I think Ramazani on the left wing is the best option we have there. Gnonto seemed to link well with Ramazani and hasn’t been the same player since Ramazani has been out. For the two of them to link up again it would logically be at the expense of Aaronson. That’s a big call for Farke to make as he seems quite happy with Aaronson despite some people’s misgivings.

I think you mistake scapegoating for criticising. I criticise him because he’s soft, lacks commitment and hasn’t done anything in an away game since the middle of October when he scored at Sunderland. I suppose the YEP sports writer who gave him the lowest mark in the team on Saturday was “scapegoating” him ? Maybe Lee Hendrie who said he was the only Leeds player who disappointed him the other week was “scapegoating” him ? Maybe Jon Newsome who regularly says he’s “anonymous” is scapegoating him ?For me he’s a real weak link in the team for a lot of games and I won’t just turn a blind eye at him being totally crap because he’s scored a goal when we’ve beaten a crap team at Elland Road about a month ago. His two efforts at goal on Saturday were absolutely pathetic, my 89 year old Dad could have kicked the ball harder. He set the tone for the day by not even jumping for balls or attempting to tackle defenders when he had chance, another soft, lazy display from him. Five pathetic displays from him on the bounce away from Elland Road now, he may as well have stayed on the team coach painting his fingernails the big wet lettuce. If you want to join a love triangle along with Piroe and Tad go ahead.

as I said I'm hoping leeds really kick on in January as we dod last year, and norwich did twice.
give joseph a run. see how he goes

just been reading the best XG for all players playing in europe over the last 5 years. piroe is, somewhat surprisingly, 14th behind some seriously big hitters.
bottom of the whole lot is, not surprisingly, bamford.

meslier is bloody poor goalkeeping wise too

I know I keep saying it but carrying players like Meslier, Aaronson and Bamford isn`t doing us any favours.
Said the same about Jack Harrison who Everton fans want shut.
I do think Farke needs to be a bit more ballsy and drop these 3.
Unfortunately I`m not too convinced about Darlow and actually think Cairns is the better option.
Gnonto or Rothwell or Tanaka in the 10 and bring Ampadu back in to midfield is another option.
Bamford needs to move out unless he gets a hatrick on Saturday that is.


I would also play Byram at RB and Wober LB this Saturday.
But I`m sure we will go with Bogle and Byram. Aronson in the 10 and Bamford on the bench.
The team is doing well but it needs to do better and kick on.

wober out Saturday. strjuik doubtful.

I would have replaced meslier in the summer. i think farke will stick with for now. aaronsson needs a rest.i think he'll come good .

one think farke dod say today was tankaka and Rothwell are good players but away from home gruev and amadeu are what you need.more steel

I'd probably rest Aaronsons too, his shooting is generally shocking and he does lose the ball often, similar to Rutter, but he does do some good stuff, hes got an eye for a decent through ball, can create opportunities and he is our second top scorer so far this season.

I just think we need some squad rotation coming into the busy xmas period

I think most would of replaced Meslier in the summer, I still believe we can get promoted with him in goal, and dont think we will look to replace him this window. but he needs replacing in the summer regardless of which league we are in.

Aaronson's done pretty well from a goal scoring point of view with 5 this season so far but his chance creation/assists are poor considering how much we dominate the ball most games, he's only had one assist. I think he needs benching when we play away against a physical team and put Gnonto there or Rothwell.

Wober and Struijk potentially missing is a blow and maybe Ampadu might get the nod at the back unless it`s too much of a risk with him not yet match fit.
Interesting comment about Rothwell and Tanaka compared to Gruev and Ampadu there Tad.
If memory serves me right we were not in the top 3 for away performances last year.
I`m hoping we do bring in a couple of players in January and if Firpo is going to leave maybe look at a LB to go with a striker and a 10.

isn't Piroe top of the charts at this level for goal scoring ? some really good figures Meslier stats are very poor.

only got shown it at work so didn't take azlit in. but yes, his XG is supurb.

We have to take into consideration, that his xG is over the last five years and before he came to us, he scored 44 goals over two seasons. I wonder what his current xG is for Leeds over the last two seasons.

it should be pretty good, he doesn't miss many. great finisher.

Talking of Meslier, I was listening to inside elland rd podcast yesterday with G Smyth and J Donahue and they were pretty damning of Messlier of how, even in the championship and playing in one of the best teams for the last 2 seasons, he's not one of the best keepers (stats prove he's some way off).. and Farke needs to give him competition for his place to see if it does the trick. Now, he is still fairly young, but It's quite damning really that, even at this level he's not performing well enough to be considered one of the best in the division (he was exactly same last year).

He's played nearly 200 games and not one area of his game has improved. His 1 on 1s have always been excellent, but his shot stopping and distribution have regressed, if anything. He's probably the only player In our 11 who doesn't get in most other teams in the league.

he's definitely gone backwards. I don't agree with all criticisms, as a former keeper I wouldn't!!, but I'd still replace him if possible

Yeah, totally agree.

You should do stand up Tad. Allan Clarke in his slippers at 70 odd years old would have made a better fist of those two shots Piroe had on Saturday at Preston. If felt embarrassed for him tbh.

At last someone agreeing with me that he`s been a liability for 2 years now.
I`m sure in years to come he will be a standout but at the moment he is nowhere near good enough in most facets of what`s good in a keeper.

one thing I've noticed which hasn't been mentioned, perhaps it's the keeper in me, he isn't the bravest. its always legs first rather than smothering when he races out. at some point he'll give a stupid penalty away

It’s game day, and nothing to fear if we keep eleven men on the field. It’s not being disrespectful to Oxford, but this should be a routine 3 points. I’m hoping for two things today, the first is Ramazani getting a start on the left. The second is all the players pulling through uninjured before the busy period. If you’re going today, enjoy the game and hopefully there’ll be a few goals for you.

so comfortable I'm struggling to pick a man of the match. never had to break sweat. although it was bloody freezing!!

Listened to some of the game and just seen the highlights. Solomon seemed to stake a claim for the left side attacking spot on Thursday. Might be worth giving him a run of games rather than chopping and changing, Ramazani might not be too happy but healthy competition is what we need. Looks like it’s shaping up to be like last season with a handful of clubs being a cut above the rest. Let’s hope we can find better away form to back up the incredible home record.

Thought Solomon best game for Leeds. MOM for me. James superb again. Would have given Ramazani more mins though personally but he and Gnonto looked dangerous when they came on.

3 from next 4 away I think now so Farke needs to get the away form ticking now