The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 5th September) Leeds finally to appoint set piece coach
Good Morning. It's Friday 5th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds finally to appoint set piece coach
In a move that signals a significant shift in tactical strategy, Leeds United are set to address a long-standing weakness by appointing a specialist set-piece coach. The decision is widely seen as long overdue, particularly when considering the growing importance of dead-ball situations in the modern game. With nearly 20% of all Premier League goals in recent seasons coming from set-pieces, the value of a specialist in this area cannot be overstated.
For years, the club's inability to deliver corners and free-kicks with consistent accuracy has been a source of frustration and grievance among the Elland Road faithful. While other clubs have exploited these marginal gains to secure vital points, Leeds have often squandered their opportunities.
As one of only four top-flight clubs to operate without such a specialist, this appointment could be crucial if Leeds are to avoid the drop. Farke's players are yet to score in open day, but given the height and strength advantage, has a chance to turn a chronic weakness into a consistent threat.
Fine margins so often decide a team's fate, and the gaffer needs to find a way to unlock defences, and has little creative influence to call upon. The 49ers have set him a target of 38 points for survival; he will need every advantage he can get his hands on, if Leeds are to achieve this!
Calculated Gamble or Missed Opportunity
Leeds United's recent transfer window activity continues to spark intense debate, leaving fans questioning whether the club's decision to retain key players was a calculated gamble or a missed opportunity to bolster the squad. Faced with the potential need to comply with PSR, Managing Director Robbie Evans and the board opted against selling high-value assets like Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Joseph, Pascal Struijk, and Ao Tanaka, despite knowing their departures would have injected tens of millions into the transfer budget.
Initially, the club believed they could secure their primary targets without player sales, but as pursuits for players like Igor Paixao and Rodrigo Muniz stalled, the need for additional funds became increasingly clear. Ultimately, Evans stood firm, deeming the offers for players like Gnonto undervalued and concluding that suitable "stretch" signings weren't available to justify their sale.
This decision has split the Leeds fanbase. Some argue that the club missed a golden opportunity to reinvest in the squad, potentially strengthening areas of concern and allowing for greater squad depth. They believe the reluctance to sell may limit the team's chances of promotion and potentially lead to future financial difficulties.
Others, however, trust the long-term vision of retaining promising talent, believing that the squad's inherent quality is sufficient to achieve their goals. They argue that sacrificing key players for short-term financial gain could have been detrimental to the team's performance and morale. Whether this strategy was primarily driven by the 49ers ownership, manager Daniel Farke, or a collaborative consensus, the success or failure of this approach will be definitively judged at season's end.
If Leeds retain their Premier league status, the gamble will be hailed as a masterstroke. If they fall short, the questions surrounding their reluctance to sell will undoubtedly resurface, leaving Evans' bet resting precariously on faith - faith in the squad's potential and the belief that the best deals are sometimes the ones you choose not to make.