Traditionally we hit a wall at this time of year. Dumped out of the FA Cup early on and a patchy set of results.
The Derby County performance and result is enough to suggest we are still capable of routing the opposition particularly amidst the furore of "Spygate".
I see the usual nonsense of potential issues between the board and Bielsa have surfaced. My view is, as it always was, that Bielsa is here on his terms. His PowerPoint presentation, our managers do like'em don't they, reflected the integrity of the man but equally his defiance.
If ever there was a moment to define how "Leeds United" he is/has become, that was it. Not quite sticking two fingers up to the rest of football society but almost......!
Rather than a "split" in the ranks I suspect this little episode is bolstering the ranks even more. Cooper spoke with genuine affection of his manager/head coach. The Stoke City result was disappointing, more so with Pontus getting a suspension.
However, that result does not and will not define our season. We are still top. The lead might be cut but we're in a better position now than we have been since escaping League One all those centuries ago.
We've got a new keeper, a permanent signing! Given the calibre of the keeper, credit to the hierarchy here , there's clearly huge backing for Bielsa and confirmation, if we ever needed it, that Leeds United shares our belief that promotion is within our grasp.
I do think we'll face some kind of censure, fine and suspended points deduction, with the authorities and Shaun Harvey ensuring that the rule book gets amended quickly....
I do think we'll maintain our position in the top six.
Automatics? It's tight at the top isn't it? I'm going to say, however we do it, that we'll be playing in the top flight next season.
What's your thoughts?
Whatever happens it's been another season that will forever stick in my memory. I baulked at the cost of hiring Bielsa. I think AR has pulled a masterstroke. Well done that man
Predictions.......
posted on 20/1/19
I think we will win the league
posted on 20/1/19
As long as we finish above direby
CHAMPS !!!
posted on 20/1/19
Sorry Stevie but I hate seeing this thing about us having a slump at this time of year. It's just not true. We were already poor last season by this time (we went on that run of 8 losses in 9 around September October) and the season before won 6 out of 10 games in January and February. It wasn't till the last month that we flopped under Monk.
On the main point, agree with everything you say and I do think we will go up. It's going to be tough but look at how we played last week. We have quality and to lose away at Stoke isn't the worst result. We will lose more between now and May but have enough in the tank to get over the line.
posted on 20/1/19
I think if we are going to go up we'll need at some point another run like we had leading up to christmas with say 5 to 6 wins on the bounce.Do that again and we go up.So the losses are annoying but we have it in our locker to get a run together and don't tend to draw too many.
I think we need to protect Pablo as there are a few signs that echo the end of the 16-17 season where he was effectively run into the ground. A second signing in the window and getting Brown fir may be key to tackling that.I think Klich is in a similar position too.
posted on 20/1/19
*Brown fit
posted on 20/1/19
Bottom line is 11 wins out of 18 gives us 87 to be more than likely up via Auto - very doable but would feel happier with a LW and steely CM but that would cost.
Not relying on Bamford and Brown - their return at near 100% would be a real but tenuous bonus.
posted on 20/1/19
Just watched the 'extended highlights ' on LUTV. Might not have been at our best, and we lost, unluckily, but we looked good enough ( ok, that's only from 20 minute highlights ) to me.
I think Tyler Roberts is going to make a big contribution from here on in.
posted on 20/1/19
So long as we don't get more than 3 points deduction, I think we will be ok. Hanging on to MB is the key, isn't it? I do think the media are going to have a real go at him for the rest of the season.
Most importantly, though, the other clubs are not showing the consistency to outstrip us. Sheffield United losing on Saturday was a big result that went our way, and we have had a few of them.
The bottom line is that our fate is in our hands. Who wouldn't have taken that at the start of the season?
posted on 21/1/19
I honestly think it's too tight to call. It can be any of us, Norwich, WBA or Sheffield Utd for top 2. Pre christmas, heart said it was us, but this slump were on post Christmas yet again, has made me pretty wary of falling away. Need some regarding injuries from now till April as we ain't gonna add depth, just gotta hope we don't lose any key players long term.