And another big change in styles for the opposition.
Difficult to take into account the performances of the last two games as this will be a totally different game. For a start we will be playing 3-3-3-1 instead of the 4-1-4-1. Burnley caused us plenty of problems in the first game this season and we were probably a bit fortunate to come away with a 1-0 win.
We have often struggled in 3-3-3-1 this season but this Saturday looks like it will be the first time we have an almost fully fit side to select from.
Bielsa likes to remain unchanged but I don't see how this will be possible given change of shape. Unchanged we would have to set up like this;
Meslier
Ayling Llorente Struijk
Dallas Koch Alioski
Roberts Klich Harrison
Bamford
Which doesn't look great at all.
I would like to see;
Meslier
Llorente Koch Cooper (Any 3 of the 4 CBs will work...what a luxury)
Ayling Phillips Dallas
Raphinha Klich Harrison
Bamford
I will be excited to see a line up like that and see if we can resolve some of the difficulties we have had in the formation. Mostly controlling possession and playing out from the back which we definitely struggled with in the last game. This will be key.
Llorente, Ayling & Raphinha building up down the right looks a mouth watering prospect.
Having 3 proper CB's + Ayling + Phillips & Bamford in the side should mean we are much better equipped to defend set pieces and I would go into the game quite confident.
Don't think there is any need to worry about having change shape during the game because Burnley are guaranteed to play 4-4-2 throughout.
If it was to happen then Phillips would have to play as an 8 and Koch at 4, in the same way we finished the game against Spurs.
Looking forward to this completely different test, and suspect with Dallas more than likely moving out of the midfield we will be a bit more open again. Which should be more fun given that we don't have much to lose.
Burnley Next
posted on 13/5/21
When they say a players place is never guaranteed, does that exclude the captain?..
I'm sure Bielsa knows what he's planning, and no doubt he'll be speaking to the players and letting them know his thoughts, but if Struijk is dropped that'd be one hell of a kick in the sack!..
posted on 13/5/21
comment by LufcGermany (U6066)
posted 29 minutes ago
if Struijk is dropped that'd be one hell of a kick in the sack!..
----------------------------------------------------------------------
nah he is still learning & the only kick he gets is one from himself as he can't believe he has started so many games at his age at leeds.
posted on 13/5/21
"kamara's left foot (U21862)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
comment by LufcGermany (U6066)
posted 29 minutes ago
if Struijk is dropped that'd be one hell of a kick in the sack!..
----------------------------------------------------------------------
nah he is still learning & the only kick he gets is one from himself as he can't believe he has started so many games at his age at leeds."
Lets put both up for sale, see who goes and for what, then the one left can play!..
Struijk has already got top teams looking at him, I wonder why!..
He'd be the first to go and we'd get more for him, I like both players but he and Llorente have got a great match going and I think Cooper would take something away from that!..
posted on 13/5/21
i do not doubt that 1 jot, 1st time i watched stuijk in the u23s knew he was going to have a very bright future, these last few games mean nout really, bielsa said after the spurtz game 'we have a duty to all our fans to entertain, no matter what' so who starts is just how it is. nobody will be able to predict the line up, next season 1st game, how ever struijk will be in contention, if he stays
posted on 13/5/21
As Faith says though, MB could play 3 CBs. Then the question is
does he play Llorente & Struijk + Coops? Or + Koch? Or + Bill?
Hell of a luxury to have.
Now with our place in the Prem secure, be interesting to see
how the club views last few games. Does Gaetano get a Prem run?
Hope so. Pabs start?
Hindsight, Orta/MB/Club had a great summer last time out.
Raph (brilliant), Llorente (massive talent), Koch (looks better
and better), Meslier (on perm) mental good goalkeeper
and still so young. Add to that the U23s.
Here's to a great summer recruitment. One thing's for sure,
CB is covered.
posted on 13/5/21
* Does Gaetano get a Prem run OUT? A few minutes here and there second half of games.
posted on 13/5/21
Apparently Pope is a doubt. Which means we can forget all about the tactics and just shoot. Most shots on targets likely to lead to goals.
posted on 14/5/21
But we earn extra millions the higher up the table we finish, don't we? Is it three million for every higher place? Surely we'll be pushing to the final whistle of the final game and sentimental gestures regarding club favourites like Berardi and Hernandez would just be "bad for business"?
posted on 14/5/21
comment by HaveFaithInLeeds (U8688)
posted 11 hours, 22 minutes ago
Apparently Pope is a doubt. Which means we can forget all about the tactics and just shoot. Most shots on targets likely to lead to goals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
wish it worked like that
posted on 14/5/21
comment by kammys left foot (U21862)
posted 2 hours, 3 minutes ago
comment by HaveFaithInLeeds (U8688)
posted 11 hours, 22 minutes ago
Apparently Pope is a doubt. Which means we can forget all about the tactics and just shoot. Most shots on targets likely to lead to goals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
wish it worked like that
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If they start the chocolate fireguard it usually does