hooter

Pablo has been superb for 2 years now, hope he has another couple in him, because IF we go up he's one player I'm certain will relish the step up again. If you are a Bielsa fan you might enjoy this article from today. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6513567/The-secrets-Marcelo-Bielsas-Leeds-revolution-sleeping-training-picking-litter.html

Likely to be as last couple of games, Douglas LB, a young academy kid Shackleton RB, and Kalvin Phillips, who has been excellent as a DM, partnering Jansson at CB. Only possible change to that is another youngster Halme who has spent some time at CB, he'd probably only play if you played two strikers, in which case we'd play 3 CBs. Ayling and Cooper back soon apparently, but neither played in U23 game this week so highly unlikely they'll be ready for Sunday.

This is the most fascinating thing about this match. Bielsa is freakish in his addiction. When Radz rang him to approach him, there was no answer, so he left an answer phone message. Bielsa rang back the next day, and mentioned he'd just watched seven of our games from last season. Radz flew to Argentina, when he got there, Bielsa had watched every one of our games, plus "selected others from the best teams" His attention to detail is, it is said, immense, tiny things in training, and in analysis of opponents (rather like a previous manager of ours, many moons ago ) So far he has had a couple of key rules, if the opponent has 2 strikers, he plays 3 CBs, and asks the full backs to exploit the extra space. He nearly always aims to press and keep a large proportion of possession. I wonder whether that might change, and he'll invite you on a bit, looking to exploit your weaknesses on the counter. One thing @Rugeley Villa said which is true, he is a supremely decent and humble bloke. If you are interested I'll try and link to his PC Friday. He'll be unstintingly generous in his praise of everything about Villa, he reprimanded his translator when he suggested our winner at SUFC was the goalie's "fault", which it clearly was, and every problem we've had has been apparently his error, he is fiercely supportive of his players. It is interesting for us to hear how he sees the game, because it happens as he suggests more times than not, frankly after rocket polishers like Evans etc, it is a treat to have a manager that one can listen to, be interested in, and feel proud of. After that scum cnut Bruce you probably understand that sentiment. Looking forward to it, meeting my old mate "Bob the post" for a pint beforehand, any day I catch up with him is a good day, regardless.

Earlier in the season someone asked Bielsa about the "intimidating atmosphere" at Hillsborough. He pointed out that in Argentina he has walked out to be bombarded by mobile phones, coins, and excrement. He was broadly confident 2018 England doesn't render him sleepless. Mind you, if the cabbage man is about, who knows …?

That's how I'm viewing it, 5 wins have given us a little breathing space, and I'm confident we've a great chance to win the 2 home games after, so a draw would be just fine at yours, a defeat no disaster, and a victory a massive bonus. It'll be interesting to watch, as I said a while back, they've had one look at each other already this season, albeit Smith with different players. There's a lad who I suspect will come on in the second half, Jack Clarke, he's one to watch, think he'll give your full backs plenty to think about, Man City tried to snaffle him but fortunately he decided his route to first team football was more open with us, he is a special talent, be nice to see him go up against Hutton. Set pieces have been a weakness for us, I expect Bielsa will set up as usual to dominate possession and thereby reduce your chances to pressure us, I'm equally sure Smith will seek to achieve the opposite, game on.

I couldn't pick myself up off the floor laughing long enough to register.

Can I ask which forum ? There is only really one Leeds forum of any note, the others are just small groups of mates. I've honestly never seen anyone refer to "Villa" as "Vile" on the main forum, but I might have missed it.

I don't think I've seen us double up on anyone this season, it isn't what MB does. He adapts to what he sees in front of him, Blades we had way less possession than usual, he explained why afterwards. Interesting thing is he and Smith have already had a look at each other once. Looks like Bamford and Izzy Brown will be fit by then so we've plenty of attacking options, would be handy if Ayling was back too. He spends ages each week at his press conferences talking about his ideas, (as well as climate change and all sorts of other stuff !!) he is a very decent and humble bloke, you 'll probably find his pre match conference interesting, it'll last 45 minutes and involve a detailed analysis of his thoughts on Smith, if you are interested (and he never rubbishes anyone, but you can see some damned with faint praise, Wilder "he is trying some really interesting ideas, ideas I tried but could not make them work...) Fact is having listened to utter gobshites like Steve Evans and Heckingbottom, this is a glorious time for us, to listen to a polite, erudite expert, trying to explain to us what he's up to. Probably not entirely dissimilar to you listening to anyone after that clearing in the woods Bruce.

I'd take that all day long and resume hostilities where both clubs belong. I think you'll end up in, and probably win, the play offs, but if you can sort your defence out, maybe not.

We'll see. I'm taking my 88 year old mother-in-law out for a Christmas meal after the match, if what you predict comes to pass I'll be on suicide watch by 8pm... This Bielsa chap is quite good mind, despite never having managed either Walsall or Brentford, don't be surprised if we hold our own for 15 or 20 minutes at least.... Sat evening would ordinarily have been good, but move worked for many this time as Josh Warrington's world title defence is on sat night in Manchester.

Spot the difference. Steve Evans Gary Monk Paul Heckingbottom Marcelo Bielsa.

See you on the 23rd

I've cricked me neck looking down for you...good luck though.

Here's the punchline, neither do I kidda.

There's never a shortage of those. ...

Tried to multiquote but it wouldn't let me. Odd performance, not obvious to me why you seem to think you are nailed on with no defence to speak of, butmaybe defence is so 2017 ? I'm not convinced Marcelo will be tearing what is left of his hair out when faced with formulating a plan to work out how to score, but who knows, Great Barr versus Rosario, can't wait.

Sorry, couldn't resist it. You've one imbalanced squad, scored now, you probably need keegan as manager....

I tuned in to see why you were all so confident you'll go up. Still compiling evidence but a little confusing thus far.

You'll enjoy our promotion party, bring a bottle.

The BBC understands that top sports lawyers Slaughter and May have been appointed to see if the Championship clubs in dispute with the EFL can challenge the validity of the £595m TV deal that was announced on Monday. Representatives from Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Derby, Preston, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Stoke met on Tuesday to decide their next course of action and released a statement afterwards, stating ‘the matter will not be left here’. The clubs do not feel they were given sufficient chance to analyse the deal, and what they believe were substantial changes made between the initial short form agreement and the final long form one that was signed with Sky Sports this week. They are looking at a legal challenge to the five-year contract and believe they have the backing of the majority of the 24 Championship clubs. They are also unhappy at the EFL decision to allow Sky to show all midweek matches live on their red button service, although the EFL says the clubs were informed this would be happening. From Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds, well connected at LUFC so this will be what the club want released in all likelihood.

That will be peak hyperbole...

First better than Gareth Bale, now David Silva. If he manages a goal and 2 assists in the Championship before year end, I expect Ballon D'Or nominations....

David Silva.

The difference being the larger clubs feel confident they'd make far more if they charged supporters to watch the stream via avtv, lutv etc, than they get paid for the "red button" component of the deal by sky

Indeed....