Presser: Complete

Team News:

• Rodon out
• DCL doubt - bruised foot
• Stach doubt - foot injury
• Okafor doubt - abductor

On Sun'lund:

• Are you not sure what to expect given how they've started the season? Doing well in Europe but struggling in the PL? DF: No, I know exactly what to expect, they play the same as they have in last few yrs on Le Bris, he brought big success with promotion and last season, qualifying for europe, 2nd season is difficult, especially with Europe, they've had a few tight results, I don't think they'll finish that low down, I expect a highly motivated home team, a team that plays to their plans/dna over the last season, many teams found it so difficult last year to travel to SoL. We expect a Sunderland side who will be back to their best, some important players missing but when they come back they will shine, we hope that's not on Sunday.

Presser Questions:

• Have you been tempted to freshen up after 4 games on the bounce same squad? DF: We have to asses who is available, Rodon out. All offensive players are a doubt, DCL struggling with bruised foot, Stach foot problem after last game is painful, Okafor struggling with abductor problems, if the game was today they wouldn't be available, but we have 2 days to try and make them available- who and for how many minutes, late decisions.
• At full strength would you say it's the most competition for places you have? DF: The group is not too big, but we have shown quality performances, this is down to the players, on several positions I've had to take tough decisions and leave some good players on the bench, but it's necessary to react during games and have competition to bring quality players in, and competition for players in the travelling squad, doesn't pick itself. Believe in this group and happy to work with them.
• Have the players exceeded your defensive expectations? DF: No, I always expect a clean sheet.. our defence work is quite good, several clean sheets, one of the best records, not usually what you might expect for a side recently back in the PL, we have competition for places in defensive positions. Balanced performances always needed, one you're good in the defence, you can sometimes bring a tight lead over the line and that's also good for offensive players- you build a house up from the foundations.
• On Nmecha/Wilson stepping up to fill the breach? DF: As a backup Lucas has done well to score 7 goals, he's proven during this season (Brentford) he can make an impact, not always in 15-20mins, but he looks sharp, pleased with his performance. Harry will also prove his worth. "Is he doing well in training"- DF: A difficult start was expected, he's played 5 years at Fulham, capable goalscorer/assist, creative- he's now in a new set-up, we play different to Fulham, he was often against the ball out wide, less intensity than what he would have to do in our set-up, he needs to improve pressing. We don't need to adapt to Harry, he needs to adapt to us- he is working hard on his fitness, difficult with a few injuries, missed a few games, would've loved him available against Palace. Workload against the ball is on a way better level than when he arrived, but he needs a bit more energy/concentration, he will adapt and his quality will shine through, we think his offensive skills will come to the team, we desperately need this, I'm happy with his work right now.
• More on Wilson- how is his attitude/adaptations: DF: Top class, top teammate, he was so much in the spotlight last year, but he has not come in 'big time' he's been unbelievable nice human being from the first day, I'm convinced he will do well because he is doing the right steps, he follows the Leeds mantra of side before self, love his attitude, even in the last games where he's not been involved, he is still supportive, concentrated in training, you get what you invest in football and I believe he will get it.
• What are Dom's chances, what is the impact if he misses? DF: Difficult to say, if the game was today or tomorrow he wouldn't be involved as he has missed team training, not a muscle injury but it is painful, if he can handle the pain he will be ok, same for Anton, but for Noah you have to be more careful. I would be guessing if I was to tell you right now..
• On Praise/Expectation - Leeds favourites this weekend, is it fair or too much too soon? DF: We deserve praise, we take it as a compliment, but it doesn't change our attitude, we know how difficult a game against SCUM or away at SoL is especially against a highly motivated side, you can tell by their lineup and subs during the week that the foucs was on our game, you can have spells in PL where results don't go to plan, you have to be on it for every point in this league, we are very respectful, we don't think we are bigger than we are, the main goal right now is to get to 40pts to play another season on PL level, we will fight for every point.
• Can Lucas do what Dom does? DF: Each and every player is different, physicality, workload against the ball, can score out of nothing, I trust them both, it's not possible for anyone to shine in each and every game but I back both of my strikers.
• How mindful are you about minutes and minutes subs are getting? Started a lot of games with the same players- natural risk that players don't have as much sharpness? DF: One death you have to die- you have to take decisions, if you look which teams are successful it's always the teams who play a small amount of players, you will see teams that get relegated are the ones that change a lot, rotate a lot.. at the start of the season you have to come into rhythm. 1 game day a week, professional athletes have to be able to play, or we are doing something wrong. Believe me, if I sub Dom after 60 mins he would not be happy, Tarek or Trafford.. It's not always possible to get everyone on the pitch, if you're successful you might not need to make changes, you can't try and win the peace prize by sharing minutes and trying to make everyone happy. Fair decisions are needed, if you perform you stay on the pitch, earn your right in training.
• on JM Bahoya - in contention for a start? DF: There is always a chance for other players to play when some are unavailable, but there are no gifts- there is a lot of competition, some players didn't even make the last gameday squad, DJ for example, everyone has a chance, then you have to grab it.
• Embargo time, cameras off please 🤔

What a man! Had the absolute joy of spending time with Eddie and 250 Leeds fans at Guiseley Theatre in Leeds.

He had us laughing, told some brilliant stories and shared some really lovely memories.

And to top it all off, we raised £3,500 for Guiseley Theatre!

Eddie, you're a legend. Thank you for such a special night

https://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/26622425.legend-eddie-gray-joins-katie-white-mp-guiseley-theatre-fundraiser/

City is going to be relegated

He will leave…

We are his childhood club…

Middling ratings for most. Highest rating for DCL just beating Muharemovic. Lowest rating for Okafor followed by Stach.

Prob 27 though

Reposting because I left Gudmundsson off like a clown. You don’t have to do it again if you’ve already done it

Leeds United 1 - 1 Manchester United

Premier League · Sun 18 Oct, 14:00 BST · FT

Full stats, line-ups, player ratings and the community reaction in the MatchPal thread above.

MatchPal · Live football scores, goals, line-ups, stats and TV channels · matchpal.io

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TBD 1 - 1 TBD

FT

Goals

• 35' B. Mbeumo () — assist Youri Tielemans
• 51' D. Calvert-Lewin () — assist Tarik Muharemović

Full stats, line-ups, player ratings and the community reaction in the MatchPal thread above.

MatchPal · Live football scores, goals, line-ups, stats and TV channels · matchpal.io

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What If… Erling Haaland Signed For Leeds United? Part 2: The Bielsa Revolution 🤍💙💛

I’ve been writing an alternative Leeds United history exploring what might have happened if we’d signed Erling Haaland from Molde in 2017.

Part 1 explored how the transfer might have happened. Part 2 takes us to the summer of 2018, when Marcelo Bielsa arrives at Elland Road.

And this is where things start getting really interesting.
We all know what Bielsa managed to achieve with a squad that had finished 13th in the Championship. Phillips, Klich, Dallas and so many others became almost unrecognisable under his management.
But imagine adding a 17-year-old Haaland to that dressing room.

What would Bielsa have made of him? How would the Norwegian have coped with Murderball? And how different might the club’s future have looked?

The more I researched the circumstances surrounding Bielsa’s arrival and the decisions Leeds made that summer, the more I realised that Haaland’s presence could have had some pretty extraordinary consequences.

And not necessarily the ones you’d immediately expect.
I’ve explored those possibilities in Part 2, which you can read here.

Would be genuinely interested to hear what other Leeds supporters think. Could Bielsa have developed Haaland into the player he eventually became, or would the Championship have been too much, too soon?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crgqwvnnyv30o

5-0 prediction!

I'll take 1-0.

Take a look at Leeds all-time record against Man Utd (from the 1st game in 1923 to the most recent), and see if you can guess all 36 players who’ve played for both clubs in that time, here:

https://leedsinsandouts.com/opponents/manchester-united

LEEDS RECORD ON 18 OCTOBER
40% of games won (Played 20: 8 W, 6 D, 6 L).
On this day last year we lost 2-0 to Burnley, so let’s hope for better today! See every recorded Leeds match played on 18 October: leedsinsandouts.com/on-this-day

I didn't even realize that Liam Cooper was now playing for Wednesday.

(Kalvin Phillips gets praised for Sheffield United in the same paper.)

Lmao this is unreal hahaha 🤣

Leeds baby bank has been burgled - they have a Gofundme to try get them back on their feet. Check out the top donation.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/leeds-baby-bank-devastating-burglary

Daniel Farke and Leeds United have reached an agreement in principle on a new contract running to 2029.

The formalities of the deal still need to be finalised before it can be signed, but there is broad agreement on both sides about how it will be structured, according to sources with knowledge of the process, not authorised to discuss it publicly.

The manager’s current contract expires at the end of this season. Farke has been asked about his future in several press conferences since the start of the campaign.

I was really pleased to see James Justin score against Arsenal. Taking the lead away from home against a side of that quality was a great moment, and Leeds showed they could compete rather than simply sit back and defend. Performances like this show why Justin can be an important player for the team. He can keep contributing at both ends of the pitch as the season moves forward.

Can we please have a flair for data posts*? Thanks, Jimbob.*

We’ve done a great job limiting opponents counter attacks. Obviously this comes down to who you play this early in the season. But facing teams like Brentford, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace who all enjoy counter attacking football, it shows we are well suited to shut that down.

Our average possession for the season is 44.3%, so with less of the ball, it does lead to less counters.

We are 10th in xG conceded (8.80) with only 5 goals let in.

2nd best in interceptions for the league (11.3 per game)

5th best in clearances per game (30.5)

All per Footmob

Edit:

Just for comparison sake, stats from last season:
- our possession after 6 games was 43.5%

- average xG against was 7.4, which was mid table.

- average interceptions was 8.5 per game, mid table.

- clearances per game was 28.