It was a bad goal all round. Rothwell runs up a culdesac, gives it away, Struijk doesn't fully commit to closing down the Preston striker, Rodon doesn't attempt to cut out the cross, and Meslier should save it after getting both hands to it.

People say we need a 10 and a striker, but if we had a goalkeeper who could be relied upon, we'd be clear at the top.

there's no doubt he has cost us points but if you are being fair then you can also point the finger at plenty of others too for various failures.
after losing 3 key players for months we are second. and farkes teams always kick on after Christmas.
we need a 9 in January more than anything imo. I'm confident we'll be top 2 in may

Agree Tad. Piroe doesn’t do enough in games like that, he’s not got the legs. Joseph too raw. Bamford flakey. It will be interesting to see what they do. Jan is a very very difficult window. Mind you Ipswich did well last year in Jan. K Moore signing was huge.

The Preston goal was poor all round from front to back. I thought we’d get beat yesterday I nearly put a bet on it. Farke needs to sort these away performances out, particularly early kickoffs we’ve only won one of them

More points dropped against one of the lower teams and the same glaringly obvious problems. We conceded a poor goal with many players at fault, but having said that, score 2 or 3 and you win the game. The centre forward debate was well and truly put to bed yesterday, either Bamford or Joseph now need to start a consistent run of games. Piroe has been awful for the last few months away from home and is no use to us whatsoever as a centre forward. Is he a 10, no he isn’t so get him out of the team. The left hand side attack, again woeful with players running down blind alleys, coming backwards, turning inside, all the traits of players in a position they shouldn’t be playing. We should all pray that the only genuine winger and player with any real pace doesn’t get injured any time soon, cos if we lose James you can kiss goodbye to automatic. The “missing no 10” may be a red herring that supporters keep yearning for. A lot of people hear the pundits talk about the number 10:without really having a clue what he is or what he actually does. Farke needs to get Ramazani starting on the left hand side and give him a chance with Gnonto inside him. If that means dropping Aaronson then so be it. One things for sure, we’ve got to start looking more cohesive and threatening away from home rather than doing the same things badly time and time again.

Agree that Struijk could have done better for their goal and Rothwell like you are saying running into a blind alley.
Meslier for me is a liability.
I`m having an argument/disagreement with some of my Leeds mates who are saying they`re happy with a point at Preston.
But if we are going to get top 2 we should be beating a team nearer the bottom than they are the top.
Same goes for other games like Bristol City, games we should be winning.
Usual suspects who flatter to deceive like Bamford and Aaronson shouldn`t really be in or around the team.
Gnonto who I like isn`t having much impact compared to James but I think we should try him in the 10.
Next 5 games could give us 15 points.

Bamford has driven me mad at times throughout his Leeds career, and ideally we shouldn’t even be considering him for selection. The reality is he’s still a better centre forward than Piroe who doesn’t win aerial duels, throw himself where it hurts or run in behind defences. In short, apart from bullying the worst teams with the odd tap in Piroe is a millstone around the team’s neck for a lot of games. People will be quick to slate Bamford for the missed back heel yesterday, and at first glance it’s understandable. But when you watch it back, his movement is superb to fool and then get across the front of the defender and the ball came quickly behind him. Piroe has not got across the front of a defender in the last 2 years and his movement in the box is terrible. The equaliser came from Joseph getting across a defender and you can’t just wait for the ball to arrive at your feet 6 yards out like Piroe does. Farke picks the team and he seems besotted with Piroe, he’s even letting him make a right bo***c## of free kicks on the edge of the area. He’s done it 3 or 4 times now this season and Farke needs to tell the idiot to keep out of the way and let someone who can actually kick a ball, like Rothwell, have a shot at goal.

. you criticise piroe for only scoring tap ins but then praise bamford who missed a tap in.an absolute sitter. again! piroe has scored plenty from getting across his opponent in the box. take out his goals we are 7/8 placed. and it doesn't matter who you play you need to score. and Rothwell has taken a few free kicks recently and hit the wall every time.
having said that we needed a pressing player up top yesterday.
and nobody has commented on how much preston battled. they are a huge side too.
again the final ball in was awful. james rarely beat the first man. you could have a prime ian rush up top but if the service is awful he won't score.
for me a good point. tough place to go

Bamford’s wasn’t a tap in, the ball was going behind him and he improvised with a back heel. Piroe wouldn’t even have been there, he’d have been hanging around behind a defender expecting the ball to go straight through him. The same with the equaliser, Joseph getting in front of the defender resulting in the goal. If you hadn’t noticed, James was the provider on both occasions, do you actually watch the games ? The reason why Piroe rarely gets on the end of a cross is because he doesn’t attack the space or get in front of defenders, it seems unbelievable you would attack currently the best player in the team (James) because of Piroe’s failings. I suppose when James set up another two goals with crosses versus Swansea it was his fault that Piroe didn’t score and got subbed ?

I actually go to games. and yes james twice put in a great ball.but he also hit the first man time and time again.
you defend bamford as the ball was behind him but slaughter aaronson and yet the ball held up.and was behind him.
do you watch games as you only seem to post when leeds lose??? whys that??

You’re making yourself look silly Tad. Nowhere have I slaughtered Aaronson, I actually defended him after going to Elland Road in midweek from people who get on his case. I never mentioned his miss yesterday, you’ve got the wrong person. As for only posting when Leeds lose, if you check back I comment on every game whether we win or lose. Get your facts right.

The ongoing scape goating of Piroe on this thread is really boring now.

top scorer.
couldn't agree more

I rate him personally, he's the best goal scorer at the club, but he struggles particularly away when teams sit well back, his natural game isn't a 9. As you say Tad. a 9 in Jan could be as important as anything but i suspect that won't happen, given we have Bamford and Joseph on the books also, unless Bamford went out somewhere..

Saturday I'd like joseph at 9 and piroe playing off him. a hybrid 10/ second striker role. I'd like to see ramanazi get a start too

Yep, that would work. Ramazanni getting back to something like would be a big boost. Gnonto's form has dipped a bit, mind you i wouldn't mind seeing him back in the 10 role at some point.

I agree. he was hit and miss on Saturday. should beat Oxford though so chance to start/rest a few

Goals was always going to be a problem and was highlighted by many commentators at the conclusion of the transfer window. Tad makes some excellent points about the shortcomings of certain players who seem beyond criticism here. If Piroe is the best scoring option then the team need to play to his strengths. Coaching attack is not a strength of Farke and as fans have to accept that.

Farke is no Bielsa but he will win as many games and surely fans have to trust his judgement? Having said that Leeds look a completely different team away from Elland Rd and Farke needs to address that.

Apparently Buendia could be available in Jan, he's only played less than 40 mins this season.. i do wonder if we might try tempt him. Him and Farke go way back

Like who?

I think Ramazani on the left wing is the best option we have there. Gnonto seemed to link well with Ramazani and hasn’t been the same player since Ramazani has been out. For the two of them to link up again it would logically be at the expense of Aaronson. That’s a big call for Farke to make as he seems quite happy with Aaronson despite some people’s misgivings.

I think you mistake scapegoating for criticising. I criticise him because he’s soft, lacks commitment and hasn’t done anything in an away game since the middle of October when he scored at Sunderland. I suppose the YEP sports writer who gave him the lowest mark in the team on Saturday was “scapegoating” him ? Maybe Lee Hendrie who said he was the only Leeds player who disappointed him the other week was “scapegoating” him ? Maybe Jon Newsome who regularly says he’s “anonymous” is scapegoating him ?For me he’s a real weak link in the team for a lot of games and I won’t just turn a blind eye at him being totally crap because he’s scored a goal when we’ve beaten a crap team at Elland Road about a month ago. His two efforts at goal on Saturday were absolutely pathetic, my 89 year old Dad could have kicked the ball harder. He set the tone for the day by not even jumping for balls or attempting to tackle defenders when he had chance, another soft, lazy display from him. Five pathetic displays from him on the bounce away from Elland Road now, he may as well have stayed on the team coach painting his fingernails the big wet lettuce. If you want to join a love triangle along with Piroe and Tad go ahead.

as I said I'm hoping leeds really kick on in January as we dod last year, and norwich did twice.
give joseph a run. see how he goes

just been reading the best XG for all players playing in europe over the last 5 years. piroe is, somewhat surprisingly, 14th behind some seriously big hitters.
bottom of the whole lot is, not surprisingly, bamford.

meslier is bloody poor goalkeeping wise too

I know I keep saying it but carrying players like Meslier, Aaronson and Bamford isn`t doing us any favours.
Said the same about Jack Harrison who Everton fans want shut.
I do think Farke needs to be a bit more ballsy and drop these 3.
Unfortunately I`m not too convinced about Darlow and actually think Cairns is the better option.
Gnonto or Rothwell or Tanaka in the 10 and bring Ampadu back in to midfield is another option.
Bamford needs to move out unless he gets a hatrick on Saturday that is.


I would also play Byram at RB and Wober LB this Saturday.
But I`m sure we will go with Bogle and Byram. Aronson in the 10 and Bamford on the bench.
The team is doing well but it needs to do better and kick on.

wober out Saturday. strjuik doubtful.

I would have replaced meslier in the summer. i think farke will stick with for now. aaronsson needs a rest.i think he'll come good .

one think farke dod say today was tankaka and Rothwell are good players but away from home gruev and amadeu are what you need.more steel