Can't believe folk are saying rest players. We can still go up!

comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 7 minutes ago
Can't believe folk are saying rest players. We can still go up!
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It's truly bizarre.

I have players who sometimes give up when they think they can't win.

I always show them this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWD1yVLqbpY

You would imagine Southampton are the ones that can afford to rest all their players. In reality both teams need to take this game seriously as momentum is very important going into play-offs

I just revert back to our 2-1 win away at Brentford that kept us up - never expected that and in part , them going down to 9 men helped.

Basically anything can happen.

Ipswich aint losing to Hudds, we ain't getting 2nd, all we'll do by playing a full strength side, is trying to beat a side we'll probably have to beat at Wembley, I know which fixture Id rather win. Beat Saints 4 nil at ER and then lose 1 nil at Wembley to them knowing us.

Hudds have nothing to play for. And if there is one team in this division that won't do us any favours, it's them.

Wouldn't make 11 changes, but no way would I play Rutter or Summerville. Saints only need a few heavy tackles and either could miss the playoffs. Id start Anthony and Gnonto out wide with Piroe at 10 and Bamford or Joseph up top. Bring Kamara in and put Gray back at RB.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we make lots of changes and lose and Huddersfield win.
We can't assume Ipswich is going to win.

Just don't agree with you on this Shaun because if we did beat Southampton 4 nil with no players rested until about 70 minutes that installs such amazing confidence and momentum that it demoralises one of our main rivals and gives Leeds back their mojo which has been missing for the last 4-5 weeks and gives Leeds the best chance of promotion.

You can't afford to overthink this and imagine injuries to key players not rested will happen because then that's playing with fear and doubt which in turn becomes a self fulfilling defeatest attitude.

Boldness of attack my friend sets the team up to be the very best version of themselves but of course even then there's no guarantees but it at least means you've given it your very best shot.

first play off date is 12th May - gives them enough rest. We need to win on Saturday to help momentum going in.

first play off date is 12th May - gives them enough rest. We need to win on Saturday to start some momentum going in.
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There, fixed it for you.

We should go for the win, nothing less, on Saturday. The team need a performance, a result, whatever happens between Ips and Hudders. If we're in the playoffs (likely admittedly) we need to find some form/momentum.

She may be warming her vocal chords, but she ain't singing yet .........

p.s. ..... whoever made the call to let Leif Davis go .... what were they smoking? Everytime i've watched him, he just looks what we've needed all season.

comment by VOF - Farke me I like wins ...... (U17124)
posted 9 minutes ago
p.s. ..... whoever made the call to let Leif Davis go .... what were they smoking? Everytime i've watched him, he just looks what we've needed all season.
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Davis today isnt the same player that he was two years ago.

He needed to go down and find himself. It happens, it wouldnt have at Leeds.

comment by LIW We’re Going Up As f@ck@ing Champions (U8453)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by VOF - Farke me I like wins ...... (U17124)
posted 9 minutes ago
p.s. ..... whoever made the call to let Leif Davis go .... what were they smoking? Everytime i've watched him, he just looks what we've needed all season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Davis today isnt the same player that he was two years ago.

He needed to go down and find himself. It happens, it wouldnt have at Leeds.
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especially with Firpo ahead of him.....

I've said a couple of times in the past, there is the good team bad team thing!..

Good team plays bad, bad team plays good, anything can happen!..

Udders might well be doomed, but their players will want to give it one last go, anyone that thinks we shouldn't play our strongest team just might live to regret it!..

Ipswich in the driving seat, so, knowing what can happen the pressure is on them!..

I fully expect DF to name 'his' strongest team.
I fully expect the Terriers to give it a go.
I expect Ipswich a team that has lost only once at home all season to thump them 4-0.
I then expect the Brummies to sweep aside a resting for the playoffs Norwich.
Leeds v Norwich...my expectations stop there.

Forward to the playoffs.

I am praying that Bamford gets over the knock that kept him out of the QPR match because I cannot bear to think that we start any game with Piroe anywhere near the starting 11.

I wonder what line up Daniel might consider, from those players he has available, to be his strongest available.

Might he revert to, as close as he can, the 11 that, won so many points in the early part of this year, Meslier, Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Kamara, Gruev, Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville and Bamford. That would make sense.

or the line up he has been playing recently Meslier, Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Gray, Gruev, Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville and Bamford. That seems to be his preferred option of late even though we've conceded a lot of goals.

or change things up a little, start Cooper alongside Rodon, move Ampadu back to midfield giving more options both in midfield and defence.

We have got to this late in the season, two months ago I could have rattled off our strongest starting 11. I have no idea now what that looks like and I don't think Farke does either.

Those last 2 home games (Sunderland and Blackburn)finished us, we could have had another 5 points and would be home and dry !!!

Playoffs are a lottery ! And I find it unfair that a team with 72-75 points could go up as opposed to Leeds having 90 points - it should be first 3 up as it should be judged over the whole season, not just those ridiculous 2 game playoffs(money spinning racket).

comment by LIW We’re Going Up As f@ck@ing Champions (U8453)
posted 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
comment by VOF - Farke me I like wins ...... (U17124)
posted 9 minutes ago
p.s. ..... whoever made the call to let Leif Davis go .... what were they smoking? Everytime i've watched him, he just looks what we've needed all season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Davis today isnt the same player that he was two years ago.

He needed to go down and find himself. It happens, it wouldnt have at Leeds.
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He made his Leeds debut under Bielsa, I am pretty sure with his coaching he would have come through with us, we will all have memories of their relationship I am sure. I am certain that Bielsa recognised there was a player in Davis.
He was sold when Marsch was head coach, cannot say for certain but it does make you wonder whether Bielsa would have sanctioned such a move.

comment by LeedsMRU (U22367)
posted 3 minutes ago
Playoffs are a lottery ! And I find it unfair that a team with 72-75 points could go up as opposed to Leeds having 90 points - it should be first 3 up as it should be judged over the whole season, not just those ridiculous 2 game playoffs(money spinning racket).
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It's a game that we all enter knowing what the end result is. You cannot say it's unfair in those circumstances.

comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 6 minutes ago
Forward to the playoffs.

I am praying that Bamford gets over the knock that kept him out of the QPR match because I cannot bear to think that we start any game with Piroe anywhere near the starting 11.

I wonder what line up Daniel might consider, from those players he has available, to be his strongest available.

Might he revert to, as close as he can, the 11 that, won so many points in the early part of this year, Meslier, Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Kamara, Gruev, Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville and Bamford. That would make sense.

or the line up he has been playing recently Meslier, Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Gray, Gruev, Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville and Bamford. That seems to be his preferred option of late even though we've conceded a lot of goals.

or change things up a little, start Cooper alongside Rodon, move Ampadu back to midfield giving more options both in midfield and defence.

We have got to this late in the season, two months ago I could have rattled off our strongest starting 11. I have no idea now what that looks like and I don't think Farke does either.
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Midfield is the problem, not sure it can be fixed at this point.
Ampadu to midfield makes most sense.
Gruev looked like he was becoming a player, but has gone backwards and 'sideways'...I'd put him on the bench for Kamara.
Gray hasn't worked in midfield, put him at RB.

comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
comment by LIW We’re Going Up As f@ck@ing Champions (U8453)
posted 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
comment by VOF - Farke me I like wins ...... (U17124)
posted 9 minutes ago
p.s. ..... whoever made the call to let Leif Davis go .... what were they smoking? Everytime i've watched him, he just looks what we've needed all season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Davis today isnt the same player that he was two years ago.

He needed to go down and find himself. It happens, it wouldnt have at Leeds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He made his Leeds debut under Bielsa, I am pretty sure with his coaching he would have come through with us, we will all have memories of their relationship I am sure. I am certain that Bielsa recognised there was a player in Davis.
He was sold when Marsch was head coach, cannot say for certain but it does make you wonder whether Bielsa would have sanctioned such a move.
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In four seasons he started one game for us in League

18/19 82 mins total
19/20 13 mins
20/21 31 mins
21/22 Loaned to Bournemouth 7 starts total 573 minutes

In 3 seasons, he played a total of 126 minutes under Bielsa🤷🏻‍♂️ And he loaned him out, after that

He played midfielders instead of him at left back.

He was 22, Barely played any league football and had one year left on his contract.

So we sold him.

Instead of pretending it was a mistake by the club, lets give the lad credit for dropping down two divisions, getting game time, and improving.

Just to remind everyone we were unbeaten at home when we lost unexpectedly to Blackburn so although Ipswich have an excellent home record and are red hot favourites to get a result against Huddersfield, shocks do happen.

Then whether Huddersfield defy the odds or not Farke had to set the team up to be it's most efficient and clinical and for me that has to mean Archie back at RB Ampadu and Rodon at the centre of defence and although Gruev has been poor recently hopefully the 8 days rest has helped and him and Kamara in the middle is the best we have left in that area.

Again the 8 days rest can see a marked improvement in Rutter, Summerville and Gnonto and if Bamford is not fit to play I would prefer Joseph or even move Gnonto more central and have Anthony wide....it's a pity a refreshed, rested James probably won't be available but fingers crossed he can recover in time to play an important part in Leeds likely play off route to promotion.