No damage done

[oddbod]

We cleared one off the line at 1-0 to be fair.

Thats a good defence for you ! Brobby should have scored that header!

 

[Undercover]

We had 7-8 players out. Take DCL out and you’re screwed. You couldn’t beat us despite us being at bare bones. Nobody is going to agree with you.

For what it’s worth I thought Leeds were very good yesterday once the formation changed.

Again I’ll point out you’ve come two footed into this forum and have some bizarre obsession of trying to get us to tell you Leeds are equal or better than us and we shouldn’t be where we are in the league and you should be higher. It’s fuckin weird.

Its not an obsession just a bit of harmless fun and its equal to on our day not better than I am that not delusional. I honestly think we would have drawn had both teams played their strongest first eleven 4-3-3 out yesterday, although we would not have dominated the game like we did for most of the second half. But we probably would have still scored with the eleven man move.

With regards to league position it really is f***ing weird how low down you are and how high up we are, we really are the only two teams so far away from reality. I do wonder how on earth we keep defying xG like this it is not fool proof but over a full season it is usually pretty near to reality.

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One thing I don't get on here is the constant reference to your 'first eleven' no one really has a first eleven in the PL it is more like a first 18 where the quality really does not drop off that much unless it is a star player for you such as Xhaka and DCL for us.

​

 

[Ilios]

Its not an obsession just a bit of harmless fun and its equal to on our day not better than I am that not delusional. I honestly think we would have drawn had both teams played their strongest first eleven 4-3-3 out yesterday, although we would not have dominated the game like we did for most of the second half. But we probably would have still scored with the eleven man move.

With regards to league position it really is f***ing weird how low down you are and how high up we are, we really are the only two teams so far away from reality. I do wonder how on earth we keep defying xG like this it is not fool proof but over a full season it is usually pretty near to reality.

You must be logged on to see external links

One thing I don't get on here is the constant reference to your 'first eleven' no one really has a first eleven in the PL it is more like a first 18 where the quality really does not drop off that much unless it is a star player for you such as Xhaka and DCL for us.

​

We don't have a set in stone '1st 11', there are are probably 2 positions up for grabs/rotation (CF/RW).

But I'll guarantee you that Reinildo, Ballard, Sadiki, Diarra are 100% in our best 11. If everyone is fit, they're all in the side.

As it stands, so is Bertrand Traore on the RW, but he's not indispensable like the others. He's just the most natural RW option.

But the first 4 are definitely in our side, they're our best players in their respective positions. We don't rotate them in and out. If they're fit, they start. They're key players.

 

[Undercover]

We don't have a set in stone '1st 11', there are are probably 2 positions up for grabs/rotation (CF/RW).

But I'll guarantee you that Reinildo, Ballard, Sadiki, Diarra are 100% in our best 11. If everyone is fit, they're all in the side.

As it stands, so is Bertrand Traore on the RW, but he's not indispensable like the others. He's just the most natural RW option.

But the first 4 are definitely in our side, they're our best players in their respective positions. We don't rotate them in and out. If they're fit, they start. They're key players.

Only Rodon and Ampadu have never been dropped for us this season, two championship players which is nice.

 

[oddbod]

Only Rodon and Ampadu have never been dropped for us this season, two championship players which is nice.

Most of your squad have been playing together for a long time and are used to playing together with players dropping in and out of the 11 ..We have had to introduce 14 players to our squad over the last few months and RLB has done a great job! Taking out five starters from that group i think its understandable that were not firing on all cylinders and in a very cautious mode and its clear its affected us. The rest of the group are not used to playing in the same 11 for as long as your lot ! leeds were the better team for 30 minutes or so of the second half but you only scored one goal against a makeshift team.

Being honest once we brought on Wilson and Mayenda your midfield dropped back (and your manager obviously wanted to protect the point)and if the game had gone on another ten minutes i think we would have got a winner! It was a good performance from leeds yesterday and yes you could have won but if you dont realise you could have lost it as well (with better finishing) i think rose tinted glasses need removing...

Leeds have a striker in form and he was a handful yesterday but if he gets injured i fear you will still be knocking round the bottom 6 unless like west ham surely will spend in January to stave of relegation.

Hopefully we will source some good recruits in January and we will improve significantly after AFCON (as long as they are not decimated by injuries)and will have 40 points by the end of February!

 

[Blyth]

Its not an obsession just a bit of harmless fun and its equal to on our day not better than I am that not delusional. I honestly think we would have drawn had both teams played their strongest first eleven 4-3-3 out yesterday, although we would not have dominated the game like we did for most of the second half. But we probably would have still scored with the eleven man move.

With regards to league position it really is f***ing weird how low down you are and how high up we are, we really are the only two teams so far away from reality. I do wonder how on earth we keep defying xG like this it is not fool proof but over a full season it is usually pretty near to reality.

You must be logged on to see external links

One thing I don't get on here is the constant reference to your 'first eleven' no one really has a first eleven in the PL it is more like a first 18 where the quality really does not drop off that much unless it is a star player for you such as Xhaka and DCL for us.

​

Let me know when it gets “fun”

You’re not equal. Look at the league table. Feel free to come back if you finish above us.

 

[Undercover]

Most of your squad have been playing together for a long time and are used to playing together with players dropping in and out of the 11 ..We have had to introduce 14 players to our squad over the last few months and RLB has done a great job! Taking out five starters from that group i think its understandable that were not firing on all cylinders and in a very cautious mode and its clear its affected us. The rest of the group are not used to playing in the same 11 for as long as your lot ! leeds were the better team for 30 minutes or so of the second half but you only scored one goal against a makeshift team.

Being honest once we brought on Wilson and Mayenda your midfield dropped back (and your manager obviously wanted to protect the point)and if the game had gone on another ten minutes i think we would have got a winner! It was a good performance from leeds yesterday and yes you could have won but if you dont realise you could have lost it as well (with better finishing) i think rose tinted glasses need removing...

Leeds have a striker in form and he was a handful yesterday but if he gets injured i fear you will still be knocking round the bottom 6 unless like west ham surely will spend in January to stave of relegation.

Hopefully we will source some good recruits in January and we will improve significantly after AFCON (as long as they are not decimated by injuries)and will have 40 points by the end of February!

Of course we could have lost had the header made it 2-0 before half time and yes the subs did seem to change the game in your favour and as usual Farke did start to hang onto the point. Trying to be fair I don't think Hume, Mukiele, and Geertrudia were a significant downgrades on who would have played, don't know how you rate these things but maybe a 10% drop. But Cirkin and Rigg did seem a big drop off from what you would have had maybe a 50% drop. And you bench was shocking which made the impact of your subs somewhat ironic.

We only really have two fit winger options in Okafor and Gnonto so like you need a right winger in January to get back to playing 4-3-3 when it suits. Not sure about a striker No one is coming in above DCL and Nmecha is pretty decent back up for DCL, but we probably need to swap Piroe for another target man striker, if we can.

Plenty mention on here how would we cope without DCL but how would you cope without Xhaka ?

Let me know when it gets “fun”

You’re not equal. Look at the league table. Feel free to come back if you finish above us.

We do just sneak above you in the last six game form table.

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[oddbod]

Of course we could have lost had the header made it 2-0 before half time and yes the subs did seem to change the game in your favour and as usual Farke did start to hang onto the point. Trying to be fair I don't think Hume, Mukiele, and Geertrudia were a significant downgrades on who would have played, don't know how you rate these things but maybe a 10% drop. But Cirkin and Rigg did seem a big drop off from what you would have had maybe a 50% drop. And you bench was shocking which made the impact of your subs somewhat ironic.

We only really have two fit winger options in Okafor and Gnonto so like you need a right winger in January to get back to playing 4-3-3 when it suits. Not sure about a striker No one is coming in above DCL and Nmecha is pretty decent back up for DCL, but we probably need to swap Piroe for another target man striker, if we can.

Plenty mention on here how would we cope without DCL but how would you cope without Xhaka ?

Xhaka is a mountain of a man and a great influence across the whole club and losing him would be a disaster but i think Gerty could step into his role in the short term and the system is now so well ingrained i think we would cope .....they way we play we dont score a lot of goals and we defend well especially around the "D"and you can coach that..

Scoring goals is the key to Leeds survival as yo do concede in games and i think losing DCL will have a greater effect than our loss of Granit( DCL has a long injury history whereas granit (touch wood) doesnt).

The analysts from other clubs will be adapting to how the "once hopeless" but "now great" leeds play and you will find it harder to win enough games to survive ..Wolves and Burnley are gone ,West Ham will overspend in January and it may or may not work but i certainly wouldn't count your chickens anytime soon on the back of a draw away to a depleted Sunderland.

I fear for us on Thursday but once AFCON is over and with a couple of decent signings in January we will be pushing for a top half finish and i will be very happy with that!Some of your fanbase think you will finish above Sunderland ,do you think that?

 

[Cyprus]

Another weekend, no damage done. With so many players unavailable, we'll take that. Huge missed opportunity for Leeds. We are through December with only 1 loss, to Man City. Toughest month out the way and more than positively navigated.

Similar feelings mate - I thought Leeds were the better side second half but any points we're getting at the minute with a depleted squad are a bonus. 28 points at Christmas and unbeaten at home is bloody brilliant!

You can't argue with being 15 points clear of the bottom 3, would think another 6 or so points and we are safe. Once upon a time it used to be 40 points is safe but teams rarely seem to hit that...

 

[Undercover]

Xhaka is a mountain of a man and a great influence across the whole club and losing him would be a disaster but i think Gerty could step into his role in the short term and the system is now so well ingrained i think we would cope .....they way we play we dont score a lot of goals and we defend well especially around the "D"and you can coach that..

Scoring goals is the key to Leeds survival as yo do concede in games and i think losing DCL will have a greater effect than our loss of Granit( DCL has a long injury history whereas granit (touch wood) doesnt).

The analysts from other clubs will be adapting to how the "once hopeless" but "now great" leeds play and you will find it harder to win enough games to survive ..Wolves and Burnley are gone ,West Ham will overspend in January and it may or may not work but i certainly wouldn't count your chickens anytime soon on the back of a draw away to a depleted Sunderland.

I fear for us on Thursday but once AFCON is over and with a couple of decent signings in January we will be pushing for a top half finish and i will be very happy with that!Some of your fanbase think you will finish above Sunderland ,do you think that?

I think the analysts would be wasting their time as I think Leeds upturn in form has been more to do with self confidence, self belief and momentum that has suddenly kicked in rather than any system change, I mean did we look better at 5-3-2 yesterday or 4-3-3 ? And had we played our most attacking 4-3-3 Gnonto would have come on in place of Tanaka.

Having said that I think a lot depends on the January window. Bijol and Rodon are good enough to play in a back four but both are right footed we need a left footed upgrade on Struijk, one or two have been linked. We also need a right winger having missed out on Wilson on deadline day and last but not least a striker to challenge DCL for the number 9 spot.

Will we finish above Sunderland, well your next three games look quite tough I think if you lose all three and we keep drawing away and winning at home you will be averaging 1 point a game for the last eleven games and we will have been averaging 1.75 a game for the last eight games so we will close the gap, but it all depends on momentum, get your AFCON players back and a couple of January signings and I can't really see us catching or overtaking you.

 

[oddbod]

I think the analysts would be wasting their time as I think Leeds upturn in form has been more to do with self confidence, self belief and momentum that has suddenly kicked in rather than any system change, I mean did we look better at 5-3-2 yesterday or 4-3-3 ? And had we played our most attacking 4-3-3 Gnonto would have come on in place of Tanaka.

Having said that I think a lot depends on the January window. Bijol and Rodon are good enough to play in a back four but both are right footed we need a left footed upgrade on Struijk, one or two have been linked. We also need a right winger having missed out on Wilson on deadline day and last but not least a striker to challenge DCL for the number 9 spot.

Will we finish above Sunderland, well your next three games look quite tough I think if you lose all three and we keep drawing away and winning at home you will be averaging 1 point a game for the last eleven games and we will have been averaging 1.75 a game for the last eight games so we will close the gap, but it all depends on momentum, get your AFCON players back and a couple of January signings and I can't really see us catching or overtaking you.

I lost you at self confidence and belief leeds players have always had that in spades and the fans have it mixed in with their Yorkshire puddings!We will see over the next ten games as i think your going to find it harder to make that points per game total as you always let goals in and thats not a good metric!

So over the next ten games Leeds are going to get 18 points or so ?I really doubt that but you will be near us if you do!You may be right about our point per game thing but i will be happy with that but my brain thinks we will do much better than that!

 

[Clash City Rockers67]

Back in June I'd have taken being on 28 points by end of December all day. Okay, Man City coming up, we'll probably lose the unbeaten home record (but you never know in this league). With Ballard and the Afcon players available, we'd probably have won yesterday. Got to get through few more games as we are, but back to full strength by end of January and hopefully couple of new signings. Come a long way in a short time

 

[SebastienELLISbexter]

Similar feelings mate - I thought Leeds were the better side second half but any points we're getting at the minute with a depleted squad are a bonus. 28 points at Christmas and unbeaten at home is bloody brilliant!

You can't argue with being 15 points clear of the bottom 3, would think another 6 or so points and we are safe. Once upon a time it used to be 40 points is safe but teams rarely seem to hit that...

Definitely. Depleted squad must be taken into account here. That's the bigger picture. The thing that's been on everyone's mind since the summer;afcon. But the character of this squad is still there and we're coming through uncathed. Expectations rise when we're doing so well, but Leeds should be more disappointed they haven't been able to win this one.

 

[Undercover]

Definitely. Depleted squad must be taken into account here. That's the bigger picture. The thing that's been on everyone's mind since the summer;afcon. But the character of this squad is still there and we're coming through uncathed. Expectations rise when we're doing so well, but Leeds should be more disappointed they haven't been able to win this one.

The disappointment was when we decided to match you up with a 4-3-3 formation we found out we were the better team, but by then we were 1-0 down. Farke should have chosen this formation against you to start with, 5-3-2 should be reserved for the Liverpool's, Man City's, etc.

 

[DrewC]

We should have been 2, maybe 3 up by half time.
They dominated the second half so a draw was a fair result which a lot of Leeds fans also agree with.

Leeds lucky our players are at AFCON we would have had a stronger chance of winning both matches against Leeds and Brighton in my opinion

 

[Cyprus]

Definitely. Depleted squad must be taken into account here. That's the bigger picture. The thing that's been on everyone's mind since the summer;afcon. But the character of this squad is still there and we're coming through uncathed. Expectations rise when we're doing so well, but Leeds should be more disappointed they haven't been able to win this one.

More than happy with the point, Leeds the better team but not surprising given our cobbled together line up. Funnily enough I still think a lot of Leeds fans underestimate us. Would have been lovely to put them in their place. I do think we would have beaten them if we had a full line up….

 

[Paddock Poster]

We, for a very very long time, don’t roll over for any fucker.

I am happy enough to say I think both teams will be comfortably in the Premiership next year
And that given where both teams are today it is reasonable to say Sunderland will for sure finish higher.

 

[The Situation]

I am glad you posted this because it allows me to try and highlight some of the similarities between us that the fairer posters on here will hopefully appreciate.

First of all I am not a big lover of 5-3-2 and don't think it is the answer it just worked to a certain extent against Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool which gave us a much needed boost in confidence and momentum, which is so important as you have found out and we looked a lot better when we went 4-3-3 yesterday.

Leeds best 4-3-3 would arguably be :

Gk Piroe
LB Gudmundsson
CB Struijk
CB Rodon
RB Bogle
CM Stach
CM Longstaff
CM Ampadu
LW Okafor
RW Aaronson
CF DCL

Defense. Is our goalkeeper as good as yours ? No, he seems to be improving but seems to have a touch of Gary Sprake about him, brilliant save followed by a rush of blood and an error I would prefer Darlow. Is Gudmundsson better than Reinildo ? Reinildo is a better defender but Gudmundsson is better going forward. Is Struijk better than Alderete ? No Struijk is our weak link who only just gets in above Bijol because the right foot/left foot Rodon/Struijk partnership seems to work better. Is Rodon better than Ballard, both seem much of a muchness Championship CB's who have made the step up to PL and are currently keeping expensive signings (Geertrudia/Bijol) out of the side (Rumour has it Bayern want Rodon).

Midfield. Is your midfield three better than our midfield three. They look a more skillful midfield three but a PL midfield contest is often more of a battle with very little time on the ball which tends to level the playing field. I am aware of the contempt on here for Longstaff but he would have been in the thick of yesterdays battle.

Attack. Seems much of a muchness Aaronson is our 'tucked in winger a lot like Le Fee, Okafor is your Traore and DCL is your Brobbey. Given his current form I think DCL gets in above Brobbey but I don't think most Sunderland fans would have anyone other than DCL in your first eleven and as a Leeds fan I have not got a deal of issue with that, but I think the margins a far tighter than most posters on here realise and think it would be a tight game if both sides played their first elevens in a 4-3-3. For info our impact subs would be James, Gnonto, Tanaka, Nmecha, not quite PL standard but too good for the Championship.

I must admit I am basing most of my opinion on Sunderland players from what is posted on here and reported in your local press and some match of the day highlights rather than any in depth watching of your game but I have tried to be fair, or fairer than some Leeds fans who do watch you in more depth one who posted recently 'they are delusional, Sadiki has got no assists or goals but they think he is worth £50m'.

The problem with these sort of rational posts on an opposition message board is the vast majority of replies will be wind u posts saying 'our first eleven is miles better than yours we would wipe the floor with you'. When in reality you have not really wiped the floor with anyone (maybe West Ham) it is not really your game.


Our injured 4-3-3 side would be.

Gk Perri
LB Justin
CB Struijk
CB Rodon
RB Bogle
CM Gruev
CM Tanaka
CM Longstaff
LW Harrison
RW Gnonto
CF DCL

If we had Nmecha and Bijol missing from the bench our would be.

Darlow
Byram
Piroe
Gray
Under 21
Under 21
Under 21
Under 21
Under 21

I don't think our first eleven would be massively impacted if we were playing at home, but the bench would be horrific as yours was yesterday, would certainly take a draw and blame all the missing players if we lost.

Sunderland 7th.

Leeds 14th.