Leeds (H) 20/09/25 - Build up & Match day thread

[Jinky]

Think it shows the level of general apathy towards the club in general that we've got to nearly lunchtime on Friday and this thread hasn't been started, but lets make no bones about it, this is a HUGE game. "Must win", five games in... reading the interviews from Joao Gomes & Vitor this week, I think they know it too.

Obviously a lot depends on if JSL is fit (I really hope he is). I don't see him dropping Agba, despite his form - and it's anyone's guess who gets the nod at full back. No clue whether Vitor sticks with the same shape as last weekend, or if he returns to the norm now that he's had a week on the training field with most of the squad. I assume the press conference may reveal more.

I'm not even going to guess what Vitor will go with. If JSL is fit, this is what I'd personally play:

Sa
Yerson Krejci Toti
Jackson Andre Gomes Hugo
Arias
JSL Tolu
​

It's slightly harsh on Rodrigo - and I was advocating for him to become a regular starter towards the end of last season, but he's one of those players that suffers because he's a bit of a Jack of all trades, rather than a specialist in a certain position. I think what you gain in boundless enthusiasm going one way, you perhaps lose in height/physicality defensively. I think Jackson gives you a bit more of that defensive stability but also has the pace to hurt teams going the other way, so I'd start him. Arias has played a lot of football, but it's about time now that we start seeing the player we thought we'd signed, and we'll only see that if we start playing him in his favoured position - rather than shoving him out on the touchline. I'd have him as the more advanced midfielder/AM in behind Tolu & JSL (If fit). You could also quite easily start Fer there. Agba, as discussed on the forum earlier in the week, I'd take out of the firing line for a week or two and to let him get properly fit - depending on what the issue is.

Vitor's presser is usually around 1pm I think, so it'll be interesting to see what he says ref; JSL.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

If JSL is fit I’d start him with Arias and Lopez behind and save Tolu as a sub to replace JSL as he’s unlikely to last 90 minutes. I agree with the rest of your team. Harsh on Rodrigo but think his pace and enthusiasm will be handy off the bench.

 

[Jinky]

Vitor confirms JSL trained yesterday and he "hopes he can help us but potentially not for the 90 minutes".

I'd be very surprised if JSL and Tolu start together if neither can last the full game.

 

[Jinky]

Well we learned absolutely nothing else from his press conference there. Waste of time. Lots of nonsense about "ideas" and "now is the time" etc etc. Hardly said anything on the new contract, or JSL, or the tactics/shape - or anything else about the squad, really. Not helped by awful questions from the journalists in attendance.

 

[basher]

This is very much in "must win" territory IMO.

Can't say that I'm looking forward to this... things could get ugly tomorrow if they fall behind early.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

Well we learned absolutely nothing else from his press conference there. Waste of time. Lots of nonsense about "ideas" and "now is the time" etc etc. Hardly said anything on the new contract, or JSL, or the tactics/shape - or anything else about the squad, really. Not helped by awful questions from the journalists in attendance.

I don’t want him saying anything that might help Leeds so happy to wait until the game is underway to see tactics and shape.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

James, Gnonto and Perri all out for them

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Well we learned absolutely nothing else from his press conference there. Waste of time. Lots of nonsense about "ideas" and "now is the time" etc etc. Hardly said anything on the new contract, or JSL, or the tactics/shape - or anything else about the squad, really. Not helped by awful questions from the journalists in attendance.

Still no questions about if Agba is actually injured!?

 

[sycophantia]

................ ..................Sa
....Agba/Mosquera*...Krecji...Toti
Rodrigo.........Gomes.....Andre..... Hugo
...................Arias..........Lopez
.......................Tolu/Larsen**

* if Agsba is carrying an injury and a loss of form then I'd drop him to the bench. If he's 100% fit, I'd start him, we have to at least try to play him back into form.
**Tolu to start for me and then Larsen to come on if we need a goal last 20.