PBP: Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, All Games

I would argue that McKennie's was actually the most successful of the lot despite the fan's hatred of him. Most of the press has described his appearances as "fine to not great", but never outright "bad". But if you ask a LUFC supporter, they'd argue that he's been the main reason the midfield looks like ass (not that Tyler Adams was the sole finger plugging the dike). Him holding down a starting spot across 4 different coaches is honestly impressive!

 

Goal for Harrison immediately answered by Kane.

3-1

 

Freddy Adu certainly had some bad ones, Belononsense, Monaco.....

 

I meant to post this when Spurs scored again:

 

I thought fans couldn't hate a player more than how Chelsea fans hate Pulisic, but what Leeds fans feel for Wes is just another level. Wow. I wouldn't go out in the area if I were him.

 

Already relegated Southampton showing Leeds what it is to have heart and guts by drawing 4-4 (!!!! damn 4) versus Liverpool. Team with everything to play for (Leeds) played like a team with nothing on the line.

This might not be the place to post this, but I don’t know of a general YA thread not specific to any players, so will post here:
Raise your hand if you’re pissed both Arsenal and Dortmund crapped away a Yank’s chance of winning their league (even if the Yank wouldn’t have been a huge part of winning the league. Ask Steffen how it felt to get a medal.)

 

It seemed like when Aaronson came on at 59' the momentum picked up as if everybody on the team got that Marsch rhythm going, making the opponent feel 'em, getting to the ball first, etc. etc and the fotmob momentum chart confirms as much
Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur - live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats. (fotmob.com)

And sure enough, Leeds score 8 minutes later at 67' mark. And, of course, just as with Marsch's team, the opponent quickly counters with a goal - at 69'.

Nobody ever got that thing Leeds had right. Marsch couldn't fix it, not Gracia, not Big Sam. I haven't heard anybody come up with a convincing plan either. I thought at one point that a 352 would solve the defensive problem but Leeds' personnel in the attack were not really suited for that formation. Plus, Adams got injured.

The team that gives up the most goals in the Prem in any season goes down. Leeds gave up the most goals - 78.

 

Weird how differently people can see a player.

 

Paul Carr is posting some interesting alternative tables:

And the PL table by expected goal difference... https://t.co/kyghmHHQE1 pic.twitter.com/3FFhCW5Pva

— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) May 28, 2023

bottom of the PL table by goal difference

14) Leicester -17
15) Everton -23
16) Wolverhampton -27
17) Leeds -30
18) Nottingham Forest -30
19) Bournemouth -34
20) Southampton -37

sometimes it just ain't your year

— Michael Caley (@MC_of_A) May 28, 2023

So, as bad as it went, Marsch Ball could've maybe possibly (but honestly probably not) saved them.

 

Leeds fans will not have control of top team transfer budgets, however...

 

When I complained about how poor Rutter was shortly after he was bought for a club record fee, I was told he was one for the future and was chastised for criticizing him. There will be a post in reply to this one saying how good he was when he came on today.

Ironically, with Leeds' future in the Championship, Rutter really will be a man for the future and should do fine.

 

Rutter was a bigger flop than Aaronson. And those were their #2 and #1 most expensive acquisitions, too.

 

The Rutter move screamed "Victor Orta is playing 5d chess against himself during a boxing match". If the idea was that he would be someone to buy at $35m and sell in a few years for $60m, I gotta admit that I just don't see it.

I agree 100% that Leeds' relegation might've been the best thing for his career. He needs play-time more than anything else.

 

Leeds before firing Jesse Marsch: 4W-6D-10L — 18 points (0.9 PPG)
Leeds after firing Jesse Marsch: 3W-4D-11L — 13 points (0.72 PPG)

Not great under Marsch, but it's not like it got any better.

Leeds w/ Adams: 5W-8D-11L (0.96 PPG)
Leeds w/out Adams: 2W-2D-10L (0.57 PPG)

Okay! https://t.co/0jqFzS3GPF

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 28, 2023

 

Marsch's stats getting the piggy back ride from Adams.

 

Marsch bringing Adams in, and Adams staying healthy, should've saved Marsch's season and very much seems like it would've saved Leeds' season. And $50 mil for Adams + Aaronson is good business since Adams looked like a $50 mil player, and Aaronson $5 mil...10% profit!

 

erm, Does Jack Harrison not count a bit? Or is that just clutching on straws?

 

The Harrison and Rodrigo injuries certainly hurt a bit, but I don't think they're the difference between 17th place and 18th place (or 19th, as the case may be). IMO, Harrison's absence was kinda-sorta papered over by Gnoto having a brief run of good form.

 

I'm a lot less rah-rah on Adams than most here. He showed a consistent lack of vision to fire attacks up the field, and his role was mainly covering holes and keep his passing conservative.

I know he has excellent defensive stats, but a lot more than just defending is required from a modern DM. I'd be surprised if he moves to a top team as a starter. Maybe as the backup DM. But it's more likely he goes to a lower-half club in a top league. Hopefully.

 

Depends who's looking. Fbref disagrees with you. Check their stats on tackles and blocks.

 

Adams, to my eye, has improved a lot in his first touch and layoffs to teammates. He's very much a defend and shuffle the ball to a teammate type of player, but it definitely helped Leeds' cause when he was on the field. I'd agree, he's probably best served going to a team set up to defend more than attack, but he's a poor man's Kante and Kante was once a poor man's Kante as well.