please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v West Ham Utd Saturday 25th September@15:00 | Elland Road Less than 72 hours after beating Manchester United in the League Cup, David Moyes' West Ham travel to Elland Road as Leeds search for their first three points of the season. Leeds injury crises worsened after it was revealed on the club's website that Patrick Bamford did not participate in Tuesday's win over Fulham due to an ankle injury he sustained at St James Park last weekend! He is joined by Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch whilst fellow centre back Pascal Struijk serves his final suspension. Skipper Liam Cooper will return to his defensive duties after being rested midweek, but who will partner him? Kelvin Phillips took on the responsibility at Craven Cottage, but surely Leeds will need the England ace in midfield. Will we see Charlie Cresswell step up again? The 19yo made his long awaited debut midweek, and he didn't disappoint! In the likelihood that Bamford misses out on Saturday, who will take his place? Rodrigo has always claimed that he is not an out-and-out goalscorer (which he showed midweek) whilst Roberts has scored just once in the top flight! Surely Bielsa has to give youth a chance, even if it is a baptism of fire!
The pressure for our first win is mounting, I’d imagine team selection will be delayed to the last possible moment to see who has recovered. I would have hoped for three points from this fixture before the season kicked off, now I’m thinking a point might be hard going
Bamford, Koch and Llorente out. Decisions still to be made on Harrison, Raphinha & Ayling. Starting 11 for me will be Meslier, Ayling, Cresswell, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinha, Dallas, Klich, James & Rodrigo.
They hammered us (pun intended) on set pieces last year. We're ****ed without Llorente and Struijk. Even Bamford has a presence defending corners.
Bielsa comments have just been on Sky, apparently Bamford and Raphinha our doubtful decision to be made later others are definitely out (no mention on Ayling but I assume he is out)
Meslier Dallas - Cresswell - Cooper- Firpo Summerville - Shackleton - Phillips - Klich - James Rodrigo Options would be Dallas out on the wing, Shackleton RB, Drameh RB, McKinstry in the middle instead of McKinstry or we could play Joffy up front and have a strong midfield of Phillips Klich and Rodrigo
Creswell played well (from what I saw until I lost my stream) but it was Fulham’s second string. Antonio is going to be a different kettle of fish completely.
I know what you mean. I keep saying to myself the next game we'll click and start playing like last season.
Like yourself I love a Leeds Utd match on the telly and I love an ale while watching. But I've been uneasy since pre season and although I'm 100% behind the lads, I still worry about each result. We have an unbelievable amount of injuries which doesn't help. It's ok for a lot of clubs because they have the luxury of a big playing squad. Anyway fingers crossed that we can get something out the game.