Leeds United’s final pre-season game of the summer is but less than 60 minutes away. The matchday squad has been announced, 3p.m. is ticking down but fan anger is simmering somewhat.
Leeds United have tinkered and toyed with their line-ups this pre-season, fielding a mixture of sides to match a mixture of opponents. One thing that can definitely be said about Marcelo Bielsa is that his selections show planning and forethought, a refreshing concept for Leeds United fans to savour.
It is already well-known that Bielsa has decided on who his predominant Sky Bet Championship squad will be, and that it will be the workhorse that gets Leeds United through the campaign. As such, you’d expect that whoever lines up against UD Las Palmas will be lining up next weekend against Stoke City.
| #LUFC Starting XI to face @UDLP_Oficial today:
Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Cooper (c), Berardi, Dallas, Phillips, Vieira, Alioski, Saiz, Hernandez, Roofe pic.twitter.com/SQa3GO5rtu
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 29, 2018
In some ways, the Whites have had their hand forced somewhat by the absences of Pontus Jansson and Adam Forshaw, one through World Cup duty and the other injury enforced. Also, you’d expect both Barry Douglas, signed yesterday, and Patrick Bamford, slated for a medical tomorrow, to slot into Bielsa’s first-team squad plans.
The bench shows a mixture of youth, experience and potential with the likes of on loan duo Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker sitting alongside the resurgent Mateusz Klich and youngsters such as Jamie Shackleton, Tom Pearce and Jack Clarke.
However, it is safe to say that the reaction of the fans to this line-up is the acid test of opinion. Judging by some of their reactions it is a line-up that is both testing and acidic. Here’s what some fans think of what is being put out today.
Soooooooo…..nothing’s changed since last season then?????
— Dom (@Dom_Fletch89) July 29, 2018
Strongest team and it doesn’t include our 2 loan signings, nice
— Evan Chattaway (@evanrhys__) July 29, 2018
Nightmares of last season
— James Nemeth (@James1Nemeth) July 29, 2018
Same team as last year surprisingly
— Matt (@Itz_Mat_Forshaw) July 29, 2018
Literally the same team that did naff all the back end of last season … if this is as strong as it gets we’re absolutely screwed
— Mr Glassalfempty (@DRobinson92) July 29, 2018
Is last seasons nightmare continuing or am I dreaming ?
— Alan Mills (@alanjmills) July 29, 2018
Cooper captain pic.twitter.com/GK8HIk47bO
— i a n (@fallon199) July 29, 2018
Just read that line-up….. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/s31N4ah0pl
— Adam Southwick (@adam_southwick) July 29, 2018
Somebody's just peed on my chips
— Alan Mills (@alanjmills) July 29, 2018
However, amongst all the doom and gathering gloom, there are some who have their positive hats on.
BIELSA showing his class already..
Stoke boss Gary Rowett sat in West Stand expecting to do some prep for next week.
And Bielsa sticks in 8 players who won't play next Sunday
Genius
— Zachary B. (@LeedsZac) July 29, 2018
Let's see how this team performs with the new manager before we write them off with new players coming of the bench
— Simon harriman (@Simonharriman2) July 29, 2018
However, positivity and hope is not for all Leeds United fans.
Something very familiar. pic.twitter.com/C0bYOYUyTd
— Andy Smith (@Mr_Smiff74) July 29, 2018
