Leeds United’s YEP fan panel give their thoughts on the first week of the new season and their predictions ahead of today’s clash with West Bromwich Albion.
ANDY RHODES
If Saturday’s result against Portsmouth was the first of the season, the week that followed was a disaster. The midweek performance against Middlesbrough was shockingly poor from a side that was full of quality on paper.
We know the league is a priority again this term, but if Leeds are to win promotion they will have to do so without Georginio Rutter.
There was always the possibility of clubs popping up as the window continued and after losing Archie Gray and Crysencia Summerville it really hurts.
The 49ers already have some catching up to do. Signings are needed across the board and with time running out, Daniel Farke may not have a balanced squad in September.
United face West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City and Burnley in their upcoming fixtures. If there are no results, who is to blame?
A win at the Hawthorns tomorrow is imperative, even at this early stage of a very long campaign.
Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1 Leeds United 1
MIKE GILL
An exciting but unsatisfactory performance against Portsmouth was followed by a shameful capitulation against Middlesbrough.
For some reason, Daniel Farke could not think seriously about winning this trophy. Starting with such an unbalanced figure was not his best decision.
As proof that we need to sign at least two wide players, it was perfect, but the most worrying thing of all was the defensive performance.
Conceding three goals in a row at Elland Road is simply not acceptable and the situation needs to be addressed. Tomorrow’s challenge against West Brom looks set to be tough.
Thankfully, the championship doesn’t always work that way, and we can all be thankful for that.
The Baggies won their first league game at QPR but were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Fleetwood Town.
Carlos Corberan is in his second year as head coach and will be looking to grab all three points in this game, their first competitive game at the Hawthorns this season.
It’s the first of two tough away games for United, but it might be for the best as Elland Road was not a happy place on Wednesday night.
Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1 Leeds United 2.
DAVID WATKINS
It’s only the third game of the season, a League Two game, and the road to the Hawthorns has already assumed the mantle of a must-win or at least “must not lose” game.
The performance against Portsmouth was generally accepted as good, with the notable exception that some of the problems we struggled with last season were still there and still causing problems; a defense that occasionally falls asleep and a front that misses golden opportunities.
So the Middlesbrough game was seen as a morale-boosting opportunity to win.
He seems to have achieved the opposite as he conceded three more goals at home and put in a dreadful performance which only added to the pressure on the team.
We looked very poor against Boro, although Daniel Farke tried to extend the lead by making an unprecedented five substitutions at the same time; it felt like a panic move and the fact that it did little or nothing to our efficiency.
So we travel to West Brom knowing we need to find some form – what we’ve seen so far this season is just a continuation of the disappointing way we finished the last campaign and that has to change or the pressure could explode on us face. .
Prediction: West Brom 2 Leeds United 1.
NEIL GREWER
After two extraordinary games – against Portsmouth and Middlesbrough – Leeds United need a reaction against West Brom tomorrow.
The guarantee of football is its unpredictability and there are often strange results in the championship.
Recent results point to defeat for United, but I see a win after the reaction to this week’s games. The team will certainly be the same as last weekend – the lack of pace on the wings and forwards was noticeable
Wednesday night, but that will be rectified by team selection. Defensive weaknesses must also be addressed with the return of Pascal Struijk and time together providing a better understanding between the full-backs.
Put simply, Leeds need to be better than they were – but they have the players to be better.
New bookings and knocks at full-back mean we need reinforcements in this area before this becomes a problem in my opinion, while rumored midfield/attacking signings would also be welcome to add to squad numbers.
We may have a fully fit squad at the moment, but Leeds are Leeds and that won’t last very long.