Leeds Utd v Sheffield Utd Match Thread

[1964white]

There is no denying this seasons squad is far better than last seasons, you just have to look at the way players coming into the team are making us as strong, even better than the starting eleven.

Cjay won't agree with you!

[JoeDenver]

Cjay won't agree with you!

TBF to Cjay, it’s still early days. Let’s see where we’re at in late November/early Dec, but it does appear that a sizable hurdle has been cleared.

[weasel]

Complete agreement there, AJS. Read my mind re: Kamara and I actually was wondering the same re: taking the money in the summer for Gruev. Hindsight 20/20, but also difficult to discern how real the offer for Gruev was.

Another thought re: Rothwell is that he fits the mold of a grizzled Championship ba***rd (a “GCB” for short) that many have suspected we’ve needed. Doesn’t suppress the broader discussion of needing others in that mold, but does placate that part of the fan base.

It (the Rothwell signing) was just a very good common sense signing. A player that has done well in the championship in the past but is still at a decent age, doesn't seem to have had major issues in regards to suspensions or injuries (cue him now getting injured whilst kicking the sh*t out of a ref after getting sent off) and isn't going to be playing international matches. As such he should be fairly fresh and able to play as much or as little as we need him to. Is supposedly good at set pieces - I groaned along with seemingly every Leeds fan as the corner went in before cheering a second later and it was clear from Struyk's reaction, and what was said afterwards, that this was a rehearsed corner rather than us getting lucky.

I said at the time, when we signed him, that he would probably be a starter for nearly every other championship side. If he can chip in with a few goals/assists as well as playing the neat and tidy structured role then he could be a key signing.

[1964white]

TBF to Cjay, it’s still early days. Let’s see where we’re at in late November/early Dec, but it does appear that a sizable hurdle has been cleared.

We are not relying on a couple of individuals any more, having a more balanced squad.

Still short on numbers though.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Way, way way Too early to start saying the Rothwell / Tanaka partnership is our best midfield option. One swallow and all that….

Ampadu is still for me our most important player. Depending on the opposition - possibly either of Tanaka or Rothwell alongside him would be the midfield silver bullet. Gruev is a decent DM but he does not have the qualities in possession the other three possess and with DF’s tactics and approach positive, brave, progressive distribution is necessary.

Honestly think Ampadu/Tanaka would be our best pairing. It gives us a similar set up to last season. And Tanaka is looking like an upgrade on Kamara. Rothwell is interesting because his dribbling brings an X factor that we didn't have before.

The one player who stood out for me with Blunts was Souza - he made some very timely interventions that prevented us creating opportunities and/ or scoring in the first half. Particular the touch that spoiled Gnonto’s attempt.

Souza really stood out when he got booked for mimicking a yellow card on Firpo But, I agree, he does look a quality player for them. Much more so than that big lump Souttar. Interesting that many have suggested Souttar and Moore as signings for us (myself included on Moore). Both looked really ineffective yesterday

I thought Mes looked pretty solid also. He seemed unfazed by the previous calamity and was assured as usual with the ball at his feet, his positioning when we play out and his movement to ensure he is an option is overlooked if you are not aware of how a goalkeeper contributes to the system we employ. His distribution was also very good.

And he caught everything

[andrewjohnsmith]

It (the Rothwell signing) was just a very good common sense signing. A player that has done well in the championship in the past but is still at a decent age, doesn't seem to have had major issues in regards to suspensions or injuries (cue him now getting injured whilst kicking the sh*t out of a ref after getting sent off) and isn't going to be playing international matches. As such he should be fairly fresh and able to play as much or as little as we need him to. Is supposedly good at set pieces - I groaned along with seemingly every Leeds fan as the corner went in before cheering a second later and it was clear from Struyk's reaction, and what was said afterwards, that this was a rehearsed corner rather than us getting lucky.

I said at the time, when we signed him, that he would probably be a starter for nearly every other championship side. If he can chip in with a few goals/assists as well as playing the neat and tidy structured role then he could be a key signing.

I see our ideal set up as being one of Ampadu/Gruev in a holding role and one of Tanaka/Rothwell in the more forward role. But I'm pleased to see that Rothwell and Tanaka clicked really well yesterday. I was a bit concerned when I saw Rothwell filling in at right back (as is our system). He's much better when he goes on those runs with the ball. But he played his role really well. Ideally, I'd like to see him running at stubborn defences. But, as is necessity, he did well yesterday.

As you alluded and Joe said in calling him a GCB, it's good to have some domestic players that don't go away on international duty.

[andrewjohnsmith]

We are not relying on a couple of individuals any more, having a more balanced squad.

Still short on numbers though.

Agree. Maybe short 1 or 2. But we can't have everything. Our bench players are much better than the bench players we had last year.

[Cjay]

We are not relying on a couple of individuals any more, having a more balanced squad.

Still short on numbers though.

That's the point.

It's not even November and Farke is publicly saying we are short in midfield and defence and isn't like we have lots of injuries.

Just 2.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Complete agreement there, AJS. Read my mind re: Kamara and I actually was wondering the same re: taking the money in the summer for Gruev. Hindsight 20/20, but also difficult to discern how real the offer for Gruev was.

Another thought re: Rothwell is that he fits the mold of a grizzled Championship ba***rd (a “GCB” for short) that many have suspected we’ve needed. Doesn’t suppress the broader discussion of needing others in that mold, but does placate that part of the fan base.

Yeah. I was making the point before the game that SheffU had an advantage with so many GCB's - players that wouldn't be away on international duty. I was thinking we missed a trick in putting our squad together. Didn't turn out to be the case. But it must be nice to have players like Rothwell around the club and in training during an international break. Probably explains why he handled his defensive duties so well last night.

[GreennWhite]

Cjay won't agree with you!

I will refrain from commenting on that

[1964white]

Blunts fans blaming Wilder for his team selection & making changes.

Thank god, Farke doesn't change a winning team.

[herefordbornleedsboy]

That's the point.

It's not even November and Farke is publicly saying we are short in midfield and defence and isn't like we have lots of injuries.

Just 2.

3 injuries (including Wober) but it just happens that one of those injuries (Amps) covers both our midfield and our defence and that both of our midfield injuries are effectively for the same position. Not many of us were saying we needed more cover in the centre of midfield or in defence when the transfer window closed. Most of us wanted a number 10.

[Cjay]

3 injuries (including Wober) but it just happens that one of those injuries (Amps) covers both our midfield and our defence and that both of our midfield injuries are effectively for the same position. Not many of us were saying we needed more cover in the centre of midfield or in defence when the transfer window closed. Most of us wanted a number 10.

Think quite a few thought the squad was paper thin tbf.

And it is.

It's one of the smallest squads in the league even fully fit.

We've 23 players, that includes 3 goalies.

Sunderland for comparison have 28

Burnley have over 30

WBA despite financial issues have 26.

23 players is abnormally small and risky.

You are literally 2 or 3 Injuries away from having no first team players left to fill the bench.

[Irish Ian]

I suppose if you want quality over dross you have to pay for it.

Leeds have the highest wage bill in the division and economies have to be made in the squad size.

We have saw injures to key players and no drop off in performance.

Great management

[The Subhuman]

3 injuries (including Wober) but it just happens that one of those injuries (Amps) covers both our midfield and our defence and that both of our midfield injuries are effectively for the same position. Not many of us were saying we needed more cover in the centre of midfield or in defence when the transfer window closed. Most of us wanted a number 10.

I was .. We were always a CB short.

[GreennWhite]

Bigger isnt always better

[JoeDenver]

I was .. We were always a CB short.

Ditto that as well as a no 9 short. And the right 9 would’ve given sufficient cover at the 8 spot.

[1964white]

For just the second time in the club's history, Leeds haven't named a player aged 30 or older in their starting XI across the opening 10 games of a league season. This season is the first time since 1952-53.

[1964white]

Leeds United are the first team to restrict Sheffield United to zero shots on target in a Championship match on record

[1964white]

Gustavo Hamer vs. Leeds:

61 mins played
0 shots on-target
1 chance created
1 blocked shot
1 successful take-on
1 opposition box touch
12 times possession lost

4 goals and an assist this season but was restricted to very little at Elland Road. Constantly harassed and pressed.

Not a £20m player imo!