Mighty Leeds Weblog

Jon Howe takes a look back at a week in 1990, as Sgt Wilko's promotion campaign came to the boil In 1990 Leeds United had been out of the top flight for eight years. Today we assess the wreckage of another wasted season with the experience of 14 years away from the top division, but there is context to be applied which outlines the importance of that 1989/90 promotion season and highlights how much pressure was on the squad and management to achieve their goal. The exalted Revie era was a recent living memory for many who still attended Elland Road in the late 1980s and somehow the glorious plunder that Leeds indulged in during that rancorous and unforgiving but thrilling and life-affirming period still felt attainable, despite the rank mediocrity of the interim years. In 2018, Leeds fans sit 26 years away from the last time they were top of the pile and the relatively level playing field of the pre-Sky era is a distant utopia that offers only an increasingly fading hope of...

If there’s a lightness about Adam Forshaw it’s because he has come out the other side of a long, dark tunnel. By Graham Smyth Last week the Leeds United midfielder finally told the full story of his injury hell, giving a football world that moved on without him all the painful details of the surgeries, setbacks and sadness that befell him. The 30-year-old missed two years of his career, so jokes that he’s still only 28. It’s easy to joke now, because he’s no longer sitting out, having finally returned to a day job he now appreciates so much more. Although three months have passed since he set foot on a Premier League pitch and began to put his injury misery behind him, he didn’t fully open up about it publicly until last week. “I’ve been planning on doing it for a long time but it was just about the time being right,” he told the YEP. “I wanted to focus on playing and getting into a bit of rhythm and even though I got the hamstring nick, it felt like it was a good time to g...

P aul Merson has been presiding over Leeds United’s Premier League return of late. By Lee Sobot The former midfielder is, of course, a mainstay of Jeff Stelling’s Soccer Saturday panel on Sky Sports News. But two decades ago Merson was still battling it out with Leeds, the frame of the goal twice denying the midfielder as United left Aston Villa with a 2-1 success in January 2001. Twenty one years on, Villa will provide United’s next opponents this month for the third fixture between the two sides since their recent top-flight returns. But the two clubs had 12 consecutive seasons of battles between 1993 and 2004, and Merson’s frustration came in one of United’s final triumphs at Villa Park before going down. Leeds had finished the previous season in third place and were on their way to the Champions League semi-finals the following term, the clash at Villa coming one month after a 1-0 triumph at Lazio. But David O’Leary’s side then lost four of their next seven league gam...

Leeds United have firmly rejected the idea of selling either Kalvin Phillips or Raphinha in the January transfer window. By Graham Smyth West Ham United were reportedly lining up bids for Whites winger Raphinha and England International Phillips, but the YEP understands no offers were made. The Hammers did however express interest in the pair and were informed that neither would be leaving Elland Road. Raphinha has been in talks for a new contract and Phillips has put on record his desire for a new deal with the Whites, although the pair are yet to put pen to paper. Their current deals are due to expire in 2024 Leeds have been unable to secure their own priority target this month, Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, but have been adamant throughout the window that they had no plans to sell key men. There has been interest shown in winger Crysencio Summerville but unless Leeds can replace him, the youngster will stay part of Marcelo Bielsa's plans

Pascal Struijk’s rise at Leeds United has been nothing short of remarkable. By Tom Morley The former Ajax defender has stepped up over the last few years making him arguably one of the best young defenders in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa. But the injury crisis that has plagued Bielsa and Leeds has also seen Struijk miss a chunk of the season. On Saturday, together with partner Diego Llorente, he helped contain Newcastle United, with Leeds controlling the game for large periods despite falling to a Jonjo Shelvey free-kick 15 minutes from time. Struijk coped well with the threat of Chris Wood, marshalling the former Leeds forward and limiting him to half chances. He stepped in when he needed to, and won the ball well in the air, a trait that has been synonymous with his game during his time in West Yorkshire. It does beg the question however, what does the future hold? Leeds have an ageing spine, Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas are all 30. That’s whe...

Leeds United's transfer stance regarding star winger Raphinha has been made clear throughout the January window. By Joe Urquhart The Whites wide man has gathered a long list of admirers across Europe thanks to his stunning form since making the £17m switch to Elland Road from Stade Rennes in October 2020. Raphinha has taken the Premier League by storm over the past two seasons, scoring 14 goals and recording 11 assists in his 49 top flight appearances for Leeds to date. Liverpool were credited with interest in the Brazil international last summer while Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich were reported to be monitoring his situation in December. An unlikely destination in West Ham is another club to emerge in recent days, after several reports on Friday and Saturday suggested the Hammers had contacted United over a potential deal before Monday's winter deadline day. Majority owner Andrea Radrizzani has made little secret of the club's acceptance that player sales wil...

Hammers could make further bid for Phillips in summer Moyes desperate to strengthen attack in winter window Jacob Steinberg West Ham’s determination to strengthen their squad this month has seen them make offers for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. David Moyes wants to add more depth to his squad before the transfer window shuts on Monday night and has funds available as he tries to boost his side’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. West Ham’s search for a forward has seen them have a bid rejected for Raphinha and Moyes has also identified Phillips as a key target. It is believed that West Ham are willing to make Phillips their record signing and have had a £50m bid for the England midfielder turned down. However Moyes is ready to wait until the summer for Phillips if the transfer does not happen this month. The 25-year-old is out until March with a hamstring injury, but he has proven himself at international level and has formed a solid partnership ...

Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips is 'feeling good' and targeting a March return from his hamstring injury. By Joe Urquhart The Whites midfielder has been missing from Premier League action since December 5, when he limped off against Brentford at Elland Road. Phillips has undergone an operation to fix the issue while also completing recuperation on a shoulder problem whilst unable to play. The latter almost saw the England international ruled out of last summer's delayed Euros though he instead helped Gareth Southgate's team to the final of the competition. Phillips is among a number of Marcelo Bielsa's senior squad currently sidelined in the Thorp Arch treatment room. No less than nine first team options missed the club's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the top flight last weekend. Bielsa's men are in 15th place amid the current break from on-pitch action - sitting seven points above the drop zone after 21 games - and will be hoping to hav...

The Japan international has made 18 appearances this season for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Carl Markham Liverpool have rejected initial approaches from Monaco and Leeds for forward Takumi Minamino The Japan international has made 18 appearances this season but only six of those have been starts and four of those came in the Carabao Cup. However, in spite of the expression of interest from the Ligue 1 club and fellow Premier League side the PA news agency understands Liverpool have turned down both. While Minamino is well behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in the pecking order Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in four competitions – they have a League Cup final against Chelsea in a month’s time – is it believed there is no real desire to offload the 27-year-old. It would take a considerable offer for them to be persuaded to consider allowing the player, signed from RB Salzburg in January 2020 for £7.25million, to leave. Atalanta are also understood to b...

Zak Hardaker prefers the use of video technology in the sport he plays professionally, to the one used when he watches his beloved Leeds United. By Graham Smyth The Wigan Warriors centre, formerly of Leeds Rhinos, made his views on VAR quite clear earlier this month after watching in horror as Manuel Lanzini’s goal against the Whites was allowed to stand despite Jarrod Bowen’s clear attempt to play the ball in front of Illan Meslier, from an offside position. Like thousands of other Leeds fans, Hardaker felt compelled to pick up his phone and rant, on Twitter. “Put VAR in the bin!!” was his offering to the debate. A decision that took almost three minutes to reach left former Premier League referee Mark Halsey ‘shocked’ and yet again dismayed at the operation of video technology. “When I first saw the replay on the TV my opinion was that it was offside,” Halsey told the YEP. “Once Jarrod Bowen makes that movement towards the ball, in doing so challenging an opponent from ...

The Brazilian's contract talks with Leeds are said to be positive, with his current deal running until 2024; West Ham are interested in Raphinha, who has scored eight goals in 19 appearances for Leeds this season A number of clubs, including West Ham, are interested in Leeds winger Raphinha. The Brazilian's contract talks with Leeds are said to be positive, with his current deal running until 2024. But West Ham are keeping an eye on his situation while those negotiations are ongoing. Raphinha has been a revelation since his arrival at Leeds from Rennes in 2020 and has scored eight goals this term as well as making two assists. The 25-year-old is represented by former Barcelona and Chelsea star Deco, who said last year that Raphinha is ambitious to play at a higher level. Raphinha played for Brazil in their eventful 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Ecuador. West Ham interested in Ekitike Hugo Ekitike is wanted by West Ham having previously been linked with Newc...

Lewis Bate has hailed the role of Leeds United's senior stars after taking his first steps in the Premier League. By Joe Urquhart Lewis Bate has hailed the role of Leeds United's senior stars after taking his first steps in the Premier League. The 19-year-old made his top flight bow in tricky circumstances earlier this month at West Ham - a week on from his senior debut against the Hammers in FA Cup action. Bate was a first half substitute as Marcelo Bielsa's side were dealt a double injury blow at the London Stadium. He completed 43 minutes before later being replaced himself in the stunning 3-2 victory for Leeds in the capital, a game that will live long in his memory. "Playing in the Premier League is every player's dream from across the world, everyone knows it's the best league in the world," Bate told LUTV of his first Premier League experience. "Especially representing Leeds in the Premier League, it's a special feeling. Even ...

If the clock strikes 11pm on Monday night and Leeds United have not added to their squad, they’re taking a gamble. By Graham Smyth The gamble is not on Marcelo Bielsa being good enough - the Whites have bet big on the Argentine and his methods and been rewarded handsomely in the past with promotion success, at the second attempt, and a top-10 Premier League finish. Armed with a fully fit, or even mostly fit squad, Bielsa’s ability to keep the club in the top flight this season would not be in question - the performance and victory at West Ham United was a reminder of exactly what he can do even in the face of stiff adversity. The gamble is not even on the squad as it stands being good enough. There are areas where strengthening needs to take place if Leeds are to march on towards the brave European ambition laid out by Andrea Radrizzani and, latterly, the 49ers but, if Bielsa has all his key players fit, then the Whites should have enough to accrue sufficient points to stay up. ...

GROUNDHOG JANUARY Written by: Steven York The Dan James transfer saga played out like a Greek tragedy on Amazon Prime. A teary Victor Orta is seen hugging the diminutive winger tight to his chest. The young lad was already photographed holding the shirt, a transfer fee was agreed and medical completed. Then, in a digital world where information and communication is instant, the phones at the Swansea end rang unanswered. Leeds called and called to no avail. Picture Huw Jenkins, the Swansea chair, seeing the caller ID on his phone, ignoring it with a smirk, resolute in his desire not to weaken the Swans. He would be the archetypal villain in the future retelling of this story. The hands on the clock crept closer to the transfer deadline as a pervasive sense of helplessness crept into everyone involved. “I threw my phone,” James later told ex-teammate Kenji Gorre, on his podcast, about the moment he learned the move had fallen through. A four-year contract on the table. A medical ...

Leeds United and their fellow Premier League clubs must now have a minimum of four Covid-19 cases within their squad to request a postponement, under new guidance agreed today. By Graham Smyth The Premier League has revealed the change after arguments broke out across the division with regards to the rules around postponements and Covid-19 cases. Leeds themselves had to request the postponement of two games over the festive period, with their fixtures against Liverpool and Aston Villa yet to be rescheduled. The North London derby fell victim to the previous rule with Arsenal being granted a postponement despite having only one positive case within their squad. Tottenham released a statement expressing their surprise that the request was approved and claiming the league was now seeing 'unintended consequences' of the rule. Saturday February 5 will see the new guidance come into effect, when Burnley, the side hit hardest by postponements, are due to face Watford. A stat...

Leo Hjelde has revealed the demands required upon his switch to Leeds United from Celtic and the magnitude of Marcelo Bielsa's influence on his progress. By Lee Sobot Hjelde spent the second half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan from Celtic at Ross County and joined Leeds on a four-year deal in the summer. The 18-year-old defender quickly began impressing for United's under-23s and was handed a Whites first team debut when starting the third round FA Cup tie at West Ham at the beginning of this month. Hjelde excelled in seeing out 78 minutes at centre-back and was then introduced from the bench in the following weekend's Premier League rematch at the Hammers after an injury to Junior Firpo. The Norway under-21s international was brought on in the 23rd minute and produced another pleasing performance, this time at left back. Hjelde was then back on the bench for Saturday's Premier League defeat at home to Newcastle United as Diego Llorente returned from suspen...

A journalist who has followed the journey of Leeds United target Brenden Aaronson since the midfielder was an academy prospect sees issues with a January move to the Premier League. By Graham Smyth The Whites have pushed hard to sign the 21-year-old American this month, making a pair of bids that his club, Red Bull Salzburg, have not accepted. Leeds, who were prepared to go to £20m with their second offer, consider the player such an exciting talent that they'll resume the chase in the summer if they can't get him now. Seeing a future for him at Elland Road and knowing that Salzburg may not be open to a sale this month may come into the Whites' thinking when it comes to a third bid, given that his price tag is not likely to decrease between now and the summer window. With less than a week to go before the January transfer deadline, Aaronson has joined up with his USMNT colleagues for a trio of World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador, Canada and Honduras. For The Ph...

Leeds United target Brenden Aaronson has kept his cards close to his chest after being asked about a prospective move to Elland Road. By Ben McKenna Leeds reportedly tabled an offer of £15m for the Red Bull Salzburg player last week before upping their offer to £20m after seeing their first bid rejected. The United States international, who has scored five times for his country, has played a key role in Salzburg's Bundesliga title-charge this season. Aaronson is currently on international duty with the USA and addressed the media ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against El Salvador. The youngster was asked about the well-publicised interest from Leeds as he fielded questions but said: "I'm sorry, I'm not going to talk about that. It’s a subject that I don't want to talk about right now." Following Friday's contest with El Salvador, the United States are set to face Canada and Honduras as they aim to book their place at the 2022 World C...

Jack Harrison insists that unity and togetherness have played a key role in the success of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United team since the Argentine took over as head coach in June 2018. By Flora Snelson The Whites boss made an astonishing first impression on Leeds fans when a packed-out Elland Road was stunned by the home side's opening-day win over Stoke City in August 2018. His first game in charge only hinted toward the remarkable transformation Bielsa would go on to bring about at Leeds, an influence that changed the course of the club's history by sealing United's return to the Premier League after 16 years of exile in the summer of 2020. Bielsa's methods have been subject to much intrigue and scrutiny since his side arrived back in the top-flight last season but, according to Harrison, the success of his ideas depends to some extent on the temperament and unity of the players who have been asked to implement them. "It's a great group of lads -...

ALL SEEING Written by: Rob Conlon For over two years, Leeds United got by without Adam Forshaw just fine. Ten Premier League starts later, and Leeds’ line up to face Newcastle felt like it was missing a crucial element when he wasn’t risked due to a minor hamstring injury. Forshaw was back on the gantry, helping out Bryn Law and Tony Dorigo on LUTV commentary, hoping for more laughs after also filling in for the win against Watford earlier this season. Sometimes you want a footballer to provide an insight that’s beyond us mere mortals in the stands, but sometimes it’s nice for an expert to confirm our own eyes aren’t deceiving us. Much like the game against Watford, Forshaw was enjoying what he was watching in the first half, praising Dan James for “igniting” Elland Road by flying into a tackle, and bigging up Jackie Harrison in front of England boss Gareth Southgate. If Southgate was at Elland Road watching Kieran Trippier, he’ll have noticed Harrison sprinting into the space ...