Watford v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[Ellandback1]

Friday 29th March 8:00pm | Vicarage Road


Leeds will be hoping they can pick up where they left off, as they travel down the M1 to face Tom Cleverley's Watford on Friday evening. The Whites are in a rich vein of form, picking up 37 out of a possible 39 points in 2024, and will be hoping the International break won't have hindered their momentum. Even so, only a point divides the top three. The two sides last met towards the end of September, when second half goals from Piroe, Byram and Anthony gave Daniel Farke's outfit a comfortable win in the end over Watford.

Daniel Farke has kept virtually the same side all year, but may be forced into several unforced changes. Georginio Rutter had keyhole surgery on a troublesome hernia injury, and although his recovery time (ten days) fits within the timescale of the game, he is unlikely to start. This could mean a rare opportunity for Joel Piroe to show his worth, starting alongside Patrick Bamford for the first time this season. The other alternative would be to experiment, playing both Wilfred Gnonto and Dan James, both of whom are in fantastic form.





Junior Firpo is also likely to miss out. He travels back from Peru on the day of the match, and likely to be jet lagged after a fifteen hour flight. Sam Byram, who scored his only goal of the season against the Hornets, is likely to deputise. Stuart Dallas and Pascal Struijk remain long term injury casualties, with the latter likely to have to undergo surgery on his troublesome groin.

Watford are optimistic Jamal Lewis, Ryan Andrews and James Morris will be passed fit to face Leeds. Giorgi Chakvetadze and Ismael Kone were to be assessed when they returned from international duty with Georgia and Canada respectively. Chakvetadze helped Georgia make it through to the 2024 European Championships while Kone was involved in Canada's qualification for the Copa America. Attacking midfielder Yaser Asprilla netted for Colombia in their 3-2 win over Romania.



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[Chilli D]

Ismael got sacked. Tom Cleverly is caretaker manager.

[John in Louisiana]

Not bothered by Byram starting in place of Firpo. Sam is a more-than-adequate replacement.

Worried if Georginio can't play. He's a man among boys. Strength, speed, finesse all in one package. Drags even more defenders than Bamford.

[Ellandback1]

Ismael got sacked. Tom Cleverly is caretaker manager.

Chilli, you have spotted the deliberate mistake, and win a prize!!!!

[Cjay]

Ampadu kicked to bits
Roberts crocked
Firpo not getting home till some time Thursday after a loooooong travel.
Rutter broken
James demoralised

6ybb.gif (980 KiB) Viewed 2795 times

[AcrossThePondAsh]

Ampadu kicked to bits
Roberts crocked
Firpo not getting home till some time Thursday after a loooooong travel.
Rutter broken
James demoralised


6ybb.gif

When it rains...

[Irish Ian]

Cooper got 90 mins in his legs tonight though.

[Cjay]

Daniel Farke pre Watford (Leeds live not posted updates yet)


The team everyone has to beat?

No because Leicester have the game in hand. They will win that and then they are the team in the best position. We play more or less the two games, six points, without any training against Watford. Recovery Saturday, one session on Sunday before Hull. It's tricky. We don't need to talk about the table now. Hopefully my lads are available after their assessments



Injury concerns? (Ffs)

A few concerns, Rutter is one. On a good path. Joined us in team training parts today, no full sessions yet for him. Still 48 hours for him. Carefullyoptokmistic he is available for some minutes. Wait for the outcome. Connor limped off. Need to assess him, If you limp off you are not available two days later. Seems to be a muscle injury. Same for Gnonto, reported problem with hamstring after his game. Wait for his assessment. Same for Gruev. Ankle ligament issue after their game. Wait for their assessments.


Togetherness here
It's priceless. Even after difficult days it's good to be around players you know well, family. Lads played 120 minutes, Joe and Ethan, they need time to recover and clear their heads. Don't speak too early about what we have to play for. Start with that tomorrow. They cannot burn the candle from both sides. Need rest. Do not overload them. Beneficial they are back with their families.




Joseph and Gray goals
Congrats to Archie. First goal, good assist. Pleased he was not playing every minute, Also for Mateo, good confidence level. Not involved in too many minutes. Pleased with this. Good news for them.



Dallas
Stuart is a Leeds legend. Done more for this club than many players. He is here several years and achieved so much. Gets all the backing and time he needs. Top-class bloke and top professional. Really good player. Would love to have him back. Long-term injury. No time pressure for him.

Sadly, you are not getting younger and if you have injuries, we will see what the outcome is. If there is the chance to see him back, we will make this happen. Too early to say.



How does this compare with Norwich spell?

Every season and club is different. Group of players is different. Some similarities. Was not realistic in August to speak about such a position. What we have achieved is remarkable. I signed here because I know the potential of this club and how big this club is. Love challenges. A mission impossible. Similar when I joined Norwich, somewhere in mid-table in the Championship. Great lads, but on the way down. Team was too old, we had no money



How much about nerve and stamina now?
It helps we are together since such a long time. We know what we want to do at this stage of the season. It's not the basics. Remind them how we want to play and the way we want to play. Base formation and approach can be different for each nation they play for. Normally, one or two sessions are helpful for reminding the players. Now we have to use the tactics board more. We have bright lads. They will get it.



Most reliable team you have had?
They have been outstanding and I cannot praise them enough. I don't like to compare. Norwich was a young side of free transfers. One of our secrets was fighting for each other. Don't want to misjudge them. This spirit here is extraordinary. Can't be there with this consistency in such a relentless league. I feel honoured to work with these lads.



How do you pick the Wales boys up?
No, because if you suffer such a disappointment you want to be alone and you get so many hugs and positive words and you can do without it. I know this from my playing time. Leave them a bit alone is beneficial. They didn't arrive yet because it was a late night for them. On their way back now. Will return in a few moments for assessment and recovery. They don't need too many words from me. I want them to focus pretty quickly on Leeds United. We have a lot to play for and fight for. They should take motivation out of this for their club.



How do you keep your momentum going?
Last two weeks were challenging. I don't need to sugarcoat it. A little break was well deserved, Great for me and my staff to rest a little, but a chance for a handful of players because the rest were away with load and travelling. Never that easy. The positive thing during the break was we had the time to give Rutter the surgery and because in the last weeks before the break he was still terrific. Played with pain. You will pay the price if you can't train properly. Beneficial for him. Involved in bits of team training today. Positive thing.

Last week we trained with six first-team outfield players and this week with seven. Can't work with tactical behaviour. Individual work with a small group. Have to focus them on the next games. Did our best to get these players to put a proper shift in. It will be tricky without a training session together. A few arrived in a few minutes today. Firpo arrives tomorrow late morning. A few injury concerns. We will have to be there with some late calls. Not overloading them with too much information aout Watford

[Cjay]

So based on what we know

Dallas
Darlow
Shackleton
Struijk

Definitely out

Gruev
Rutter
Gnonto
Firpo
Roberts

Possibly out

[The Subhuman]

Both Gnonto and Geo out and Watford have a very good chance. Let’s see how the worst case scenario looks

Meslier
Gray
Byram
Ampadu ( back in midfield)
Rodon
Cooper
James
Kamala
Piroe
Bamford
Summerville

We’re down to one creative player I’d assume would be the focus of the Watford defence, still a very good team though

[Sean_Nile]

Both Gnonto and Geo out and Watford have a very good chance. Let’s see how the worst case scenario looks

Meslier
Gray
Byram
Ampadu ( back in midfield)
Rodon
Cooper
James
Kamala

Translation of "kamala" into English from Finnish

terrible, ghastly, dire are the top translations of "kamala" into English.

Did your really mean it?

[1964white]

Both Gnonto and Geo out and Watford have a very good chance. Let’s see how the worst case scenario looks

Meslier
Gray
Byram
Ampadu ( back in midfield)
Rodon
Cooper
James
Kamala
Piroe
Bamford
Summerville

We’re down to one creative player I’d assume would be the focus of the Watford defence, still a very good team though

Oh dear, Coops could return who hasn't played for months.

[The Subhuman]

Translation of "kamala" into English from Finnish

terrible, ghastly, dire are the top translations of "kamala" into English.

Did your really mean it?

lol ...no 'twas a typo

[The Subhuman]

Oh dear, Coops could return who hasn't played for months.

I don't see any other cover for Gruev apart from Ethan ...which promotes Cooper. Cresswell right side and shift Rodon left could be a possibility too but unlikely

Coop got a 90 v Chelsea, played very well and for Scotland at the weekend

[CUSSIE01]

Oh dear, Coops could return who hasn't played for months.

Played 90 minutes last night in their 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland, may have mentioned that result before Hadn’t an awful lot to do apart from helping the keeper pick the ball out of the net.

[1964white]

I don't see any other cover for Gruev apart from Ethan ...which promotes Cooper. Cresswell right side and shift Rodon left could be a possibility too but unlikely

Coop got a 90 v Chelsea, played very well and for Scotland at the weekend

Fingers crossed we manage.

[Chilli D]

FFS f**king International breaks can f**king do one. You just knew we were going to get injuries. Whats the betting Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton got no injuries.

[Jaydog]

FFS f**king International breaks can f**king do one. You just knew we were going to get injuries. Whats the betting Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton got no injuries.

And it was all for bugger all after Dan missed.

[AcrossThePondAsh]

Played 90 minutes last night in their 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland, may have mentioned that result before Hadn’t an awful lot to do apart from helping the keeper pick the ball out of the net.

You just have to keep poking that Scottish bear don't you, Cussie Then again, do they even have bears in Scotland to poke

Congrats on the win by the way

[CUSSIE01]

You just have to keep poking that Scottish bear don't you, Cussie Then again, do they even have bears in Scotland to poke

Congrats on the win by the way

They deep fry bears over there Ash. No doubt our Scottish contingent will get their own back soon enough, not had much to cheer about lately for Northern Ireland.