Leeds Utd v Everton Match Thread

[weasel]

Agree
Locky almost made an observation that Stach could well become a much more forward playing midfielder under Farke (he has done this before), therefore negating the need to spend on a specific 10.
I think Piroe is better and more effective when he is not in a "lone striker" role. He doesn't get the credit due for some of the timely, pinpoint passing he does when going back to retrieve the ball. He could also be/become a 10??
To me, its becoming clearer by the day we just need an out-and-out, in-form, hungry striker profile player to be brought in. The most important investment for the remainder of the window imo. DCL could be that profile if he can be kept fit and coached back into it. He was like that 5 years ago. But can we risk that?

Yeah I think the idea is good. 3 central midfielders should hopefully make us more solid in midfield but also give us the option for 2 of the midfielders, or even all 3 of them, to go forward and have one or two of the others still covering. I think dependant on game situation we then have the option to switch to Aaronsen or Piroe as the 10.

[White Lotus]

Just watched Locky's review video of the game. He made a good point re. the subs - especially Harrison and Aaronson. Both are quite high energy (in their own individual ways). Introducing them when he did, Farke was able to inject much needed energy - which was flagging - at a key moment.
Nmecha is a different player to Piroe and so was able to get in behind their defense, which is not Piroe's main strength. In this way, Nmecha was also able to cause disruption at a key time.

Thinking about that .....with a more balanced and stronger squad in most positions this season, the manager has the ability to use his bench in that way, i.e. use the subs at key times in whatever part of the pitch its most needed.

Struijk was amazing last night, so surely keeps his place Vs Arsenal. But if he struggles, we now have an equally strong .... but different ... CB in Bijol to bring on. (same for Rodon).
We don't have the same (quality) cover in the fullbacks yet though. Perhaps Bornaauw, when fit, will correct that. But to me, we do need more cover at RB for Bogle.

Will also be interesting to see how/when he introduces DCL up front. There is no doubt our biggest failing last night was getting the ball in their box and not scoring. AS Farke has said we do need to bring in another - very direct - striker.

Wingers are a bit of an issue too. James (and I'm a fan) was very poor last night. He just wasn't in the game from the start. Harrison or Ramazani should perhaps start on the right wing for now?? (perhaps DJ just not quite match fit yet?)

Great post, some top points, no need to see 'Lockys' now i'll just go off this.

1. Spot on that re energy input at the right time, it was needed we had started flagging a bit, so good management.
2. 3. No disrespect to Piroe but i think his days of starting are numbered, it's a matter of time before DCL 1st and then Nmecha are ahead of him, it's a personal opinion of mine and unless he hits a real purple patch of scoring where he makes himself 'un-droppable, then his days are numbered in the first 11, I have reasons why but let's see.

Totally agree re Bogle as he seems to have been asked to do the most 'raiding' forward and is going to be knackered, I think farke might have done that, and instead of both full backs raiding, Guds is a lot more conservative as if we still remain with 3 at the back and Ampadu watching the game and if it breaks down to also then have to help out. Not forgetting we are in a higher league now and playing 'catch up' to a better level as fast as we can (it's good to assess what level position we're at, too early yet)
So i think he's chosen Bogles right hand side to mainly raid down rather than the left, so we're then not completely exposed all the time, it's not entirely obvious but worth noting and observing more of.

Some great points Malcolm

[White Lotus]

Yeah I think the idea is good. 3 central midfielders should hopefully make us more solid in midfield but also give us the option for 2 of the midfielders, or even all 3 of them, to go forward and have one or two of the others still covering. I think dependant on game situation we then have the option to switch to Aaronsen or Piroe as the 10.

I'm not sure he's actually wanting a 10 now, the Prem game is becoming more and more of two No.8's, with sometimes even 3! (rare)
Players seem to drop into that 10 pocket now, where the likes of De Bruyne were the best on the planet at it, the game seems to be moving on from it, 4-3-3 is becoming, has become the norm. Don't get me wrong 10 is still there in plenty of teams and still in wide use, but the main go to now for the press etc is 4-3-3, there's also lots of variation of it getting mixed up and probably in play as well.
Managers dishing out orders to go to this and go to that, drop him in here and push him into there, go 4-3-2-1, go 3 at the back, push James wide, tell Stach to push on into the pocket.
Have you noticed all the managers/coaches constantly on their tablet's (like American football) looking for 'plays, but probably more in our game - They're looking for weaknesses in the opponents formation and which positions to attack, i.e - a Firpo type of player as an example (which is possibly going to be Bogles position now as he raids forward) Firpo raiding forward, but not that good defensively so target him and overload.
I think he'd welcome a decent 10 for the beauty of options, but i feel he's looking for loads of different versatile players like this Okafor that it's been mentioned can play all across the front line, so you're getting possibly 4 players in 1 (drop him into the 10 pocket being the 4th option), and imagine the options with that, with each obviously having their best and favoured position.
We know Aaronson can play a number of positions, Gnonto can, Stach can probably be juggled around etc etc
He's been teaching Piroe to drop into that 10 pocket, that was clearly evident the other night, DCL will be different gravy all across the front line opening up pockets of space.
It's worth paying attention to the 'big boys' game at the moment, especially Liverpool, but mainly City, because City are in transition trying to get this like Klopp had it to near perfection, that's why City have this ex Klopp man now and why Guardiola rushed over to kiss him when that new majestic player scored from the move 100% orchestrated by that new guy. Liverpool are already there but he's having to tweak it to get it spot on because of all the new arrivals at full back and offense with this Wirtz, Gakpo has replaced Diaz/Jota and then there's this new attacker in Ekitike, it's well worth watching them now we're there and how close we are to competing with them, but also which players do what for them, both clubs have got an absolute wealth of talent in - Szoboszlai, Chiesa, McAllister, Salah, Endo, Wirtz, Gakpo, etc etc it's worth nothing which is his best team and formation he goes with for whichever game, if it's a top of the table clash - What team does he consider his best and why, which formation? We've got to and i am expecting some hammering's, but how close are we and how do we go about the actual game, scary stuff.

Farke is trying to do this on a limited budget, tight schedule and a poor-mans hand. He needs help, and a load of luck wouldn't go amiss., take a look at City's list of players Foden might struggle to get a sniff! And he's still struggling with Haaland believe it or not, I can't wait to see what Guardiola considers his best team when he has to put it out, because Haaland at the moment can't get it right even though he'll probably still score because he's surrounded by talent. Pep all last year struggled fitting Haaland into it, so has turned to someone else to help him fit him in, but it's not right yet.
Reijnders Cherki and Marmoush i think will get it off to a tee.

[GreennWhite]

Good result and just what we needed staring with a win. Last season it was very tough due to so many games having to be played and always needing to win to keep ourselves at the top. Quality of the opposition wasnt always that good, but this season is a sort of opposite to last season.
Not as many games to play, but the quality of the opposition is so much higher and that means having to work so much harder if we are to get anything from games, even against the so called weaker teams.
I wont get worried about 1 or 2 players not being on it against Everton, its much too early in the season to be having a go at them. Some players are good at starting seasons well, other take a bit of time to get fully up to speed.
Its going to end up being critical that the whole squad play their part this season, if we have any chance of staying up. So far im liking what we have done, squad wise. We havent and never were going to have the best squad, but what we have is a very good squad that works very hard for each other, as was shown perfectly last season. We are going to need that again in bucket loads.

[White Lotus]

Imagine if Farke could put out his back 4 with the wingbacks also attacking.
You then put someone like Ampadu as the anchor.

Then you find 5 players like this guy below, put them all in front of Ampadu, and send them out with just the 1 order to -

'Go and run riot guys'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/vi ... 9jzw57eypo

Btw, Arsenal have been trying to do that for the last 3 seasons without a main target man, and have fell short on 3 occasions because it's so hard to get right, now he's trying to fit into it this Gyokeres, but it's disturbing it and it's an interesting watch to see how it goes and how he goes about it.

[White Lotus]

Good result and just what we needed staring with a win. Last season it was very tough due to so many games having to be played and always needing to win to keep ourselves at the top. Quality of the opposition wasnt always that good, but this season is a sort of opposite to last season.
Not as many games to play, but the quality of the opposition is so much higher and that means having to work so much harder if we are to get anything from games, even against the so called weaker teams.
I wont get worried about 1 or 2 players not being on it against Everton, its much too early in the season to be having a go at them. Some players are good at starting seasons well, other take a bit of time to get fully up to speed.
Its going to end up being critical that the whole squad play their part this season, if we have any chance of staying up. So far im liking what we have done, squad wise. We havent and never were going to have the best squad, but what we have is a very good squad that works very hard for each other, as was shown perfectly last season. We are going to need that again in bucket loads.

I have a list of the players in my head starting with the first, second, third etc that will gradually get dropped off like what has happened to Bamford so as to progress the team/squad better and to a higher level.
And i feel the 49ers will back him, and are not in a hurry to sell our best unless Farke says so and it's for daft money, or he feels he can replace them easy enough.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I have a list of the players in my head starting with the first, second, third etc that will gradually get dropped off like what has happened to Bamford so as to progress the team/squad better and to a higher level.
And i feel the 49ers will back him, and are not in a hurry to sell our best unless Farke says so and it's for daft money, or he feels he can replace them easy enough.

Bielsa talked about replacing the whole 11. It didn't happen. We made 4 signings in season 1 and 2 signings in season 2. We didn't make a serious effort to improve on the starting 11 - to the point that Cooper, Bamford, Dallas, Ayling, Alioski, Forhsaw all remained key players for too long - all should have been bench players at best by season 2

We're not making that mistake this time. 8 signings is a good start. And, I too, see the 49ers constantly improving this squad. We may be preparing to avoid relegation this season. But they've openly admitted they want to build a champions league squad.