can't force signings on the manager. a manager who gives the team away days in advance.bielsa seems immune to criticism. playing forshaw ahead of Phillips was stupid and how ayling gets picked God only knows

Give over. Can't blame bielsa for lack of signings.

why? he's constantly said he only wanted James.

I'm not too critical of Ayling but Forshaw, Alioski, and Harrison and more recently Hernandez have been poor.
Massive error of judgement for not propping up the midfield with a couple of signings.
Philipps should have played today and I still think we will miss out on promotion unless maybe Bamford and Brown can inject some life in to us.
Too many teams with experienced players who will exploit the way we play.

ayling Been dreadful for weeks

Why are sports fans so obsessed by players they don't have? This squad have been top of the league for a couple of months despite injuries and suspensions which have started to bite. We knew when Bielsa came in that he likes a small squad and that signings would be relatively few. Izzy Brown is now fit, which is like a new signing, Baradi, Bamford and Douglas are all just about ready to come back, so the squad will get stronger in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, Brown coming in will mean Hernandez can move back to the wing.

Philips has to come into midfield next week.

I think that's the point Charlie.
We have been sat at the top of the league for a while even with injuries.
Hence why we needed to freshen up the squad a to give some of those players a rest and b to consolidate the position at the top.
That's what good ambitious teams do.
Yes I agree on Brown and Bamford and Phillips to midfield to combat the strength Boro have in their midfield.

Correct. Standstill and you will go backwards

Another game we probably should've won, but a point gained in end

and a good point. next 2 v Swansea and QPR at home. 6 points would be huge for us

Think you're right about Ayling Tad.
Poor today again with Shackleton much better at getting the ball in to the box.
If Bamford can stay fit until the end of the season and Brown on the pitch it will certainly help.
Pontus so so and for me Halme deserves his place as his replacement.
Must get 6 points from next two with WBA getting closer.

Next two games are huge. 6 points and we're in great shape. West Brom have some tough games coming up. Leeds west Brom 1st March is huge. Let's hope it's better than Norwich game

Yes for sure the Norwich game was a real 6 pointer that we got outplayed and out thought at home which wasn't good.
Norwich still playing well which i thought they would have fallen away by now then again i thought the same with Sheff Utd.

Swansea at home is a must win, we then have a bit of a rest before the next game, which we desperately need.

Good news about Jack Clarke.

3 days rest?
that point psychologically could be massive. feels like a win. a real confidence booster

After the Swansea game, Leeds don't play until the 23rd

apologies. my phones calendar was wrong

A vital win, and other results going our way too.

Pity Boro couldn't sneak a draw.
Clumsy tackle by Ayling to give the penalty away.

Huge win. Shef utd play west Brom in 2 weeks also. West Brom got a tough couple of games coming up as well..

we have west Brom and sheff Utd at home in a few weeks. they both have a really hard next 4/5 games. time to keep our nerve

Bristol city away will also be a huge game, they seem to be the form team at the moment.

It seems to be one of those seasons where no game can be predicted at all with true conviction and the tightness of the league means almost everyone still has everything to play for highlighted again by preston beating Norwich. I always thought get to 90 points and that would confirm an automatic spot going off other seasons but maybe a bit less than that will be enough this time.as long as we can keep picking up the wins at ER we have a great shout now.

Before the Norwich game I had Leeds to finish with 84 points.
If the top 6/7 keep beating each other then 84 might just get them in to the top 2.

16/02 - Aston Villa v West Brom, Sheffield Utd v Reading, Bolton v Norwich

19/02 - QPR v West Brom

23/02 Leeds v Bolton, Norwich v Bristol, West Brom v Sheffield Utd

26/02 - QPR v Leeds

01/03 - Leeds v West Brom
02/03 - Millwall v Norwich
04/03 - Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield U.

08/03 - Norwich v Swansea
09/03 - Bristol v Leeds, West Brom v Ipswich, Sheffield U v Rotherham

12/03 - Sheffield U v Brentford, Reading v Leeds
13/03 - Norwich v Hull, West Brom v Swansea

16/03 - Leeds v Sheffield U, Brentford v West Brom, Rotherham v Norwich.

Quite an interesting few weeks coming up before the next international break.