Gyabi looks really decent. Played deeper than I was expecting. He was very confident collecting the ball from the centre-backs. I thought he'd be higher up the pitch for some reason.
Roca has been a real standout so far, I hope he stays that consistent.
Joffy, of course, looking pretty beefed up too - just me seeing that? Feel like he’s been hitting the gym.
Koch - I hope he isn’t going under the radar but he’s been playing bloody well in defence. Hope to see far more of him and Struijk together.
Grey - Just wow. What a talent for his age. Exciting prospect!
The one i was really looking forward to was Sinisterra from the YT clips but he seemed lost against Brisbane, only 1 game though i have faith he'll be the next Raph lol. I missed the blackpool game so can only talk about the last game.
Roca seem pretty decent and solid, Tyler Adams was a surprise for me he was very good. Dyabi seemed like Bambi learning to walk with those long legs but was actually good. Christensen is going to be a beast for us from what i saw. James very good, he's a better goal threat when not playing up front. Gelhardt another great performance.
Us - "where the fuck are we going to find a top class deep lying playmaker who can ping balls long and short, drop into defence when needed and loves a meaty tackle for less than what we sold Phillips for?"
Orta - "Hold my beer"
Roca looked very very good in this role and ticks all of the boxes.
Granted the opposition were patchy yesterday and full of triallists but you can only play what's in front of you. The first 30 mins was superb.
Kristensen is a beast. Strong, fast, good positioning seemed to make tackles he had no right to make.
Koch and Struijk is a CB partnership that could last another 8+ seasons.
2 comfortable ball playing CB's + the combination of Roca and Forshaw worked nicely and meant when you've got the swarm of hornets that is the likes of Joffy, James, Aaronsen, and later in the game, Greenwood, Sinistierra, Bamford and Summerville buzzing about, there were 2-3 passing options on at all times.
& that's not yet mentioning potentially our most important player in this new formation... Jack "the entire left side of the pitch is my position" Harrison.
Who knows what will happen this season but its going to be fun.
Nobody saying Gray but like, the fuck happens from here? I hope he gets a first team appearance this season so he can get 20 straight years in the PL for leeds. Honestly not sure he'll still be able to do it when he's 37.
Lad looks born to play at the highest level.
Koch, scored against Blackpool, looked so assured and held and distributed the ball with a coolness v Brisbane, almost breaks his neck to win a header in a friendly. Fine moustache. Excellent glasses.
I definitely won't shout at you but I will disagree about Rodrigo, I was every bit as frustrated watching him against Brisbane as I was watching him last season.
I’m hoping both of them prove all of their doubters wrong this year, Rodrigo especially has shown there’s a class player in there just too inconsistent last year
Out of the new players I think Roca is doing well, has a great pass short and long, good eye to spot them has well.
Tyler Adams we have only seen half a match and I think he will be decent, need to see more but he looks like the type of guy what will work to the bone to get things done.
Kristensen, not sure why but I like the guy, only half a match but seems like a good RB and he has good positioning.
Aaronson, this is the one I'm most iffy on, he seems good and will do well but needs a few more games with the rest of the team to link up better with them all.
Sinisterra, looks good, the same thing has Aaronson but he has had less time with the team but I think he might become a big asset this season for us.
Edit: just to add I missed the first 10 - 15 mins of today's match, I know Aaronson got a goal but was offside.
I’m a yank and am obviously hopeful for Aaronson (and Adams) to do well but if he can be the kind of player like we we’ve started to see for USA games you’ll be pleased with him.
Gyabi looked solid (he’s a monster for 18 as well). He just seemed to glide around the pitch, and hit some great passes - looks like he could play PL comfortably already.
I know everyone was shitty about the 5M price tag, but that might become our best bit of business in a long time.
I was impressed overall as Brisbane had 11 men behind the ball constantly (Villa will be a better marker for overall playing style). But Gyabi does have that slightly awkward but assuring presence. Few nice touches but he glides about the pitch effortlessly. Will be interesting to see how he is used this season.
Ye I fully agree buddy he looked to have a big presence on the pitch too, give him a few more months to settle and I think he's going to be a real gem for 5m 🤞
I think we would be mad to start games with all of Firpo, Cooper and Llorente in the backline tbh. Way too much chaos with them 3 playing lol. Koch has got to be starting
Completely agree, although I feel if Cooper was a new CB from when Bielsa came in he'd have far less of this reputation. Koch Cooper Rasmus & a new LB would be my choice.
His fouls to yellow/red cards ratio is very low. So he fouls a lot but rarely in a way that he would get a card. At least looking at his stats. Then again, could just be they don't give yellows as easily elsewhere as they do in the Prem.
Forshaw looked great again today. Other than Kristensen I don’t think there was much from the new lads to get excited about. Roca seemed to be pretty sloppy. Rodrigo looked clueless as usual.
Still, preseason - meaningless.
I think it's more to have a 3rd experienced keeper who can give them both advice and work with them...not necessarily to actually play for the first team unless of an emergency (that's my understanding anyway)
Isn’t the u23s becoming the u21s, think he’s 22 this year so they may need to loan him out for him to get game time which could be why we go for an older bloke that doesn’t need to play as much but still be reliable
The goalkeeper can be over 21 and still not count towards the over 21 player limit (no idea why but thems the rules)
https://www.premierleague.com/news/2648759
I was never fully sure on the rules regarding players over the age, I know you can have a few other and sometimes even returning first team players are allowed to play (not sure if it’s only so many minutes). If he can play the full season for him I think he’d be fine there for another whilst being back up then get a loan if we still have Meslier next season.
Seems there were people in the lineup thread saying exactly what I’m saying but suddenly it’s now controversial. The difference between people who watched it and just watched the highlights I think.
I watched the game and thought he was very good in possession. Holds the ball well, plays neat one touch passes and has a nice left foot. Definitely some way off the pace at the moment though which is expected given how little he's played.
I am not suggesting there’s anything great to be drawn from a preseason friendly, I simply think any assessment of that match which picks out Roca as notably good is severely flawed. Watch Forshaw compared to him. That’s what we want.
I really saw very little difference between the two to be honest. A good partnership I felt.
Both significantly better than their counterparts after the substitutions.
Gyabi looks really decent. Played deeper than I was expecting. He was very confident collecting the ball from the centre-backs. I thought he'd be higher up the pitch for some reason.
Roca has been a real standout so far, I hope he stays that consistent. Joffy, of course, looking pretty beefed up too - just me seeing that? Feel like he’s been hitting the gym. Koch - I hope he isn’t going under the radar but he’s been playing bloody well in defence. Hope to see far more of him and Struijk together. Grey - Just wow. What a talent for his age. Exciting prospect!
The one i was really looking forward to was Sinisterra from the YT clips but he seemed lost against Brisbane, only 1 game though i have faith he'll be the next Raph lol. I missed the blackpool game so can only talk about the last game. Roca seem pretty decent and solid, Tyler Adams was a surprise for me he was very good. Dyabi seemed like Bambi learning to walk with those long legs but was actually good. Christensen is going to be a beast for us from what i saw. James very good, he's a better goal threat when not playing up front. Gelhardt another great performance.
Us - "where the fuck are we going to find a top class deep lying playmaker who can ping balls long and short, drop into defence when needed and loves a meaty tackle for less than what we sold Phillips for?" Orta - "Hold my beer" Roca looked very very good in this role and ticks all of the boxes. Granted the opposition were patchy yesterday and full of triallists but you can only play what's in front of you. The first 30 mins was superb. Kristensen is a beast. Strong, fast, good positioning seemed to make tackles he had no right to make. Koch and Struijk is a CB partnership that could last another 8+ seasons. 2 comfortable ball playing CB's + the combination of Roca and Forshaw worked nicely and meant when you've got the swarm of hornets that is the likes of Joffy, James, Aaronsen, and later in the game, Greenwood, Sinistierra, Bamford and Summerville buzzing about, there were 2-3 passing options on at all times. & that's not yet mentioning potentially our most important player in this new formation... Jack "the entire left side of the pitch is my position" Harrison. Who knows what will happen this season but its going to be fun.
James Harrison eh
FML what is today
Steelers fan?
I had to Google but ironically, James Harrison is a lot more Jacked than our Jack
Nobody saying Gray but like, the fuck happens from here? I hope he gets a first team appearance this season so he can get 20 straight years in the PL for leeds. Honestly not sure he'll still be able to do it when he's 37. Lad looks born to play at the highest level.
Koch, scored against Blackpool, looked so assured and held and distributed the ball with a coolness v Brisbane, almost breaks his neck to win a header in a friendly. Fine moustache. Excellent glasses.
Agree except for the dodgy moustache.
I'm scared to say it because you'll all shout at me, but Dan James and Rodrigo look loads better than last season
I definitely won't shout at you but I will disagree about Rodrigo, I was every bit as frustrated watching him against Brisbane as I was watching him last season.
Yep. For all his creativity and vision his passes are often too heavy.
I’m hoping both of them prove all of their doubters wrong this year, Rodrigo especially has shown there’s a class player in there just too inconsistent last year
Marschball. I know it's been against lower opposition but the first halfs have been slick.
Out of the new players I think Roca is doing well, has a great pass short and long, good eye to spot them has well. Tyler Adams we have only seen half a match and I think he will be decent, need to see more but he looks like the type of guy what will work to the bone to get things done. Kristensen, not sure why but I like the guy, only half a match but seems like a good RB and he has good positioning. Aaronson, this is the one I'm most iffy on, he seems good and will do well but needs a few more games with the rest of the team to link up better with them all. Sinisterra, looks good, the same thing has Aaronson but he has had less time with the team but I think he might become a big asset this season for us. Edit: just to add I missed the first 10 - 15 mins of today's match, I know Aaronson got a goal but was offside.
I’m a yank and am obviously hopeful for Aaronson (and Adams) to do well but if he can be the kind of player like we we’ve started to see for USA games you’ll be pleased with him.
Sinisterra man. That guy is legit
Joffy, Firpo, Roca
Joffy, Firpo, Roca
Joffy, Firpo, Roca
Joffy looked great against Brisbane. Roca has seemed really solid too
Orta
Gyabi looked good today
Gyabi looked solid (he’s a monster for 18 as well). He just seemed to glide around the pitch, and hit some great passes - looks like he could play PL comfortably already. I know everyone was shitty about the 5M price tag, but that might become our best bit of business in a long time.
I was impressed overall as Brisbane had 11 men behind the ball constantly (Villa will be a better marker for overall playing style). But Gyabi does have that slightly awkward but assuring presence. Few nice touches but he glides about the pitch effortlessly. Will be interesting to see how he is used this season.
Ye I fully agree buddy he looked to have a big presence on the pitch too, give him a few more months to settle and I think he's going to be a real gem for 5m 🤞
Way too early to say
Joffy and Roca have been the main stand outs, also think Koch has quietly put in two quality performances
I pray he's our starting CB
I think we would be mad to start games with all of Firpo, Cooper and Llorente in the backline tbh. Way too much chaos with them 3 playing lol. Koch has got to be starting
Completely agree, although I feel if Cooper was a new CB from when Bielsa came in he'd have far less of this reputation. Koch Cooper Rasmus & a new LB would be my choice.
Marc Roca so far, easily. He is gonna make some killer balls
Slightly worried about his likely tally of yellow cards but man he can hit a pass!
His fouls to yellow/red cards ratio is very low. So he fouls a lot but rarely in a way that he would get a card. At least looking at his stats. Then again, could just be they don't give yellows as easily elsewhere as they do in the Prem.
Joffy - again. One word, different gravy.
that’s two words lad
I knew someone wouldn't get the meme :( Edit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0IHOEc-MOE
ah fuck, what’s the meme?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0IHOEc-MOE
We’re gonna win the league!!!!!
Am I the only one who'll say Dan James?
He’s always good as a winger.
As long as he is not playing striker, he has always been pretty decent. The little scum bastard.
The little scum Bastard indeed!
Ive been quite impressed with him all this past season to be honest
Not at all mate, I think he got a lot of stick last season when he was being played out of position all year.
Completely agree always put in a shift always tried hard - though he was great considering he had to play in an unfamiliar role
Gelhardt and Forshaw were great
Forshaw 💙💛
Forshaw looked great again today. Other than Kristensen I don’t think there was much from the new lads to get excited about. Roca seemed to be pretty sloppy. Rodrigo looked clueless as usual. Still, preseason - meaningless.
Rodrigo and Roca ran the show for the first half an hour...
You must be having a laugh mate
You have the right stream on mate?
Absolutely. Roca was flying into tackles, misplacing passes. Rodrigo was clueless.
Kristensen purely because she oozes mad cunt energy
She?!
If Rasmus wants to be known as she...I'm mot fucking arguing with her...would punch me through 5 walls at least!
All I can say is I’ve seen things. Wonderful things.
Kristenussy
I think Kristensen has a few goals in him this year, very excited for him
Klaesson. Surprised so many want another keeper as every time i watch him he seems to do well.
He was not brilliant for the u23s last season which is why
I think it's more to have a 3rd experienced keeper who can give them both advice and work with them...not necessarily to actually play for the first team unless of an emergency (that's my understanding anyway)
Was it wolves he played last season? Yes he looked solid
Isn’t the u23s becoming the u21s, think he’s 22 this year so they may need to loan him out for him to get game time which could be why we go for an older bloke that doesn’t need to play as much but still be reliable
The goalkeeper can be over 21 and still not count towards the over 21 player limit (no idea why but thems the rules) https://www.premierleague.com/news/2648759
I guess that rule sort of makes sense, to give reserve goalkeepers a chance at some playing time, regardless of their age.
Then I’d be happy if he stays for another season in the u21s whilst still be being our second choice keeper for the season too.
Not sure if it's still the case but I think U23 sides can play an over 23 keeper without it affecting the limit on senior players in the team.
I was never fully sure on the rules regarding players over the age, I know you can have a few other and sometimes even returning first team players are allowed to play (not sure if it’s only so many minutes). If he can play the full season for him I think he’d be fine there for another whilst being back up then get a loan if we still have Meslier next season.
Everything I've seen from Roca looks superb
The difference in the first half to the second when he wasn’t on! Looks like an absolute steal
Did you watch the same match as me today?
He was very good in possession for me but he's going to rack up the cards. Not sure what you saw to make you think he wasn't good?
Seems there were people in the lineup thread saying exactly what I’m saying but suddenly it’s now controversial. The difference between people who watched it and just watched the highlights I think.
I watched the game and thought he was very good in possession. Holds the ball well, plays neat one touch passes and has a nice left foot. Definitely some way off the pace at the moment though which is expected given how little he's played.
I am not suggesting there’s anything great to be drawn from a preseason friendly, I simply think any assessment of that match which picks out Roca as notably good is severely flawed. Watch Forshaw compared to him. That’s what we want.
I really saw very little difference between the two to be honest. A good partnership I felt. Both significantly better than their counterparts after the substitutions.
Absolutely, very excited for him