The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 1st February)

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 1st February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road.

Leeds turn down Old Trafford star

It has been revealed that Victor Orta turned down the chance to sign Manchester Utd defender Axel Tuanzebe on transfer deadline day. The 25yo centre-back is surplus to requirements, and secured a last minute loan move to Stoke City, but not before his services were offered (for sale) to Leeds Utd.

Tuanzebe, a Congolese International has spent sixteen years on the books of Old Trafford, yet has only mustered 19 first team appearances for them..

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Whites reject Foxes advances for Harrison

Leeds fans can be forgiven for being a little skeptical these days, given their recent history. Having (potentially) spent £75m reinforcing the squad, many stayed glued beyond the 11pm watershed, expecting a sting in the tail. The cut off passed, and with no signs of casualties, West Yorkshire could relax, at least until the weekend.

Leeds were concerned enough about losing the services of Jack Harrison to the King Power Stadium, to line up Nicolo Zaniolo as a ready made replacement, but that's as far as it went. Leeds rejected Leicester City's advances, prompting speculation he is ready to sign a new lucrative deal at Elland Road.

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Assembling the new pieces of the jigsaw

With the arrival of Max Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie, Jesse Marsch has his work cut out to juggle things around, and assemble his new look line up. Does this spell the end for Cooper, Greenwood, Roca, Arronson and either Bamford or Rodrigo?

The Leeds defence hasn't looked so assured for a long time, since the arrival of Max Wober. His inclusion has added stability, organisation and confidence, but what happens once Cooper returns from injury? Who will partner Robin Koch; assuming Marsch doesn't drop the German International, in favour of playing two left footed centre backs?

The Whites have been screaming out for a decent No 8 for ages, and listening to his interview with Tyler Adams, that's where Weston McKennie see's himself. The problem arises who will drop down the pecking order to accommodate for him? The obvious choice is Greenwood, but the reality is, Roca may suffer too.
If Marsch persists in his 4-2-2-2 formation, Leeds need two wide players (from Gnonto, Harrison, Summerville and Sinisterra), with overlapping runs from the wing backs; meaning they only have two midfield positions up for grabs. The obvious choice has to be Adams and McKennie.

Other formations are available to Marsch, namely 4-1-3-2, and 4-2-3-1, but having spent £35m on Rutter, surely he's not going to be left on the bench. The Frenchman has been described as a Gnabry-esque kind of player; part centre-forward, part jet-heeled winger, therefor, Marsch only has two options. Assuming Leeds record signing starts, who should partner him up front; Bamford (assuming he stays fit) or Rodrigo?

 

At least we now look to have a team or squad capable of beating anyone on the day. So looking forward to the upcoming scum games and 5th round fa cup tie. Yes, you read that correct, a 5th round fa cup tie. However as Ive cautioned elsewhere several clubs in and around us will also be thinking they've had a great January window too

 

Morning all

Stoke City wanted Charlie Cresswell but Milwall kept their powder dry and hung on to him. Charlie and his agent/dad will be trying to look for a permanent move in the summer as the lad was wanted by countless clubs and if he isn’t going to feature in the Leeds first team squad, he will be sold. £4m was offered this window but will probably be worth more in the summer. The Man Utd kid was 2nd choice behind Charlie so they took him on loan, but offered cash for Cresswell.

A great window

 

No need to throw Georginio straight into the starting lineup. Plenty of time to acclimatise him to the rigours of the PL.

A superstar in the making no doubt but for the moment he’ll be used as a game changer from the bench.

 

On the FA Cup draw I Red something yesterday from a mathematics guru who said the odds of Leeds going into the hat 12 times and never getting a home draw is 0.0045%

 

Think that was Milky

 

Good Morning to Matt and co from a chilly Bardsey
I think that we have had posssibly the best transfer window everand yet you didn't mention the young center back from Seviette.From the video I watched he will be some aquistion for the futureI dont know how much we paid for him but I bet it was a bargain.Lets hope be is as good as the other boy we bought from the Swiss league
I trhink that Everton have thrown in the towel having spent nothing in the window and selling Gordon for 45m

 

Let's not write Everton off yet Mike.

Tough trip coming up soon to Goodison and they'll be bang at it for sure under Dysche.

 

If only we had got Dyche

 

Yep, we could be pushing Top 4 like 'park the bus' Newcastle if we had a coach who knows how to organise a team defensively.

 

They'll be parking the bus at Wembley in a few weeks. Doubt there will be too many of their fans analysing the style of footie that got them there

 

Their team/squad is no better than what we've now got though.

 

Correct. However they’ve one of the best coaches in European football. We’ll soon know how our lad measures up

 

They have hardly supported Dyche have they

 

Bournemouth are the new curveball. I Had them down as relegation certs. They’ve spent big on exciting young talent. Whether it gels in time will be interesting to see.

The relegation battle has some new ingredients. Southampton are playing better, Everton have the dyche factor.

We’ve had a good window but look light at rcb and left back still. Imagine max will end up there if coops is fit, but he doesn’t really look like a left back.

I like the squad though and feel confident about next year if we survive this one!

 

Everyone fit, who would be your starting 11.
Not an easy choice. And what would be you favoured system with the squad we have

 

Pretty easy Really

Meslier

Wober

Adams & McKennie

Sinisterra, Rutter, Bamford, Rodrigo, Willy, Jimmy & Harrison

System & tactics, go for it lads

 

Fair summary

 

Chaaaarrrrge