Leeds United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours 2024/25

They were calling for the ref to stop the game for that goal, definitely wasn't for the good of the health of the Leeds player. Got awful luck vs them last season, now it completely changed with injury time goals in both games.

I notice he didn't mention that Dallas was down because Moutinho had studded him high on the leg! That was a red in my book.

That was utterly astonishing, and the morale in the camp must be at all all-time high now. Noises from the manager are that none of the injuries are serious, though I don't believe that re Paddy. If true we're close to our first eleven v Southampton.

Some thoughts:

Not a second yellow. Kevin Friend did us a favour for once.

Lage not a savvy manager. We had 3/4 first-choice players on the pitch after 55 mins. We were there for the taking. Wolves were playing a team with the spine removed (Meslier, Llorente, Phillips, Bamford). A more adventurous coach would have pushed them on, they'd probably have scored again and won. They just sat back. Abject irresponsibility. But of the kind I love.

Ayling has redeemed himself.

Klaesson is good. Very good probably.

We're staying up. We may even climb the table a little bit.

Nights like these, eh?

It was individual errors rather than a negative approach that cost Wolves. They were coasting until the sending off. It's difficult to see any significant improvements under Marsch. The commitment of the players has always been there. It's just that Leeds have too few with the requisite quality at this level.

Not having that we were lucky. We deserved that.

More shots, more possession, more corners, made more tackles, won more headers.

That jiminez tackle is a yellow all day long. And even if it was debatable, moutinho on Dallas was a straight red.

I think the Jinenez one was a yellow. Yes it was 50/50 and he should go for the ball, but if all you do is collide then you've to expect a card. Only a deal being g made of it cos it resulted in a sending off. Also, Meslier won the ball on his left side and was collided into on his right. It was a man or ball collision.

The bitterness saying that Friend won Leeds the match is some joke. Moutinho should've been off too, dunno why that logic is overlooked when claiming a ref is one-sided. Should probably focus on their collapse and how the loss of 1 player decimated a tactic to time waste and dive at every opportunity.

The definition of a yellow is if its reckless. And that challenge was reckless. Doesn't matter about intent, getting the ball (really annoys me when commentators mention the player got the ball, that has no bearing), if he meant it etc. For me that looked reckless.

What a savage picture.

Unbelievable stuff, haven't read back thread yet but presume the pessimism was here at half time. Really think we will be safe now. Have gave out about ayling alot and will again but cant question his desire, to keep following that ball after heading back in unreal.

I'd prefer a draw tomorrow. Leicester only four ahead of us (obviously with games in hand but very mixed form). We can pass both of them with a good run. The higher we finish the more cash we get and the more likely we are to retain and attract players.

We're staying up. The next two fixtures are good. Time to start looking up the table and see where we can get to. I think we'll retain the players we want to (bar Raphina) and a strong finish to the season (like last year) greatly helps with that. Or do you really not believe we can pass teams greatly out of form like Brighton and Southampton? A few million extra for improved league position will help financially and in terms of morale.

Of course we'll retain all our players.

There isn't gonna be a huge queue considering the way they've played this year

It was a yellow but Wolves' inability to reorganise themselves after that was baffling. They just wanted to keep going mad about the card. Given how well their players are trained in falling over or getting cramp they got the tactics all wrong.

If we don't sell players the squad won't need much expansion at all. Get Aaronson, another attacking midfielder and a back-up striker and we're there I think. Lots of compeetition for defensive places.

Gelhardt, Bate, Drameh, Summerville, Cresswell, Hjelde, Klaesson, Greenwood and others will be competing for more game time next season and we don't want to lose any of them by overloading the squad. We surely can't have another season of injuries like this?

Can't Cresswell also play at right-back when needed, pretty sure he's done so on occasion for the U-23s?

And I agree with the three you pinpoint. We get them, hold onto our best players, avoid excessive injuries and we could have a very good 2022/23.

You can't just turn CBs in to LBs or RBs just cos of what footed they are. It harms their development.

Lots of outlets (mainly from Spain and Brazil) reporting that Raphinha has rejected a contract extension and has agreed terms with Barcelona. Probably true but the transfer amounts are derisory particularly given we rejected a £50m offer from the Hammers in January. His current release clause is supposedly £70m so hopefully we get close to that if he has to leave but how do you replace a guy like that?

9 goals and 3 assists in 27 games, from the wing. Sought by most major clubs in Europe and a certain starter for Brazil in this year's World Cup. Plenty similar knocking about at cut price I guess.

Saying they 'can' play there is a stretch. Has Firpo played CB for us? I dont remember him doing so. He is struggling at LB tbh. The best players pick one position and play there. We need specialised full backs now. Lads who could change worked with Bielsa as we changed formation annd people filled in everywhere. But we have moved on from that now

I wouldnt be too worried about any reports from Spanish media tbh. But I would say he has rejected a contract or at least is stalling. Why would be commit to us now? By all accounts he has no release clause, thats why we wanted to get him to sign a new deal, to get one in? But lets be honest, we will get around £40-£50m for him. Its what wingers go for. Mahrez was one of the most expensive and he was £60m and had pretty much won the league with leicester. Diaz just joined liverpool for £37m (rising to £50m) and has performed n the CL for a few years and in the Copa America last year. We arent going to get near £70m for him imo, he has had one and a half good seasons in the PL. We obviously rate our own players higher than anyone else and he is a superb player. But his stats over the past 2 seasons are the same as Jarrod Bowen at west ham (same age, same position) yet no one thinks he is worth £60-70m. No one is irreplaceable, I would be confident we will do ok without him

Firpo is very adaptable and played in several positions for Barca as these stats show. We've got at least five CDs in the squad so he's never been required there. Many players pick one position. Many others are more adaptable so they have more opportunities. It doesn't hinder their development as you said. They're professional athletes and are adaptable. The same players that MB signed and trained to be adaptable are still at Leeds. And after four years of moulding his team we have not moved on from Bielsa in less than four weeks. That won't happen until next season.

And I agree with you re Spanish media, probably also South American press but the latter are likely getting first hand info from the two most important Brazilians here, Deco and Raphinha. And we probably won't get £70m for him but several sources are saying it's his current release clause which is great work by Orta if true. Newcastle, Man City and PSG may also be willing to pay that amount. And yes, no one is irreplaceable but don't underestimate how good he is. If he's leaving there'll be a bidding war for him and it'll involve a dozen CL clubs across the continent, though some may already be priced out.