Good Morning. It's Wednesday 7th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Is Firpo the victim of a smear campaign Leeds have always had a fall guy when the chips are down, whether it be Tom Lees or more recently Junior Firpo. The 26yo has endured a torrid time since his £13m transfer from Barcelona, 18 months ago; and has been dogged by injury in recent times. Fourteen games in, and the former Spanish U21 International is yet to start a game for the Whites, though to be fair, persistent groin injuries have hampered his progress. Is Firpo the victim of a smear campaign at Elland Road? Is he as bad as what people say, and if so, should Leeds try and cash in on him in January? please log in to view this image Is History repeating itself We're nearly halfway through the season, and Leeds lie mercilessly close to the foot of the table, with two points separating them from the Championship trap door. The similarities between our present predicament compared to our standing at this point last season are uncannily similar. Leeds are on the same number of points as they were at this point last season, same place in the league (15th), and the same number of points between them and the relegation zone. What do Leeds need to do to stop a repeat of last season? Are we better equipped this season for a relegation dog fight or, without Raphinha and Phillips are we in a worse predicament? please log in to view this image Is Chris Wood the answer Being linked with ex-players are part of the course at Elland Road, but this one won't go away. It's been over 5 years since Chris Wood graced Elland Road (in a Leeds top), and at the grand old age of 31 (today), could make a surprise return. We all scoffed when Newcastle splashed out £25m for the New Zealand International, but twelve months on, he could be on his way back! With 265 minutes of game time under his belt this season, and one solidary goal, there's plenty of reasons why Eddie Howe wants rid of Wood. He currently languishes in 18th spot in the Whoscored ranks with a pathetic 6.24 rating. Would Wood be a good stop gap, or are Leeds setting the bar too low? please log in to view this image
Morning all, The difference between the two starts we have made is this seasons fixtures have been favourable when last seasons was alot tougher I like Chris Wood. Is he mobile enough for us? I'd pass personally but only at the expense of signing someone better obviously!
Morning all. Think most of us were hoping for a fully fit squad after the World Cup but it seems our injury woes are set to continue. The crazy thing is that we've only played 16 games (League + Cup) so far this season but our mulit million pound squad just doesn't seem physically to be able to handle top flight football. Serious questions need to be asked and answered as to why we have so many absentees. Bamford Sinisterra Firpo Forshaw Dallas Archie Gray All the above have played very little part this season. Klich is also a doubt after picking up an injury in the EFL Cup, Harrison apparently has a muscle strain and Tyler Adams is suspended for the first game post WC against Man City.
Morning all Please not Chris Wood he’s time has been and gone. Firpo smear campaign? I’d understand it if aimed at Harrison or Rodrigo who’ve had both great games and ones to forget. Firpo is made of glass, he’s never put in a good performance, we’re just happy if he doesn’t make a mistake leading to a goal. Firpo for me falls into the Brolin bracket
No one can assess Firpo this season as he's struggled with injuries from pre season onwards. The one thing we can be sure of though is he won't be given time to get back up to speed before the vitriol starts....oops sorry I mean continues
Sorry Bucks, but I disagree that last seasons fixtures were any tougher than this seasons. Last season we had 16 points from the first 16 games. The only difference between last seasons fixtures and this seasons, is that we played Newcastle and West Ham in the first 16 games instead of Aston Villa and Arsenal, and the 3 relegated teams have been replaced by those who got promoted. Where we suffered last season, was in games 17-28 where we picked up only 7 points from 12 games.
seriously, he’s shown some promise in possession. Out if it he’s been a car crash. Mitigation is that bielsa’s man marking is a one off for defenders, and marsch system does leave them exposed. Plus he’s barely been fit. There - I’ve attempted some objectivity which clearly has no place on here.
Firpo was the most underperforming player last season. He's been injured this season but I've seen him play for the stiffs and he didn't stand out with them. Just looked a bog standard u21 player. In short....he's **** and that's why he is getting **** reviews. Bamford has been **** and has got **** reviews and subsequently dropped. Llorente has been **** and got **** reviews and subsequently dropped. There isn't an agenda against Firpo, its just that he's **** you see and therefore will be told he has been ****. If he turns in to prime Roberto Carlos then his reviews will improve. Until then he is ****, has been **** and the evidence thus far suggests that he always will be ****. please log in to view this image
When Firpo played for the U21's he looked like a senior player returning from a long lay off. Granted he didn't look a world beater or anything like it but he did look a class above the young lads. He's nowhere near as bad as you continually make out.
Blimey, Daniel Craig looks a lot like Marsch. He could play him in the 2023 Blockbuster 'Doomed', written and Directed by Wakey...
Be interesting if there’s mileage in the ola aina links. We’re always linked with him but he’s a right footed fullback who like dallas has played as much on the left as the right. He’s reasonably two-footed. I’ve said recently that marsch likes width from his fullbacks so you’d think this would be a none-starter… but with drameh going… you have a decent footballer who can cover both left and right back.
In that Southampton u21 game we had Cooper, Ayling, Hjelde, Gnonto, Bamford, Summerville all starting. They all looked like they belonged at a much higher level. We won 6-2 and it could have been 10 if we didn't take our foot off the gas. In that game Firpo just kind of trudged his way through. Didn't do much wrong but didn't really make a mark on the game. Yes he was coming back from injury but so were Ayling, Cooper and Bamford yet they all just looked like they had time on the ball and went about their jobs as though it was quite simple. Firpo just looked like another young kid trying to make it. He was distinctly average at a level he should be excelling at, even with one leg. As for last seasons performances/effort levels/disciplinary record etc..... even you can't give him a glowing report.
One of the biggest things that wound me up during the Chris Wood era was the commentary from Thom Kirwin, always referring to him as Woods.
Firpo stood up to be counted when it mattered most which was at Brentford on the last day...even you can't take that away from him.