Harrogate Town v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[1964white]

Amps started as RB, firpo started at LB, Rodon started as the only CH, we started with 3 at the back, it changed at HT with 7 subs, with Amps going to CH.

Did you enjoy the game, Mental?

[The Subhuman]

Amps started as RB, firpo started at LB, Rodon started as the only CH, we started with 3 at the back, it changed at HT with 7 subs, with Amps going to CH.

Debayo started at CH

Meslier

Ampadu - Rodon - Debayo - Firpo

No centre half ever gets up and down the touch line right to the by line, overlapping the winger. So correct on Amps at RB

[Kennyb41]

Only Harrogate, but i noticed we were only 2 at the back for long spells, with each wingbacks pushing on, it's too early yet, but dare i say, like all the top international sides want to do these days.

Anyway, it was good to see him experimenting different things across the back.

[mentalcase]

Did you enjoy the game, Mental?

Yea, I know only a friendly but you could sense our style of play, same as last year, 44 passes along the back then over top to James
Joe Rodon came off at HT because his boots were worn out with all the sideways passing .
Great to see the kids involved, that tells me what I've though all along, we won't be getting many more incomings bit like when Bielsa was forced to put kids on the bench to either fill it, or it's a nudge to the owners to see how deficient and threadbare we are.
Debayo had a good first half as did James, Rothwell and Joseph, in fact Piroe was the only one I could criticise.
I don't like the idea of 3 across the back with Ampadu in RB position, he's far too good to be isolated, but with Rothwell & Gruev in the middle, it's what Farke wants.
I hope that all changes when the season starts, but Byram won't last the season and if Firpo leaves we have no experience for full backs.

[Sean_Nile]

last year Farke was praising the need for experience and singled out 34 year old Morsey as providing it at Ipswich... perhaps he thought Joseph was too young and didn't give him game time when Bamford was knackered.

Fast forward to the Euros and 16 year old Yamal steals the show.

Last night Farke was trying out the kids with another Gray up top, does this mean he has relented about counting on experience to get us promoted

[1964white]

Yea, I know only a friendly but you could sense our style of play, same as last year, 44 passes along the back then over top to James
Joe Rodon came off at HT because his boots were worn out with all the sideways passing .
Great to see the kids involved, that tells me what I've though all along, we won't be getting many more incomings bit like when Bielsa was forced to put kids on the bench to either fill it, or it's a nudge to the owners to see how deficient and threadbare we are.
Debayo had a good first half as did James, Rothwell and Joseph, in fact Piroe was the only one I could criticise.
I don't like the idea of 3 across the back with Ampadu in RB position, he's far too good to be isolated, but with Rothwell & Gruev in the middle, it's what Farke wants.
I hope that all changes when the season starts, but Byram won't last the season and if Firpo leaves we have no experience for full backs.

Things will change, once the proper stuff commences, as it did last season.

Reports on YouTube all saying Piroe was disappointing.

Thank you for your report

[The Subhuman]

Piroe very quiet, seems to be a player without position.

[SG90]

You missed the build up for the first and the assist then, almost scored too. Harry can't sign a contract for 15 months? He maybe gone before we can sign him up if we put him in the shop window.

He would've gone by now if that was the case. I can't see the Gray family screwing Leeds out of tens of millions. He will sign a pro deal at Leeds.

[Kennyb41]

last year Farke was praising the need for experience and singled out 34 year old Morsey as providing it at Ipswich... perhaps he thought Joseph was too young and didn't give him game time when Bamford was knackered.

Fast forward to the Euros and 16 year old Yamal steals the show.

Last night Farke was trying out the kids with another Gray up top, does this mean he has relented about counting on experience to get us promoted

Or, even more of a blend?

[Kennyb41]

For me, Pascal is out and out left, Rodon, out and out right, Ampadu - both

A back 3 of those isn't bad at all, with Amps in the middle, good options against deferent teams - Back 4 or back 3.

Bogle attacking, Firpo attacking - Byram is cover, possibly with 1 or 2 of the youth he could've found ?

As a last resort thru injuries - Gruev, possibly even Rothwell, but i doubt that.

Early, but good signs.

[mentalcase]

Piroe very quiet, seems to be a player without position.

I agree on this, a very good player, often like Pablo, he's 2 passes and moves in front of everyone else, it's trying to fit him into Farke' style of play, bit like Rodrigo in the past, hopefully he stays, he's a lot to offer, very different from Joseph, but both will do us proud when called upon more often than not.

[andrewjohnsmith]

last year Farke was praising the need for experience and singled out 34 year old Morsey as providing it at Ipswich... perhaps he thought Joseph was too young and didn't give him game time when Bamford was knackered.

Fast forward to the Euros and 16 year old Yamal steals the show.

Last night Farke was trying out the kids with another Gray up top, does this mean he has relented about counting on experience to get us promoted

He's not opposed to youth. Archie Gray being the key example. Archie made his debut under Farke, but would have made it sooner had it not been that git John McGinn. So, Farke did inherit an Archie who probably should have made his debut 12 months earlier. But .... Cresswell, Joffy, Drameh, Greenwood and others all had 1st team experience and he didn't fancy them.

I think there's an opposition to youth with rare exceptions. The exceptional exception that Archie was. But, he certainly seems more inclined towards experience overall. It will be interesting to see if he keeps Harry sniffing around the first team squad. It definitely seems like he's giving serious consideration to Crew and Debayo for the season ahead.

I think he likes Joseph too. he singled him out last preseason, then he got injured.

[1964white]

Could the camara be further away

Chambers was that after great work from Joffy?

Now if you want a midfielder that can run at defenders, it's Joffy

I thought Joffy played well, contrary to some opinions I've read & heard.

[1964white]

Joseph was poor tonight tbh, held the line but did nothing else, Harry isgoing to be some player, his 10 minute cameo showed he's years above his age limit.
Joseph looks a lot stronger and fitter mind, maybe needs to be given a run of games and goals under his belt.

Joseph assist for Firpo's goal.

[1964white]

Firpo - Junior scores in pre-season again.

Ampadu - Last season's MOTM player of the year continues where he left off, apart from gertting done for pace once, Amps was a rock.

Rothwell - Nice start to his Leeds career, some slick passing, moves the ball quickly & forward.

Gruev - We must have been dominant in the second-half, as even Illan got forward

James - Lightening quick & involved in much of our attacking play

Georginio - Some delightful passing & a goal to boot, even though Geo was off-balance.

Piroe - Quiet

Joseph - Lively & a assist.

Struijk - Good to see the big sexy pirate back, looking even more athletic.

Summerville & Gnonto - We looked more of an attcking threat with our dynamic duo on the pitch.

Gelhardt - Thought Joffy played well.

Chambers - Nice strike.
[/quote]

[DDB220]

Yea, I know only a friendly but you could sense our style of play, same as last year, 44 passes along the back then over top to James
Joe Rodon came off at HT because his boots were worn out with all the sideways passing .
Great to see the kids involved, that tells me what I've though all along, we won't be getting many more incomings bit like when Bielsa was forced to put kids on the bench to either fill it, or it's a nudge to the owners to see how deficient and threadbare we are.
Debayo had a good first half as did James, Rothwell and Joseph, in fact Piroe was the only one I could criticise.
I don't like the idea of 3 across the back with Ampadu in RB position, he's far too good to be isolated, but with Rothwell & Gruev in the middle, it's what Farke wants.
I hope that all changes when the season starts, but Byram won't last the season and if Firpo leaves we have no experience for full backs.

He filled out the squad with youth for two reasons IMO, lack of seniors, which is obvious, but a lot of players are building their fitness, asking them to play 90 mins would be a risk at this stage of the new season.

I do not doubt for a minute we will be getting at least another 4 players in, which does not include Bogle. IMO Crew will, without doubt be a first team squad player this season, possibly another youngster as well.

I think we will get at least two loanees, we shall see if Gilchrist is still a viable option when Chelsea get round to looking at who makes the squad.

[mentalcase]

He filled out the squad with youth for two reasons IMO, lack of seniors, which is obvious, but a lot of players are building their fitness, asking them to play 90 mins would be a risk at this stage of the new season.

I do not doubt for a minute we will be getting at least another 4 players in, which does not include Bogle. IMO Crew will, without doubt be a first team squad player this season, possibly another youngster as well.

I think we will get at least two loanees, we shall see if Gilchrist is still a viable option when Chelsea get round to looking at who makes the squad.

I see Crew and Debayo making the bench , I won't at all be surprised to see Harry Gray there either, just hope we're not lining him up for another quick sale.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Didn't see anything I liked from Rothwell yet... I'm told we bought him as we needed someone running the ball at defences but Geo does that much better and Joffy did too tonight.. Early days but at 29 he's at his peak

Only watched the highlights, but Joffy looked really good making those penetrating runs

Let's see if Farke keeps him around. I definitely think he has something to offer in the 10 role. We saw him doing it in the premier league. So no reason why he shouldn't be doing it in the championship. I think he's a great late sub, playing the 10 role like Rutter did last season. Definitely think he's quality for our bench and should be used more.

[The Subhuman]

I thought Joffy played well, contrary to some opinions I've read & heard.

So did I

[Victor_OTT_17]

Amps started as RB, firpo started at LB, Rodon started as the only CH, we started with 3 at the back, it changed at HT with 7 subs, with Amps going to CH.

I'm not arguing but we started with 3 centre-backs...