Not sure about this after the game against hull and the fact we have one the games before that with practically the last kick of the game, cant keep shipping goals like we have been recently.

I would personally look at getting Philiips back into midfield infront of the defenders where he has played his best football and bringing in Halme in the centre or maybe moving Ayling into the middle and putting Shack (if he is fit) on the right.

I also think Roberts is pushing for a start. Just seems to make a bit more happen than Harrison.

Will there be a new badge on display?

Was 1-1 last new years and I ll match that now. They're in bad form but we're leaking goals ourselves. Will be closely thought. Excited to see our new signings feature from the bench. I'd play the same side although Baker could come in for Harrison and then Pablo goes wide left. Alioski likes playing Forest, could be his day again.

Good posting Whitey.

You playing us at what is probably a bad time for us. Many of us expect this to be Karanka's last match in charge, but the fans will be singing his name for much of the ninety minutes. The fans appreciate that it will take time to recover from the disastrous five years in the ownership of Fawaz al Hasawi and want Karanka to stay, but the new owner, Greek shipping tycoon Evangelos Marinakis wants instant success. Much progress has been made despite the owner operating his own recruitment policy in addition to the manager's, but we still have a way to go

Teamwise Grabban will definitely return; Figuerido will also return if fit. They will probably be the only two changes. Our set up and personnel is more suited to away games we have struggled when teams come to us and just bank up and play on the break. Leeds won't be playing like that obviously so there could be plenty of goals with your lot claiming the majority - especially if the ref is allowing use of hands in the penalty box again.

It's a full house so will be a good atmosphere and hopefully a good game with plenty of goals and even more cards. Enjoy

Is there any particular reason Byram doesn’t stat for them?

For me Klich is knackered, has been for awhile. It primarily manifests in his weak shooting.

Need Phillips back in midfield. Davis on left? Start Shackleton instead of Ayling?

Byram picked up a bad ankle injury back in September. Back at West Ham for treatment and recovery. Will be another month at least.

Byram has been out for and will probably still be out for months, did his knee against Newcastle in the Carabao cup, and is back at West Ham recovering. Hopefully we’ll see him again before the end of the season.

comment by Mattyp (U8926)
posted 58 minutes ago
Is there any particular reason Byram doesn’t stat for them?

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Failed his maths GCSE.

I’d drop Ayling on the last couple of performances, Shackleton has come and actually played better recently.

This is very hard to call. Forest are desperate for the 3 points and it's hard to see them competing for the play-offs if they lose today. It's a must-win for them, less so for us. Karanka will also have them fired up after Roofe's goal at Elland Road.
Forest recent home losses were to teams who parked the bus and took their chances. Forest get a lot possession, but they are prone to breakaway goals. Our style of play will allow them more room at the front end, but the midfield will be congested.
Forest can score goals but, like Villa, can let them in too. The key for us is in keeping Forest at bay for the first half and letting their frustrations build. If we can keep a clean sheet for the first half, I would fully expect us to win. But if they score early, the floodgates could open. We looked shaky at the back against Hull and Forest will try to take advantage of that.
However, Bielsa may decide to go for the jugular, and play Clarke from the start, and possibly bring Roberts into it as well. We looked pretty good with Alioski moving to left back and were unlucky not to score in the final quarter against Hull.
It's got the makings of another fascinating encounter, but I think there is too much tension to allow for an open game, so I am going for a draw today, possibly 0-0.

I'm gonna go either 2-1 to Leeds or 1-1.

Predicted Line-up:

------------Peacock-Farrell
Ayling--Halme--Jansson--Douglas
-------------Phillips--Klich
----Alioski--Hernandez--Clarke
--------------------Roofe

I think it’ll be a tense occasion given the pressure on Karanka. Bound to transfer itself into the pitch. I reckon 1-1 with both goals coming late on. Hope it is a decent game though as it is another sell out crowd.

I expect there will be the usual pantomime stuff aimed at Roofe after the Elland Road goal. Hope Forest don’t get too obsessed with him, though, as there are many other threats in the Leeds side apart from him.

We must come away with 3 pts today. Need to bounce back, get back on the promotion trail. Can't see Bielsa making any changes, with Coops & Bamford still injured. But myself would like to see either Roberts or Clarke get a start.

Will, I think the tension of what happens off the pitch has affected us in our last two home games. The more I think about the more I am coming to believe that the threat to AK came before and caused the dip in form. I think it goes back to when Marinakis brought the Greek DofF or whatever his title is over and AK had his sulk.

I wouldn't mind if the fans did give Roofe a heap of stick. It can affect players. Remember Britt and KFC.

Roofe won't be affected 1 bit fella.

Put it 'behind you' .... 'oh no he's not'

A chap's gotta try.

'Oh yes he has'

comment by Redfor50yrs (U2973)
posted 2 minutes ago
A chap's gotta try.

'Oh yes he has'
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Back to winning ways today. Their boss is on his way if we turn them over. He’s under massive pressure! Will the players help him out or be glad to get rid? Who knows!

Good morning and a happy New year to all leeds fans.

New year and a tough game today so hopefully we can go on a unbeaten run again I'll be happy with a draw today so come on Leeds.

Marching On Together and a big thankyou to highlandwhite for another brilliant match day thread.

It won't be as tough as the game we gave you at Elland Road, but it is the last of the holiday fixtures so who knows.

I'm convinced the club will make the 'by mutual consent' announcement this evening regardless of the result. We have only had total silence from the owner and the board since the stories first came out a couple of weeks ago.

You will see from the fans reaction today that most fans think Karanka should stay. He is doing a good job despite having to cope with a recent injury epidemic among our defenders and three portugese lads who are not Championship standard. (Only one of them will be in the squad today). There are suspicions that at least one of the loanees who cost us two points at Norwich may have appearance clauses in his contract.

Score could be something like 1-3 to Leeds (probably what the owner is hoping for).

comment by Redfor50yrs (U2973)
posted 1 hour, 6 minutes ago
It won't be as tough as the game we gave you at Elland Road, but it is the last of the holiday fixtures so who knows.

I'm convinced the club will make the 'by mutual consent' announcement this evening regardless of the result. We have only had total silence from the owner and the board since the stories first came out a couple of weeks ago.

You will see from the fans reaction today that most fans think Karanka should stay. He is doing a good job despite having to cope with a recent injury epidemic among our defenders and three portugese lads who are not Championship standard. (Only one of them will be in the squad today). There are suspicions that at least one of the loanees who cost us two points at Norwich may have appearance clauses in his contract.

Score could be something like 1-3 to Leeds (probably what the owner is hoping for).
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Do you think he has the players backing too?

Shame if he’s sacke because I think there is a good manager in him. Just needs time to be allowed to sort his own players out.

I’ll take 1-3