Leeds United v Stoke Match Thread

[Cjay]

5th March 7:45pm | Elland Road


Daniel Farke will be looking for an instant response from his players when Stoke City arrive at Elland Road on Tuesday evening. The Whites were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Huddersfield Town at the weekend, surrendering the coveted second placed automatic promotion slot back to Ipswich Town.

The Potters have problems of their own. With less than a quarter of the season left, they sit in the relegation zone (22nd) by way of having a worse aggregate than Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City and QPR. Even a point at Elland Road could take them out of the drop zone.





Their unexpected win against an inconsistent Middlesbrough side at the weekend will give Steven Schumacher's side some confidence against a Leeds side undefeated at home all season. Leeds have only conceded twelve goal at home all season (the lowest in the Championship), whilst netting 38; Stoke have only netted 33 all season, but we know what happens when we get complacent!

Leeds have no new injury concerns. Karl Darlow has recovered from his dislocated thumb, and should make the bench. Connor Roberts and Dan James are pushing for starts after impressive cameo appearances in recent games, which could see Archie Gray moved to midfield in place of out of sorts Glen Kamara.

Stoke will be without a recognised left back when they visit Elland Road on Tuesday evening. Enda Stevens has a hamstring injury whilst Jordan Thompson serves the second of a two-game ban for picking up 10th bookings. Defender Luke McNally (thigh) and striker Junior Tchamadeu (knock) are also expected to be ruled out.


Stoke forum

https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/th ... next-leeds

[DDB220]

Hopefully a better performance than the last 2 league games.

Will we see changes?

All about the points mate - 4 from 2 equates to 2ppg

[mentalcase]

Poor performance today but still gained a point on leaders, they must be bricking it at the moment.
3 points is all that matters, we know we ought to have busted stoke away, maybe this is the game Bamford steps up and re rights the wrong.

[weasel]

Think we might see a couple of changes to keep things fresh. Roberts starting would be on my list as he should be fresh and has had a good impact of the bench in his last 2 league matches. That then gives the option to rest either Gruev, Kamara or Gray. I'd bring James back into the starting line-up he looks fresh after having a few macthes off and either Gnonto or Summerville can then be rested. Not sure where Byram is in terms of being able to play a full match but if he is able to complete 60 minutes then would be tempted to give him the start and bring Firpo on for him when he is tired - it would also give better balance as he can be more defensive and allow Roberts to maraud forward. Ampadu and Rodon at the back is a no brainer, neither of them look like they need a rest. Up top and I'd stick with Bamford - he was anonymous today but scored. Not sure with Rutter but would probably still start him.

[1964white]

Think we might see a couple of changes to keep things fresh. Roberts starting would be on my list as he should be fresh and has had a good impact of the bench in his last 2 league matches. That then gives the option to rest either Gruev, Kamara or Gray. I'd bring James back into the starting line-up he looks fresh after having a few macthes off and either Gnonto or Summerville can then be rested. Not sure where Byram is in terms of being able to play a full match but if he is able to complete 60 minutes then would be tempted to give him the start and bring Firpo on for him when he is tired - it would also give better balance as he can be more defensive and allow Roberts to maraud forward. Ampadu and Rodon at the back is a no brainer, neither of them look like they need a rest. Up top and I'd stick with Bamford - he was anonymous today but scored. Not sure with Rutter but would probably still start him.

Totally agree with all that Weasel

[1964white]

All about the points mate - 4 from 2 equates to 2ppg

22 points would mean we finish on 95 points, would it be enough, god only knows.

I think we could acquire 27 out of the available 33 points, big ask, I know!

[andrewjohnsmith]

Think we might see a couple of changes to keep things fresh. Roberts starting would be on my list as he should be fresh and has had a good impact of the bench in his last 2 league matches. That then gives the option to rest either Gruev, Kamara or Gray. I'd bring James back into the starting line-up he looks fresh after having a few macthes off and either Gnonto or Summerville can then be rested. Not sure where Byram is in terms of being able to play a full match but if he is able to complete 60 minutes then would be tempted to give him the start and bring Firpo on for him when he is tired - it would also give better balance as he can be more defensive and allow Roberts to maraud forward. Ampadu and Rodon at the back is a no brainer, neither of them look like they need a rest. Up top and I'd stick with Bamford - he was anonymous today but scored. Not sure with Rutter but would probably still start him.

Farke said before this game that the short turn arounds don't give him time to work with the squad players. So, by logic, it doesn't give him much time to tinker with different set ups. Hence the reason why he seems reluctant to make changes at times.

But Roberts at RB, Dan James, and Archie in midfield should be fairly easy changes. Possibly Byram back too since he was the one that understood Farke's system from the first game.

[andrewjohnsmith]

22 points would mean we finish on 95 points, would it be enough, god only knows.

I think we could acquire 27 out of the available 33 points, big ask, I know!

We never know what the other 3 are going to do. All 4 teams have enough points to potentially be top of table. Leicester faltering lately. Ipswich and Southampton had drop offs but both bounce back.

Last season Blunts went up with 91 points. All 4 teams might exceed that. Luton were 3rd with 80. 4th place Southampton already have 70 with 11 to play. It will be harsh on whichever 2 teams miss out.

[1964white]

We never know what the other 3 are going to do. All 4 teams have enough points to potentially be top of table. Leicester faltering lately. Ipswich and Southampton had drop offs but both bounce back.

Last season Blunts went up with 91 points. All 4 teams might exceed that. Luton were 3rd with 80. 4th place Southampton already have 70 with 11 to play. It will be harsh on whichever 2 teams miss out.

I feel the top four are going to finish the season with a crazy amount of points.

[pjm2019]

My suggested team for Tuesday: 4-3-3

Cooper in as Stoke have big players re free kicks and corners
Ampadu moves to midfield in a change of formation

I Meslier
C Roberts
J Rodon
L Cooper
S Byram
I Gruev
A Gray
E Ampadu
D James (RW)
D Gnonto (LW)
P Bamford

Substitutes
C Cresswell
J Piroe
J Anthony
C Summerville
G Kamara
K Darlow
H Firpo
M Fernández
G Rutter

[1964white]

My suggested team for Tuesday: 4-3-3

Cooper in as Stoke have big players re free kicks and corners
Ampadu moves to midfield in a change of formation

I Meslier
C Roberts
J Rodon
L Cooper
S Byram
I Gruev
A Gray
E Ampadu
D James (RW)
D Gnonto (LW)
P Bamford

Substitutes
C Cresswell
J Piroe
J Anthony
C Summerville
G Kamara
K Darlow
H Firpo
M Fernández
G Rutter

A knee-jerk reaction taking Ampadu out of the CB position, when we have only conceded 3 championship goals in 10 games. Amps & Rodon are the best CB partnership we've had all season.

Roberts at RB, Gray in midfield & James in for Gnonto would be adequately enough changes.

Why effectively make five changes (including the positional ones)?

[Kennyb41]

Think we might see a couple of changes to keep things fresh. Roberts starting would be on my list as he should be fresh and has had a good impact of the bench in his last 2 league matches. That then gives the option to rest either Gruev, Kamara or Gray. I'd bring James back into the starting line-up he looks fresh after having a few macthes off and either Gnonto or Summerville can then be rested. Not sure where Byram is in terms of being able to play a full match but if he is able to complete 60 minutes then would be tempted to give him the start and bring Firpo on for him when he is tired - it would also give better balance as he can be more defensive and allow Roberts to maraud forward. Ampadu and Rodon at the back is a no brainer, neither of them look like they need a rest. Up top and I'd stick with Bamford - he was anonymous today but scored. Not sure with Rutter but would probably still start him.

I'm worried to feckin death abart this game, with the only plus being we're at home and we normally push up to the halfway line and pin them in (if only he'd do this away)

They were organised last time and i presume they'll be organised this time.

I would be starting Cooper and Roberts and move Ampadu/Gray into midfield, Gruev is very very DM and this isn't the game for Kamara, whose looking leggy, i'd prefer Byram but don't know about his fitness, and i feel DJ needs to come back in.

The reason i'm selecting an aging Cooper is we won't be under the cosh and he can play football forward, Ampadu anchoring and Gray pushing on.

I might even be tempted to rest Jimmy and start Anthony to run his socks off, then replace with Jimmy.

But ffs get that feckin ball forward if they're not playing ball and organised.

In the first few minutes v Hudds we almost scored (and should have Kamara/Jimmy you thick twats) a beautiful goal by dragging one of theirs out of position and breaking fast....YES DF IT WOULD'VE BEEN FECKIN WONDERFUL, BUT THEIR MANAGER QUITE OBVIOUSLY BOLLOCKED THE PLAYER AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FFS......AND THEN THEY WENT TO 10 MEN AND WE STILL TRIED TO WALK IT IN

JUST FECKIN BLITZKRIEG THE FCKERS WITH A BALL OVER THE TOP SOMETIMES WHEN THEY'RE ORGANISED TO FCK

I honestly feel that the playground Jesse style of kick and run run run will bust these teams that are so well organised 3-4-3.

[The Subhuman]

Meslier
Roberts
Firpo
Gruev
Rodon
Ampadu
Gnonto
Gray
Fernandez
Georginio
Summerville

for me

[Cjay]

Meslier
Roberts
Firpo
Ampadu
Rodon
Gruev
Gray
James
Rutter
Gnonto
Piroe

For me

[GreennWhite]

I feel the top four are going to finish the season with a crazy amount of points.

I reckon we can only afford to drop 6 or 7 points from now to the end of the season if we want to go up automatically. If that only gets us into second place, so be it. Dropping more points than that is going to mean we need other teams having a bad run and allowing us a bit more of a cushion.
This is more than likely going down to the wire this season, not good for those with dodgy tickers

[1964white]

I reckon we can only afford to drop 6 or 7 points from now to the end of the season if we want to go up automatically. If that only gets us into second place, so be it. Dropping more points than that is going to mean we need other teams having a bad run and allowing us a bit more of a cushion.
This is more than likely going down to the wire this season, not good for those with dodgy tickers

I agree Green a maximum of 33 points available gives us 106 points, so dropping 6 or 7 points would leave us on the 99/100 mark, which should see us automatically promoted.

[1964white]

Meslier
Roberts
Firpo
Ampadu
Rodon
Gruev
Gray
James
Rutter
Gnonto
Piroe

For me

Stick Bamford in for Piroe, & that would be my team.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I feel the top four are going to finish the season with a crazy amount of points.

It came up on another thread. Since 2004, only 8 teams have had more than 72 points after 34 games. Never 2 in the same season, And every one of them won the league. This season there are 3.

[1964white]

Stoke forum

https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/th ... next-leeds

One or two confident they can get something, some not so bold.

[pjm2019]

A knee-jerk reaction taking Ampadu out of the CB position, when we have only conceded 3 championship goals in 10 games. Amps & Rodon are the best CB partnership we've had all season.

Roberts at RB, Gray in midfield & James in for Gnonto would be adequately enough changes.

Why effectively make five changes (including the positional ones)?

I thought i explained my reasoning re Cooper and moving Amp into midfield. A couple of players have not performed to their high level in the last couple of games. Summerville and Rutter.

I just hope DF makes the right choices and we beat Stoke