they would be magnificent signings but I can't, sadly, see either coming. I hope darlow starts, better still a new keeper. but I think meslier starts. one big error next Sunday and he's done though. finished

[quote="tad rhino":1tog3yh2]they would be magnificent signings but I can't, sadly, see either coming. I hope darlow starts, better still a new keeper. but I think meslier starts. one big error next Sunday and he's done though. finished[/quote:1tog3yh2] It could complicate things having a cup run as we already have to fit the Coventry game in and it`s likely we progress to the next round when we beat Millwall and another game to fit in. Our squad isn`t that big so a couple of signings needed. Again I know we only played Harrogate but the defenders looked more comfortable with Darlow behind them then they do with Meslier.

[quote="chapylad":2ckssgxe] And Gnonto again doesn`t appear to be the answer up front or as the 10 despite what Farke is saying.[/quote:2ckssgxe] I think the realisation may even be hitting home to Willy that rather than being the Premier League quality player he thought he was at the start of the 23/24:season he is in fact just a back up player to a decent Championship team. His lack of aerial presence and pace mean he falls well short as our starting striker and his lack of awareness and poor decision making rule him out as a number 10. He’s a decent sub or stand in when we have injuries within our current squad.

Agree about Ampadu, he’s very rusty still, his distribution was poor. Thought he dropped deep far to often also.. he was almost a centre back at times Gnonto isn’t very good at 10, he’s not got the vision. I think we’d be very very foolish not to bring in a forward this month. We’ve clearly got the money.. let’s get some insurance and make ourselves too good for the rest

[quote="leeds owl":jkln9ddc]I think the realisation may even be hitting home to Willy that rather than being the Premier League quality player he thought he was at the start of the 23/24:season he is in fact just a back up player to a decent Championship team. His lack of aerial presence and pace mean he falls well short as our starting striker and his lack of awareness and poor decision making rule him out as a number 10. He’s a decent sub or stand in when we have injuries within our current squad.[/quote:jkln9ddc] Gnonto showed last year he has the quality, he was unplayable at times. Just because he isnt in form doesnt mean he isnt good enough. Hes never been a striker tho.

[quote="leedsbarmyarmy":2ebong2i]Gnonto showed last year he has the quality, he was unplayable at times. Just because he isnt in form doesnt mean he isnt good enough. Hes never been a striker tho.[/quote:2ebong2i] Hmm, not a striker. What do you think he is ? He’s certainly not a winger, and if as most people agree he’s not a “number 10”, then what exactly is his position ? James and Solomon are a cut above him as wingers, Aaronson is undeniably Farke’s starting number 10, so that leaves centre forward as his best chance of starting regularly. Piroe and Joseph, in that order, are seemingly juggled by Farke at number 9, so I stand by what I said in that he’s not good enough to start in our strongest eleven never mind dreaming about playing for a Premier League team. What I do like about Gnonto is that he gives 100% whenever he plays and he seems a real team player. A world of difference to the disrespectful player that lacked any commitment to the club at the start of last season.

imo, when on form, he's miles better than james. james has blistering pace but that's about it. his crossing and finishing are very hit and miss

[quote="leeds owl":2fgcxotn]Hmm, not a striker. What do you think he is ? He’s certainly not a winger, and if as most people agree he’s not a “number 10”, then what exactly is his position ? James and Solomon are a cut above him as wingers, Aaronson is undeniably Farke’s starting number 10, so that leaves centre forward as his best chance of starting regularly. Piroe and Joseph, in that order, are seemingly juggled by Farke at number 9, so I stand by what I said in that he’s not good enough to start in our strongest eleven never mind dreaming about playing for a Premier League team. What I do like about Gnonto is that he gives 100% whenever he plays and he seems a real team player. A world of difference to the disrespectful player that lacked any commitment to the club at the start of last season.[/quote:2fgcxotn] Hes a winger, he showed that last year, James was in great form, got injured, and then couldnt get back in the team because Gnonto couldnt stop scoring. Your right that he wouldnt be in the first 11 at the moment, but we're gonna need him when rotating the squad and for any injuries, he could easily come back into the team and get his form back up. And if Jack Harrison can play regularly in the prem, so can Gnonto.

[quote="tad rhino":9ixansv5]sadly micks knackered nowadays[/quote:9ixansv5] He had an anterior cruciate go before the days they knew how to fix them. Ok running straight but couldn't turn anymore.

Some of the teams in Saudi taking an interest in Gnonto. Apart from him and presumably us getting a big payout I doubt he will go at the expense of ruining his international ambitions. I`m not sure why if we have identified a player such as Lathe Lath (not saying he`s the answer) at a cost of 15 million. Why we don`t pay it and get a decent striker in. It was the same with Hamer. A 15/16 million offer might have got him at the club. It`s not as if we don`t have the money to spend.

I think farke, like bielsa, is very stubborn and very loyal. I agree, get a striker in. it could make the difference

[quote="tad rhino":1k18tlxw]imo, when on form, he's miles better than james. james has blistering pace but that's about it. his crossing and finishing are very hit and miss[/quote:1k18tlxw] When James is on form he’s unplayable. I’ve never seen Gnonto turn in an “unplayable” performance for Leeds. James may sometimes have an erratic delivery rate, but ask yourself this question, would you rather have a player who can get in behind a defence 10 times and then deliver 5 crosses successfully or someone who only manages to get behind a defence 5 times and delivers 3 crosses successfully ? One may have a better delivery rate (which I don’t think Gnonto does btw) but he’s not creating as much for the team like a player such as James. I think James is currently our Player of the Year, and I’m sure many other fans agree. He also stretches the game and defences like nobody else in the squad, giving room for other players in the middle. Gnonto fannies about too much, running into central areas and closing other players space down, slowing play down and generally killing momentum. He’s a useful sub to have, but I’m sure opposition defences would be delighted to see James sat on the bench instead while Gnonto condenses play and doesn’t have the pace to hit their team on the break. Gnonto won’t be starting over James any time soon if he starts at all.

[quote="Trebor1":1szl9sem] I think we’d be very very foolish not to bring in a forward this month. We’ve clearly got the money.. let’s get some insurance and make ourselves too good for the rest[/quote:1szl9sem] Whilst not wanting to be the cliched rumour monger, I’ve just been talking to a bloke that’s a regular in Bamford’s local. He apparently left some money behind the bar for the regulars at the weekend.. Make of that what you will, but let’s hope it’s a parting gift. I’m surprised he managed to get through the tap room without tearing his hamstring.

[quote="leeds owl":3qx4ic3x]Whilst not wanting to be the cliched rumour monger, I’ve just been talking to a bloke that’s a regular in Bamford’s local. He apparently left some money behind the bar for the regulars at the weekend.. Make of that what you will, but let’s hope it’s a parting gift. I’m surprised he managed to get through the tap room without tearing his hamstring.[/quote:3qx4ic3x] Where does he drink? Radcliffe Arms?

[quote="chapylad":4bewqdkp]Where does he drink? Radcliffe Arms?[/quote:4bewqdkp] No Chapy, he lives and drinks in a village between North Leeds and Thorp Arch. Not fair to give specifics I don’t think.

Not sure we will get anyone. We are the top scorers in the Champ with 60% of the season gone. If we consider that the GK has cost us 7 points, then we would be 8 points ahead at this point of the season. Also, our run in to the end of the season should be considerably easier than the ones we have had previously.

Blackburn want Bamford, G Smyth reckons we won't let him go in Jan.

[quote="Rhino Rock":15otfu73]Not sure we will get anyone. We are the top scorers in the Champ with 60% of the season gone. If we consider that the GK has cost us 7 points, then we would be 8 points ahead at this point of the season. Also, our run in to the end of the season should be considerably easier than the ones we have had previously.[/quote:15otfu73] For me it's quite simple. Disregard what could have been or what's to come. We are top, by 1 point. We look like one of the best 2 teams in the championship. But, the Niners absolutely do not want and did not buy this club to spend anymore than 2 seasons in the Championship... they are hell bent on going up this year. We cannot afford to take risks, if there is a player out there that we can get who will make us better it would be a HUGE gamble not to bring them in. We have the money, we have the wagebill space for a quality loan. If you look at the stats, we don;t score enough compared to how many big chances we create and our keeper lets too many goals in. Thats 2 areas we can improve on in this window, however, i think Darlow could be the answer at GK.

[quote="Trebor1":1boztr7y]For me it's quite simple. Disregard what could have been or what's to come. We are top, by 1 point. We look like one of the best 2 teams in the championship. But, the Niners absolutely do not want and did not buy this club to spend anymore than 2 seasons in the Championship... they are hell bent on going up this year. We cannot afford to take risks, if there is a player out there that we can get who will make us better it would be a HUGE gamble not to bring them in. We have the money, we have the wagebill space for a quality loan. If you look at the stats, we don;t score enough compared to how many big chances we create and our keeper lets too many goals in. Thats 2 areas we can improve on in this window, however, i think Darlow could be the answer at GK.[/quote:1boztr7y] Spot on mate. I just hope the 49`s don`t believe the hype that we will go up and we have the best keeper in the league along with the best attack according to Farke that is. Get the money spent on a couple of "make a difference" signings and get us promoted automatically. Probably the only thing I don`t agree with you is that I don`t see too much difference between us Sheff Utd and Burnley and like last year we ended up 3rd in that group of 3.

I think.we are better than them. we were better than ipswich and leicester. but. they were more consistent. otherwise I agree totally

Can’t write of Sunderland either especially given their recent signing.. owners showing real intent

Will be interesting to see what team Farke picks on Saturday. The squad has had a good rest and you’d expect him to go with his strongest team. Where Ampadu fits into that team is the big question.

has to be DM. it's where he's needed most

Sheff Weds away form is good, they're decent on the counter. I think Ampadu will go in the DM role to stop that happening. I see Tom Cannon could be off to Sunderland, Leicester have recalled him as they have interested clubs. 11 goals for Stoke this year. Sunderland want him on loan with a poss £13m fee if they get promoted.

[quote="tad rhino":2pdzmy8e]has to be DM. it's where he's needed most[/quote:2pdzmy8e] So who do you drop, Tanaka or Rothwell ?