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Showing posts from March, 2022

Why Leeds United will stay up even if Jesse Marsch can't count on most idyllic scenario - YEP 31/3/22

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In a little over a week, Leeds United could be all-but safe from relegation and in a position to attack the final six games with freedom and reckless abandon. By Graham Smyth A win over Southampton at Elland Road on Saturday and another, at Watford, seven days after that, would leave Jesse Marsch and his men with 35 points, surely close to an unassailable tally for at least three other sides. Breathing room, confidence and an easing of tension that has made life at Elland Road all-too fraught for far too much of this season is the dream scenario for Marsch and an environment in which he can begin to properly introduce his ideas. It all sounds so simple. Idyllic has not been the Leeds United way, though, a fact the American will have already grasped given the nature of his first two wins as head coach. Promotion was won after a three-month delay and celebrated in an empty stadium. The first season of Premier League football in 16 years, one that held such scintillating football ...

Kalvin Phillips ready to sign new Leeds United contract? - Sports Mole 30/3/22

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By Darren Plant Leeds United have reportedly been handed a boost in their bid to retain the services of Kalvin Phillips. The midfielder has established himself as a regular in the England squad over the past two years, playing a key role as the Three Lions reached the Euro 2020 final last year. His progression has naturally led to interest from bigger clubs in the Premier League with Manchester United and Liverpool said to be monitoring the situation. However, according to The Mirror, the 26-year-old will pen fresh terms at Elland Road providing that Leeds avoid relegation from the Premier League. The report suggests that any new deal will also be delayed because of Phillips changing representatives, but it should not hinder Leeds' efforts to push through an improved contract. Phillips has endured a frustrating campaign, making just 15 starts in all competitions due to injury.

Pat Bamford’s feet: TSB investigates - The Square Ball 30/3/22

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FLOORBANGER TECHNIQUE Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman It is not for me to wonder why Leeds United chose to pile Pat Bamford’s ruptured hoof upon my reasons for dreading last weekend’s end, when I was already miserable and disoriented enough from the clocks going forward and the sun staying in the sky at night. Instead, after they issued their ‘Injury Update’ on Sunday evening, all I could wonder about were Bamford’s feet and their various aches and injuries. Pazza Bamfs has, head of medicine and performance Rob Price says, “played with a plantar fascia injury for the last twelve months, and despite treatment and a prolonged period of rehabilitation, the injury has progressed from a partial tear to a full rupture. “Patrick has been incredibly unlucky this year,” Rob went on. “His game time has been limited by different injuries including an ankle injury sustained at Newcastle and hamstring and quad injuries once back in training and matchday squads. What he needs is a pe...

PETER GUNBY OBE | REST IN PEACE - Leedsunited.com 30/3/22

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All at Leeds United are saddened to learn about the passing of Peter Gunby OBE, at the age of 87. Born locally in Leeds and known as a ‘right-half’ in his playing days, Gunby played for Leeds UYMI, Leeds United, Bradford City and Harrogate Town. When his playing career ended, Gunby turned to coaching and spent time developing players at former club Harrogate, as well as Huddersfield Town. After then returning to the Whites, he had two spells in caretaker charge in both 1985 and 1988. For all his services on the pitch and at the side of it, Peter was a hugely popular figure off it as well. Around the training ground, his infectious personality and caring attitude was memorable to all who encountered him. Along with his wife Maureen, Peter oversaw the transformation of Bill Fotherby’s house into an accommodation for young academy players to live in. He would make sure the house was kept up to standard by all who lived there, whilst also helping with meals and housekeeping. Pete...

Orta lays into transfer guru - Marching On Together 30/3/22

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Orta lays into transfer guru In a recent radio interview, Leeds Director of Football Victor Orta has hit out at Italian Sports Journalist Fabrizio Romano, for repeatedly tweeting false information to millions of Leeds fans relating to a release clause in Raphinha's contract. According to Ramano, the Brazilian ace has two clauses in his contract, one if Leeds were to be relegated, and a buyout provision. It is true, that if Leeds were to return to the Championship, Raphinha could leave ER for as little as 20m, but rumours of a 65m buy out clause have proved to be untrue. Speaking on Radio Marca, Orta was quoted as saying... Raphinha doesn’t have a clause if we stay in the Premier League. I say this because a transfer guru said the other day that he had a clause for an amount and he doesn’t. Sometimes the transfer guru is wrong. He doesn’t have a clause if we stay in the Premier League. When the player knocked on the door of Leeds, the first thing I said to him was, ‘you’re going...

'More of that' - what Leeds United dressing room needs from Raphinha amid Barcelona noise - YEP 30/3/22

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Leeds United hero Tony Dorigo writes exclusively for the Yorkshire Evening Post and this week's column focuses on Raphinha, Barcelona's interest and a huge game against Southampton. By Tony Dorigo Transfer speculation is part of the game, everyone understands that, and Barcelona’s interest in Raphinha is just the latest example. Often, how much speculation there is over a club’s players depends where the club is in their progression. If you’re at the top of the league and trying to win titles, everyone wants to be there and do that, so stories about potential moves don’t come into it. When you’re not, if you’re down near the bottom, these things are bound to happen. For some players it can be unsettling, regardless of whether you’re the one being moved on or the one that’s staying. These things put question marks in minds. What’s important to understand is that it’s always about the collective. The better the collective does, the better it looks on you as an individual. I...

'It's a tough habit to break' - Leeds United coach on challenge for 'perfect fit' Jesse Marsch - YEP 30/3/22

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Mark Jackson says it will take time for Leeds United to break old habits and learn new ones but he believes Jesse Marsch's style of play is 'perfect' for the club. By Graham Smyth The interim first team coach, promoted from the Under 23s when the American arrived a month ago, is providing somewhat of a link between the old and the new at Thorp Arch. Jackson worked closely with Marcelo Bielsa's staff, preparing young players for first team involvement and steeping the academy hopefuls in Bielsaball. His Under 23s played the same brand of football that took both the Championship and Premier League by storm during Bielsa's era, before the Argentine was sacked following a poor run of results. Marsch was due to arrive in the summer but club owner Andrea Radrizzani accelerated his succession plan and introduced the new man with a dozen games left in the Premier League season. One of the key reasons director of football Victor Orta earmarked Marsch as the man t...

Barcelona's Raphinha nightmare could be a Leeds United dream as Joan Laporta addresses Deco role - YEP 29/3/22

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has openly admitted they are tracking Leeds United star Raphinha but insists the club is not paying the player's agent Deco. By Graham Smyth In an interview with RAC1, Laporta was only too happy to mention the Brazilian winger as he discussed potential summer transfer business at Camp Nou. Barcelona, he says, consider Raphinha to be a 'great' player after almost two seasons in the Premier League. Raphinha scored six times in the English top flight in his first campaign and has nine goals to his name so far this season, making him Leeds' star man and a regular for Tite's Brazil. He is contracted to the summer of 2024 and, contrary to reports elsewhere, has no buy-out clause in his current deal if Leeds stay in the Premier League, so a huge fee will be required to prise him from Elland Road. If they were to suffer relegation, which looks unlikely after their last two wins pushed them seven points clear of the drop zone, he woul...

Radrizzani holds trump cards regarding Raphinha's exit - MOT Leeds News 29/3/22

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Radrizzani holds trump cards regarding Raphinha's exit Leeds Utd hold all the trump cards relating to Raphinha's future, whether it be at Elland Road or elsewhere next season. The Brazilian ace has been heavily linked with a Summer move to the Camp Nou. If the rumours are true, has already agreed personal terms with the Catalan Giants, even though he has over two years of his four year contract remaining. Barcelona see Raphinha as the perfect replacement for Ousmane Dembélé, who will depart in the Summer, leaving a big void. Obviously, with finances tight, they don't want to part with more than what they can get away with! How can Leeds play hard ball? Barcelona need Raphinha! He is that missing piece of the jigsaw. The longer the saga goes on, the more desperate Xavi gets. Also, Raphinha will already have one eye on the World Cup which starts in November and can't afford to be frozen out by Leeds or left on the bench to rot. This would be a risky strategy but wou...

Similar trend and Leeds United must avoid case of Southampton deja vu - YEP 28/3/22

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Leeds United will face a side on a very different run of recent form to their own in Saturday’s return to action against Southampton at Elland Road. By Lee Sobot The Saints have now lost four in a row - but boss Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted there was “minimal damage” in the latest defeat which the Austrian felt showed exactly what his Saints can do. Jesse Marsch’s fifth-bottom Whites are heading into this weekend’s return to action seeking a third win on the bounce whereas the 11th-placed Saints are looking to avoid a fifth defeat in succession. Southampton have not won in the league since beating bottom side Norwich City 2-0 at St Mary’s on the final Friday of February but the Saints followed the triumph with a 3-1 success at home to West Ham in the FA Cup fourth round. The south coast side’s FA Cup run was then ended on the Sunday before the current international break as all conquering Manchester City left St Mary’s with a 4-1 success. The defeat followed a 2-1 reverse at h...

Josh Warrington and Leeds, the glory way around - The Square Ball 28/3/22

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WORLD TITLE Written by: Rob Conlon The closest Josh Warrington got to turning the build up to his world title fight with Kiko Martinez into a WWE rally of insults was to arrive at his public workout wearing a bald cap. Martinez had made fun of Warrington’s haircut at an earlier media appearance, but Josh’s response was humour rather than animosity. The two fighters smiled together for a photo next to the ring that had been erected in Leeds market, looking like two lads ready to go on the Otley Run dressed as the Mitchell brothers. In a sport like boxing, Warrington’s humility can be viewed as a weakness. Maybe he would find it easier to get the mega fight he craves if he went viral for calling out opponents rather than arriving at a press conference wearing a t-shirt bearing a social media post mocking the creases on his forehead. That might win him more fans outside of Leeds, but it’s not the kind of thing that resonates with the people who adore him in his hometown, and they’re...

Leeds United have ‘parked the market’ – Whites don’t want ‘distraction’ of transfer negotiations - Sport Witness 28/3/22

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When there’s a big Barcelona transfer story, the Catalan media can often be very excitable. There’s big claims, front pages, and the situation is often pushed further ahead than it actually is. That’s been the case with Raphinha, and claims the Blaugrana are working to sign him from Leeds United. Last week saw reports that there’s already been a €35m offer sent to the Premier League club, but Marca, a general Spanish sport newspaper, calm things down a little. They say that whilst the Brazilian is an option for Barcelona, there’s been no offer made yet and there hasn’t even been any negotiations between the two clubs. That’s because neither want to concern themselves with that right now. Marca say there’s ‘no hurry’, from the Leeds United perspective they don’t want the ‘distraction’ as they work to make sure they’re not relegated to the Championship. Barcelona are aware that Raphinha’s price will drop if Leeds are relegated and therefore they see no reason to rush things, wa...

Leeds United 1992 title winners to host anniversary in Harrogate 28/3/22

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  Just landed two nice little tickets for this beauty. BRING ON THE CHAMPIONS, A 30 YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER WITH LUFC’s CLASS OF 92 Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate, Friday 29th April 2022 https://mjksportsevents.co.uk/mjk-events/bring-on-the-champions/?portfolioCats=2 Dear Guest History is simply a collection of dates, events and often memories that are attached to them. For some Leeds fans, they remember all too well where they were when LUFC won the first division in, 1992. On April 29, 2022, almost exactly 30 years to the day, MJK SPORTS EVENTS are proud to bring you an audience with THE CLASS OF 92 – a Class of ’92 that took the title in a blur of white. Take a step back in time and relive the events that are now part of Leeds United’s history. We celebrated the 25th Anniversary with 8 of the players and Howard but Gordon could not attend. Now we are delighted to bring them back together for the 30th Anniversary including THE SKIPPER and HOWARD. Confirmed for this spectacular even...

Raphinha 'agrees FIVE-YEAR deal with Barcelona’ - Mail Online 27/3/22

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Raphinha 'agrees FIVE-YEAR deal with Barcelona as negotiations continue with Leeds over a transfer fee'... with Cesar Azpilicueta also 'close' to a move to the Nou Camp this summer Leeds winger Raphinha has reportedly agreed a five-year deal with Barcelona The Whites rejected Barca's latest transfer offer of £29million for the Brazilian But the Catalan club hope that this new breakthrough will force Leeds' hand Raphinha's agent Deco continues to negotiate with the Elland Road hierarchy Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta is also reportedly close to agreeing a Nou Camp deal By OLLY ALLEN Leeds winger Raphinha has reportedly agreed terms with Barcelona ahead of a summer move to the Nou Camp. The Catalan club have been long-time admirers of the Brazilian but face competition from Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich for his signature. Leeds are said to have rejected a £29million bid from Barca in recent days, but that has seemingly not sto...

Victor Orta drops summer transfer hint amid passionate defence of 'risky' Leeds United growth strategy - YEP 26/3/22

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Leeds United director of football Victor Orta says the club will stick to Marcelo Bielsa's slim squad approach despite the manager's departure. By Flora Snelson Bielsa's preference to work with a smaller group of players hurt Leeds this season as a string of injuries forced the Argentine to select from a threadbare squad for weeks on end. With Leeds' Premier League status in peril, the club sacked Marcelo Bielsa in February but intend to persist with the departed manager's commitment to a smaller squad. This week Orta revealed that the Whites plan to buy 'one or two' established players in the summer transfer window, with youth players making up the numbers as developing the club's youth pathway is the only way to compete with Premier League opponents with significantly greater funds. The director of football cited recent game-changing contributions made by the club's youth prospects as evidence of the policy's success, though he acknow...

Why Jesse Marsch should floor the accelerator as Leeds United returnee presents fresh selection dilemma - YEP 26/3/22

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Leeds United fans were delighted by the sight of Kalvin Phillips getting stuck into the Wolves bench as tensions boiled over in the latter stages of the Whites’ dramatic Molineux victory. By Flora Snelson But you can be sure that no-one enjoyed it more than Phillips himself. To have watched on from the sidelines as the season fell apart – unable to help the manager who had championed him, while everything he had built for his boyhood club was in peril – must have been agonising. As the clock ran down on a potentially season-defining match in the West Midlands, Phillips’ inability to resist the fracas – prowling about the dugouts with all the swagger of the travelling fans – served as a timely reminder of the strength of the Wortley lad’s allegiance to the club. If he wasn’t convinced already, Phillips’ touchline performance at Molineux gave Jesse Marsch an even greater incentive to put the freshly-recovered Phillips straight onto the teamsheet for the visit of Southampton. ...

'I couldn't run anymore' - Leeds United star was plagued for months with pain but played on - YEP 24/3/22

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Rodrigo can empathise with Leeds United team-mate Patrick Bamford because foot pain blighted the first three months of his season. By Graham Smyth A torn plantar fascia is the latest injury in a torrid campaign for Bamford, who previously damaged his ankle, his hamstring and his quad to miss 20 games in total. Bamford returned to the starting XI at Wolves but lasted just 23 minutes before limping off in agony and in tears. Rodrigo knows all too well, from his own painful personal experience, what his fellow striker is going through. Speaking to the YEP, he revealed that he got to a point earlier this season where he could no longer put side before self. “It was a really bad moment for me because it’s a terrible pain,” he said. “This problem in my feet started in pre-season more or less, in the middle of pre-season and was getting worse week by week. “It’s really painful, I felt really uncomfortable and played with pain for a long time until I couldn’t manage the pain and th...

Leeds United face giant transfer window with key lesson they cannot afford to ignore - YEP 24/3/22

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Even if Leeds United stay up comfortably come May, this season’s lesson must be learned. By Graham Smyth Those two victories before the international break were huge for Leeds and oh so timely, given the depths of despair plumbed in the aftermath of the Aston Villa defeat. Six points, three of which were as wholly unexpected as they were welcome, allowed the entire club to relax a little at the end of an increasingly tense, fraught and emotional period. Beating Norwich City was vital but overcoming Wolves put Leeds in bonus territory, ahead of where they and their relegation rivals might have expected them to be on the cusp of the fortnight’s pause. With that win, Leeds moved into a position to be able to say another two will probably do it and that much is not beyond the capabilities of this squad, not when you consider the qualities Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips will bring. For too much of this season, those qualities have been missed too severely and therein lies the p...