The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 11th December) - What part might Berardi and Roberts play this season?

[1964white]

Good Morning. It's Thursday 10th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Can Gaetano Berardi play a part this season?

Marcelo Bielsa that Gaetano Berardi could be available for selection in just a couple of months following knee surgery in July. The 32-year-old Swiss international has been side-lined after tearing his cruciate knee ligament against Derby in July. Talking about the defensive options available to him at the pre match press conference on Wednesday and following Robin Koch’s injury Bielsa said; “we also expect to count on Berardi from February”.

It was heart-breaking to see Berardi stretchered off the pitch against Derby having extended his contract to see Leeds over the line despite having no assurances over where he would be playing this season. His ‘side before self’ attitude has always endeared him to the fans and the majority were delighted when the club did the right thing and gave him a contract for this season despite knowing he would miss the majority through injury.

But sentiment aside, does Berardi have anything to offer in the Premier League? Coming back from knee surgery is hard enough without having to adjust to a new league with greater demands.





What future for Tyler Roberts?

Friday night will see Rodrigo Moreno return to Leeds United’s starting line-up following his positive Covid-19 diagnosis. Stuart Dallas, the modern-day Paul Madeley, has covered in midfield during his absence and as ever has done an admirable job. But what des that say about the future of Tyler Roberts? With the attacking options of Rodrigo, Raphinha, Hernandez, Costa and Harrison and Dallas used as cover, how far down the pecking order is Tyler Roberts?

Whilst Roberts is a player with undoubted potential, injuries have hampered his early career and on the occasion he filled in for Pablo Hernandez earlier in the season he failed to live up to that potential. The odd glimpse here and there perhaps but not enough to seal a place in Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Now firmly down the pecking order, with the likes of Poveda now Bielsa’s impact sub of choice, is it time for Roberts to move out on loan to aid his development?





Will Leeds return for Rodrigo de Paul in January?

In the rumour that refuses to go away the speculation that Rodrigo de Paul could be heading to Elland Road has risen again with the transfer window just a few weeks away. The Whites were heavily linked with a move to sign the Argentinian during the summer but a deal could not be completed. Udinese were after £37 million for the player in summer but reports from the Italian website CalcioMercato claim that Udinese’s asking price has since dropped to £27 million.

Speaking to The Boot Room former Leeds United shotstopper Nigel Martyn says the player would be a ‘good addition’ to Bielsa’s squad; “If you’ve got the money, and you can afford to do it, the quality of player is what you need in this division. But if you’re going to spend that money, he has to play”. Would you go back in for De Paul this summer? He is no talented no question but where would he fit into the team with Rodrigo, Klich and Phillips completing Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield currently?


Leeds v West Ham


1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Friday night?

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?

5) If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?

6 Do you rate David Moyes?

7) Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road

8 Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?

9) Win, lose or draw?

10) Would you be happy with a point?

[1964white]

You don't need to answer all the questions I've put forward if it's all too much to digest first thing on a morning

[1964white]

Blimey we have two for one Breakfast Debates today

Both very different so plenty for our MOT pals to get their teeth into Adam

[Cjay]

Good morn

Lotta questions for a Friday mornin

1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?

Yeah happy enough given the injuries and lack of general squad depth. Would have picked Poveda or Costa over Harrison but MB loves JH so was never going to happen, happy enough.

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Saturday night?

Ermmmm, you do know its Friday today and we play tonight?

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?

Jarrod Bowen, no disrespect to Costa and MB given he apparently wanted Costa over Bowen but we definitely missed a trick not getting him and Ali and Harrison will need to keep him quiet.

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?

Effective rather than good, you wouldn't want to watch them every week (tbf that goes for most teams, probably less than a handful you would want to watch). But Moyes has made them tough to beat, organised, and they have a sprinkle of stardust to win them games.

5)  If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?

A few maybe, Soucek, Diop, Bowen, really liked Lanzini to but he seems to have gone off the boil a lot in recent years.

So go for Diop as he is a decent cb with height and we may score a set piece occasionally.

6)  Do you rate David Moyes?

Yeah i do, he should have never taken the Manure job, was a hiding to nothing. Does well and Ferguson would have got the credit, doesnt do well and he isnt worthy etc. Did a great job at Everton, they played decent football to at times. Experienced manager, better than most of them on the football merry-go-round.

7)  Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road

Wouldn't say special and not even sure it was Elland Road but vaguely remember Lampard doing a dance around a corner flag after scoring vs us for some reason.

8) Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?

Di Canio and Payet.

Di Canio may have questionable beliefs but he was special and nuts to go with it. Payet was the one i wanted us to sign upon promotion. Such a skillful and classy player, his experience to would have helped, shame it didnt happen.

9) 9) Win, lose or draw?

Win

10) Would you be happy with a point?

No, despite impressive performances we are 1 win in 5 with a minus 8 or 9 goal difference, West Ham at home is a game we should be aiming for maximum points from and any less will be points dropped

[Cjay]

Can Gaetano Berardi play a part this season?

Was never his biggest fan but full of respect for him putting his future on the line to help us get over the line and the club did the right thing by giving him a 12 month deal.

That being said, he is early 30s, an ACL is hard enough to come back from for a younger man, some never do and most need many many months to get any sort of form back.

Square pegs in round holes (as we have seen already) are much easier exploited in the Prem also and his lack of pace and height plus his lack of match sharpness combined with his combative nature would make him an accident waiting to happen imo.

A cameo to say goodbye sure, but someone to rely on? Not for me, sentiment aside fans loved him for his never say die attitude, not because he was particularly good.

What future for Tyler Roberts?

Yeovil?

I jest.

But yeah never really rated him, not a fan, not as good as some seem to think imo, dont see it, never have.

Nice lad.

But a loan at least is needed even just so he can prove his fitness, needs to show he can complete a full season and perform consistently. He is one of the very few who hasnt really shown improvement under Bielsa imo.

De Paul

Was so disappointed we didnt get him, even after his not so subtle come and get me plea. For £27mil id snap Udinese's hand off.

Heck for £35mil id still do that.

Exactly what we need, always was, that 8/10 able to create, score and compete, sometimes especially with Dallas at cm Klich is a 1 man midfield, De Paul was exactly the sort of support he needs.

Unfortunately i cant see it happening, doubt we would pay the price in January and no reason at all Udinese would drop £10mil in a few months.

[The Subhuman]

I'd not expect Gaetano to step on the field for the 23's let alone first team this season.

Roberts is a striker for me converting to a ten which is the hardest position to play if you're not a natural (I'm not convinced Rodrigo will make a good 10. The old fashioned 10 playing off a big 9 in a 442 is a different matter but we haven't played 442 in years and rightly

Those two finishes last season and last time he played his preferred position said it all for me, natural striker.

[White Riot]

1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?
It's okay, but I would have gone with:
Meslier
Ayling
Struijk
Cooper
Davis
KP
Klich
Rodders
Raphinha
Costa
Bamford

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Saturday night?
It's 10pm here in Bulgaria, so prefer earlier kick-off times

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?
Don't know that much about them, but Bowen is fast, creative and can finish. He's also had some success against us in the past, but I think last time we played Hull Dallas pocketed him. Davis could do a similar job. Antonio is out so that's a bonus.

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?
Surprise package, probably will finish mid-table which is better than where they usually are. Unattractive football though, just playing on the counter.

5) If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?
Bowen

6 Do you rate David Moyes?
No, he just plays on the counter and hoofball. We've seen enough of that at Millwall, Cardiff, etc.

7) Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road
It seems like it's been a while, but I would say we have usually done well against them at ER. We still have the London hoodoo hanging around for the away match.

8 Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?
Bobby Moore
Martin Peters
Geoff hurst
Mervn Day
Trevor Brooking
Alan Devonshire
They traditionally played good possession based attacking football which was good to watch.

9) Win, lose or draw?
Win

10) Would you be happy with a point?
No we need 3 points.

[Byebyegeegee]

Like others I’m sceptical that Berardi will return in February and I certainly wouldn’t want to rely on him doing so as Bielsa, it seems, is counting on.

Personally I see Roberts more as back up to Bamford, I’ve always thought he would make a better striker than a no10 (which lets face it he’s been poor at) but has not been used much in that role and I don’t think, on current form, he’s going to oust Bamford anytime soon. Perhaps a spell away might be the best option for him.

With a £10m discount, De Paul at no10 with Bamford/Rodrigo up top sounds pretty promising to me, but whether we could afford, or be willing, to spend another £27m in January is very doubtful imo.

[gessa]

1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?

Considering the injuries possibly the best we could have done, the LB position is still the big worry for me.

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Saturday night?

No, hate them, Friday is slightly better

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?

Really don't know too much about any of them

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?

They've done better than I expected, with how they finished last season, I thought they'd be a bottom 6 team this year.

5)  If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?

Don't know too much about as I said previously. Have they got a good LB?

6)  Do you rate David Moyes?

From memory he did a good job at Everton, even though they were a bit up and down from season to season, he should never have taken the man Utd job, far too big a shoes to fill with his lack of experience, seemed to knock him for 6, doing well atm with WH but his style isn't something I'd like to be watching week in week out.

7)  Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road

Only one I seem to remember was when we got relegated and Delph first came on the scene, he tore them a new one that game, think he set up both goals for Rob Hulse.

8) Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?

Billy Bonds. Julian Dicks was always alright for a bruiser.



9) 9) Win, lose or draw?


Win. Not must win but we could do with 4 points from the next 2 games.

10) Would you be happy with a point?


No, they're the sort of team we don't like playing against but we should be looking at 3 points tonight.

[Smudge3920]

1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?
Given our injury status not much choice really, personally I would have started Costa over Harrison. But as always trust in MB's judgment over mine.

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Saturday night?
No definatley not, but Friday is ok makes it a 1pm ko for me.

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?
I dont think they have a stand out go to like a Kalvin.

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?
a mid table side.

5) If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?
None , dont see one that would be a good fit for Bielsa ball, they tend to look jaded in the last 15/20 minutes of a lot of games. especially when pressed.

6 Do you rate David Moyes?
get the result at all cost manager, boring style, no imagination.

7) Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road
None.

8 Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?
Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst

9) Win, lose or draw?
Absoluetly a win, if we cannot take 3 points from the Hammers at home... we really do have problems.

10) Would you be happy with a point?
No, at this stage these are the games we have to win.

[1964white]

Good morn

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Saturday night?

Ermmmm, you do know its Friday today and we play tonight?

Good morning Cjay

Oops!

[Byebyegeegee]

1) I’m not a fan of of shuffling the pack but with 2 of our centre backs injured I suppose it’s inevitable and having Ayling at centre back rather than Phillips is the lesser of 2 evils.

2) No, neither on a Saturday or indeed a Friday. I just wish all our games could be played at the traditional time of 3 o’clock on Saturday.

3) I’ve not seen Wet Spam much at all so can’t really comment. I saw Antonio score a goal or 2 a couple of weeks ago I think, so I’m glad he’s not playing. Bowen, of course, from his Hull days is always a handful.

4) Perennial also rans so mid to lower table is where they are and where I would expect them to be!

5) Only really know Bowen, so him I suppose, he is a good footballer though.

6) Can’t bring myself to rate anyone whose managed that lot over the Pennines.

7) Not really

8) Trevor Brooking was always a player I rated, not very quick but oozed class.

9) Win, I hope

10) A game at home against this type of team really is a must win, but I thought the same when we played CP and look what happened there!

[Smudge3920]

Will Leeds return for Rodrigo de Paul in January?
Why has his stock dropped?... should have risen do't you think?... And who would we sacrifice?, would rather concentrate on position's where we definately need to fill.

What future for Tyler Roberts?
A tough one, do we sell him, send him out on loan?... Shame I always liked the lad and thought his future was bright.

Can Gaetano Berardi play a part this season?

I sure wish he was fit now...all we can do is trust in the medical staff and MB judgment, impossible to make a call from the outside.... But if its risky, would rather hold off untill next season and hopefully we can get a year or two more out of him.

[Byebyegeegee]

Will Leeds return for Rodrigo de Paul in January?
Why has his stock dropped?... should have risen do't you think?... And who would we sacrifice?, would rather concentrate on position's where we definately need to fill.

I don’t know smudge, but it might be something to do with his Contract running down.

[White Riot]

Berardi has been a great servant for our beloved club, so I'm pleased Leeds gave him a year contract extension.
A tough battler who will roll up his sleeves and get on with the job.
If anyone can come back from serious injury then it's Berardi.
Ironically, if he was fit now he'd have his best chance of getting a game this season.
However, the only way I see him getting a start would be for sentimental reasons in the last fixture of the season if we're already confirmed as staying up, or relegated. If that's still in the balance he wouldn't get a game.
I believe this will be his last season with us, unless we get relegated.

Roberts, not for me thanks. Better options at 10 are Rodders and Pablo. For him to get a start as a striker it would need injuries to Paddy and Rodders, and even then Gelhardt or Greenwood might get a shout before him.
If we stay up then I think he'll be sold and good luck to him.

De Paul would be great, We could really do with him now. But expect we'll pick him, or another 10, up next summer as long as we stay up.

[Overman]

Hopefully neither of themvwill play a part in the PL, not a popular opinion, but neither are good enough. We need to start planning for the future and without a number of current players.

[Irish Ian]

Afternoon Folks

Berra could be handy to have around if our fitness issues continue, handy to have on the bench.

Roberts, two seasons ago Bielsa was trying to convert him into AMF , but injuries stalled his progress. I would have preferred him as a 9 where he is more natural. Handy to have on the bench as an attacking option in case we lose Bamford.


I cant see us bringing anyone in permanently in January, unless it is a youth prospect, but we do have a free loan slot available.
I am finding it had to see where Shackleton fits into the picture at the minute too, but given time in the game he would be a handy box to box mid.

[YorkshireSquare]

1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?
Best with what we have available, defence a concern.

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Friday night?
Saturday and Friday night 8pm kick-offs can go do one!

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?
Antonio, but he is out!

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?
Looked like a car crash pre-season but putting things together now. Mid table side probably.

5) If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?
Snoddy! I dont think Bowen would have been a bad shout for us.

6 Do you rate David Moyes?
Decent enough, bit dull though.

7) Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road
Not especially, some interesting memories of Upton Park though!

8) Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?
Paulo Di Canio or Julian Dicks probably

9) Win, lose or draw?
Win

[1964white]

I don't reckon neither Berardi or Roberts will acquire much game time this season.

Gaetano has been a great servant suffering some horrendous injuries in his time at Leeds. Berardi put in some fine performances standing in for Cooper & when White was on DM duties.

As for Roberts his best position is upfront, he was totally ineffective playing in the No.10 role. Now Bamford is knocking in the goals at PL level plus we now have more options with Rodrigo, Raphinha & even Dallas playing in the midfield + the possible return of Pablo, TR is now low down in the pecking order & is unlikely to feature in the future. A championship is Roberts next destination I suspect

We need to look forward beyond our championship bench players if we wish to challenge the elite top six.

If De Paul is available at the right price I'd take him in a heartbeat, would be another quality addition to our squad & better than what we have now!

[Irish Ian]

1) Are you happy with tonight's line-up? Would you have made anymore changes apart from Rodrigo?

Yes, Struijk at CB, Ayling at RB etc.

2) Do you enjoy 8pm kick-offs on a Friday night?
In Ok wife hates them

3) Who do you consider West Ham's most influential/dangerous player?

Dunno that much about them tbh

4) How good are West Ham this season in your opinion?

Some handy performances, I thought they would be in a promotion battle.

[b]5) If there is one player you could pluck out of the current West Ham team, who would it be?[/b]

Benhrama, but he as too pricey

6 Do you rate David Moyes?

Yes
7) Any special memories of our games v the Hammers at Elland Road
Nope

8 Who are your favourite West Ham players from the past?
Trevor Brooking, a true gent,
9) Win, lose or draw?
Draw

10) Would you be happy with a point?
Depends how we get it!