This week on the Marching On Together Leeds United Podcast, Daniel and Lee look back on Leeds’ first win of the season away at Sheffield Wednesday. Then amidst too many Oasis puns, the pair discuss Leeds two incoming signings.
Plus! A look ahead to the visit of Hull City to Elland Road.
Plus! A look ahead to the visit of Hull City to Elland Road.
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00:00Well, hello and welcome back to the Marching On Together Leeds United podcast. Leeds have
00:22won a game. The season is up and running officially, I think is how we can start this podcast.
00:27Obviously, as always, I'm joined by my partner in crime on these podcasts, Lee from the Yorkshire
00:33Evening Post. Lee, you can actually be positive for a change, can't you? Because Leeds have won a game.
00:39Definitely, it's a double whammy. They've won a game and they've got some signings. So what more do you
00:43want, really? Now it's all about...
00:45Can we just end the season? Can we just end it all now and just say, well, that's it?
00:49That's it. Now it's just about winning the division. Well, no one cares about that. They just
00:52care about getting up. But I think everybody cares about not being play off. So first or second will
00:56do just nice. Look, there's a long way to go yet, obviously, but there was definitely lots of
01:01positive signs in the win at Sheffield Wednesday. And I think it was one of those games going to
01:05Hillsborough where not many people knew what to expect, really. Leeds were odds on favourites and a
01:09lot of people were sort of saying, really, you know, why would there be odds on favourites, etc?
01:13I mean, they've probably got a better spot, well, they have got a better spot than Sheffield Wednesday,
01:16but Sheffield Wednesday had been improving. Obviously, under Danny Rowell, obviously, you had
01:19the Leeds game at West Brom where they just showed very little up front, albeit they were good at the
01:24back. So no questions to answer, really. But obviously, there was the boost the night before with
01:28Largi Ramazzani signing, which we'll talk about in a minute, you know, a separate one for that. But that
01:32was obviously a big boost. And then obviously the game itself, and it was a very, very good
01:35performance. And to be honest, 2-0 victory is one of those where that probably flatters Sheffield
01:40Wednesday a little bit, really. I feel like Leeds probably were valued for winning a bit more than
01:44that. Not that they had like an absolute abundance of chances, but they did look just very, like, you
01:48know, good at both ends, very solid at the back, which is obviously what you want. That's back to
01:52clean sheets in the league, obviously. But with a lot more up front this time, and both goals, very,
01:56very nice goals. And, you know, I won't want to get too carried away, but the first one reminded me
02:00a bit of Marcelo Bielsa football, to be honest, but I won't quite go down that avenue. But it was
02:04very much like that straight out from the back, you know, one pass, one touch, you know, bang, bang,
02:08bang up the other end. And then Matteo Joseph taken out when he looked like scoring. And then
02:12Brendan Aronson, of all people, popping up with the goal. So he's well on his way back. Obviously,
02:17that was his second goal already. And redemption seems to be continuing for him. And yeah, I think
02:22obviously, you know, fans were a little bit, you know, angry with him at first, obviously, on his
02:26return. That's natural. But I mean, as long as he, as everybody always says, you know, the way to win
02:30fans over is to perform. And that's what he's doing. And obviously, he's producing end products.
02:33And it was nice to see him applauded off when he got subbed. So that was that. And then obviously,
02:37the second goal with Dan James and then superb through ball from Matteo Joseph for that. Joseph
02:43obviously still waiting for his first goal as the sort of like new main striker, if you like.
02:47I mean, obviously, you know, you can't say that's set in stone. So it depends on what happens with
02:50Bamford. But Bamford's still injured as we speak. So Joseph's certainly going to set to continue
02:55there for the time being. And I do see him now as probably the first choice striker. He didn't score,
02:59but beautiful through ball and Dan James with a lovely finish. And there are other chances as well.
03:03There are a bit of Jeff Wensley at the moment. He looked dangerous at set pieces, etc. But yeah,
03:07we're job done, basically. And I think everybody was very pleased. And all of a sudden, it changes
03:11things because you go into that with two points out of six and you're thinking, you know, not a
03:14good start. And then obviously, that's now five, that becomes five points out of nine, which is,
03:18you know, a little bit easier to swallow. Definitely a little bit better. And then obviously,
03:22you know, even on the next day, you start seeing teams slip up. I mean, Burnley, obviously, you
03:27know, losing their 100% start against Sunderland, who obviously have won three out of three. But
03:33Burnley obviously was seen as the main sort of title rivals. And it's very early to say that.
03:36And even this weekend, Daniel, even at the weekend, the odds changed in terms of leads
03:40actually did really become favourites for the league, even just by virtue of that win at Chef
03:45Wednesday and Burnley slip it up. So you can't say anything, but it was a positive weekend for
03:50leads. Most definitely, you know, a million twists and turns to come. Yeah, obviously starting off
03:55with the transfer window. But yeah, it was the season up and running in a true sense of a victory.
04:01But it was more, it was also up and running in terms of the performance as well, I think. And
04:04also the signing as well of Ramazani. So it all sort of dovetailed in together for what was a
04:09pretty positive weekend, really, I think, for Leeds United, which was needed.
04:13Yes, certainly. So yes, after the start of the season in May in terms of the,
04:17you know, the first game against Portsmouth, then the Middlesbrough loss, then West Brom,
04:21all of the sort of the perhaps early season nerves, a bit of disappointment, of course,
04:25all the outgoings it had as well. It has just been a nerve settler and a bit of a demonstration
04:31that Leeds are still a good side and that it just perhaps was getting things sorted out the club in
04:36terms of who was coming out, who was coming in. And now that's all starting to happen. Now the
04:41wheels are turning a little bit, things can perhaps settle down. One more game, of course,
04:45before the international break, which we'll come to in a bit. But it just feels a little bit more
04:50calm, I think now after a frantic few weeks. Of course, on the transfer
05:06front, there is some movement as well in terms of incomings. Of course, we've been through all
05:11the outgoings so far this summer, but there is finally going to be, by the looks of it,
05:16a replacement for Crisenzio Somerville. Now, I'm not entirely sure how you pronounce this name, Lee,
05:20so I'm going to leave it to you to introduce him. I think it's not a too bad one in terms
05:25of Largi Ramazzani. I think we'll get away with that. I wasn't sure if it was Lar-gee or Lar-gee.
05:32Yeah, we'll go with either. We'll just say Ramazzani for now, then, and then we'll wait
05:35until there's a few more interviews and stuff, and he might even tell us himself or whatever.
05:39He's obviously a big sign-in and very much seen as Crisenzio Somerville's replacement. Now,
05:44obviously, that's a big thing to say, and they are big boots to fill, obviously,
05:48when you're trying to come in and replace the Championships Player of the Year.
05:52And Daniel Farke has readily admitted himself, basically, that in terms of replacing the
05:56attackers, i.e. Somerville and Routier, you're not just going to be able to get somebody in
05:59like-for-like, because that's the magnitude of the players that they're following in.
06:03But he does look a very good sign-in in his own right. He looks like a player on a very big
06:07upward curve. £10 million for him, still a good age at 23 years old. So, obviously, an awful lot,
06:13probably, of improvements have come from him. And even as it stands now, he's a player who's
06:17had a big impact in La Liga with Almiria, who have obviously just been relegated.
06:22But he was at 62 games in La Liga and six goals and seven assists, so that's not bad at his age,
06:27obviously. He's still learning the game and that might not be an absolute hatful of goals and
06:32assists, but that's in La Liga, you know, and this is a championship. So, I think everybody
06:36fully expects him to be a massive success in the championship, whether he can quite
06:39repeat what Somerville did or even go close to that remains to be seen. And obviously,
06:43he'll have to settle in first and foremost. But yeah, I think a player who can, obviously,
06:46he's seen as a winger, but can probably play anywhere. I think most players can probably
06:50play anywhere across the front line, really, you know, like in terms of, unless you're like
06:54an out-and-out number nine striker, like a Harry Kane or somebody like that. I mean,
06:57he can play other positions, but I suspect he can play any of them. Certainly, as a number 10,
07:02if needed, whether he's an upfront sort of person remains to be seen, but probably,
07:07basically going to be seen as a winger. Looks quick, skillful, as I say, he's already got
07:11goals and assists to his names. Obviously, got English experience as well in terms of, yes,
07:15he's a Belgian, born in Belgium, youth international, but moved to the country
07:20when he was fairly young, obviously, at Charlton and then at Manchester United.
07:24So he's sort of seen as a homegrown player or whatever, only had one appearance for Man U,
07:28then went off to Almeria in Spain and basically just been going from sort of strength to strength
07:32there and this looks like the right sort of move for him. So I think, basically, it sort of seems
07:36to tick every box, really, probably a good move for the player, you know, coming to a team that
07:40are hopefully going to get promoted or definitely be challenging for promotion and there'll be
07:43massive disappointment if Leeds aren't promoted. And for Leeds, you know, he should tick all the
07:48boxes, as I say, he looks like he already made some of a replacement. I think a lot of people
07:52have been saying this certainly looks like some of a replacement on social media because he's very
07:56much got the sort of Instagram thing going on with all the sort of like fancy videos and stuff and
08:00arriving on a plane and stuff. And he's one of them players that even though he's not even played
08:04yet, you sort of, you already sense he's got a bit of star quality about him, you know. So,
08:07but I mean, look, he's not even played yet. So let's give him time to settle in and stuff and
08:11not expect too much too soon. But I think everybody was definitely pretty excited by that sign. And as
08:15I say, it's not like a, you know, I mean, 10 million's a decent whack in a championship,
08:19obviously, but it's not like, you know, it's like, you know, move to heaven and earth in terms of
08:23like absolutely smashing the budget to go and get him. I think it's a reasonable price. I think it
08:27looks like a good deal and exciting times. And obviously, you know, didn't sign in time to feature
08:31at Chef Wednesday, but, you know, he'll be up and running now and stuff. And yeah, like any new
08:36player, as you know, Daniel needs time to settle, but he'd already started the season with Almir in
08:40Spain. So he's, you know, he's had pre-season, he's had games. So I don't think he's like coming
08:44in where he's like going to need like weeks and weeks to get in there. I think he'll be, I think
08:47he'll be pretty quickly up and running. Whether he can get in straight away remains to be seen,
08:52but I think when you, you know, sign in someone like that and, you know, with the sort of credentials
08:56he's got, I'd be surprised if he didn't become a first team regular and hopefully a very exciting
09:00one. So yeah, a big, big, big sign in. There are obviously, you know, other signings earlier this
09:04summer, but I mean, in terms of the attacking one, that's the biggest one so far, obviously,
09:08and probably the biggest signing there is so far anyway. Obviously, Joe Roden coming in was massive,
09:12which people forget about, haven't been on loan, but yeah, a very, very good sign in. And I think
09:17just exciting to see what he can do. And his celebrations, looks like he's got some nice flips
09:20when he scores. So we'll be pleased to see then. Hopefully we'll see him sooner rather than later.
09:25Well, yes, I've always enjoyed an acrobatic celebration, to be honest, when it comes to goals.
09:30But yeah, just to make clear, we're no longer looking back in anger on the day that Oasis has
09:40reformed about Cricencio Somerville's departure because Leeds are...
09:44Absolutely.
09:45Yeah, I've been through all those lists and you can crucify me
09:48in the comments for trying to put that little reference in.
09:50But yeah, some might say they're going in the right direction now. So yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
09:56That was actually good. That was Lee, well done.
09:59Beer all day with those, yeah.
10:01I can applaud that one because that's pretty good.
10:03Right, let's roll with it on to the next signing then, shall we?
10:06Oh, wow. It's even better.
10:08Here we go. Yeah.
10:14Yes, well, so we have, of course, that signing to come.
10:25And then there's another one as well in Manon Solomon from Tottenham.
10:29Now, again, you know, someone who's got that experience of the English game.
10:34Again, it just looks like a shrewd sign, doesn't it?
10:36Someone who's going to come in and most likely hit the ground relatively
10:41quickly and hit the ground running.
10:43Yeah, I think so. I suppose the only question mark with him really is obviously the injury.
10:48So obviously, he went to Fulham on loan and did very, very well there in the Premier League.
10:53Obviously, I think he scored five games in a row, didn't he?
10:56Or certainly five of his appearances in a row at Fulham.
10:58So obviously, he had a big impact in the Premier League there.
11:01Then obviously went to Tottenham and had this knee injury.
11:03And that's kept him out for some time.
11:05And so that's the thing really with him.
11:06So whereas obviously with Ramazani coming in, you know,
11:09he's expecting to be sort of like ready to roll kind of thing
11:11and be almost up and running straight away.
11:13It'd be interesting to see like how long it takes Manor Solomon to sort of get going.
11:16But obviously, Leeds wouldn't have signed him, you know, even if it's only a loan deal,
11:20you know, if there's any concerns on that score.
11:22So he hopefully shouldn't be too far off.
11:23But in terms of like, the big if is if they can keep him fit and he can have,
11:27you know, a clear run of the season,
11:29then he should be an outstanding player in the Championship.
11:32And as news was emerging that Leeds were going to get him.
11:35And I think there was a bit of doubt when obviously it took a while.
11:37But that was, you know, obviously after the news emerged at the weekend.
11:40But basically that was because it was a bank holiday weekend.
11:42And also they had to get things sorted out with Spurs and stuff.
11:44And I think the general consensus and vibe from people was that
11:47this guy could really be one of the best players in the Championship.
11:50And I think that's probably right really,
11:52because, you know, you just look at his credentials and stuff.
11:55And obviously, you know, Tottenham, you know,
11:57don't sign bad players obviously where they're at now and stuff.
12:00And, you know, went and got him obviously from Shakhtar.
12:02And as I say, he's a player with Premier League experience at Fulham.
12:06And obviously a little bit at Spurs as well, having got goals there as well.
12:09Champions League as well, obviously at Shakhtar and goals there as well.
12:13Stacks of international experience.
12:14Was it 37 caps for Israel and seven goals?
12:16I mean, that's no mean feat.
12:18And a good age at 25, you know,
12:20not someone who's sort of like, you know, still probably getting better.
12:23And obviously, you know, an awful lot future ahead of him.
12:26But a good age, like someone who should be coming in.
12:27It's all ready to go really, like I say, and stuff.
12:29So, yeah, he should be an excellent signing.
12:32And obviously talk of Ajax wanting him as well as, you know,
12:35before Leeds sealed the deal.
12:37I mean, as we speak, he hasn't signed yet,
12:38but that's expected to go through.
12:39So a player in demand.
12:41And obviously, as I say, a player that Tottenham went and signed.
12:43So, I mean, you know, you can just sort of see like why he'd be such a good sign.
12:46And as I said, the big thing with him is about the fitness
12:49and if they can keep him fit.
12:50But hopefully there's no worries on that score.
12:52Again, where he'll play.
12:54Another one you could see sort of anywhere across the front line.
12:56I suppose the thing is with Leeds is like it's always been a case of,
12:59well, who are we going to get as the new number 10, you know?
13:01And whether you see him as like the new number 10, you know,
13:04again, maybe he's more of an attacking midfielder,
13:07a straight winger.
13:08Just have to wait and see really.
13:09But as I say, most players across the front line these days are pretty versatile.
13:12So they're expecting to be able to sort of operate in any of those roles.
13:15And obviously the other thing you've got to remember with Leeds
13:18is that you've got Aronson coming back now,
13:20who very much looks like he's, you know, an excellent fit at number 10.
13:24And Willy Nonto can also play there as well.
13:26He very much drifted in in the Sheffield Wednesday game.
13:28So they've already got, especially with Solomon coming in,
13:30they'll have lots of options at number 10,
13:31whether there's like a sort of, you know,
13:34sort of real established number 10,
13:36who's just a number 10 remains to be seen.
13:38But most players, as I say, can play across the line.
13:40So, yeah, as I say, Premier League experience and goals,
13:44Champions League experience and goals, international experience,
13:46he basically ticks all the boxes, really.
13:48But the fitness thing and the knee injuries,
13:50the one sort of like thing that you'd think about,
13:52but hopefully that's not a worry.
13:54And yeah, I mean, him on the back of Ramazani
13:58is two very, very good attacking signings, no doubt about it.
14:01And, you know, and that's not going to be the end of it, hopefully.
14:03I mean, that's what we're sort of like,
14:04that's what we're thinking here,
14:05like the Leeds are going to go for it, basically.
14:07Obviously, a lot of fans getting worried in the window about,
14:09you know, basically missing out on so many targets and stuff
14:13and leaving it very, very late.
14:14But the 49ers certainly seem to be going for it
14:16in the very last week and stuff.
14:17So obviously those two coming in.
14:19And then even after that, you know,
14:20there's sort of like obviously Daniel Fark said
14:22he needs another midfielder,
14:23i.e. sort of like a centre midfielder and stuff.
14:25So obviously Ljubicic is the one they've been looking at there.
14:28And then even then they're still looking at another attacking player, hopefully.
14:30I mean, obviously Roland Salah is the big talk about him.
14:33So we'll see what happens there.
14:34And Fullback is another option,
14:35another thing that Daniel Fark has talked about.
14:37Max Aarons, obviously, is someone that they're interested in there
14:40and the other people as well.
14:41So we're speaking here before the end of the window, obviously,
14:43and things can change very, very quickly.
14:45But I mean, what we do know is that Largi Ramazzani has signed
14:48and Mano Solomon is about to follow him in as we speak now.
14:50And both of those are very, very good signings.
14:52And it's a massive, massive thing when you lose Somerville and Routier,
14:56obviously, you know, like two huge players.
14:58And I think between the two of them,
14:59it was 50 goal involvements between the two of them.
15:01I mean, that's massive, you know, in terms of goals and assists.
15:03But those two should go not a long, long way to sort of like
15:06help them fill that void,
15:07especially when you've got Aronson coming back
15:10and you've got Joseph developing and hopefully Nantes sort of,
15:12you know, sticking around and thriving too.
15:14So looking a lot, lot better.
15:15And, you know, with players like that coming in,
15:17you can see why Leeds are suddenly favourites again to win the league.
15:20Yeah, no, I fully agree.
15:21I mean, obviously, knee injury aside,
15:24it's building a squad that can aim with the championship and get out of it.
15:28But also then compete in the Premier League as well,
15:30because you've got to consider that because
15:31you don't want to have to go to the Premier League
15:33and then have to spend an awful lot more money.
15:35You obviously have to do some reinforcements
15:37because you need depth going into the league above.
15:39But you need to build a squad that's,
15:41A, as I say, good enough to win this or get out of this league.
15:44And then also be good enough to compete
15:47and stay in the league above as well.
15:49It's a really good point.
15:50It's a really good point, actually.
15:51And that's something Daniel Farke has said himself
15:53at quite a few presses before.
15:55He's basically said that, obviously,
15:57he wants to be the man to take this club into the Premier League.
15:59I mean, that's the goal, isn't it?
16:00Obviously, that is the chief goal at the moment.
16:02And let's not get carried away
16:04just because the title favourites means nothing.
16:06I mean, they might end up sort of having a disastrous season,
16:08but I can't see it.
16:09I mean, I'd be amazed if Leeds were...
16:11I would be amazed if they weren't at the very least
16:13challenging for automatic promotion, if not sealing it.
16:15They really should be with that squad.
16:17But Daniel Farke has always said that
16:20hopefully once he takes Leeds up or gets them there,
16:23and speaking very honestly,
16:25because you know things can change quickly,
16:26however long he's around,
16:28he wants to take Leeds up
16:30and to have Leeds in the Premier League,
16:32as you quite rightly say,
16:33with a squad that can survive.
16:34And not just survive,
16:35survive and thrive in the Premier League.
16:38Not just go up and then suddenly go straight back down again
16:41and just be struggling around.
16:42I mean, obviously, under Marcelo,
16:43they had an excellent first season back.
16:45And then, obviously, you can talk all day
16:46about whether the ball should have stuck with Marcelo, et cetera.
16:49I mean, in the end, obviously,
16:50the Premier League stay came to a very, very quick end.
16:54But yeah, that is a very, very good point.
16:56You know, and obviously, Solomon's just a loan deal.
16:58But I mean, I don't think there's any option to buy,
16:59but you never know what happens in the future.
17:01But Ramazani's one for the long term, isn't he?
17:04And, you know, you've got people like Ampadu,
17:06a young captain and stuff,
17:07and they've got Roden on a permanent deal.
17:08So it's basically building a squad,
17:11quite rightly as you say,
17:12that should be capable of getting out of this division,
17:14but should also, with a few additions,
17:16once they hopefully get there,
17:18you know, be more than good enough to survive and move on.
17:20Because that's what people want for this football club.
17:21They don't want to be bobbing around
17:22between Premier League and Championship constantly.
17:24You know, they want to be sort of in the Premier League
17:26and challenging long term.
17:28That's not a big thing, but this is Leeds United.
17:30That's what people want.
17:32Exactly, you can't afford to become a yo-yo club,
17:34you know, like others have them,
17:36because it's not sustainable,
17:37because then, you know, you're going back and forth
17:39and your squad's unsettled.
17:41Players come, players go,
17:43a very quick succession.
17:44So it's not good for the club.
17:46But yes, so far it's been,
17:49well, I say so far in this last week or so,
17:51it's been a lot more positive for Leeds.
17:52As we have said.
18:03Of course, to come is a fixture against Hull City.
18:07Now, I found a whole bit of an enigma this season,
18:09because of course, last season,
18:11they were pretty good under Liam Rossinia.
18:14And yes, they spent a lot of money,
18:16didn't quite make the playoffs,
18:17but you thought, OK,
18:18give them another crack at it this season,
18:20they might be quite decent.
18:21Of course, they went and sacked Liam Rossinia,
18:23which I thought was an interesting move,
18:25to say the least.
18:27I'm not really sure, to be honest.
18:29So it's a game where, given,
18:32I think if Leeds hadn't won a Sheffield Wednesday,
18:34you'd think this could be another real challenge.
18:36But I think now that they did win at Hillsborough,
18:39is it perhaps, I'm not going to say a formality,
18:41but again, you expect Leeds to go into this one
18:44and they've obviously been favourites,
18:46but you expect them to go in and win this game
18:49and go into the international break on a high
18:52and the transfer window ends
18:53and then, hopefully,
18:55then they're sort of into the rhythm.
18:59Yeah, definitely.
18:59I think you summarised it really well.
19:01I mean, it basically feels quite similar
19:04to the Portsmouth game, I think, going into that.
19:06Obviously, the difference with that
19:07was obviously Portsmouth are newly promoted
19:08and stuff are new to the division,
19:09but I think everybody realises
19:11that they're probably going to be all right,
19:13Portsmouth, in terms of like,
19:14they'll probably be a little bit better
19:15than just someone who just scraps round at the bottom,
19:16got a very good young manager
19:18and Hull, obviously, I mean, yeah, you're right.
19:20I mean, it just remains to be seen what happens to them.
19:22They've lost some big players as well this summer
19:24and obviously, they've got a new manager coming in
19:26but they've got to remember,
19:27at the end of the day so far,
19:28they are unbeaten.
19:28I mean, I know it's only three draws,
19:30but they haven't lost yet.
19:31So, that's the first thing I think out of this game
19:33is like, they haven't conceded many.
19:34I mean, they've only scored two,
19:35but they've only conceded two as well.
19:37So, draws against Bristol City,
19:38Plymouth and Millwall so far.
19:40So, that suggests they're going to be quite solid
19:42and maybe hard to break down
19:43and that's sort of,
19:44they're the sort of team sometimes
19:46if they're going to do that
19:48and sit back and make it hard to break them down.
19:51That could be quite interesting whether,
19:52you know, how long they can sort of see that out.
19:54I mean, obviously, they'll have ambition and intent
19:55to try and do stuff with their friend themselves as well.
19:57So, it might be a frustrating one
19:59from that point of view.
20:01But I mean, realistically,
20:02like, I mean, obviously,
20:03after that Sheffield Wednesday victory
20:04and the spring in the step
20:05and the feel-good factor
20:06and hopefully the signings all coming in
20:08and it going well,
20:09then it should all point to like,
20:10you know, Leeds being strong favourites
20:12and getting that win to sort of take them onto
20:14what would be eight points out of a possible 12.
20:16And that'd be, you know,
20:18a pretty good return, really.
20:19I mean, it should be more
20:20because it should have been, you know,
20:21they obviously should have got three against Portsmouth,
20:22but they didn't.
20:23So, no point thinking about what they should have got.
20:25But yeah, I mean, they are favourites.
20:27I mean, you know, I think about two to five.
20:29So, pretty strong odds on favourites.
20:31You could hold her about eight to one.
20:32I mean, that's probably about right, I'd say.
20:34I mean, you wouldn't be massively surprised,
20:36nothing surprises you in the championship
20:38if there was a knicker victory.
20:39But I mean, you would, you know,
20:40you would think Leeds would have the measure
20:42and should have the measure.
20:43To be quite honest, there's no disrespect to Hull,
20:46who obviously a lot of people have a lot of time for
20:48and respect for as a side.
20:49If Leeds are going to be challenging for more,
20:51I might promotion or have aspirations
20:52of going up in first or second place.
20:54And they need to be winning the home games
20:55and they need to be beating Hull City at home.
20:58So, I mean, it'd be disappointing
20:59if they don't get anything but a win.
21:00The other interesting facet to this, obviously,
21:03is going to be how many ex-Leeds players have come up.
21:05I mean, you've obviously already got Louis Coyle in there,
21:08obviously, who has been Hull's captain
21:10and stuff, ex-Leeds player.
21:11Kody Drahm has obviously moved there this summer,
21:13so that's another one.
21:14But potentially biggest of all is Liam Cooper.
21:16I mean, however long, you know,
21:18for how long he's been at Leeds,
21:19I mean, it'd be incredible if suddenly he then,
21:22because obviously the talk is he's going to sign
21:23for Hull City during the transfer window final week.
21:26I mean, whether he signs in time
21:28to even feature remains to be seen.
21:29But if he does, I mean, to have all that time at Leeds
21:32and then his first game against his old club
21:34is against his old club for his new club, Hull City,
21:36it would be amazing at Ellen Road.
21:37So that's another thing to sort of bear in mind.
21:39And then obviously it's what he does with his team,
21:41really. I mean, obviously we don't know
21:42what signings are going to come in yet as we speak,
21:44but on the back of a 2-0 win at Chef Wednesday,
21:46where they played very, very well,
21:48what do they always say?
21:49Don't change a winning team.
21:50So, I mean, you know, I'd be surprised
21:52if there were many changes.
21:53I'd be pretty surprised if they weren't unchanged,
21:55to be honest. Ramazani would be the big one,
21:57but I suspect he'll, you know,
21:58be on the bench and come off the bench
21:59and then try and shine.
22:01Bamford's a doubt for it,
22:02but he probably wouldn't, well,
22:03he wouldn't change the front line anyway.
22:05And then obviously any other signings that come in,
22:07they're going to be signing very late, aren't they?
22:09Because even now, as we speak,
22:10it's only a couple of days, a few days to go.
22:12So, interesting facets to it, yeah.
22:14And nothing surprises you in the championship,
22:16as we know, but, you know,
22:18you can say that in terms of, well, yeah,
22:20we'll look what happened in the Portsmouth game 3-3,
22:21but Leeds should have been absolutely,
22:23you know, 5-6-7-0 up in that one,
22:24and that's no exaggeration.
22:26So, if all things go, you know,
22:27all things are equal and they take the chances
22:29and play like they should do,
22:30they should get a victory before,
22:31you know, to head into international break with.
22:33But I mean, we say every time,
22:34it's the championships, you never know.
22:36But yeah, I think realistically in this one,
22:37they should be looking at a fairly,
22:39hopefully, straightforward victory.
22:40Just might be quite difficult to break down at first.
22:43Yeah, I think if we look back,
22:45and I know, obviously, this is in hindsight,
22:46but if Leeds had won that Portsmouth game,
22:49I think, to be honest,
22:50things would look a lot better now.
22:52I know, obviously, you would have...
22:53Yeah.
22:53I think the most disappointing result
22:54was probably the Middlesbrough one, perhaps,
22:56given how, you know, they came to Ellen Road
22:59and essentially in 10 second-and-a-half minutes
23:02ran riot.
23:03Yeah, that was worrying, yeah, definitely.
23:05But you're totally right.
23:06If they'd have got the...
23:07If they'd have beaten Portsmouth,
23:08which they should have done,
23:09that's an extra two points.
23:10So, you know, if buts and maybes,
23:13definitely maybes, as we'd say,
23:14maybe they'll get another one in there.
23:16Oh, they're getting more and more of them.
23:18But, I mean, you know,
23:20if they'd have got that win, obviously,
23:22and then let's say if they beat Hull,
23:24you know, in the final game
23:25for the international break,
23:27then that would have been 10 points out of 12.
23:28And then the only two points you would have dropped
23:31are away at West Brom,
23:32which, you know, most people would, you know,
23:34recognise as being one of the harder away games
23:37of the season against a team
23:38who are probably going to be quite good at home.
23:39So, you know, like there has been disappointment,
23:42obviously, you know, that first game of the season.
23:44The cup defeat, as you say, was worrying
23:46and there was a lot of boos at Ellen Road.
23:47But to be quite honest, now that...
23:49I'm not saying, you know,
23:49Leeds tried to go out of it.
23:51They tried to get through.
23:52Obviously, Daniel Fartsend himself,
23:53he wanted to look to have a run in it.
23:54But equally, you know,
23:55he recognised the league's more important,
23:56obviously, and needed to make changes.
23:58But now that they're out of it, I don't...