, theyve not just survived theyve challenged the rich bunch, with what i would class as a championship level squad, their squad imo is no better than ours that has just won the championship, i wouldnt want any of the blunts players in our squad, not coz theyre the blunts, but just coz their squad is a championship squad, but its done more than enough this season where other more established "premier league" squads have done worse, panic not WTF, we'll be alright, secure white, get in 1 or 2 others, i'll be happy with that!

I think you're spot on with the observation about Blunts, and I hope we do something similar this coming season. There is a big difference though, and that is Bielsa. In a good way he has developed and honed players who were bang average before he arrived, but on the flip side he demands more (I suspect) than Wilder does of his players. so we end up in a division that is one of the most demanding in the world, with a coach who mirrors that, with a squad that is small by any standards and especially the PL, with some significant areas of weakness that require suitable investment, not cheap-as-chips freebies or players rejected not only by their "home" team but by those they get loaned out to (no prizes for guessing who I mean).

Radrizzani has stated publicly that promotion is worth approximately £200m to the club outright, and that there are other benefits yet to be evaluated in terms of increased sponsorship revenues, possible additional investment (both from existing partners and others). Some of that needs to be invested (not splurged) and one indication would be to make a suitable offer to Brighton for White (and at £25m he would be a better, proven (even at Championship level), investment than the £22m (fees already paid, and future commitment to buy) we might be on the hook for with Augustin.

Like to see the Gelhardt deal go through, the lad looks to have promise, and Benrahma too. Without a suitable white replacement (given that the club might not agree with me!), we will be exposed.

[CLIVETHELEEDSFAN]

wtf i'll say this now, you've got the rich bunch, and then maybe 2 or 3 others who if we have a bad day, could turn us over, however, i truely believe there are points for the taking this season, if we keep White, add 2 or 3 other quality additions to the squad (remember, Bielsa doesnt like a big squad, so it won't be wholesale changes) and I firmly believe those 2 or 3 really good players will arrive, then theres no reason why a top half finish is not achievable (believe me, i'd take 17th in our first season back in the PL but i think we can aim a bit higher) the blunts could be a 1 season unknown quantity like what many teams have been and then they struggle in the 2nd season, or they might do a burnley and sustain their PL status for more than just the odd season. i think i'm on my own when i say, i'd rather look at other players than brentfords bottlers, but who evewr we get, we know bielsa will improve them, so lets see who comes in, and lets just do what we do, and thats play good football, christ we held arsenal for a full half, didnt just hold them, we were the better team, and when the gunners have a good day, theyre normally ridiculously hard to beat, i think we will have momentum going into this new season, if we look after Pablo, use him at the right times, i'd say, if we get 3 goals ahead in a match, bring him off (i know about cardiff but that was a 1 off) and if he doesnt start a match, bring him on at half time if we aren't 3 goals ahead, but i'd really like for us to find the next Pablo, we thought initially we had in Saiz, that obviously didnt work out, but there will be other quality gems out there who could become the next pablo, just gotta find him

[Tichi1]

Been watching the shenanigans over recent days, and as per normal at Leeds we seem to be seeking "cheap as chips" where Rolls Royce is required. Be happy to see the young lad from Wigan signed, and Benrahma and Watkins from the Bees, but White is a standout, and as other have said, a statement of intent (and a sound investment to boot).

We have just over a month to acquire/retain sufficient quality players to make sure we survive (not prosper, yet), in the PL. The current squad is woefully inadequate in just about every area, we have inadequate depth in defence, we have inadequate cover in midfield, and we scure as hell have f00k all threat at PL level in our attack, but the youngsters may be our salvation, but not on day one. So, will our saviour (Radrizzani I mean), dip into the (approximately) £200m that has swelled LUFC coffers to ensure that survival, and do business NOW so new players can be indoctrinated into the "Bielsa way" in time?

I suspect that despite all the hoo hah about what Beilsa does and doesn't want, what he gets is down to Orta, the specialist in "cheap as chips" and lastminute.com deals (Ekuban, Casilla and JKA as prime examples). That being the case, expect nothing in the immediate future (with the possible exception of the lad from Wigan), and close to end of transfer window a flurry of activity bringing to ER someone no-one has ever heard of.



Go on Victor, prove me wrong, for ONCE!

And so it begins.... two weeks since the end of the season, WTF11 has obviously had his holidays and is back with his usual cheery take on all things LUFC LOL!

[WTF11]

And so it begins.... two weeks since the end of the season, WTF11 has obviously had his holidays and is back with his usual cheery take on all things LUFC LOL!

Never let it be said you tackle the ball rather than the man eh?

[Tichi1]

This post from a year ago, started by Flintadore......

Quot[B]e Originally Posted by Flintadore View Post
Title contenders...3rd last year
Bookies favourites for promotion
World class manager
An academy that's the best in the country
A squad with players who are in demand...

Funny how easy it is to paint a picture of doubt...stoke the fears. Its so easy to tear down others, so hard to inspire them. After 15 years of debacle...I'm definitely good with what's happening at our club right now. Its not 'all good', but I'm not sure why others are letting the fearmongers...play.

Now, if they were fearmongering about Bates, or Cellino...or Rosler, or Christiansen, or Heckingbotton, or Evans...or Hockaday!!!!….then I'd be right with them.
"Its so easy to tear down others, so hard to inspire them".
.................................................. .................................................. .............................................
Finished by WTF11

Indeed, so why (as Cress asks in his post below), wasn't it possible for this "World class manager" to cope with and inspire someone who by most accounts is (was) our best defensive player and an inspiration to the team when their backs have been against the wall? Nah, easier is to just get rid.

And maybe having the best Academy in the country (and an U23 team that didn't come third, it came 1st), would be so much more appealing if some of the products of that Academy actually played in the 1st team now and again (instead of being loaned out, or played in the 1st team until an expensive replacement comes along (guess who)).

.................................................. .................................................. ............................

Note the pessimism long before a ball had even been kicked this season gone....
Bit fecking embarrassing really...

[WTF11]

wtf, take a look at the sheffield united squad, virtually all championship level players, theyve not just survived theyve challenged the rich bunch, with what i would class as a championship level squad, their squad imo is no better than ours that has just won the championship, i wouldnt want any of the blunts players in our squad, not coz theyre the blunts, but just coz their squad is a championship squad, but its done more than enough this season where other more established "premier league" squads have done worse, panic not WTF, we'll be alright, secure white, get in 1 or 2 others, i'll be happy with that!

Not panicking, just a tad surprised that given the short "close season" we appear to be "doing a Leeds" when it comes to transfer activity.

As you say, if we "secure White", and a couple of others, time will tell. And as for "others" your view on the Gelhardt rumour and also Gallagher from Chelsea, Benrahma and Watkins from Bees?

[WTF11]

This post from a year ago, started by Flintadore......

Quot[B]e Originally Posted by Flintadore View Post
Title contenders...3rd last year
Bookies favourites for promotion
World class manager
An academy that's the best in the country
A squad with players who are in demand...

Funny how easy it is to paint a picture of doubt...stoke the fears. Its so easy to tear down others, so hard to inspire them. After 15 years of debacle...I'm definitely good with what's happening at our club right now. Its not 'all good', but I'm not sure why others are letting the fearmongers...play.

Now, if they were fearmongering about Bates, or Cellino...or Rosler, or Christiansen, or Heckingbotton, or Evans...or Hockaday!!!!….then I'd be right with them.
"Its so easy to tear down others, so hard to inspire them".
.................................................. .................................................. .............................................
Finished by WTF11

Indeed, so why (as Cress asks in his post below), wasn't it possible for this "World class manager" to cope with and inspire someone who by most accounts is (was) our best defensive player and an inspiration to the team when their backs have been against the wall? Nah, easier is to just get rid.

And maybe having the best Academy in the country (and an U23 team that didn't come third, it came 1st), would be so much more appealing if some of the products of that Academy actually played in the 1st team now and again (instead of being loaned out, or played in the 1st team until an expensive replacement comes along (guess who)).

.................................................. .................................................. ............................

Note the pessimism long before a ball had even been kicked this season gone....
Bit fecking embarrassing really...

And another example of playing man, not ball.

You can trawl through my posts as long as you like, but when you do, and find one that suits your purpose, maybe you could actually spend as much time in responding the argument/subject, as you do in finding the post in the first place?

The one you chose stands now just as it did then, we lost a talisman player (not the best in the division, but key to holding things together on many occasions when those around him were failing), and until Struijk played in the 5 games after re-start, how many other Academy players got more than 5 - 10 minutes throughout the season?

It's not pessimism, its realism. I'd prefer to look at the new season with hope borne out of clear statements of intent on the part of the club that some of the funds generated by promotion will be devoted to strengthening the squad, in the time between now and seasons start (a scant 5 weekends, with players returning to training this week). The rumours to date don't support that as being likely, but who knows, Orta might prove me wrong (not holding breath).

Btw, I suppose you are in the "Augustin will be our striker" school of thought?.

[CLIVETHELEEDSFAN]

Gelhart seems a good prospect, got a little taste of championship football this season just gone, wouldnt chuck him straight into the lineup, let him learn the bielsa way like we did with roberts, he didnt come into it straight away but looks a good player now, do the same with gelhart and see what happens. relating to the bees front line, brentford only scored i think 3 more goals than we did, meaning that most of their goals came from the front 3 and nobody else hardly, where as with us, our goals were spread out more evenly. i'd prefer for us to get someone in more proven than benramha watkins and mbeumo, the price of those 3 wouldnt be that cheap, we could spend the same amount of money on players of a bit better level, not saying those 3 are crap or owt, they aint, but if they were that good, why didnt they finish 2nd considering the bad form WBA were on? those 3 misfired when it mattered the most, sorry if this is harsh, but its true.

i'm not saying we can go in for Messi (as much as I would love for us to do) but a frontman more established to the PL or 1 of europes top divisions, or a top player from south america who again could adapt to bielsa very easily

[CLIVETHELEEDSFAN]

also has anyone noticed how foreign Brentfords squad is? lots of scandinavian players but a fair few others who arent english or even british/irish, poor identity to me that, I wouldnt want leeds going virtually completely foreign (sorry if thats racist but theres clubs all over the world who try for the most part and stick to their own countries players)

9 out of 31 players in brentfords squad are english/british/irish, the rest are foreign, thats bad imo!