Patches O Houlihan

RM at the Leeds press conference announced that Ross was pissed off he wasn't in the squad last weekend, and will be on the bench for today's game. Could be a great lift for the team today if he plays 35 mins and scores. (maybe not Che or Arma though!)

I’m not sure about the wider strategy, but I think THB has been canny: > CB is a position renowned for teams preferring experience. > Big PL teams want ball playing centre backs who can defend against breakaways. > You don’t get that experience as a young player at a bottom half side in the PL, and unless you are exceptional won’t get it in a top half PL side. Winning promotion with Burnley as a ball playing CB was ideal experience. Repeating that experience again this season rather than staying with Burnley will have been good for his long term career. Perhaps there is a chance he might stay even if we don’t go up - depends how loud the clamour for him is from mid table PL teams. I think Baz will ultimately do fine out of signing for us in the same way - it will maximise his opportunity to develop his talent. Whether that talent has a high enough ceiling is another matter. I don’t think Lavia, Livramento or Sam Edozie have harmed their careers by signing for us. Whilst Charly Alcaraz hasn’t astounded on the pitch for us, he did get an opportunity at Juve - that he didn’t take it is down to him (or his talent level) Ballard is on loan. Dibling & Megahoma are at least back on the bench. SAA did get a go earlier in the season but he is still very young. I would like to see him on the bench though for some games.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hsp54w Jack is going to be really important for the team this week

Say what you like about Jack. But he's a stand up guy.

I agree tonight we don't have one. But a week ago Baz would have been playing 10m further forward, Flynn would be bossing it and passing to Stu who was making himself available instead of hiding like Rothwell.

Nothing to do with the spine of the team being ripped out over the last few games. All Russ's fault definitely 😉

3-4. Boro in behind again, and Leeds have taken all their attacking talent off

Leeds have played a backs against the wall defence for the second half. They were able to score a 4th on almost their only break, but Middlesborough keep getting in behind them. Fraser, Smallbone, Arma & Adams have all been successful with similar moves this season. Can't see us keeping a clean sheet against Leeds though.

Leeds under pressure. More goals in this one. HT

2-3 Leeds - should have been offside

2-2

We have a 100% record against Leeds this season. Don't know why you are so certain

1-2 Leeds

Middleborough properly fired up for this - great game so far

Leeds one down after 7 mins

Middleborough are one up after 7 mins

So normally you should give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team...

If I recall correctly he was promoted twice as a player; once through autos and once in the playoffs. That might help. But he would need to recognise the importance of a suitably robust midfield even during the last 25 mins of a match.

We've lost 4 and drawn 7 with him playing. The WBA win we had Charles playing CDM. Flynn is magic in this league, but if we actually played another midfielder with a defensive mindset it would make a big difference. Despite the first half today Smallbone isn't that player, although Aribo being a big lad definitely improves our midfield with Smallbone as the anchor. Imagine if we had Jack Cork available, when Downes wasn't. (Obviously I would also take Romeu, JWP, Schnederlin, Wanyama too - but probably unrealistic in the Championship!) You could see the car crash coming today when he brought Aribo off, essentially surrendering the midfield

Scored three today, if we don't play him he will leave like several of our talented youngsters already have

If Ipswich are in the playoffs they might loose to Norwich in their semi... [clutches at straws]

So to cap a shite day the skates lifted the bloody trophy at the hole they call a ground. But at least they did loose to wigan beforehand. Days like today blow goats

Only idiot managers chew out their players in public. How do you know he isn't tough on them behind closed doors? Macca instead of Lumley isn't the kind of soft choice you're referring to. --- That said I'm beyond frustrated today. Whilst the starting team did great (except for the woeful finishing) I really think we should have started with Charles instead of Smallbone, and the second half subs were ridiculous: > Fraser & Edozie have never played together for obvious reasons > Stu needs to be subbed by 75 mins; but instead was asked to prop up a midfield full of lightweights because there was no Downes/Aribo/Charles. It's no wonder he's gone down with what looks like a career ending injury. > I would rather see SAA come on than Kameltoe - has always been far more effective Brookes to learn to play Stu's role against Leicester, with Fraser and Arma as the wingers. SAA & Edozie to come on when they tire.

and he's out of contract at the end of the season

Let’s get Charles on