[Albion] Deluded Leeds (an EFL club) fans

[Hampster Gull]

We ain’t no Norwich or Huddersfield tho. The way we play will mean we’re in for our fair share of defeats as we leave ourselves open at the back but we’ll never not stop pressing forward. We haven’t really got going yet, we can play better than we have done so far and we’ll only get better as the new players start to integrate and really get upto speed with Bielsa’s way. There certainly won’t be a fitter squad in the league, the running stats are quite incredible but it’s needed for the system to work.

As I’ve said I think we’ve got more than enough to avoid relegation and I think the same for you, I’ve watched 3 of your games and been impressed, you play some good stuff and don’t see you guys been anywhere near the bottom 3 either.

To be fair to Leeds, they’ve been a great addition in their games so far. Much better to have that than some of the dross. Good signings too.

 

[The Wookiee]

Running out of steam!? We’d won 5 on the bounce without conceding and were playing the best football I’d witnessed before lockdown hit so that’s nonsense. The burnout thing is a total myth anyway, our running stats have actually increased for the latter part of both seasons while Bielsa has been here.

So what was the reason for the capitulation the season before you got promoted?

 

[B-right-on]

To be fair to Leeds, they’ve been a great addition in their games so far. Much better to have that than some of the dross. Good signings too.

I agree. Seems to be a lot of dislike on here stirred up over the BW saga by a few Leeds twats on Twitter, but they have been good value so far and not had the hammering yet many predicted on here.

 

[DonRevie]

So what was the reason for the capitulation the season before you got promoted?

That season really wasn’t a case of this so called burn out, again if you look at the running stats we were covering more distance at the end of the season than at the start. We made some huge individual errors that cost us, namely Kiko in goal. The Wigan game at home stands out as being the one where it started to go wrong, we dominated that game something like 40 shots to their 6 but two huge mistakes gave them the game. It was the same in the play off semi against Derby, we’d battered them the two games during the season and also in the first leg. The 2nd leg at Elland Rd we went 1-0 up and then another huge howler from Kiko bang on half time switched the momentum and we just collapsed. That season was hugely disappointing as we definitely should have gone up, in the top two all season right upto the final three games. It hurt but we came back even stronger last season and I actually think that extra season in the Championship has meant we’re better prepared for the Prem this season. Honestly tho, the Bielsa burn out thing is a myth, at least during his time with us we haven’t seen it.

 

[The Wookiee]

That season really wasn’t a case of this so called burn out, again if you look at the running stats we were covering more distance at the end of the season than at the start. We made some huge individual errors that cost us, namely Kiko in goal. The Wigan game at home stands out as being the one where it started to go wrong, we dominated that game something like 40 shots to their 6 but two huge mistakes gave them the game. It was the same in the play off semi against Derby, we’d battered them the two games during the season and also in the first leg. The 2nd leg at Elland Rd we went 1-0 up and then another huge howler from Kiko bang on half time switched the momentum and we just collapsed. That season was hugely disappointing as we definitely should have gone up, in the top two all season right upto the final three games. It hurt but we came back even stronger last season and I actually think that extra season in the Championship has meant we’re better prepared for the Prem this season. Honestly tho, the Bielsa burn out thing is a myth, at least with his time with us we haven’t seen the players tire.

You did have a lot of injuries though, could that be attributed to over training/burn out ?

 

[DonRevie]

I agree. Seems to be a lot of dislike on here stirred up over the BW saga by a few Leeds twats on Twitter, but they have been good value so far and not had the hammering yet many predicted on here.

I think with the way we play we’ll end taking a couple, we do leave ourselves open at the back but it’s definitely entertaining to watch.

 

[DonRevie]

[SUB][/SUB]

You did have a lot of injuries though, could that be attributed to over training/burn out ?

Yes some big injuries really didn’t help, we were without Roofe for a long period and he was our main source of goals that season. Bielsa historically doesn’t like to have a big squad, he likes a small group and to have them all involved. It’s risky if/when injuries hit but he seems to have changed a little bit with that this season, We’ve got a bit bigger squad for the Prem and we’ve got players who can play in multiple positions now.

 

[Swansman]

That season really wasn’t a case of this so called burn out, again if you look at the running stats we were covering more distance at the end of the season than at the start. We made some huge individual errors that cost us, namely Kiko in goal. The Wigan game at home stands out as being the one where it started to go wrong, we dominated that game something like 40 shots to their 6 but two huge mistakes gave them the game. It was the same in the play off semi against Derby, we’d battered them the two games during the season and also in the first leg. The 2nd leg at Elland Rd we went 1-0 up and then another huge howler from Kiko bang on half time switched the momentum and we just collapsed. That season was hugely disappointing as we definitely should have gone up, in the top two all season right upto the final three games. It hurt but we came back even stronger last season and I actually think that extra season in the Championship has meant we’re better prepared for the Prem this season. Honestly tho, the Bielsa burn out thing is a myth, at least during his time with us we haven’t seen it.

I listened to a one and a half hour podcast interview with Pontus Jansson a couple of weeks before the end of Bielsas first season playoff, talking a lot about training methods etc (generally praising everything). Jansson said that "at this point in the season, we actually feel a bit tired going into matchdays" and I thought that sounded a bit worrying, and Kiko or no Kiko, Leeds did look a bit tired towards the end, creating some lapse in concentration and execution. Perhaps Bielsa learned a thing or two that season.

 

[DonRevie]

I listened to a one and a half hour podcast interview with Pontus Jansson a couple of weeks before the end of Bielsas first season playoff, talking a lot about training methods etc (generally praising everything). Jansson said that "at this point in the season, we actually feel a bit tired going into matchdays" and I thought that sounded a bit worrying, and Kiko or no Kiko, Leeds did look a bit tired towards the end, creating some lapse in concentration and execution. Perhaps Bielsa learned a thing or two that season.

It’s possible mate, I think he’s learnt quite a bit. There’s no doubt the English game is more demanding than on the continent so maybe he’s adapted a bit. Interesting with Pontus as we were all a bit shocked when we sold him, he’d been great for us for the majority of his time but he could go missing when the chips were down. I’ve spoken to a few Brentford fans on their forum recently and they’re seeing the same thing from him. That all worked out in the end tho as bringing Ben White in was a huge success, he’s 3 or 4 times the player Pontus is. BW didn’t have a bad game for us and he probably got better game after game. Hell of a player you’ve got there, I noticed he was getting a bit of stick on here the other week but seriously give this lad time and he’ll come good...he’s that good imo and I wouldn’t hesitate in having him back here. He’s the best CB I’ve seen at Elland Rd by some distance since the Ferdinand and Woodgate days.

 

[dazzer6666]

[tweet]1318479491359014912[/tweet]

 

[Surf's Up]

I'm choking as I say this but I find Leeds under Bielsa exciting to watch and I wish them well (except against us of course). But he burns players out and yes, they are super fit but with a truncated season ahead + greater intensity of games + the fact that they will increasingly get sussed out and there will be no plan B, unfortunately they'll blow out at some point.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

I'm choking as I say this but I find Leeds under Bielsa exciting to watch and I wish them well (except against us of course). But he burns players out and yes, they are super fit but with a truncated season ahead + greater intensity of games + the fact that they will increasingly get sussed out and there will be no plan B, unfortunately they'll blow out at some point.

I think we said something similar about Sheffield United last year.

 

[One Love]

I think we said something similar about Sheffield United last year.

And it was true

 

[Springal]

I'm choking as I say this but I find Leeds under Bielsa exciting to watch and I wish them well (except against us of course). But he burns players out and yes, they are super fit but with a truncated season ahead + greater intensity of games + the fact that they will increasingly get sussed out and there will be no plan B, unfortunately they'll blow out at some point.

Agreed, its an expansive game they play - but Wolves showed it was fairly easy to counter them and really it could have been 2 or 3. Given the previous seasons where they faded I can see the second half of this season being very tough for them

 

[Albion Dan]

And it was true

Sheff Utd stayed up comfortably. The issue with Leeds if they follow them is the investment that will come for the following season. They could easily kick on and do a Villa. Biggest hope is they implode quickly after a quick honeymoon period and Bielsa throws in the towel.

 

[Mancgull]

I think they will be mid table at the end of the season, possibly 11-14. They play such an expansive style they will blow certain teams away.
The injury to Kalvin Phillips will be a blow to them though at such an early part of the season. He seems to be their play maker and is very dynamic.
Their games certainly won’t be boring but the injuries are likely to take a toll. I noted that Liam Cooper is already out with a groin strain.

 

[Eric Youngs Contact Lense]

They have been a great watch so far. I have no idea if teams will work them out, most teams get worked out, stopping them effectively is not easy. It will be interesting to see how they match up vs. Palace, Villa, who might just sit there, but they may get some joy against teams like us, who want to play with possession, but the pressure/pressing may create issues for us if we cannot match speed/quality. I was very impressed with Wolves' work-rate and quality combined. If they struggle for a few games, it is then interesting to see if the players start to lose a little confidence in their style and it could unravel.

 

[dazzer6666]

And it was true

Just took a bit longer for them to be found out than expected ?

 

[FatSuperman]

Agreed, its an expansive game they play - but Wolves showed it was fairly easy to counter them and really it could have been 2 or 3. Given the previous seasons where they faded I can see the second half of this season being very tough for them

Leeds outplayed Wolves and had the better chances. They have definitely performed well - how much of that is based on poor performances by opponents and inertia from their promotion season will be interesting to watch. Leeds are 10th, and based on their performances to date (using the chances they have created and conceded in the five games) suggests they should be 11th. So they are about on the nose. Villa should be 9th, and Brighton should be 5th.

We really need to start converting some of our bloody dominance.

 

[BadFish]

Leeds outplayed Wolves and had the better chances. They have definitely performed well - how much of that is based on poor performances by opponents and inertia from their promotion season will be interesting to watch. Leeds are 10th, and based on their performances to date (using the chances they have created and conceded in the five games) suggests they should be 11th. So they are about on the nose. Villa should be 9th, and Brighton should be 5th.

We really need to start converting some of our bloody dominance.

These are interesting stats. Do you have a link to where you got them from?