Coventry and Ipswich, 2 matches we can't afford to drop points in if we want to try and overhaul top 2.
It never feels like anything is guaranteed for Leeds these days, teams suddenly end their losing streak, players score their first goal for years, Leeds never drop points at home etc etc, just made to enable the commentators curse.
Lineup unchanged after last gasp Sunderland defeat. Despite lots of possession, Coventry had cutting edge up front. Lots seem to rate Struijk, personally I think he's average at best and apart of reason we have a dodgy defence, that plus Gray played out of position and Spence starting.
Thankfully Summerville very alert and sharp in front of goal, and Meslier very alert at other end otherwise this could well have been a defeat.
Midfield feel lightweight and front 4 either very effective, or not, there seems to be no in-between, one would hope that at least 1/2 of them would be on the pace each week.
I would really like to see Piroe play up top, either with Rutter, or with Rutter dropping back, or adding another midfielder, but not sure whom we have that has the creative edge there, we never really replaced Saiz, nor Pablo and are lacking there.
Naive defending lets Coventry in after Meslier had kept them at bay, its just far too easy for the rewards of our huffing and puffing to be undone.
Subs are too late to have an impact and with Bamford, Rutter and Piroe/Gelhardt all on it just becomes a mess.
We're not going to win every match, Sunderlands and Coventrys will happen, but with such a headstart gained by top 2, we need an extended good run and they need an extended bad run just to make up some ground, let alone overtake.
The Leicester game gave a feeling of superiority over this league, but it's a false one, we're doing ok, very well in fact for a newly thrown together team, but not well enough. too many draws, too many dropped points, not quite dominant enough.
I don't know the solution at left back long term but short term its Byram, when he's in the side we pick up more points than when he's not, but it all goes back to him being a cheap, injury prone option that the club chose as opposed to properly addressing the left back question.
I'm not sure gruel will make teh grade, I wonder whether Gyabi will ever properly play for us and wonder what Shackleton has to do to get some game time.
Farke has done well for us, created the unity he said he would, got us right up to challenge, but does he have the answers or it a case of throw all strikers on if we need the win, I dont think that's solution every time.
If we are still 10 points behind 2nd come Jan 1, then we're probably just fighting for playoff spot.
Will Jan make a difference?
Depends what happens with players, if Gnonto wants away for his Euro chances rather than 10 mins sub appears once in championship and we get likes or Aaronson slinking back into camp then I'd be a bit concerned.
If we sign a quality LB (I dont think it will happen) or a creative midfielder, then that could be interesting, but we have to hole onto what we have right now, I would not be surprised if clubs make enquiries for Gray, Summerville and James.
Thoughts from the weekend
posted on 19/12/23
I definitely think our defence is better with Byram at LB but unfortunately he is likely to miss through injury at least a quarter of our games and someone on here has already pointed out that we haven't won a single game in his absence.
That's an area we can improve in January with a rumoured controversial signing of Charlie Taylor which splits supporters but me personally I would welcome him back, forgive and forget for the good of the team.
So again our defence is not bad for this level but atm I think it is only good enough for 3rd at best unless it's sorted like I've just explained plus play Spence at RB.
The Piroe dilemma is one none of us have had a chance to see what he would be like as a lone striker and maybe he wouldn't be the answer there which then seems a crazy signing if he was bought as a #10 which I don't see as being a good fit.
Therefore with Bamford looking like a shadow of anywhere near his best and Joseph not getting a sniff the club has to try and get a recognised striker with the ex Blackburn player Diaz another rumour I hope is true.
First things first though we obviously need to beat Ipswich which I've a feeling we will and then hope Leicester can beat them too while we at least don't lose to Preston and WBA and beat Birmingham and then hope our owners can help Farke in the January window.
I'm of the opinion now though that it's still a big ask but not impossible but even so I'm expecting us to be in the play offs and I hope I'm right in thinking the laws of probability will mean we finally experience play off success for the very fist time
posted on 19/12/23
I definitely think our defence is better with Byram at LB but unfortunately he is likely to miss through injury at least a quarter of our games and someone on here has already pointed out that we haven't won a single game in his absence.
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How many games he missed so far ?
And were not seriously saying we havent won games because Byram hasnt played last two games.
posted on 19/12/23
We have lost 1 more than Leicester and 2 more than Ipswich, what that means is we have to lose less and turn a few draws into wins!..
There is enough games to turn things around, and there is enough for the top 2 to have a bad run!..
Like every year, until the maths say otherwise, anything is possible!..
posted on 19/12/23
comment by AndDonRevieistheKing (U7852)
posted 2 hours, 42 minutes ago
Did type a long post out in which the Beano got mentioned and 95pts but cant be bothered with it all, Wakey echoes my thoughts so i will leave it at that, will be back in May to tell you i was right all along or to take a kicking.
^^^
My hope lies here.
I also rate Struijk. He's come through a lot in
his young career. He's looked good this season.
Playing alongside Rodon, under Farke has
helped him no end.
posted on 19/12/23
On top 2, or play offs, let's not forget we're playing
some really good football again. Not seen since MB.
Rollercoaster at times, yes. But, a fun one.
posted on 19/12/23
comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 3 hours, 22 minutes ago
I definitely think our defence is better with Byram at LB but unfortunately he is likely to miss through injury at least a quarter of our games and someone on here has already pointed out that we haven't won a single game in his absence.
————————————————-
How many games he missed so far ?
And were not seriously saying we havent won games because Byram hasnt played last two games.
--
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No is the answer LIW I was mistaken he's only missed 4 games so not a quarter of the season as I thought and not as injury prone either.
Although we didn't win any of those he missed he played in the defeats at Birmingham Southampton and Stoke.
So the only conclusion is he is better than Firpo and I think also better than playing Spence or Shacks there but that still doesn't mean he should be the answer to that long standing problem position....A new Left Back in January would only improve our defence in my opinion and therefore improve our promotion chances.
posted on 19/12/23
I think people are discounting Southampton who are definitely more consistent than we are at present.
If Ipswich have their blip, I am not sure we have it in us to claw back the points between us and them but I think Southampton do and I would prefer to face Ipswich in the playoffs than the Saints.
posted on 20/12/23
comment by Dennis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfCLt... (U23086)
posted 13 hours, 22 minutes ago
If Ipswich have their blip, I am not sure we have it in us to claw back the points between us and them …
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Don’t say that too loudly Dennis or you’ll run foul of the thought police😁.
posted on 20/12/23
comment by The Light Brigade (U22847)
posted 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
comment by Dennis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfCLt... (U23086)
posted 13 hours, 22 minutes ago
If Ipswich have their blip, I am not sure we have it in us to claw back the points between us and them …
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Don’t say that too loudly Dennis or you’ll run foul of the thought police😁.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Run foul of them every day of my life.
posted on 21/12/23
comment by Dennis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfCLt0kTd5E (U23086)
posted 1 day, 17 hours ago
I think people are discounting Southampton who are definitely more consistent than we are at present.
If Ipswich have their blip, I am not sure we have it in us to claw back the points between us and them but I think Southampton do and I would prefer to face Ipswich in the playoffs than the Saints.
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We have to hope that at least one team above us really, really falters.
We have to hope that we really step it up.
We have to hope the couple of teams just below us also don’t step it up.
A big ask, but starts with a first step.