As ever, the seasonal blip kicks in and the clamour for frenzied January transfer activity gathers momentum.
Bielsa likes a small squad supplemented by youth. He doesn't give the impression that he's going to change that stance anytime soon. A small squad overburdened by loanees presents its own issues viz a viz team selection.
As others have routinely pointed out, Bielsa won't pick a player who hasn't been through his training/conditioning routine. Baker was a great example last season.
With Clarke the only definite exit, at this stage, who would make way to accommodate new players?
We aren't, as a club, blessed with unlimited funds. I can't see AR, with or without investment, gambling sums of money without the guarantee of promotion or potentially breaching EFL financial rules.
Bearing all this in mind it's logical that the hierarchy are out there trying to manage expectations. I don't necessarily agree with everything emanating out of ER as I feel the squad is weaker this time around, has obvious deficiencies in certain positions and is doing itself no favours by maintaining a smaller squad versus those of our main competitors. Having no obvious plan B is also something I struggle with.
We are probably the fittest squad in the division. We are second in the table and in my humble opinion, actually doing better than I expected. Credit where credit is due. White has been outstanding and Casilla has done more than enough to repay the faith that Bielsa has placed in him.
Where do we go from here? Difficult one. Having seen the post Ridsdale years I'm not going to advocate a return to those days again. Loans will have an impact on team selection, I can't see the benefit of that when all hands are clearly needed on deck.
Permanent signings, that will make a difference, are going to cost. If Bielsa persists with his bedding in programme, would we actually see any benefit from the outlay? Who would drop out of the first team selection or are we spending to increase competition for places and better cater for injuries?
Injuries. We have had a few. Greater impact on a small squad but equally does Bielsa's training methods increase the chances of injury?
Unless Nketiah goes I think we stick with what we have and hang on for the obvious white knuckle ride that lies ahead.
Bielsa : Genius but stubborn
posted on 28/12/19
If you are a centre half playing regularly why are you going to come to Leeds to sit on the bench,
If you are a striker why are you going to come and hope Bamford gets injured to get a game,
I'd like a number ten but they dont grow on trees especially in January,
Premier league clubs wont send players to us to sit on the bench and if all our players are fit who is getting dropped,
We will need to hope all our players stay fit as the manager rightly or wrongly does it his way,
posted on 28/12/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/12/19
Surely a genius has the wisdom and ability to change things when necessary to get better results. Learning never stops. I hope and pray he gets it right this time after being so close last season. But if he fails on the same things as last season, then he will fall down in a lot of peoples minds.
posted on 28/12/19
comment by AndDonRevieistheKing (U7852)
posted 30 minutes ago
If you are a centre half playing regularly why are you going to come to Leeds to sit on the bench,
If you are a striker why are you going to come and hope Bamford gets injured to get a game,
I'd like a number ten but they dont grow on trees especially in January,
Premier league clubs wont send players to us to sit on the bench and if all our players are fit who is getting dropped,
We will need to hope all our players stay fit as the manager rightly or wrongly does it his way,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Err.
Money.
Same thing we all go to work for.
posted on 28/12/19
Don it’s because we did shocking business in summer.
posted on 28/12/19
comment by AndDonRevieistheKing (U7852)
posted 47 minutes ago
If you are a centre half playing regularly why are you going to come to Leeds to sit on the bench,
If you are a striker why are you going to come and hope Bamford gets injured to get a game,
I'd like a number ten but they dont grow on trees especially in January,
Premier league clubs wont send players to us to sit on the bench and if all our players are fit who is getting dropped,
We will need to hope all our players stay fit as the manager rightly or wrongly does it his way,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spot on. Said this yesterday on another thread
posted on 28/12/19
Matty we won’t be paying big money for anyone let alone to sit on the bench,
posted on 28/12/19
all these players are doing nothing at present............
xx. MF Bobby Kamwa (19) 18/03/2000 (1)
xx. GK Will Huffer (21) 30/10/1998 (1)
xx. MF Guillermo Amor (18) 22/01/2001 (2)
xx. LB Matty Downing (20) 19/07/1999 (x)
xx. CM Eunan O’Kane (29) 10/07/1990 (2)
xx. CM Ouasim Bouy (26) 11/06/1993 (2)
They dont play for any of our teams. Huffer is a strange one - highly rated not long back
posted on 28/12/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/12/19
Matty Downing has spent much of the last couple of years injured. Cannot think he has a bright future as a pro but hope he gets a chance.