PeeTea: “When I asked before how many points to the end of Feb[ruary], you said you expected seven. Since then an additional fixture has been arranged vs Liverpool. Given we have one point [so far this month], we play Man[chester] U[nited], Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur) at home and Liverpool and Leicester away, where are the six points going to come from?
“Given [Marcelo] Bielsa's refusal to play our only fit striker and our lack of a solid midfield, it is very difficult to keep the faith. We appear to be relying on there being three teams worse than us, rather than being than most [sic].
“[It’s] very sad and one which could go terribly wrong, indeed I remember Norwich [City]'s turn of form in the second half of the season which cost us dearly in both League One and the Championship.”
BC: “Well remembered. February's begun tougher than I expected. It may have only been a draw at [Aston] Villa, but the manner of it and the fight shown really inspired me to believe they would win on Saturday, but it was dire, wasn't it?
“It's hard to see another six points this month, but Man Utd and Spurs have at least shown frailty in recent matches. I don't think many of us expect to see a lot of change out of Liverpool at Anfield, but [Ralf] Rangnick and [Antonio] Conte's sides have wobbled in recent games. That has to give at least some hope to Leeds.
“You don't need me to tell you Bielsa and that squad are not sat at Thorp Arch relying on there being three worst teams between now and June. They will be working hard and Bielsa will be confident he can get a tune out of this squad. The matches with Norwich, Watford and Brentford look like the big three United simply have to win. Brentford is the final day, so we have to hope that's a dead rubber for Leeds by then, but of the 15 matches left they are the ones you stick a red circle around.
“I'll admit Newcastle [United] and Norwich are at least showing some signs of life in the very short term, but sustaining that across the next three months will not be easy for those groups as their new manager bounces wear off and injuries like [Kieran] Trippier's crop up.
“Roy Hodgson will need time, but Watford look absolutely bereft of any ideas or inspiration to get themselves out of trouble. Brentford are the ones I still think could slide right by Leeds and into trouble.”
Jonah53: “So many questions to ask, Beren, but I am afraid I have just lost the will to live, especially when I see [Tyler] Roberts coming on instead of Joffy (Joe Gelhardt). All I find myself doing now is just looking at the Norwich, Watford and Burnley results and hoping against hope.”
BC: “You're not alone in feeling like that, but it's because we're in the immediate aftermath of a demoralising defeat. It will get better, I promise. Remember how you felt after the win at West Ham [United] or the draw with Villa in midweek. That good feeling will come back and you will feel that optimism again. All it takes is one good result. If Leeds beat Man Utd on Sunday the world is going to feel like an entirely different place again.
“The Roberts vs Gelhardt debate has raged for weeks and flared again on Saturday. For what it's worth, I would have brought on the teenager instead of Roberts too, but it's hard to say whether he would have made a material difference. Leeds were second best all over the pitch. Finishing in the box was not a problem. Simply holding onto the ball in defence and midfield was the priority and that could not be achieved. Roberts cannot be blamed for Saturday's loss, but we have asked Bielsa about that pecking order before and we can't help it if the fans don't like his answers.”
MiddleL: “Do we know the full extent of Stuart Dallas’s injury yet? I feel he is vital to our survival hopes because of his versatility to play in different positions. Also, if we lose him to a long-term injury, which I’m hoping isn’t too serious, then it will be even more evident we should have strengthened in the January transfer market and not relied on one player to fill other positions when we have players out injured.”
BC: “We don't know the specifics yet, no. Bielsa said it was too soon after the match on Saturday to provide any details, but we do know it has to have a degree of severity to have forced someone like Dallas off, but it was not so serious he could not walk away from Goodison Park without assistance after full-time.
“As you say, he is integral to what this team is about. The last league XI he failed to start in was July 4, 2020, away at Blackburn Rovers. He has been a cornerstone of this side. The hope is he is not missing for long and the other players return from their problems quickly. [Junior] Firpo is expected to be fit for this Sunday if he's needed to start, but don't be surprised to see [Pascal] Struijk move out there, [Robin] Koch shuffle back and [Adam] Forshaw come back into the side as a DM (defensive midfielder).”
Msc24: “We need to get to 30 points by the end of March to stay on target for safety. Easier said than done, but I'm remaining positive ([Patrick] Bamford has to be fit at some point). Not expecting much from the next three games, but we still have the ability (more so than the bottom three) to spring a surprise as we did at West Ham.
“This season just feels like it never really got started, there have only been glimpses of the relentless, swashbuckling style we saw last season, but at the same time, our best form last season came in the last couple of months of the season so fingers crossed history repeats itself.
“On a final note, I have always defended Tyler Roberts, I do feel there is a player in there, but he is so devoid of confidence a spell out of the team is best for all. Joffy has to be our alternative to Dan James in the short term. Sunday could be amazing or horrendous, I can't predict it, but I'll sure as hell be watching.”
BC: “Your calculations are sound. Taking seven points from the next six matches, given who Leeds are playing, would be a challenging, but decent return. The Norwich match at Elland Road stands out for obvious reasons. A win there, a win against the odds at Leicester [City] or Wolves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and then a draw from one of the next three would at least provide some progress, if not reasons to be overjoyed.
“I feel the same way about the campaign as a whole. It just feels like it has never kicked into life, save for a few special moments here and there like the West Ham win and the late Wolves equaliser. You are right about last season's run-in too. If they can get anywhere near the form they finished last season with they're not going to have any problems at all.
“I feel like Roberts has had tougher spells than this. He's only played a fraction over two hours of football in 2022. He was decent against Burnley before limping off, then he had 20 minutes against Newcastle where he looked just as blunt as everyone else in the final third, before that half on Saturday when he touched the ball 13 times. He wasn't the problem on Saturday. The team couldn't build anything at all through the thirds.
“The big debate is the pecking order and why Gelhardt is behind. Bielsa has said before he would rather not put pressure on younger players when more experienced options are available. Fans may not like his answers, but he has at least explained himself in the past.”
Kel1: “First time I’ve asked a question, Beren. I have real concerns starting right from the start of this season, when I felt recruits were needed. When will management wake up and realise 20 senior players is not big enough for the Premier League as the main part of the squad? I hope what has happened this year is properly thought through with fingers crossed we stay up.
“I do not feel that is as guaranteed as some think, Even if we go to 24, it's still small for the Premier League. I see supporters talking of Bamby (Bamford) coming back, but I just read he can hardly walk. Surely management knew the extent of his injury and, to put it bluntly, we’re not exactly full of strikers at the best of times. I have real worries injuries will sort themselves out too late.
“Also, the knock-on worry of players leaving, or wanting to leave, because of lack of ambition. I also feel the lack of competition is not looked at enough. The bigger squad, more competition, more worry of losing your place. This has been overlooked by supporters. I know we don't match money with the big boys yet, but we are not the small boys either.”
BC: “The squad size argument only has a chance of shifting once Bielsa's era is over at Elland Road. This is his choice and the hierarchy at Leeds have to stand by that and support their head coach, otherwise, the entire relationship would collapse.
“I am certain lessons will be learned from this season, regardless of what happens with Bielsa in the summer. [Andrea] Radrizzani, [Angus] Kinnear, [Victor] Orta and the [San Francisco] 49ers will see this has been a difficult campaign and surely look to put it right next year if they hope to keep Leeds in the top flight for the foreseeable future.
“Bamford's injury nightmare continues. Five starts all season is tragic for him and the club. Bielsa's latest comments, which you've alluded to, didn't make for pretty reading either and it sounds like [Liam] Cooper and [Kalvin] Phillips should be back long before the number nine.”
CraigMillward: “I'm very much in the camp of those who are pleased we didn't go and buy any semi-fit players who would hang around for years on the fringe without getting a game. I'm also convinced the only way we are going to improve our position in the table over coming years is to polish, and then integrate, our excellent crop of youngsters into the first team.
“Which of our younger players do you think would improve our team for the remainder of this season? And, if there are any you'd throw into the team immediately, which players should be stood down?”
BC: “I hope you're allowing me to choose from the under-23s who have already been played by Bielsa this season because the best ones have all been needed already at some stage. The obvious answer is Gelhardt. Everyone has seen what he can do already. He is the biggest difference-maker out of the under-23 ranks. [Crysencio] Summerville's been unplayable at times with the under-23s, but hasn't had a concerted chance with the first team yet because of the strength in depth out wide.
“Aside from that, it's hard to pick out youngsters who improve the team outright. The senior players Bielsa has, when fit, are still better than the youngsters coming through at this point in their respective careers.”
KingG: “What's baffling me, and possibly the majority of Leeds fans, is Bielsa is on record saying he will only take players who improve the squad/team. We got offered VDB (Donny van de Beek) from United and [Harry] Winks from Spurs on loan, so no massive money involved, there's no logic at all. Same as playing a Championship player (Roberts) instead of Gelhardt or anyone else.”
BC: “It's a fair point. Without him speaking for himself, my assumption would be Bielsa felt they didn't suit his system, or he did not think they would be fit enough to have a quick impact and hit the ground running at Elland Road. There is also the point Kinnear made in his programme notes about retaining that pathway to the first team for the under-23s at the club.
“Perhaps the club did not want to block Lewis Bate's route to opportunities. These are the various readings we can take of the situation, but you are right, based on how he played on Saturday, it's hard to accept Bielsa said no to van de Beek, assuming the finances worked for the club.”
Craig92: “With players hopefully coming back to fitness, who would you say is our first-choice centrebacks: Cooper, [Diego] Llorente, Koch [or] Struijk? Could Bielsa be keener on back if all fit [sic]? Would Struijk play over Firpo at left-back when all fit?”
BC: “My favourite pairing would be Llorente and Struijk, but the former benefits from having an older head like Cooper's beside him, guiding him through periods and being a voice in his ear. The Spain international has that maverick streak in him, which Struijk doesn't have the experience or status to manage in the middle of the defence. I don't see Struijk ahead of Firpo at left-back if everyone's fully fit, no.
Craig92: “As we look ahead to the summer, on the basis we stay up, and hopefully by next season Bamford’s injury problems are behind him, as the club strengthens the squad do you see there being a place for Roberts and Gelhardt in the same squad? Especially if we bring in some midfielders.”
BC: “It's a good question. If the club were to add two central midfielders to the squad, Bamford returned to full fitness and Gelhardt evolved as we expect then it does become tougher for Roberts. I would not be surprised if he and his agent were assessing their options in the summer if that recruitment drive came in the positions he plays in.
“Most people would agree Gelhardt has a bright future ahead of him and the more experience he gains, the closer he is going to be getting to Bamford as his understudy in attack.”
White Lion: “Hi Beren, have you seen any evidence of American influence on decisions relating to the football matters (rather than pure commercial strategy)? I'm wondering if the decision to pursue Brenden Aaronson was motivated in part by raising our profile Stateside?
BC: “No, I have heard that theory, but I have been told there is no 49ers angle to the Aaronson chase. They like him as a footballer regardless of his nationality.”
Miggyshane: “Hi, Beren, just wandering why Bielsa didn't put Summerville on at half-time for Raphinha? Surely it was a straight swap and the damage had already been done.”
BC: “It comes down to the pecking order again and the fact Bielsa wanted James out wide specifically. He wanted to see a different kind of winger out there and chose James. Summerville's probably behind Gelhardt in the pecking order too when it comes to attacking restructures on the pitch.”
Totherbojo: “Rodrigo looked like the best number nine at the club when he came on against Burnley last season, but since then his finishing has been abysmal, although l bet he wins the crossbar competition every day in training.
“Gelhardt is at his best when we are on top in a game and attacking which has been rare recently, but sadly Roberts makes so many poor decisions it is difficult to understand his selection at any time.
“Last season we finished with several clean sheets, need more of them now starting with Man Utd. We cannot rely on the three bottom clubs losing every week for our survival.”
BC: “Rodrigo was incredible at Turf Moor this season. I cannot remember too many better performances from the bench under Bielsa than that day when he was unplayable as the striker. It's strange the way his time at Leeds has pushed him back from a striker's role to the middle of midfield. Bielsa likes the passing ability Rodrigo has between the lines and I think the shift back has occurred to accommodate him and Bamford into the same team when they're both fully fit.
“No clean sheets since late November. Obvious where things need to improve given the goals that have gone in across recent matches before Everton.”
Charman1st: “Bielsa is the best thing to happen to Leeds United in years. I've gone grey twice over following them since 1964, but why does he persist with Tyler Roberts? He must be fantastic and scores goals for fun in training, but my heart sinks every time he comes on the pitch.
“Saturday against Everton, we were dreadful, but the lad is brought on to help us, this is a guy who has hardly scored a goal for us and he is supposed to be a number nine. Please help me understand the logic in continuing to play him?
BC: “Everything you've said is fair and balanced. Only Bielsa can really explain the logic of that decision. He was asked about Roberts's introduction on Saturday, but the head coach saw it less about the player's missing impact and more about the team's inability to create anything which Roberts could then work with.
“We might all agree Gelhardt would have been a welcome addition, but all we can do is ask Bielsa, which we do, and then take the answers for what they are. He has his reasons and the one thing he sees, which we don't, is the work on the training field, day in and day out.”
Frozgrundy: “Hi Beren. On the one hand it still looks ok for us to stay up, since we are six points ahead of Norwich with a game in hand, eight clear of Watford and nine clear of Burnley, who will hopefully lose or draw their games in hand.
“On the other hand though, looking pessimistically, from where will our points come? Let's say the games go more or less according to league position. We'd beat Norwich, Watford and Brentford (which we really need to), then get draws against [Crystal] Palace, Southampton, Leicester, Wolves and Brighton [& Hove Albion], that would put us on 37 so probably safe, but we've lost to Newcastle and Everton lately, which I hoped to get at least two points from, if not more.
“So the question is, how many points do you reckon will be needed for safety this season, and do you think we'll do it? My guess (or hope) is 35 will do it and we will scrape home, but not if we play as we did at the weekend.”
BC: “I think you're right, it looks like less than 40 points will be good enough to stay up. In the last 10 years, the average points tally for 18th place has been 34 points. Based on the current average of one point per game for the Whites, they're looking at 38 from now at the current rate. I think Leeds will do it. They have injured players to come back still and based on how well they finished last term, I would like to think they should outdo a few more sides down the stretch once more.”
