I'm not sure I know the answer to be fair..

but superb article, one of the best on here for a while, very factual, fair and honest.. unlike a few who just post either a positive or negative agenda to somehow 'prove' they were 'right' at some point.

People change opinions all the time, and I was like you with Pontus at first, now, turns out White is a far better player... but that's the art of debate, I can enter a thread believing one thing, and have my mind changed because of others putting across their points.

Good article.

We are better defensively but still prone to the odd mistake.

We continue to dominate and create chances as we did last season. Opponents are better educated in how to deal with Bielsa's tactics and that doesn't help our cause.

Contracts is an area of constant debate. Leave it until the last minute and they walk for free. Fans in uproar.

Give them 3, 4 or 5 year deals and the fans are in uproar.

There are three parties, typically, to contract negotiations; players, agents and the club. The club might want to offer 2 years but the player wants 4, might be his last chance to play at this level or higher. Does the club say no and risk losing the player?

Not sure there's a workable solution at all. The balance of power shifted a long time ago.

I think we are a better side than last season, nobody has got the better of us and with a bit of luck would be 3-5 points clear, I think the last two home games have shown what we are about,

We are better defensively than last season by some distance, that's down to White and Casilla mostly. I do feel we're weaker in attack. We don't frighten teams like we did last season. Teams were terrified of last season's pablo and Roofe's movement along with our insane press levels and chances created. Bamford just doesn't strike fear into opposition defences like we did last season, feel we've lost the element of surprise.

We should get top 2 along with WBA, but we should have got top 2 last season which is why we are far from certain of top 2 this season.

For me, whichever teams have a good January will get promoted. Last season that was Sheff Utd and Villa.

I think Bamford is difficult to play against, we are better when he's in the team. Goals will come.

Can’t remember the last time I went to Elland Road and we comfortably won the game. Always hanging on in there but thankfully our defence is good.

It just boils down to the fact we’re quite toothless up top.

Everyone plays the same. Sit back, keep the deficit to just 1, and in the last 10-20, start hitting long balls and hope for a break.

That's a tactical issue rather than players.

strangely, I do actually think we're stronger than last season... but I have no concrete examples of why.. its just a feeling.. this time last season.. more or less the same points total it felt like we were at the top of our game... for some reason this season, it feels like we are only in 2nd gear and almost simmering waiting to step on the gas...

could be wrong, hope I'm not..

its all coming home again

comment by Stevie "Oso Loco" Dee (U10061)
posted 21 minutes ago
That's a tactical issue rather than players.
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Players in the final third aren’t good enough.

Really good article. A solid defence that doesn't concede is a great foundation to build on and if we can find something to be more ruthless with our chances that would be critical.sadly though this could be disrupted by a lengthy ban for Casillas and if we don't have effective cover for longer term injuries.

I still think we need to strengthen in January.other sides will, more sides who have been promoted in the past strengthened than kept the status que.

I hear Bielsa's small right knit squad and not favouring bringing players in mid-season.To counter that I wonder how he thinks the intense style of play, the repeated trend of injuries being picked up works alongside that position. It is great to have footballing beliefs and the small tight knit squad but a healthy dose of pragmatism based on past results is needed too.

Great article, yes the best articles are based on facts and not just rants.

We seem to have toughened up that soft underbelly we had last season. Just a few more goals from all the chances we create and we would be flying.

No doubt White has exceeded expectations and imo is a better player than Jansson.

Phillips is like a well oiled machine - he just ticks over when needed but can slam the foot down when required as well.

So yes I think we are better equipped but so might other teams be

I think we are stronger.

Disagree that we don't create as many clear cut chances this season. Think we create a lot more. Problem is Bamford & others keep missing them. But Bamford is one of the biggest reasons why are creating more clear cut or better chances.

I'd love to see Leeds back in the Prem....sadly you are the Tottenham of the Championship though....

Maybe this term

comment by The Hayemaker (U14625)
posted 7 hours, 6 minutes ago
comment by Stevie "Oso Loco" Dee (U10061)
posted 21 minutes ago
That's a tactical issue rather than players.
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Players in the final third aren’t good enough.
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Aren't good enough at what, Hayemaker? It's easy to say they are not scoring goals, but they do a huge amount of work providing cover and running the lines. We lose effectiveness in front of goal, we gain traction in the middle of the field. The team look like they know each other, but we don't have a player who can fit the Bielsa mold, gel with his team mates and score goals. As good as Nketiah is, he doesn't play the way Bielsa wants and I wonder if we will see him again in a white shirt. With Pablo back, it will be interesting to see the difference he will make. We have Luton away when the break is over, a team who are struggling to find their feet in this division. Perhaps this will be the moment when we kick into the third gear that we know is there.

If you feel Nketiah doesn’t play the way Bielsa wants, why did we sign him?

You've nailed it in identifying White as a major improvement over Pontus who lost his head too often, in my view.

Are we really stronger than last year? We'll only really know at the end of this season. Let's hope Bamford now starts knocking them in for fun. He deserves it. Players like Bamford, Dallas, Harrison have all improved. The players and coaching staff all know one another much better now, I would think.

I'm happy to compromise on the end-to-end stuff if we end up with an auto spot - Bielsa can then have some fun taking the Premiership by storm next year!

He'd have to do a third year if we go up - it would present an attractive challenge to him.