Leeds Utd v Middlesbrough (Carabao Cup) - Match Thread

[Ellandback1]

Leeds United v Middlesbrough
Wednesday 14th August 8:00pm| Elland Road


Daniel Farke is set to 'ring in the changes' midweek, when local rivals Middlesbrough come to Elland Road in the opening round of the Carabao Cup. Last season's semi-finalists will be up for the challenge, especially after edging past Swansea at the weekend. This time around the rivalry may have an extra edge, with Luke Ayling set to play against his beloved Leeds, with whom he featured over 250 times, over his eight-year tenure.

Along with the majority of the Elland Road faithful, the Leeds gaffer would prefer to do without the distractions of Cup competitions; however, a loss on Wednesday, coupled with last Saturday's performance doesn't put the Whites in an encouraging position, ahead of their trip to The Hawthorns at the weekend.





Leeds have no injury worries, leaving Daniel Farke with a full squad to experiment with. We can expect to see James Debayo and Max Wober in central defence, in-front of either Alex Cairns or Karl Darlow, with Sam Byram operating wide on the right, and possibly Conor Ferguson on the left.

After an impressive pre-season, holding midfielder Charlie Crew is expected to start, whilst Joe Rothwell is likely to get the nod in attacking midfield, ahead of promising 16yo Sam Chambers. Joe Gelhardt, Brenden Arronson and Joe Gelhardt should also get minutes. Fit again Patrick Bamford and veteran midfielder Jonny Howson will face their former clubs!

[Sean_Nile]

A senseless distraction for meaningless silverware, I doubt that even Harry Kane who has never won any medals would consider puting any effort into such a tinpot competition... and he's desperate to get some silverware to his name.

We will learn nothing that will help us in the league by fielding a bunch of bench warmers, I would avoid this competition like the plague.

Doom and gloom is bound to ensure if you kiss the corpse of the Carabao cup.

[andrewjohnsmith]

We can expect to see James Debayo and Max Wober in central defence, in-front of either Alex Cairns or Karl Darlow, with Sam Byram operating wide on the right, and possibly Conor Ferguson on the left.

After an impressive pre-season, holding midfielder Charlie Crew is expected to start, whilst Joe Rothwell is likely to get the nod in attacking midfield, ahead of promising 16yo Sam Chambers. Joe Gelhardt, Brenden Arronson and Joe Gelhardt should also get minutes. Fit again Patrick Bamford and veteran midfielder Jonny Howson will face their former clubs!

I wonder if he will do a full rotation. Might want to a strong team since it's strong opposition. I don't think he'll dig too deep into the 21's.

I doubt he'd play Debayo and think Crew is a marginal possibility. But I could be wrong.

My guess is he'll play a few of the subs: Wober, Aaronson, Piroe, Rothwell, Byram, Darlow and the rest from the Portsmouth starting 11.

[pjm2019]

DF will only rest a couple thats his style

[Barlow Boy]

As always, I’ll be there, more for a bit of a night out than anything else

Perhaps to see one or two of the fringe players too.

[GreennWhite]

If he doesnt make any changes he will get stick for not rotating players, even if it is very early in the season. If he makes quite a few changes and it all goes pear shaped he will get stick for not playing the main players and building up team coehesion.

[Irish Ian]

They should just give the thing to City and allow us back into the paint cup

[The Subhuman]

Darlow
Bogle
Byram
Ampadu
Rodon - needs to get form back unless injured, Ampadu if not with Gruev at DMF
Wober
James - There's no one else
Rothwell
Bamford
Georginio
Aaronson

[1964white]

Rodon - needs to get form back unless injured.

Joe wasn't as bad as our fans made him out to be!

Yes, he was partly culpable for the second goal conceded, but so was Georginio & Joseph who were stood next to Lang ball-watching, also Struijk attempted to block the shot, but turned his back on the ball.

Rodon made a few sloppy passes, however he won lots of headers & a couple of crucial tackles/interceptions. Pascal was our steadiest defender.

[whiteinfrance]

As always, I’ll be there, more for a bit of a night out than anything else

Perhaps to see one or two of the fringe players too.

Are you calling 64 a fringe player?

[Jammy 07]

Joe wasn't as bad as our fans made him out to be!

Yes, he was partly culpable for the second goal conceded, but so was Georginio & Joseph who were stood next to Lang ball-watching, also Struijk attempted to block the shot, but turned his back on the ball.

Rodon made a few sloppy passes, however he won lots of headers & a couple of crucial tackles/interceptions. Pascal was our steadiest defender.

As a defender Rodon was absolutely top class but sometimes in possession and also whilst heading clearances away he needs to learn to become calmer and less flustered. If he can add that composure and clear thinking into his game he could definitely play at the top level.

[Barlow Boy]

Are you calling 64 a fringe player?

.

I’m sure he will have been called worse

[CUSSIE01]

If he doesnt make any changes he will get stick for not rotating players, even if it is very early in the season. If he makes quite a few changes and it all goes pear shaped he will get stick for not playing the main players and building up team coehesion.

Sack him, we haven’t won a game this season yet, shocking

[GreennWhite]

Sack him, we haven’t won a game this season yet, shocking

You keep that sort of talk up and you will be getting asked to join the negativity club, i think they even give new members a badge

[GreennWhite]

.

I’m sure he will have been called worse

Hehe, he may well have been but are those people who called him worse names, are they still alive ?

[hector]

.

I’m sure he will have been called worse

[VinnysTattoo]

Used to think a good cup run was worth just in case you got to, say a semi final.

The big boys always win these cups so I don’t see the point anymore. They give false hope in putting out a less than stellar line up early doors, and then as the quarters are reached, out come the big guns.

The only consolation is keeping or gaining momentum for the league campaign.

[The Subhuman]

I prefer we put out a proper side. 11 back ups and U18's thrown in together to lose isn't going to help anyone. That said we're dangerously short of quality depth so we don't need an injury or two

[GreennWhite]

Maybe the fitness or lack of fitness will have a say in who starts. Im sure there are a few players who may still be short of where they need to be fitness wise. So maybe they are the ones who need the extra minutes in their legs. Not all players gain their fitness at the same time or in the same way.

[Jammy 07]

The reality is these cup games are now nothing more than a way of keeping the squad players as close to match fitness as possible. That in itself though is quite important so better we win and go through.

All of these need game time;

Darlow
Rothwell
Wober
Aaronson
Piroe
Byram
Bamford