Sheaf Saint

Oh no. this looks bad.

Adams on for Bednarek? Jan did get a knock in the first half, and I guess it kind of solves a problem for Russ in that he can now play his captain in his natural position.

We need a new LB.

Then, with the best will in the world, maybe you should trust the word of those who are watching instead of sniping. Manning's defending is utterly diabolical. he simply isn't, and never will be, a defender.

Bree is still injured.

Leeds 2-0 up now

Lovely move to set Stephens up there. Desperately unlucky.

I think RM made a rod for his own back when he gave him the captaincy. THB and Bednarek have forged such a good partnership while he's been out injured that neither can be dropped, so Russ seems to be trying too hard to fit him in purely because he's the captain.

Leeds winning

What on Earth was Manning doing for that move? Jesus!

He did get a yellow.

Good header from THB but too close to Gunn.

That's a let off.

Was just thinking exactly the same. Where's Holgate? Has he returned to Everton already? Who else do we have?

There are never guarantees, but in Holgate's case it will likely trigger additional payments, as Everton have been known to use this kind of clause to encourage more game time for loanees. (Source: straight from the mouth of an Everton player who was out on loan twice last season)

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/30/britons-brexit-bad-uk-poll-eu-finances-nhs Brexit has completely failed for UK, say clear majority of Britons – poll Only one in 10 feel leaving the EU has helped their finances, while just 9% say it has benefited the NHS, despite £350m a week pledge according to new poll

Exactly. Just sensationalising a non event. The actual headline here is "Football manager asked loaded question and gives honest reply". And, of course, our resident Tory cheerleader, who loves to call lefties 'snowflakes', gets massively triggered by it. Bless him.

2 points behind. They were on 53 after 25 games, and in the middle of an insane run of 10 consecutive wins.

The obvious one here being Manning, so we would badly need a new LB, even taking into account that Perraud is still our player and would be back with us next season. That aside, I think our defence would be mostly OK back in the PL, considering we have a deal to make THB permanent if we go up, and we would have ABK back from loan at PSV. We obviously already have a more than adequate RB in KWP as well. Anybody know of any decent LBs with a double-barrelled surname we coukd sign so they would fit in?

Indeed. We have a better points haul now than we had after the same number of games in our last promotion season in 2011/12.

Meh, forget them. Nobody catching them now. They took points off Ipswich the other day and that's the best we can hope for.

Leeds lose again. They didn't look any great shakes tonight either. We started the festive season just behind them and now we're 6 points ahead and breathing down Ipswich's neck, having reduced an 11 point deficit to just 3. Happy days.

FT at Portman Road 0-0.

Yep. Only 4 points clear of 3rd now with an inferior GD. Will be so funny if they fuck it up from here.

That Leeds kit is fucking hideous.