Last year we lost two players in jan
If we don’t lose anyone, I don’t think we’ll sign anyone.
This squad is it lads.
Entirely agree with you on that Wakey, we did sign one player in January and Blackman breaking his leg has proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Every indication is that Bielsa will stick to what we have, the team are doing well and unless Eddie and Clarke go back to their parent clubs, I see no reason why Bielsa would change his whole way of doing things. We also have no budget for new players and no slots for loanees, unless, as I say, players return home.
Where yours info that we don’t have anymore money in the budget.
Am not convinced Clarke would be replaced either
Rich, I agree about James. Very little chance now. A couple of months ago it could have happened.
I can't think of an alternative that we could sign though.
Last January we lost Saiz and James was his replacement. If we had managed to complete the deal fro James, or had Saiz continued to enjoy playing at Leeds we would more than likely have gone up.
Baker was replaced by Shackleton so no replacement was signed.
We have enough players. We have good enough players. I would argue with the exception of Centre backs, but as Bielsa refused White last January I think it's unlikely he will share my view this time.
Think the biggest question for January is if Eddie doesn't start to do more in games, do we want to keep him?
Surely yesterday where we played two midfielders at right and left back, and two right backs in central defence, plus a centre back as defensive midfield would indicate even to the most obstinate that we have problems and need to strengthen. Then again we are talking Bielsa.
However, it also indicates how we are streets ahead of the likes of Huddersfield, that a largely cobbled together team wins against them comfortably. Based on that, got to question whether wholesale changes are needed.
Good debate guys.I don't think we are asking for wholesale changes by the way but identifying those areas (centre back especially) where we are at risk and making enquries about people that could come in.
If it doesn't happen and no one leaves we may well still have enough but just a gut feel tells me we need it.
Looking at how Bielsa works and his liking of players playing more than one position suggests that his way is working!..
He's playing players out of position most games and at the moment they're proving his way right, he came in and turned a team of so called average players into a force to be reckoned with, if he trusts these players to do a job than so be it!..
Strengthening is a must but if it doesn't happen and backfires, he'll take full blame, so, here's hoping he gets a little more out of what he has this time out!..
I posted article the other day on what people think Bielsa wants rather than what they want.
I think the answer is no inbounds if current squad stay as is.
My view is I would rather we signed a player in jan that we felt we needed but didn’t end up needing/using and go up than not get one and be left regretting that decision.
I think it's misinformation that Dallas and Alioski were playing that out of position. Both have plenty of experience in the full back roles, and going into the season it was where I expected both to be utilised most. On top of that Ayling has played CB for us plenty of times and from what I've heard had a very good game. Berardi has probably been training as a CB for a year and a half now so I wouldn't say he was playing out of position.
I wouldn't be against us signing another CB, but I think the defence we used yesterday would work fine if we don't. He's just unlucky that Forshaw, Shackleton and Phillips all weren't available. It's injuries in midfield that are causing strain on defensive positions.
I feel Berardi would have been a better choice for the Phillips role, allowing White to play his own game and marshall the defence. But we got away with it.
I do wonder what the chances are that Eddie goes back on 1st January and then starts against us for Arsenal in the Cup.Think the former might be likely, but the latter is very unlikely. We need to replace him and have a direct replacement for Bamford off the bench - someone strong, hungry, can hold the ball up and play others in, ultra fit and prepared to work their socks off and batter centre backs from the bench. An eye for goal would be a bonus lol
I think whilst there is some bad luck and you can only have so many players I think there is enough data now over 1.5 seasons to know that we will most likely have at any one time 3 to 4 players out, often with soft tissue muscle injuries.
Other sides get it too and so do we. It happens.The challenge for us it to make sure that doesn't derail all the great coaching and good things Bielsa has instilled in the team.So far it hasn't but I would feel so much more comfortable if we signed another experienced centre half. Sometimes you need to plan for the worse and be surprised things end up better.The championship is brutal and you need to help yourself.
WBA 5-1 up with 0 players playing out of position. Bartley taken off with head injury and replaced by Heggazi ......
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
West Brom are the best attacking side in the league.
Swansea are poor. So lucky against us
comment by Long Short Tall 666 (U19233)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I feel Berardi would have been a better choice for the Phillips role, allowing White to play his own game and marshall the defence. But we got away with it.
I do wonder what the chances are that Eddie goes back on 1st January and then starts against us for Arsenal in the Cup.Think the former might be likely, but the latter is very unlikely. We need to replace him and have a direct replacement for Bamford off the bench - someone strong, hungry, can hold the ball up and play others in, ultra fit and prepared to work their socks off and batter centre backs from the bench. An eye for goal would be a bonus lol
----------------------------------------------------------------------
my thoughts exactly. thank you for articulating that so well long i sure as hell can't.
comment by Elsbels - Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card. (U21658)
posted 4 hours, 38 minutes ago
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The squad will never be fully fit this season.
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The squad will never be fully fit this season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
So where do you strengthen? the squad is clearly strong enough.
We could lose Nketiah in January but if we do they be looking for a replacement anyway especially as Roberts seems prone to injury. If Clarke is recalled, I don't see him being replaced.
Assume that the squad stays as it is, do you look to strengthen an already strong squad (which would come at a cost) because history tells us certain players are going to be out and that leaves us vulnerable (e.g. Forshaw) or do you work with who you've got knowing there are several players who can fill gaps (e.g. Dallas, Ayling, etc).
On reflection, I would surprised if much if any business is done in the New Year because as I said the squad is strong enough. Who is or isn't fit is irrelevant.
What a bizarre thought, Bera in the Phillips role, there's no indication he could fulfil that role.
Interestingly, most people, myself included, thought Berardi had a good game yesterday, Jack Robshaw, Graham Smyth and Beren Cross all disagreed.
comment by Elsbels - Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card. (U21658)
posted 46 minutes ago
What a bizarre thought, Bera in the Phillips role, there's no indication he could fulfil that role.
Interestingly, most people, myself included, thought Berardi had a good game yesterday, Jack Robshaw, Graham Smyth and Beren Cross all disagreed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
tought berardi had a decent game too. but white has been one of our best players and if in his position huddersfield wouldn't have had a sniff.
els, do you think ben had a good game? i think he was only so-so.
comment by Elsbels - Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card. (U21658)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The squad will never be fully fit this season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
So where do you strengthen? the squad is clearly strong enough.
We could lose Nketiah in January but if we do they be looking for a replacement anyway especially as Roberts seems prone to injury. If Clarke is recalled, I don't see him being replaced.
Assume that the squad stays as it is, do you look to strengthen an already strong squad (which would come at a cost) because history tells us certain players are going to be out and that leaves us vulnerable (e.g. Forshaw) or do you work with who you've got knowing there are several players who can fill gaps (e.g. Dallas, Ayling, etc).
On reflection, I would surprised if much if any business is done in the New Year because as I said the squad is strong enough. Who is or isn't fit is irrelevant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If who is fit or not is irrelevant then why did you open with this line:
“If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.“
Also said on reflection, I value you on this board Jonty but you are a bit of a smart @rse on occasion.
Sign in if you want to comment
1/12 on to get promoted
Page 3 of 4
posted on 8/12/19
Last year we lost two players in jan
If we don’t lose anyone, I don’t think we’ll sign anyone.
This squad is it lads.
posted on 8/12/19
Saiz and Baker?
posted on 8/12/19
Yes
posted on 8/12/19
Entirely agree with you on that Wakey, we did sign one player in January and Blackman breaking his leg has proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Every indication is that Bielsa will stick to what we have, the team are doing well and unless Eddie and Clarke go back to their parent clubs, I see no reason why Bielsa would change his whole way of doing things. We also have no budget for new players and no slots for loanees, unless, as I say, players return home.
posted on 8/12/19
Where yours info that we don’t have anymore money in the budget.
Am not convinced Clarke would be replaced either
posted on 8/12/19
Rich, I agree about James. Very little chance now. A couple of months ago it could have happened.
I can't think of an alternative that we could sign though.
Last January we lost Saiz and James was his replacement. If we had managed to complete the deal fro James, or had Saiz continued to enjoy playing at Leeds we would more than likely have gone up.
Baker was replaced by Shackleton so no replacement was signed.
We have enough players. We have good enough players. I would argue with the exception of Centre backs, but as Bielsa refused White last January I think it's unlikely he will share my view this time.
Think the biggest question for January is if Eddie doesn't start to do more in games, do we want to keep him?
posted on 8/12/19
Allegedly.
posted on 8/12/19
Surely yesterday where we played two midfielders at right and left back, and two right backs in central defence, plus a centre back as defensive midfield would indicate even to the most obstinate that we have problems and need to strengthen. Then again we are talking Bielsa.
posted on 8/12/19
However, it also indicates how we are streets ahead of the likes of Huddersfield, that a largely cobbled together team wins against them comfortably. Based on that, got to question whether wholesale changes are needed.
posted on 8/12/19
Good debate guys.I don't think we are asking for wholesale changes by the way but identifying those areas (centre back especially) where we are at risk and making enquries about people that could come in.
If it doesn't happen and no one leaves we may well still have enough but just a gut feel tells me we need it.
posted on 8/12/19
Looking at how Bielsa works and his liking of players playing more than one position suggests that his way is working!..
He's playing players out of position most games and at the moment they're proving his way right, he came in and turned a team of so called average players into a force to be reckoned with, if he trusts these players to do a job than so be it!..
Strengthening is a must but if it doesn't happen and backfires, he'll take full blame, so, here's hoping he gets a little more out of what he has this time out!..
posted on 8/12/19
I posted article the other day on what people think Bielsa wants rather than what they want.
I think the answer is no inbounds if current squad stay as is.
My view is I would rather we signed a player in jan that we felt we needed but didn’t end up needing/using and go up than not get one and be left regretting that decision.
posted on 8/12/19
I think it's misinformation that Dallas and Alioski were playing that out of position. Both have plenty of experience in the full back roles, and going into the season it was where I expected both to be utilised most. On top of that Ayling has played CB for us plenty of times and from what I've heard had a very good game. Berardi has probably been training as a CB for a year and a half now so I wouldn't say he was playing out of position.
I wouldn't be against us signing another CB, but I think the defence we used yesterday would work fine if we don't. He's just unlucky that Forshaw, Shackleton and Phillips all weren't available. It's injuries in midfield that are causing strain on defensive positions.
posted on 8/12/19
I feel Berardi would have been a better choice for the Phillips role, allowing White to play his own game and marshall the defence. But we got away with it.
I do wonder what the chances are that Eddie goes back on 1st January and then starts against us for Arsenal in the Cup.Think the former might be likely, but the latter is very unlikely. We need to replace him and have a direct replacement for Bamford off the bench - someone strong, hungry, can hold the ball up and play others in, ultra fit and prepared to work their socks off and batter centre backs from the bench. An eye for goal would be a bonus lol
posted on 8/12/19
I think whilst there is some bad luck and you can only have so many players I think there is enough data now over 1.5 seasons to know that we will most likely have at any one time 3 to 4 players out, often with soft tissue muscle injuries.
Other sides get it too and so do we. It happens.The challenge for us it to make sure that doesn't derail all the great coaching and good things Bielsa has instilled in the team.So far it hasn't but I would feel so much more comfortable if we signed another experienced centre half. Sometimes you need to plan for the worse and be surprised things end up better.The championship is brutal and you need to help yourself.
posted on 8/12/19
WBA 5-1 up with 0 players playing out of position. Bartley taken off with head injury and replaced by Heggazi ......
posted on 8/12/19
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
posted on 8/12/19
West Brom are the best attacking side in the league.
Swansea are poor. So lucky against us
posted on 8/12/19
comment by Long Short Tall 666 (U19233)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I feel Berardi would have been a better choice for the Phillips role, allowing White to play his own game and marshall the defence. But we got away with it.
I do wonder what the chances are that Eddie goes back on 1st January and then starts against us for Arsenal in the Cup.Think the former might be likely, but the latter is very unlikely. We need to replace him and have a direct replacement for Bamford off the bench - someone strong, hungry, can hold the ball up and play others in, ultra fit and prepared to work their socks off and batter centre backs from the bench. An eye for goal would be a bonus lol
----------------------------------------------------------------------
my thoughts exactly. thank you for articulating that so well long i sure as hell can't.
posted on 8/12/19
comment by Elsbels - Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card. (U21658)
posted 4 hours, 38 minutes ago
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The squad will never be fully fit this season.
posted on 8/12/19
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The squad will never be fully fit this season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
So where do you strengthen? the squad is clearly strong enough.
We could lose Nketiah in January but if we do they be looking for a replacement anyway especially as Roberts seems prone to injury. If Clarke is recalled, I don't see him being replaced.
Assume that the squad stays as it is, do you look to strengthen an already strong squad (which would come at a cost) because history tells us certain players are going to be out and that leaves us vulnerable (e.g. Forshaw) or do you work with who you've got knowing there are several players who can fill gaps (e.g. Dallas, Ayling, etc).
On reflection, I would surprised if much if any business is done in the New Year because as I said the squad is strong enough. Who is or isn't fit is irrelevant.
posted on 8/12/19
What a bizarre thought, Bera in the Phillips role, there's no indication he could fulfil that role.
Interestingly, most people, myself included, thought Berardi had a good game yesterday, Jack Robshaw, Graham Smyth and Beren Cross all disagreed.
posted on 8/12/19
comment by Elsbels - Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card. (U21658)
posted 46 minutes ago
What a bizarre thought, Bera in the Phillips role, there's no indication he could fulfil that role.
Interestingly, most people, myself included, thought Berardi had a good game yesterday, Jack Robshaw, Graham Smyth and Beren Cross all disagreed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
tought berardi had a decent game too. but white has been one of our best players and if in his position huddersfield wouldn't have had a sniff.
els, do you think ben had a good game? i think he was only so-so.
posted on 8/12/19
comment by Elsbels - Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card. (U21658)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.
Casiila, Meslier.
Ayling, Dallas, Berardi, White, Cooper, Douglas, Alioski, Davis.
Phillips, Shackleton, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison, Clarke, Costa, Hernadez.
Roberts, Bamford, Nketiah
That to me looks plenty strong enough for this league. 21 players and you'd do well to get better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The squad will never be fully fit this season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
So where do you strengthen? the squad is clearly strong enough.
We could lose Nketiah in January but if we do they be looking for a replacement anyway especially as Roberts seems prone to injury. If Clarke is recalled, I don't see him being replaced.
Assume that the squad stays as it is, do you look to strengthen an already strong squad (which would come at a cost) because history tells us certain players are going to be out and that leaves us vulnerable (e.g. Forshaw) or do you work with who you've got knowing there are several players who can fill gaps (e.g. Dallas, Ayling, etc).
On reflection, I would surprised if much if any business is done in the New Year because as I said the squad is strong enough. Who is or isn't fit is irrelevant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If who is fit or not is irrelevant then why did you open with this line:
“If we can get the squad pretty much fully fit there's no need to strengthen.“
posted on 8/12/19
Also said on reflection, I value you on this board Jonty but you are a bit of a smart @rse on occasion.
Page 3 of 4