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Leeds United's player choices

7/10/2014

14 Comments

 
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By Mark Rasdall

In more than forty five years of supporting Leeds United I cannot remember a time when we had such a choice of quality players in every position on the field.

Yes David O'Leary had a large, well-paid squad but I'm not sure the quality was there in such depth and injuries to one or two key players were felt more keenly. Even in the glory days I used to groan when star players were injured as Yorath, Ellam and Bates were fine squad players and did their jobs well for Don Revie when called-upon, but I don't think there were enough of them able to step up and neither were they, unsurprisingly, able to fill the quality gaps.

One criticism of Don (and Norman infers this in his autobiography) was that he overplayed some of the stars but then who could blame him with such riches in his midst? Coupled with fixture congestion - encouraged rather than alleviated by League and FA - this meant though that too often our tired team simply could not climb those final hurdles.

Reading reports about last night's Develepment Squad win against Doncaster reminded me again of the strength in depth we now enjoy. Adryan, Del Fabro and Montenegro of the new arrivals all made their marks as did Chris Dawson and Zac Thompson of the 'home-grown' lads among others.

The fusion of artistry and youth is already there to see in the LUFC first team with Mowatt, Cook and Byram alongside the likes of Bianchi, Bellusci and Antenucci. Just having those kinds of choices alongside the likes of Sharp and Austin and Morison and, yes, Noel Hunt, who played really well last night, as well as injured players like Walters and White and those who are knocking on the door such as Ajose must be incredible as a coach.

There are signs that we are beginning to create more chances, are more aggressive in the final third and more compact under Darko Milanic but surely the most important aspect to this is being able to coach such a rich squad of hungry players into winning teams that can do so by playing fast, passing football? It really is a different game these days - a squad game - and players have to be athletic like never before with corresponding recovery periods required. How refreshing on Saturday that Cook was rested after such a tremendous contribution in recent matches!

And yet, the doubters continue to find fault with the manager, the players and the selections. As paying fans they have every right to do so but, in contrast, I do always try to see the positives (after so many years of ups and downs that hasn't always been easy either!) until there can be absolutely no doubt in my mind that things need to change. I welcomed Neil Warnock and Brian McDermott and even David Hockaday until it became obvious that things were not going to work out and change was needed.

Throughout all of this I have been worried that Neil Redfearn might leave but if he and Milanic can work together with their shared coaching experiences here and abroad, coupled with the squad we have, I do believe we have the platform now to go on and achieve great things again. I don't think it will be this season, and the odds of
14/1 with Paddy Power for us to achieve promotion prove we are still a little way away, but I am very confident for next. I know it could all go wrong in the Spaghetti Western surrounding the club and that many players are on loans etc etc, but I am keeping the faith as I have done for so long.

Until they absolutely drive me mad I shall stand behind every player who pulls on the white shirt and scream my support for the team. We have to be patient and believe in Leeds United. How can we expect any coach or player to do so otherwise?

14 Comments
Ropey Wyla
7/10/2014 04:57:24 am

We certainly have strength in numbers now, some would say it remains to be seen if the quality is really there but the squad is certainly a strong one. I would love us to be more ruthless in the final third, if we had took all our chances against the wendies we would have won 10-1 and the next two weeks without real football would fly by!

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Freddy Reid
7/10/2014 05:12:54 am

It is suddenly becoming a frightening proposition - we have so many quality young athletic players who are technically gifted. I would make solidify Redfern's position at the club making him Director of Football, his position and Salerno's is critical to our future progress. The crowds will start to grow at home knowing they are watching the beginnings of something special. (Or is it the Norwich scouts who are rubbing their hands )

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Between the Lines
7/10/2014 05:22:10 am

I think I'm right in saying, and Norman might have forgotten, during the Don Revie era it was an offence for clubs to play a weakened side, they had to play their strongest side. Leeds were hammered with a record £5000 fine (a lot of money in then days) when they fielded an under strength side against Derby in 1970

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Mark Rasdall link
7/10/2014 05:41:56 am

Yes I remember that fine and they tried to do the same again when we played a weakened side against Southampton away - think it might have been just before the 1973 FA Cup Final? I know it was a quite different era with the one constant being an unsympathetic FA and League but my point was that sometimes resting an individual player here and there might have helped if we had really had quality alternatives

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Don Mawby link
7/10/2014 06:44:22 pm

Mark
Liked the article very much, but I think youve forgotten a very important player from that Era.....namely Paul Madely....Mr Utility
Himself......the Don thought the world of Paul as he could literally play in any position......thought myself he would have made a better goalie than Gary Sprake
Don

Keith Milburn link
7/10/2014 05:53:42 am

a professional footballer who is at the peak of physical fitness should never get tired of playing on average 90minutes a week, these are pathetic excuses made by managers and make me sick, they are over rated, over paid and have ego,s as big as the failure in the World Cup.

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7885 link
7/10/2014 07:46:11 am

Problem Keith, nearly everybody in football has different opinion on the subject to you. Then everyone is wrong and you are correct. Why are you commenting on this and not managing an International team?

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Keeithmilburn link
7/10/2014 08:01:48 am

I'm not manager of the national team because I would not kowtow to the FA, if the world governing bodies got together to put a limit on transfer fees and players wages the game would be a lot better, I have supported LUFC for 58 years and hopefully we can see the glory years returning.

Andy
7/10/2014 08:15:43 am

i,like most, began this season with frantic searches through YouTube , Twitter and every blog I could find for any glimpse or snippet of news on the new players, many of which I'd never heard of. As the season began though I was at ER to witness a revolution in our play and players I'd never heard of performing way beyond my wildest doubts. If only things off the pitch can settle down, then we all have a great future to look forward to especially with the fantastic U21's under Niel Redfern. Just hope Cellino has the best lawyers on the case as it seems Shaun Harvey won't rest until he ousts him from Leeds. But aside from all that its being uplifting for all to be able to talk about the style of football been played and the wins we've had. Darko has a lot to live up to know and hopefully the international break will help. #mot

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Bizzle link
7/10/2014 08:17:29 am

What's goin on with the Ste Warnock situation at the moment? He's the best left back we have (by some way) and it seems like Cellino is forcing Darko to keep him out of the line up?? He's been one of our best players this year!!

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Keith link
7/10/2014 09:46:06 am

Yes he has and he's the only decent left back, it bodes no good to see a right footed player playing at left back

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Don Mawby link
7/10/2014 06:49:45 pm

Keith,
Charlie Taylor ....springs to mind
Don

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Don Mawby link
7/10/2014 06:52:22 pm

Mark,
As posted earlier...like the article .....but as previous Paul Madeley was the Dons Mr Utility....and Mick Bates put in a few good shifts???
Don

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Mark Rasdall link
8/10/2014 12:39:26 am

Thanks Don and yes, I totally agree and mentioned Bates. Paul Madeley was a great player wasn't he - and rightly got his chance for England too. I'll never forget that goal in the Fairs Cup final either. Unfortunately we didn't have enough players like him at the time that could seamlessly fit in when some of the others were obviously out on their feet...

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