Leeds United returned to Premier League action after almost an entire month away, with a goalless draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Luis Sinisterra was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards but Leeds managed to register their ninth point of the campaign from seven Premier League games.
Leeds fans had the chance to have their questions about the Whites answered with LeedsLive’s Beren Cross. Joe Gelhardt's omission from the squad was a hot topic of debate, while supporters also asked questions on the likes of Patrick Bamford, Sam Greenwood, Luke Ayling and Wilfried Gnonto, as well as the reports linking Victor Orta linking to Chelsea.
Here is the full transcript of every question and answer.
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Ulsterfan: How many of our First Team would be selected by Arsenal, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle United, or Liverpool? Does this not demonstrate the position of our club, in the lower half of the Premiership, at best. Joffy is a prospect, but he would never be playing for any of the above. Yet, we have a full Italian international who can’t get a kick. Unbelievable.
Beren Cross: Would anyone expect any Leeds players to get into the starting line-ups of those sides? Raphinha and Phillips would have had strong claims last season, but the latter, before his latest injury, was showing how difficult that is. Meslier would have a shout ahead of De Gea on recent form. Adams would make Man Utd better too.
I think it does demonstrate Leeds' position, yes, and many would agree that's where they should be at the moment given this is just the third season back in the top flight. The thing with Gnonto is his lack of top-level domestic experience and Marsch's comments, since retracted, about him not being ready. The striker's only 18 and Italy are very much in transition.
Olivetree: I reckon Stuart Dallas was one of our best on our return to the Premier (who can forget Man City away?). All the more impressive as he was used by Marcelo in more than one position. Do you think he can command a starting spot if and when he returns to top form and full fitness, and if so in what position? Or will his value to the group just be his versatility as a latter day Paul Madeley?
BC: That's an interesting point. All bets really do need to be off with Dallas. There is no overstating how serious that injury was. It really could have ended his career had it been any worse. Let's start by getting him fit and on the pitch again before predicting how he will be used. We have to believe it's going to take him a long time to find consistency, even after that first game back. There will be a lot of niggles and a lot of managing his body for several months. We may not even see an all-action Dallas again until 23/24 if he spends the second half of 22/23 working his way back into regular football.
Kel1: A) What are your feeling on the amount of points we have now? B) How many you think we need in next 10 games to be confident that we are going in the right direction?
BC: a) I think they're only one point or two behind where I would have had them with these fixtures. Chelsea was phenomenal, but you have to look at a few points dropped in those home games with Everton and Villa.
b) Ten points from the next 10 games would be around par, for me. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Man City all come within that timeframe too. You have the must-wins at home to Fulham and Bournemouth, and some tighter winnable games with Palace, Leicester, Newcastle and West Ham, though those last two have the potential to be very tricky. Ten would take Leeds to 19 points from 17 matches. That's much better than relegation form.
Robmac64: After what Jesse said about Joffy, do you think that he doesn't rate him as highly as he maybe he first did? It seems strange to me that he dropped him altogether.
BC: No, I think Marsch was keen to stress that the decision was not a negative on Gelhardt. He still rates him and that won't have changed overnight. There's just too many players for slots at the moment.
674897: Why was Joffy not on the bench instead of Bamford against Villa? He is a big part of our future and offers more than both Rodrigo and Bamford. He needs a regular start to show how good he is!
BC: I'd say seniority, experience and a proven track record at this level. Bamford's also looked better in this system than Gelhardt, in my opinion. I don't think anyone doubts Gelhardt is a big part of the club's future, but scrapping an England international when he's in his prime for a 20-year-old seems a touch excessive.
Yeliab62: I'm tired of Marsch's constant complaining and giving out. You have a licence to give out when you start winning games but in the meantime please stop blaming referees and other teams for time wasting. Bielsa was as courteous in defeat as he was in winning. Marsch should take a leaf out of his book and be gracious in defeat.
BC: I don't think you need to be winning matches to say when a referee is making poor decisions or the opposition is blatantly time wasting. We've all seen it at Elland Road this season. It's never felt like Marsch is talking out of turn when he does bring these things up.
Macca555: Is it me or has Dan James crossed anyone's mind since he left Leeds? Not missed at the moment. A big fan of Joffy but I can see him going out on loan along with Greenwood, who where seen as a talented upcoming duo 2/3 years back.
BC: As hard a worker as James was in a Leeds shirt, it is very hard to recall too many matches where he made a real impact and changed games. I think it would be fair to say the two games since his departure have not called for his expertise.
I answered on Gelhardt a little earlier. I don't think the narrative around him should change too much based on one squad omission. He still has immense quality and potential with the ability to change things for the first team on the field. I still think it's a tall order to see either him or Greenwood going out in January.
MalRich: Gnonto should start, no brainer. We also have a LB who should start, and Ayling gives you more going forward and can defend. We need something more in midfield, we just don't create enough!
BC: What makes it a no-brainer for you? He's only 18 with zero experience of this league or this Leeds team. He has a decent reputation and his Italy caps stand for a lot, but to start him seems like quite a leap this early in his time at Elland Road.
Struijk's done okay, but if he does start regressing or if the team starts to need more attacking impact down that flank then Firpo is hard to ignore given how strongly the club backed him this summer.
Ayling didn't repeat his Brentford impact, for me, on Sunday, while Kristensen was markedly better. I think the Dane has seen off that challenge for now and will be backed to continue from the start this Sunday.
Craig92: Given Gnonto and Bamford made the bench vs Villa along with Greenwood. Where does Greenwood fit into Marsch's system - is he regarded as a central midfielder now similar to Klich?
BC: Without wishing to sit on the fence, I do think he's an option right through the spine of the team. I don't think Marsch would have any qualms about playing him CM, CAM, ST or even RAM and LAM. It's hard to see how well he played on the final day of last season and not feel he's best as a CM now, but one reminder of his goals reel reminds you he can be a predator around the box.
F_Wilson6: Just wondering on the Bamford situation, it's clear he’s still struggling quite a bit? Are we likely to see Perkins soon? Plus with the current ownership, is there any sign that the 49ers may be twitching with interest in terms of who comes in if Orta goe? I personally think Radz has taken us as far as he can!
BC: It was a surprise to hear Marsch admit Bamford had not trained fully last week because of another knock, but only because he's normally so forthcoming in pre-match briefings. The fact Bamford got on is encouraging, but clearly this is far from ideal. Yet another setback just as we thought he might be hitting reset on his season and getting going properly again.
Perkins could not be doing more with the under-21s to catch Marsch's eye. Evidently, he's a cut above PL2 Div 2, but there's a chasm between that and the real PL. Marsch was happy to speak about Perkins last week and the job he has in keeping those elite under-21s engaged with real challenges. Unfortunately for Perkins, there are a lot of bodies between him and the team. Even Gelhardt couldn't get in the squad on Sunday.
No noises from San Francisco in quite some time. Feels like we are overdue an update from Marathe et al on the state of play. Radrizzani has admitted 49ers have that buy-out option.
Also, no steer on an Orta replacement. The prospect of him leaving imminently is too distant for a replacement to be waiting in the wings, but I'm sure Marsch, Kinnear and Radrizzani will have ideas. Orta himself would even have some helpful tips on a like-minded replacement.
Eddiejess: Do you think Victor will be tempted by Chelsea?
BC: I think he has to be, doesn't he? We're talking about a club which won the Champions League in 2021, expects to be competing for trophies every season and would offer him and his family a dynasty-changing salary.
Orta's heart and ambition remains at Elland Road and there is no hint of him looking for positions elsewhere, but if they were to put a serious offer forward then he'd have to consider it.
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