Leeds fan coming in peace ...

[yessae]

I know you must have discussed it to death about Simon Grayson of all the people replacing Mcallister. How do you lads feel about that ?

From our side , we can assure you that 2 days is impossible for Grayson to instill some confidence in some of our players. Squad wise , I would still take ours over yours ( marginal difference ) but in terms of confidence , I think even Accrington Stanley would have a group of players who believe in themselves more than our lot.

Grayson said in his first interview that its been a whirlwind and he can only try and watch DVDs in the next 2 days , speak to coaches and pick a 11 that can compete with your team. Whoever he picks and whatever instructions he passes , It would take a miracle for our defense to absorb it and execute it.

I'm expecting nothing less than a mauling because of the poor condition of our back 4 , who on paper seem fine but have got huge issues to sort out on the pitch. But hey , this is only if Beckford and Robinson are not fit . If they are a 100% fit and can start the game , I think we are a totally different beast. We ve leaked goals this season only when we were on the backfoot . When we had a grip on the game with players like Beckford n Robinson being a constant threat , then our defensive problem went hiding.

Anyways , it's going to be a massive game , hope you don't have quick wingers and I hope the rub of the green goes our way for once this season. Good luck to you after Boxing Day and heres hoping we both get promoted !

Ps : I'm pleased with the swift and sensible appointment of Grayson as several Championship clubs were closing in on him !

[Fez of Mahrez]

hope you don't have quick wingers

LLOYD DYER MY LORD, LLOYD DYER.

[hesapeepingtom]

looking at your team cant see too many that would make it into ours so how do you figure your squad is marginally better?

[ASH17LCFC]

Your not better then us but your win because of the new Manager factor.

I hope you go up still and Larry is a legend down here, so should get a good clap before.

[Big Bad Fox]

Have you not watched Leicester yet this season... clearly not... our squad is far better than yours..

We have Lloyd Dyer.. who is QUICK!! and skillful, and very skinny (because that matters most)

we won't let your defence have a break, and Tunchev will butcher Beckford, Becchio and Robinson with his right toe!

(ps. i didnt think it was possible for a leeds fan to come in peace )

[Bert]

looking at your team cant see too many that would make it into ours so how do you figure your squad is marginally better?

BECAUSE everytime we play every single one of our players puts 100% effort and commitment in.

Gilbert, Tunchev, Mattock, King, Oakley, Dyer, Davies, Howard and Fryatt would walk into your team.

[mikey54]

Just look at Sunderland & Blackburn's results after they sacked their managers !! - as they say, a strange game. All of a sudden you might find your lot coming out all guns blazing to impress the new boss. Traditionally, as far back as I can remember we don't do particularly well over the festive period. Matty Fryatt has signed a new contract - so don't expect him to score many more this season - Happy Christmas

[Bryn]

I wouldn't like to say which team was better... I'm inclined to say ours by quite a distance but who knows what effect a new manager will have? Let's not forget, half of our players were wank under old managerial regimes.

This game is nigh on impossible to call now. I think most factors scream a Leicester win but you just cannot write off a honeymoon period.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Have you not watched Leicester yet this season... clearly not... our squad is far better than yours..

We have Lloyd Dyer.. who is QUICK!! and skillful, and very skinny (because that matters most)

we won't let your defence have a break, and Tunchev will butcher Beckford, Becchio and Robinson with his right toe!

(ps. i didnt think it was possible for a leeds fan to come in peace )

Considering this is our first meeting and the guy is clearly a Leeds fan - I'd say the likely answer to whether he's seen Leicester Play is 'NO!'

You can't really call the total of 2012 seconds of footage shown by ITV on the Championship enough evidence for anyone to rate our side, and we haven't been on the telly for a live game.

Once again, of course a Leeds fan is going to say he prefer's his side to our's, after all those Rose Tinted Specticals means he would take his Leeds side over the current Manchester United side.

End of the day, both side's are dangerous, are in the same divison for a reason and were both picked as strong contenders for promotion, so it is likely to be a close game, and anyone claiming a certain result one way or the other will happen is deluding themselves.

Saying that I go for a 10-10 draw, with both sides being reduced to 8 men!

[dandannieldanok]

Squad wise , I would still take ours over yours ( marginal difference )

You've got to be kidding, Alexander Tunchev could do a better job on his own compared to your back four.

[CosbehFox]

You've got to be kidding, Alexander Tunchev could do a better job on his own compared to your back four.

We got a back four who've all experienced the Premier League, we've got a midfield who have championship medals from their time at Derby and MK Dons plus U21 internationals, we've got a striker whose banging in 23 goals and a shit brickhouse who has a winner medal from Derby plus golden boots.

ps. I am supporting you...

[Darkzzz_]

I just can't stand Leeds full stop.

I hope we batter them but in truth, I am slightly worried that we will succumb to the new manger syndrome.

[Vardinhio]

Ridiculous. Take a look at the table and you'll see who has the better squad.

[yessae]

Merry Xmas everyone - totally forgot !!

I feel that our squad is marginally better because last season , we finished 2nd in the league ( barring the 15 points ) with a far worse squad. We have not sold anyone vital to our team , we have had 2 future England Internationals coming through in Fabian Delph and Aiden White , we signed League 1's best player for years in Andy Robinson , we picked up a gem in Luciano Bechio ( who has hardly settled down yet ) and in Snodgrass , we signed a young talent who West Brom and Boro were after and he is showing us why with great performances in the last 2 months consistently ! Enoch and Sheehan are top quality players for League 1 standards. Add to all this a fit Malcom Christie who looked sharp in the Cup game and the reserves , he is battling for a contract and wants to prove himself badly. If he does , it will be a great boost for the club. So basically , we just made our squad far better than what Wise had to play with.

Why are we still doing poor in terms of results ? Very simple . Its our defending thats costing us dear and when you have players with absolutely no confidence and who don't trust their team mates , you go through such a slump in form. Mcallister and Stan lost the dressing room , so irrespective of how hard he made them work in training , on the pitch there was no belief and unity. So in all the games we lost , we dominate the possession and put in great effort but individual errors at the back cost us dear time and again. Players quite simply stopped believing in Macca's philosophy of playing it nicely and passing it around at all times. They lost the appetite to graft it out , get hurt and put their heads on the line like how we did under Dennis Wise n Poyet.

I'm not saying we are a better team than yours . Certainly not as your lot seem far more balanced and competent. I'd still take our squad over yours as IMO we are just few signings away from finding the right balance and the rest is up to Grayson to instill the belief in them and get them performing. If he could make average lower league players in Blackpool compete with the Championship quality , I don't see why he can't convert some of our championship quality players into top league 1 stars.

Any of your back 4 would walk into our team at the moment but apart from Dyer , I can't see anybody else getting into our midfield or Up front. Douglas Delph Snodgrass/Bradley Johnson are all Championship class and I think in Bechio and Beckford , we have a Championship quality strike force again. These guys were part of a 2nd string side that thrashed Crystal Palace and outclassed Derby County. I don't think they become bad players over night Hopefully Simon Grayson agrees with me.

[Samilktray]

Dont see the point in coming in peace mate.

Most arses on here will just give you grief anyway.

LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS!

[demon_dog]

Welcome to any opposition fan who comes in peace.

Needless to say you all welcome Grayson with open arms, it's someone who was linked with us prior to NP taking over.

If I recall correctly we asked Blackpools permission to talk to him, but were turned down.

You should do ok under him as he's a good manager.

However, what are your thoughts on the fact that Blackpool are reporting Leeds to the FA for illegally approaching their manager.

According to reports Blackpool turned down four requests from yourselves to talk to Grayson, yet you still approached him.

It's also reported that Blackpool may take court action against Grayson for breaking his contract.

Is this typical Ken Bates tactics, thinking he can ride roughshod over anyone in order to get his way?

[Darkzzz_]

Merry Xmas everyone - totally forgot !!

I feel that our squad is marginally better because last season , we finished 2nd in the league ( barring the 15 points ) with a far worse squad. We have not sold anyone vital to our team , we have had 2 future England Internationals coming through in Fabian Delph and Aiden White , we signed League 1's best player for years in Andy Robinson , we picked up a gem in Luciano Bechio ( who has hardly settled down yet ) and in Snodgrass , we signed a young talent who West Brom and Boro were after and he is showing us why with great performances in the last 2 months consistently ! Enoch and Sheehan are top quality players for League 1 standards. Add to all this a fit Malcom Christie who looked sharp in the Cup game and the reserves , he is battling for a contract and wants to prove himself badly. If he does , it will be a great boost for the club. So basically , we just made our squad far better than what Wise had to play with.

Why are we still doing poor in terms of results ? Very simple . Its our defending thats costing us dear and when you have players with absolutely no confidence and who don't trust their team mates , you go through such a slump in form. Mcallister and Stan lost the dressing room , so irrespective of how hard he made them work in training , on the pitch there was no belief and unity. So in all the games we lost , we dominate the possession and put in great effort but individual errors at the back cost us dear time and again. Players quite simply stopped believing in Macca's philosophy of playing it nicely and passing it around at all times. They lost the appetite to graft it out , get hurt and put their heads on the line like how we did under Dennis Wise n Poyet.

I'm not saying we are a better team than yours . Certainly not as your lot seem far more balanced and competent. I'd still take our squad over yours as IMO we are just few signings away from finding the right balance and the rest is up to Grayson to instill the belief in them and get them performing. If he could make average lower league players in Blackpool compete with the Championship quality , I don't see why he can't convert some of our championship quality players into top league 1 stars.

Any of your back 4 would walk into our team at the moment but apart from Dyer , I can't see anybody else getting into our midfield or Up front. Douglas Delph Snodgrass/Bradley Johnson are all Championship class and I think in Bechio and Beckford , we have a Championship quality strike force again. These guys were part of a 2nd string side that thrashed Crystal Palace and outclassed Derby County. I don't think they become bad players over night Hopefully Simon Grayson agrees with me.

[Bryn]

You're a few signings away from finding the right balance... we already have it...

I hate these arguments because they're so subjective but at least talk sense. No disrespect intended, all in the name of debate.

[yessae]

Let me just restate my opinion. I said I'd take my squad over yours not my 11 over yours. There is a difference and thats what I ve illustrated in the previous post. We are few additions and a good manager away from really justifying our tag as the favourites to win this league at the start of the season.

Having said that , I don't know as much as you guys about your squad and vice verza . The little I know is not just based on ITV's Championship , I do read this board then and there while I ve seen some of your players in the past etc . So I was not trying to make a sweeping statement , like someone said , I would obviously be a bit biased

There is a reason why I expect you guys to maul us as its too early for Simon to have any kind of impact and even with 32000 fans behind the team in white , we have some very basic issues to sort out that will take time or change in personnel ! Neither which is available to Grayson for the Leicester game . If for some reason you don't turn up on Boxing day , I have a feeling that it will be the turning point of our season with Grayson.

[Wezleylowski]

Everyone is getting a rock on over Fabian Delph but what has he actually done in terms of goals and assists? 4 goals and 3 assists in 17 league games is good , but he's no Andy King.

[Webbo]

I know you must have discussed it to death about Simon Grayson of all the people replacing Mcallister. How do you lads feel about that ?

I think he's a good appointment, I really wanted him to come here after Ollie got sacked, can't complain about Pearson though.

[Daggers]

Sheehan

top quality player

You're just here to take the piss.

[yessae]

[is this typical Ken Bates tactics, thinking he can ride roughshod over anyone in order to get his way?

/i]

We are not exactly sure on this one as we dunno who's facts to believe. Blackpool's version of the story is that we made an illegal approach but they don't exactly justify that in their argument. They say that we approached them first , they rejected our offer , they made an announcement on their website and it went national , Simon offered his resignation the next day , they rejected that as well ( how can you do that ? ) and we announced his signing Illegally ! Thats what Blackpool say.

Bates' version is that we made an approach on Sunday , they said no . They immediately put the news on Public Domain , Simon got to know about it and he had a clause in his contract that allows him to leave under some circumstances. We approached them again the next day , they rejected our offer and by this time Simon submitted his resignation , which they claim to have rejected but I dunno how they can do that. Anyways , in Bates' books , Simon becomes a free agent then and we immediately signed him up. Bates keeps saying that we went by the books and is very confident of coming through the case unscathed.

The League Managers Association also seem to be backing Bates on this one for a change , so the fans are not too anxious I would say.

@ Burnham - Yes , I never disagreed , which is why you guys are a much better team than ours right now and should be disappointed if you don't win. I know my argument was Hypothetical but hey , I'd backed this squad at the start of the season and I shall still do , instead of jumping ships just because the results didn't go our way. Like I said before , players don't become poor over night. These are the same guys that finished 2nd in the league last year and we added even better players to the squad. I don't see why I should hesitate in being honest about how I feel bout this squad when compared to yours. I remember telling some of the Leeds fans at the start of the season when I had a look at your 11 , how it looks far more balanced than ours.

[SantiagoFox]

I think he's a good appointment, I really wanted him to come here after Ollie got sacked, can't complain about Pearson though.

Ditto.

A good appointment for you.

Leeds heritage, and has done well against us.

Let's hope he can't quite make an effect for a couple of days.

[Father Ted]

I feel that our squad is marginally better because last season , we finished 2nd in the league ( barring the 15 points ) with a far worse squad. We have not sold anyone vital to our team , we have had 2 future England Internationals coming through in Fabian Delph and Aiden White , we signed League 1's best player for years in Andy Robinson , we picked up a gem in Luciano Bechio ( who has hardly settled down yet ) and in Snodgrass , we signed a young talent who West Brom and Boro were after and he is showing us why with great performances in the last 2 months consistently ! Enoch and Sheehan are top quality players for League 1 standards. Add to all this a fit Malcom Christie who looked sharp in the Cup game and the reserves , he is battling for a contract and wants to prove himself badly. If he does , it will be a great boost for the club. So basically , we just made our squad far better than what Wise had to play with.

Future England internationals - well if you can say that we can say that Matty Fryatt and Joe Mattock are future England internationals. Aiden White? Who???

League 1's best player for years in Andy Robinson - he's just a fatter version of Danny Tiatto!

Becchio is too inconsistent and Robert Snodgrass is just a total pile of shit. I watched him against Histon and he was rolling around on the floor every 30 seconds for a free-kick.

Enoch and Sheehan top quality players

And Malcolm Christie Sick-note wouldn't get anywhere near our first-team.

If I was to merge ours and your team together it would be:

Henderson

Gilbert Tunchev Hobbs Mattock

Oakley Davies King Dyer

Howard Fryatt

Did you notice that not even the 'overrated' Beckford isn't in there?