IntenseDebate - Mark_

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Boycotting Manchester ... · 1 reply · +3 points

Good post OldLUFC. The lack of investment in the squad & salary cap = a hard financial place due to :
a) Money being taken out of the club
b) The banks looking unfavourabley on the current senior management / track record
c) Any potential investor not wanting to work with KB
Against this backdrop SG has worked well to get us where we are, and keep his tongue in his head.

MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Hope Leaves Leeds Unit... · 1 reply · +2 points

A fair point Kevin. Having said that I think the club's inflexible contractual stance didn't entice Beckford to the negotiating table at any stage - not even on gaining promotion from League 1. And when a club wins promotion and gains momentum, that's an opportunity to push on and support ambitions with investment in improving the squad. We're treading water instead of pushing on.
MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Hope Leaves Leeds Unit... · 3 replies · +2 points

The lack of investment throughout summer and the sale of Max in particular - without a replacement - is scandelous.I thought KB & SG had a plan to build upon last season ? Financially we must be in a real corner as we have spent very little on player recruitment over the last couple of seasons. The fact we let Beckford go on a free, then he is sold 1 season later for £4million to rivals Leicester, is bad from from KB & Co.Not being flexible with the salary structure is a real hinderence. Improved performance related bonuses surely could bridge the gap? Relying on Paddy returning after a serious injury was a big gamble to strengthen the defence, and the welcome emergence of Clayton, Lees & White is a big gamble on inexperiened youngsters over a long arduous league campaign. This confused and unambitous player recruitment is the foundation for a current league record of 4pts from 5 games, conceding 9 goals - again almost an average of 2 goals conceded per match, whilst scoring 8. It's a worst start than last season with the defence still an issue.No amount of propoganda can mask the facts. Let's see how September progresses with another couple of loaness - unbeaten and a good performance vs. MU would be a start. MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Hope Leaves Leeds Unit... · 0 replies · +1 points

Nice one Ian.

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Max Gradel set for St ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Good point about Keogh's place in a front line with Becchio, Henry V. Max had a good season and a half or so with us, and really turned things around after his sending off vs. Bristol Rvrs in the Lge 1 promotion match. 18 goals last season (?) was a great return in the Championship - though playing as a winger his distribution & crossing was woeful. Thanks Max for the contribtuion. However we must hold onto Snodgrass & Becchio. Now it's time to move on and hope we get a couple of players in to strengthen the squad. MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - The Ramon Nunez Predic... · 1 reply · +1 points

Fair point about Howson, Dale, but I think as Brown was absent , Howson was instructed to play a more cautious containment role alongside Clayton. Right at the death when we were pushing forward for an equaliser he made an impact with the shot that came off the bar for AC to score.
He's more prominent when playing just behind the strikers. I like Nunez but he's not in the mould of an English Midfielder- ie. physically or stamina wise I don't think he'll match up to Howson, Clayton etc. He could play as you say off the front two, but I wouldn't think he'd have an impact back in the midfield. As he plays more he'll get stronger and probabley in future will be challenging Howson in for the same spot. As of now though - I wouldn't change the team that faced WH.
MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - The Ramon Nunez Predic... · 5 replies · +4 points

I tend to agree with Craig's view on this. Gradel runs at defenders and is a real handful for opposition defenders. These type of players are few and far between. He's proved himself at this level last season and as Premiership clubs are being linked with him, all indicates that he's highly thought of. We have a better chance of promotion with him than without. Keep Gradel and Snodgrass and we are serious contenders.
Nunez has scored 5 goals in 3 games (?) which is great, but is unproven over a season at this level and is not the kind of player who runs at defenders. It's a squad game now and he'll have opportunities over the season as players get injured or fall out of form. That he is in a rich vein of form gives SG a great option - but on the bench. The team that faced West Ham currently hold the 1st team places in the Championship and creditibly so, after their great performance last weekend.
It's all good.

MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Leeds' Reserves Knock ... · 0 replies · +1 points

That's my assesment as well Sparky.

It's all good , we're through and hopefully with a home draw we can progress further in this competition.

MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Clayton Hammers Home L... · 0 replies · +1 points

Agree with that Chareose. Gradel can be frustrating at times but he has a proven goal return at Championship level & is a real handful for defenders. Snodgrass also back to his best yesterday.
A very very good performance only blighted by 2 defensive errors to gift WHU goals, & our missed penalty. As someone earlier in the post said - if we finish beloe WH I'll also be disappointed. There was only team showing good passing moves and dominating the match - oursleves. > resulting in McCormack's goal - truely outstanding - Premiership class !

A bit more composure in defence and we will be a real force. Otherwise the side that turned out yesterday is I think currently our best side . I'm especially pleased for the young lads - White, Lees, Howson, Clayton etc. up against England Internationals of WH - we made them look ordinary.
I'm sure we'll improve from the WHmatch as well - thinks are really looking up.

MOT

12 years ago @ The Scratching Shed - Tigers Tamed By Defian... · 0 replies · +2 points

Good to see the Mighty Whites get up and running. Hopefully SG will only tinker in a minor way with the team - if at all. The 4-4-2 clearly suits the group of players we have so I would hope we stick to that and look to impose our game on the opposition. 4-5-1 has delivered inconsistent results for us in the past.
Come on SG - keep your nerve.

MOT

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