Ok, I have a problem from which most do not suffer. I support Leeds United. There's no point in asking why, it really doesn't matter. I thought about starting a team thread, as I had done last year, but nobody really cares so I let it go. Now I need help.
As most of you know, Leeds, one of "the bigger clubs in England" (insert sardonic laugh), was promoted in 2020 after a 16 year absence from the EPL's top flight. Under the famous Marcelo Bielsa's tutelage, they finished an impressive 9th place in their first season back, and most pundits felt their position in mid-table was secure this year. Admittedly, I wasn't so sure. This season has played out in an almost nightmarish fashion. Bielsa's tactics demand outrunning and harrying the opponent, yet he likes to keep a small squad that he trusts, rarely changing players, and certainly not tactics. They only picked up the thus-far ineffectual Junior Firpo, and the lowest effort:goals rated Daniel James in the off season. They needed MF help, and to be fair, the return of Adam Forshaw from a long period off has been a small boon, but they lack talent after Phillips in the center of the park.
They really haven't played well at all this season, just brief glimpses of their former selves. They don't seem to have that same endurance, running out of steam and ideas later in games. Other managers know what to expect. They started with a half Championship, half EPL squad, and have lost Bamford, Ayling, Koch, Rodrigo, Phillips, Cooper and more in recent weeks and months. They are not in the relegation places at the moment, and are going through the hardest part of their schedule as we speak, but have been badly found out in recent weeks. They should've got a point at Chelsea, but were thrashed by Man City and toyed with by Arsenal. Worse, they were lucky to even get draws with Brentford at home and Brighton away. They don't look like a favorite to beat anyone at the moment. Right now, their best hope is that there may be three teams still worse than them, at least over the course of the season.
I will attach a recent article from the excellent Phil Hay, for Athletic subscribers:
https://theathletic.com/3024299/2021/12/19/leeds-are-not-coping/
It's an important season for the club. The owner, Andrea Radrizzani, is trying to sell majority control to the SF 49ers group. This might open a revenue stream that, while not on par with oil states and barons, could at least serve to consolidate the club's fortunes for a little while. But if Leeds were to get relegated again, I'm guessing that might not seem like such a good investment to the Americans.
So essentially what I'm asking is what do you think Leeds needs to do to stay up? They have 16 points from 18 games, and Newcastle is bound to improve significantly in January. They are missing Bamford hugely, but do have young Joe Gelhardt not far from contributing regularly. They aren't bereft on the wings. Raphinha is their one true star at the moment, but won't be with United forever. Phillips likewise, and he's out until February. They appear to need much more attacking MF play, maybe more at CDM, and they still don't have enough FB depth. Can they really improve in January in a meaningful fashion? In today's EPL can they play more of their relatively strong U23 squad? Both will be attempted, but neither offers much assurance.
The season is long, and there is plenty of time to pick up points. However, one can't show other teams for long that you are weak, and there for the picking, without it becoming a recurring problem. Which brings out the most difficult question. When, and under what circumstances, would the team choose to walk away from Bielsa? He is effectively a god among most supporters, and deserves to be treated with the utmost respect. Yet his track record speaks for itself, and one at least wonders if he, with his tactical inflexibility, is the right man to keep this club up. I don't see it happening this year, unless it's too late.
So, since new threads are good, I thought I'd throw out a bone for you to sniff and perhaps chew on.
As most of you know, Leeds, one of "the bigger clubs in England" (insert sardonic laugh), was promoted in 2020 after a 16 year absence from the EPL's top flight. Under the famous Marcelo Bielsa's tutelage, they finished an impressive 9th place in their first season back, and most pundits felt their position in mid-table was secure this year. Admittedly, I wasn't so sure. This season has played out in an almost nightmarish fashion. Bielsa's tactics demand outrunning and harrying the opponent, yet he likes to keep a small squad that he trusts, rarely changing players, and certainly not tactics. They only picked up the thus-far ineffectual Junior Firpo, and the lowest effort:goals rated Daniel James in the off season. They needed MF help, and to be fair, the return of Adam Forshaw from a long period off has been a small boon, but they lack talent after Phillips in the center of the park.
They really haven't played well at all this season, just brief glimpses of their former selves. They don't seem to have that same endurance, running out of steam and ideas later in games. Other managers know what to expect. They started with a half Championship, half EPL squad, and have lost Bamford, Ayling, Koch, Rodrigo, Phillips, Cooper and more in recent weeks and months. They are not in the relegation places at the moment, and are going through the hardest part of their schedule as we speak, but have been badly found out in recent weeks. They should've got a point at Chelsea, but were thrashed by Man City and toyed with by Arsenal. Worse, they were lucky to even get draws with Brentford at home and Brighton away. They don't look like a favorite to beat anyone at the moment. Right now, their best hope is that there may be three teams still worse than them, at least over the course of the season.
I will attach a recent article from the excellent Phil Hay, for Athletic subscribers:
https://theathletic.com/3024299/2021/12/19/leeds-are-not-coping/
It's an important season for the club. The owner, Andrea Radrizzani, is trying to sell majority control to the SF 49ers group. This might open a revenue stream that, while not on par with oil states and barons, could at least serve to consolidate the club's fortunes for a little while. But if Leeds were to get relegated again, I'm guessing that might not seem like such a good investment to the Americans.
So essentially what I'm asking is what do you think Leeds needs to do to stay up? They have 16 points from 18 games, and Newcastle is bound to improve significantly in January. They are missing Bamford hugely, but do have young Joe Gelhardt not far from contributing regularly. They aren't bereft on the wings. Raphinha is their one true star at the moment, but won't be with United forever. Phillips likewise, and he's out until February. They appear to need much more attacking MF play, maybe more at CDM, and they still don't have enough FB depth. Can they really improve in January in a meaningful fashion? In today's EPL can they play more of their relatively strong U23 squad? Both will be attempted, but neither offers much assurance.
The season is long, and there is plenty of time to pick up points. However, one can't show other teams for long that you are weak, and there for the picking, without it becoming a recurring problem. Which brings out the most difficult question. When, and under what circumstances, would the team choose to walk away from Bielsa? He is effectively a god among most supporters, and deserves to be treated with the utmost respect. Yet his track record speaks for itself, and one at least wonders if he, with his tactical inflexibility, is the right man to keep this club up. I don't see it happening this year, unless it's too late.
So, since new threads are good, I thought I'd throw out a bone for you to sniff and perhaps chew on.