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The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thur 21st May)

Discussion in 'Leeds United' started by ellandback, May 21, 2020.

  1. ellandback

    ellandback Well-Known Member
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    perfect1.jpg
    Good Morning. It's Thursday 21st May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road.

    Project Restart edges closer

    It is looking increasingly likely that the Championship season will recommence in less than a month. A provisional date has been set for the 20th June. We should also hear in the next 24 hours that Championship clubs can resume training on Monday. We also await news via Government sources whether the remaining fixtures will be played at neutral grounds or not, though a decision on this is not expected until next week..

    Leeds have a seven point cushion at the top of the table over third place Fulham, with a possible 27 points still to play for.

    The final play off spot is currently occupied by Preston on 56 points, but with 9 games to go 11th place Swansea City are only three points behind. Theoretically, 15th place Sheffield Wednesday could make up the eight point difference, and join the top six.

    Perhaps Derby and Sheffield Wednesday will receive their punishment from the EFL for financial fair play misdemeanors. A 12 point deduction for either club would leave hem both in severe relegation territory!

    At the foot of the table 17th placed Stoke City are only three points from the drop zone.

    Before football was suspended, Leeds were the in form side in the Championship with 5 wins and a draw. Hull had the worst form with five loses and a draw, followed by the Wendies, Bristol City and Boro.

    Surprisingly, Wigan were third (3 x W 3 x D), Luton 5th (3 x W, 2 x D 1 x L) and Barnsley 7th (3 x W, 3 x L).

    West Brom were the fourth best in form team, Fulham 8th and Brentford 15th.

    eUntitled-3.jpg


    Leeds have a tricky tie against Cardiff on the first game back. Third place Fulham play fourth place Brentford. A win for the Bees would leave them a point behind the Cottagers. Some may say that Bentford are more dangerous than Fulham. Who would you want to win that one?

    At the other end of the table a win for Charlton against Hull would see Lee Bowyer's team change places with the Tigers.

    Game 1


    Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
    Cardiff City v Leeds United
    Fulham v Brentford
    Huddersfield Town v Wigan Athletic
    Hull City v Charlton Athletic
    Luton Town v Preston North End
    Middlesbrough v Swansea City
    Millwall v Derby County
    Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley
    Reading v Stoke City
    Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest
    West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City

    There's a double six pointer at the top of the Championship in game Two. Leeds entertain Fulham whilst Brentford play West Brom

    Game 2

    Barnsley v Millwall
    Brentford v West Bromwich Albion
    Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
    Charlton Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
    Derby County v Reading
    Preston North End v Cardiff City
    Birmingham City v Hull City
    Leeds United v Fulham
    Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town
    Stoke City v Middlesbrough
    Swansea City v Luton Town
    Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers

    During the third round of games, top of the table Leeds play 23rd place Luton Town. Get your popcorn ready for Hull v Boro, surely a six pointer at the foot of the table.

    Game 3

    Barnsley v Blackburn Rovers
    Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town
    Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic
    Hull City v Middlesbrough
    Leeds United v Luton Town
    Millwall v Swansea City
    Nottingham Forest v Bristol City
    Preston North End v Derby County
    Queens Park Rangers v Fulham
    Reading v Brentford
    Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion
    Wigan Athletic v Stoke City

    At the half way point, Leeds travel to Blackburn (never an easy tie) whilst second placed West Brom face relegation threatened Hull.

    Game 4

    Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United
    Brentford v Wigan Athletic
    Bristol City v Cardiff City
    Charlton Athletic v Millwall
    Derby County v Nottingham Forest
    Fulham v Birmingham City
    Huddersfield Town v Preston North End
    Luton Town v Reading
    Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers
    Stoke City v Barnsley
    Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday
    West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

    With four games to go, Leeds face Stoke City. Although in 17th place, Stoke are only three points from the drop zone. They will be desperate to get something out of the game. At the foot of the table Barnsley play Luton Town. Forest entertain Fulham whilst Brentford have a tricky tie against Charlton.

    Game 5

    Birmingham City v Swansea City
    Brentford v Charlton Athletic
    Bristol City v Hull City
    Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers
    Leeds United v Stoke City
    Luton Town v Barnsley
    Millwall v Middlesbrough
    Nottingham Forest v Fulham
    Reading v Huddersfield Town
    Sheffield Wednesday v Preston North End
    West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
    Wigan Athletic v Queens Park Rangers

    Leeds play Swansea City in game Six of the season. There is no reason why, if the Swans went on run why they wouldn't be around the play offs, so all to play for. Huddersfield v Luton and Preston v Forest look interesting fixtures!

    Game 6

    Barnsley v Wigan Athletic
    Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion
    Charlton Athletic v Reading
    Derby County v Brentford
    Fulham v Cardiff City
    Huddersfield Town v Luton Town
    Hull City v Millwall
    Middlesbrough v Bristol City
    Preston North End v Nottingham Forest
    Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday
    Stoke City v Birmingham City
    Swansea City v Leeds United

    With two games to go, top play bottom (assuming and hoping Leeds are still top at this point), West Brom face Fulham (Come on you Baggies) and Brentford face off against Preston.
    Game 7

    Birmingham City v Charlton Athletic
    Brentford v Preston North End
    Bristol City v Stoke City
    Cardiff City v Derby County
    Leeds United v Barnsley
    Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers
    Millwall v Blackburn Rovers
    Nottingham Forest v Swansea City
    Reading v Middlesbrough
    Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town
    West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
    Wigan Athletic v Hull City

    Leeds will hope to for a Ram raid on the penultimate game of the season. At the bottom Hull play Luton.

    Game 8

    Barnsley v Nottingham Forest
    Blackburn Rovers v Reading
    Charlton Athletic v Wigan Athletic
    Derby County v Leeds United
    Fulham v Sheffield Wednesday
    Huddersfield Town v West Bromwich Albion
    Hull City v Luton Town
    Middlesbrough v Cardiff City
    Preston North End v Birmingham City
    Queens Park Rangers v Millwall
    Stoke City v Brentford
    Swansea City v Bristol City

    The roller coaster season comes to an end against Lee Bowyer's Charlton Athletic. Imagine if both promotion and relegation rested on this result!!!! Similarly Brentford face Barnsley whilst Wigan entertain Fulham!

    Game 9

    Birmingham City v Derby County
    Brentford v Barnsley
    Bristol City v Preston North End
    Cardiff City v Hull City
    Leeds United v Charlton Athletic
    Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers
    Millwall v Huddersfield Town
    Nottingham Forest v Stoke City
    Reading v Swansea City
    Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough
    West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers
    Wigan Athletic v Fulham
     
    #1
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
    Whitejock likes this.
  2. lufctommo

    lufctommo Well-Known Member

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    Good morning,

    Clearly we have a decent run in. If we're still a few points ahead I would expect most of the games to be no trouble. I think we have to get something from the first two games though. If we were down to a one point gap by week 3 then who knows what the pressure could do. I'm sure no one needs to be reminded of Wigan at home last year.
     
    #2
  3. ellandback

    ellandback Well-Known Member
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    Morning Tommo,

    The good news is it is in our hands. If we draw against Fulham, it harms them a lot more than us. Good to see Fulham and Brentford have yet to play the Baggies
     
    #3
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  4. w.c.dukenfield

    w.c.dukenfield Well-Known Member

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    Morning all. I think playing behind closed doors may favour Leeds in some of the away games. Most teams raise their game when they play Leeds as their supporters see it as a big game. Without the fervour of the crowd they may find this more difficult.
     
    #4
  5. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    Morning all. What a disorganized outfit the football authorities. Why isn’t the championship back in training same time as the pl and same start dates. Word
    Of caution, some experts saying six weeks training to get footballers up to match fitness. Less than that could lead in particular to hamstring injuries. Our small settled squad can not afford any of these. Just look at the three gams Kalvin missed. Imagine him pulling his hamstring in first game back. Far too many fans on social media believing we are virtually certainties if football returns.
     
    #5
  6. Eric Le Merde

    Eric Le Merde Well-Known Member

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    Morning All, The Championship isn't back in training because it isn't going to restart.
     
    #6
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  7. davy

    davy Well-Known Member

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    Morning Eric et al - hope you’re right bud, I’d take it and other fans can say what they like. <ok>
     
    #7
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  8. NostradEmus

    NostradEmus Firpo is Shit

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    The Fulham game reminds me of the Sheff Utd home game last season. It's not a must win game but its definitely a must not lose game.

    If we lose that game then it not only brings them closer to us but it has major mental repercussions. Leeds all of a sudden will be looking over their shoulders and Fulham will have the belief that they can catch us.


    It's a season defining fixture and the one I am most worried about. Last year we were the better team against Sheff Utd in that game but a couple of mistakes cost us a goal and a red card. It really affected the rest of the season.
     
    #8
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  9. ellandback

    ellandback Well-Known Member
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    We were all over the Blades too... Think Casilla got sent off
     
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  10. JonnyLosAngeles

    JonnyLosAngeles Well-Known Member

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    I’m going to make a bold prediction that he won’t get sent off against Fulham - no way!! :emoticon-0165-muscl
     
    #10

  11. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    Very true <ok>
     
    #11
  12. Leedsoflondon

    Leedsoflondon Well-Known Member

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    Win at Cardiff coupled with a Brentford win, 10 point cushion. Win or draw against Fulham and it’s job done. IF it restarts. Issue is cost of testing players. EFL saying they will fund it but clubs pointing out that this is money coming from future payments to them. Vested interests of championship clubs beginning to show cracks as well I believe.
     
    #12
  13. Leedsdude

    Leedsdude Well-Known Member

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    Playing behind closed doors against Cardiff is a plus in my book. We usually hit the ground running, here's hoping that continues.
     
    #13
  14. lifecheshirewhite

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    Agreed and also at home pressure from nervous fans starts to spread to the team at times.
     
    #14
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  15. lifecheshirewhite

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    Do you really believe Bielsa and Co will have let the squad fitness slack. The will have had the word, don't you dare comeback unfit. Have you seen the photo's of our new striker, lost about a stone from the look of it, if not more.
     
    #15
  16. Leedsoflondon

    Leedsoflondon Well-Known Member

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    I like the comment from Luis Enrique, the Spain manager.
    “Football without fans is sadder than dancing with your sister” <cheers>
     
    #16
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  17. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    Nothing to do with match fitness. Many managers and players have said there is no substitute for match fitness and its a totally different level to what can be achieved at home
     
    #17
  18. lifecheshirewhite

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    Yes but everyone will be in that same boat, but with us fitter.
     
    #18
  19. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    Yes but I was making point that our system is hugely dependant on certain players remaining fit, eg Philips. Nobody else likely has a player as influential. Hopefully won't be an issue anyway given the slim chance of more footie in this season
     
    #19
  20. lifecheshirewhite

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    Season will finish, new cases will be less than 1,000 a day and probably about 500 in 3 weeks time.
    Most of them will be health care workers, families of health care workers and care homes.
     
    #20
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