Team vs Leeds

[btffc]

Leno

Tete Andersen Bassey Robinson

Lukic Berge King

Wilson Muniz Iwobi

Subs - Lecomte, Castagne, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Cairney, Smith Rowe, Adama, Kevin, Raul

Think it's too soon to start Kevin even though he has been training. Chukwueze and Kusi-Asare will only have had 2 training sessions so I don't even have them making the bench yet. Marco is slow to integrate and we don't have any injuries that would force him to alter that. Next weekend I think will be different though.

Kusi-Asare would make the bench if Raul's knock is worse than anticipated

[alfie]

Leno

Tete Andersen Bassey Robinson

Lukic Berge King

Wilson Muniz Iwobi

Subs - Lecomte, Castagne, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Cairney, Smith Rowe, Adama, Kevin, Raul

Think it's too soon to start Kevin even though he has been training. Chukwueze and Kusi-Asare will only have had 2 training sessions so I don't even have them making the bench yet. Marco is slow to integrate and we don't have any injuries that would force him to alter that. Next weekend I think will be different though.

Kusi-Asare would make the bench if Raul's knock is worse than anticipated

Why is it too soon, most other clubs stick new players in from the off.

[btffc]

Leno

Tete Andersen Bassey Robinson

Lukic Berge King

Wilson Muniz Iwobi

Subs - Lecomte, Castagne, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Cairney, Smith Rowe, Adama, Kevin, Raul

Think it's too soon to start Kevin even though he has been training. Chukwueze and Kusi-Asare will only have had 2 training sessions so I don't even have them making the bench yet. Marco is slow to integrate and we don't have any injuries that would force him to alter that. Next weekend I think will be different though.

Kusi-Asare would make the bench if Raul's knock is worse than anticipated

Why is it too soon, most other clubs stick new players in from the off.

With a full or even partial preseason they do like ESR did last season. Very rarely do players acquired after the season has started get thrown straight into the fire especially when making a significant jump up in level unless injuries force the issue.

[SerbianLad]

I don't think this is the right game to be experimenting with Josh or Alex in the 8 position. Both of them + both of Berge and Lukic were away on international duty. Not only have we not tried that in the PL (apart from a very few times Iwobi played there), but we didn't try it out in training either. Regardless whether you believe that could be something we'll do in the future, I just don't know don't think the moment is right now.

           Leno
Tete Andersen Bassey Robinson
        Lukic Berge
 Wilson/Adama King/ESR Iwobi
           Muniz

It's going to be interesting to see who makes the bench. We have 24 players in the squad, so if everyone is fit, 4 miss out. We usually have 1 cb on the bench, and Marco prefers Cuenca to Diop I think, so I think Diop is one of them. We play with one striker, so we don't really need two on the bench and JKA barely had a chance to train with the team so I think he's the second one. Reed is probably the third one, especially for a game like Leeds where we are going to go for all 3 points. And the last one to miss out will probably be one of Adama/Wilson/Sessegnon/Chukwueze

[KentFulham]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

[Twig]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

[akf]

Though in years gone by MacDonald used to be one of the first one on the team sheet for me,  I would like any formation with the mouth watering Berge-King option. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

[Grassy Noel]

For all of Leeds weaknesses they definitely have tightened up in the goalkeeper department. I have a hunch that this man will defy us like Pickford has done in the past.We also have a reluctance to shoot. No shots means no deflections.

[KentFulham]

For all of Leeds weaknesses they definitely have tightened up in the goalkeeper department. I have a hunch that this man will defy us like Pickford has done in the past.We also have a reluctance to shoot. No shots means no deflections.

I wish we did ping the odd shot, it feels like a long time since a goal from 18+ yards

[FFC007]

Are the VAR cables still in one piece?

[SerbianLad]

For all of Leeds weaknesses they definitely have tightened up in the goalkeeper department. I have a hunch that this man will defy us like Pickford has done in the past.We also have a reluctance to shoot. No shots means no deflections.

Their first choice goalkeeper is injured. I don't think Darlow or Meslier are that good.

[General]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

[C Block]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

To use a cricket analogy, Sessegnon and Smith-Rowe will be carrying the drinks for the rest of the season,
Tough on Sess but you don't pay £40 million for a left winger to sit on the bench.

[KentFulham]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

To use a cricket analogy, Sessegnon and Smith-Rowe will be carrying the drinks for the rest of the season,
Tough on Sess but you don't pay £40 million for a left winger to sit on the bench.

We do pay £27m thou!

[Whitestone]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

I'd be surprised if he didn't start. We've only been waiting a year or so for this position to be filled and we paid a significant fee. I can't see any point in holding him back.

[Sting of the North]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

I'd be surprised if he didn't start. We've only been waiting a year or so for this position to be filled and we paid a significant fee. I can't see any point in holding him back.

Some points would presumably be:

- Silva feels that Kevin has not yet adapted to our tactics, and/or his teammates
- They feel that pressure is relieved by not starting him
- Other players have had a really good training week (and they are alreay used to our system, see above)

I feel that there may be several sensible reasons as to why we wouldn't start Kevin.

[General]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

To use a cricket analogy, Sessegnon and Smith-Rowe will be carrying the drinks for the rest of the season,
Tough on Sess but you don't pay £40 million for a left winger to sit on the bench.

I don't think it's that straightforward, there are a lot of games, including cup ties - things are going to be more competitive. Additionally, we've got 5 subs now per game, so most games there'll be rotation with players getting at least 20-30 mins a game depending on how the games are going and who we're facing.

For instance, against Leeds I think we're more likely to see ESR come on with 20-30 mins if he's busting a gut to open up defences. Despite not being a starter he's been one of our most productive forward players so far this season.

For what it's worth, I think Marco is putting him on the bench to challenge him to focus and get sharper and it has nothing to do with his qualities, but more a way of encouraging ESR to go up another level.

[Rambler]

The players back from international duty have only had 1 day of training.

Compare that with two weeks for those that stayed which includes Kevin.

I'd be inclined to start Kevin at the cost of perhaps Iwobi who has just got back.

[Andrew]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

To use a cricket analogy, Sessegnon and Smith-Rowe will be carrying the drinks for the rest of the season,
Tough on Sess but you don't pay £40 million for a left winger to sit on the bench.

I would play Sess on the right wing. I do not think Wilson plays well went starting but seems to be a perfect super sub. Sess on the other hand is much more talented and has a genuine eye for a goal and has a natural instinct for being in the right place at the right time in the box.

[General]

Personally I think Sess's best position is left wing back. Means that he's not 100% defending, which he's way better at, now he has got a lot stronger and he's getting forward more, which is great as he's got a fantastic delivery.

And thats why I think MS should consider playing both on the left, AR as left back and Sess left wing. It avoid AR crossing and keeps him doing what he is good at, and stops Sess having to track back as much and can also do what he is great at like crossing, scoring, runs etc

Tend to agree with this, I've always said that I think Robinson and Sess could create a great team down the left, I just think they could complement each other well. To do that they need to play regularly together, these great partnerships don't happen over night.

surely our left wing is going to only ever really be Kevin and Robinson now, assuming they both perform in the way we think they can? I feel if Marco's been particularly impressed by Kevin's attitude in training during the International break, then he may give him a surprise start.

I'd be surprised if he didn't start. We've only been waiting a year or so for this position to be filled and we paid a significant fee. I can't see any point in holding him back.

Some points would presumably be:

- Silva feels that Kevin has not yet adapted to our tactics, and/or his teammates
- They feel that pressure is relieved by not starting him
- Other players have had a really good training week (and they are alreay used to our system, see above)

I feel that there may be several sensible reasons as to why we wouldn't start Kevin.

Sometimes players are so good they don't need time to adapt to tactics, perhaps he's got enough about him offensively and defensively for it to be worth it.

He also becomes a relative enigma for Leeds as they've never played against him.

As others have said, he's had two weeks of building relationships with players, including Robinson.

If he's a level above what we've got, then even if other players have good weeks, he could still trump them quality wise.

Dario Srna thinks kevin is strong both offensively and defensively.

Benefit also of Marco being a portuguese speaker, so could take less time to get up to speed, vs - let's say Lukic, who was a Serbian, playing in Italy.