Leeds United - The journey back to the top and beyond...

Europa League Playoff Draw

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The draw puts us up against HJK. They are currently the highest rated team in Finland and were placed in the Euro Cup qualifying rounds after being beaten in the Champions League 2nd Qualifying round by Celtic 6-0 on aggregate. Pretty happy with this draw considering the likes of Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina, Monaco and Feyenoord were all in the hat, should make it through to the Group Stages with ease.

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Final Signing

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Really happy with our last addition to the squad for this window, we managed to bring Ayoze in at a cut price as Newcastle looking to move him on. That now means the transfer budget has been completely used up but I am happy with the blend and balance of the team.


Registered Squad

Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero
Julian Speroni

Defenders
Mandela Egbo
Andre Wisdom
Giuseppi Bellusci
Jason Pearce
Tyler Blackett
Patric
Sam Byram
Bryan Oviedo
Adian White

Midfielders
Patrick Ekeng
Dele Alli
Pavel Savitskiy
Thorgan Hazard
Humam Tariq
Youri Tielemans
Joe Rothwell
Martin Odergaard

Forwards
Isaiah Brown
Ayoze
Chuba Akpom
Marco Borriello
Gary Hooper

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Pre-Season Matches

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Unbeaten pre-season with some decent performances against European opposition, some of whom we may come up against in the Eurpopa league this season so it was a good test.
The stand out performers have been Humam Tariq, Andre Wisdom and of course Youri Tielemans.


Opening Month

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Tough matches in the League against Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle to start the campaign along with home and away legs against HJK in the Europa. I would like to finish the month with 4 points in the league and progression in Europe.

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August

Leeds 3rd in League after 3 games
Bullard offered USA managers role
Leeds handed tough group in Europe


Results

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What a month we had, some really great wins and completely unbeaten. Our defence has been absolutely fantastic so far, Romero in particular. Not only are we unbeaten in the League but a great away win in Europe allowed us to play a completely rotated squad in the home leg, allowing us to rest key players.


League Standings

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Europa League Group Stage

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We have been handed an extremely tough group but I have faith that with some good home performances we can qualify to the knock out stages.


Job Offer

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Even though I was extremely tempted to take my first foray into international management I didn't want to get distracted from my job at Elland Road, maybe next time.


Leeds Player of the Month
Andre Wisdom

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All of our defence has been fantastic this month and the award to have gone to Wisdom, Romero, Byram or Bellusci but Wisdom just pipped it and he really has been in inspiring form, long may it continue.

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Great month you had! Your midfield looks really strong. Still the same tactic ? ;)
 
hera said:
Great month you had! Your midfield looks really strong. Still the same tactic ? ;)
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Cheers bud, I was not expecting it at all, hopefully we can carry it on into September. No I have changed the tactics XD they are fully mine own, I will put up a screenshot of my tactics and instructions tonight with my next update.
 
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September

Still 3rd Position in League after 6 games
Leeds win one and lose one in Europe
Leeds progress in Capital One Cup

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Despite September being a really solid month for us I was a little disappointed after how well we started in August. A little bit of a rocky start, a loss in the league and our first game back in europe against Wolfsburg caused the morale to drop in the team but a spirited performance against Forest allowed us to pick up where we left off in August and sent us on another 4 match winning run. A big game against Manchester United in the league coming up next though.


League Standings

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Europa League Standings

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Leeds Player of the Month
Pavel Savitskiy

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Great month for the young Belarusian winger as he grabs 2 MoM awards, 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games. He is really starting to show his potential now and it wont be long before Europe's biggest clubs come knocking.​
 
Not a bad month considering how it looked like in the previous season :) Haven't you forgotten something? ;)
 
hera said:
Not a bad month considering how it looked like in the previous season :) Haven't you forgotten something? ;)
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Haha yes, yes I have! I will make sure it is the first thing I do when starting up FM tonight!
 
You've got really balanced and strong team. Bright years ahead of you :)
 
If you have any cash left I would strongly advise on getting a ball winner in your midfield. The three you have there in the middle are really good technically but you may get outfought on occasion.
 
jstewart85 said:
If you have any cash left I would strongly advise on getting a ball winner in your midfield. The three you have there in the middle are really good technically but you may get outfought on occasion.
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I do have Patrick Ekeng who would usually play in the DM position, he has some good BWM stats and does the job, I will definitely be looking at strengthening that position soon, unfortunately at the moment funds are dried up.

hera said:
You've got really balanced and strong team. Bright years ahead of you :)
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Cheers buddy, The team is really coming along now. Still not 100% happy with my CB pairing and definitely want to look at a new DM. My young English forwards Akpom and Brown are looking like really good prospects as well!
 
October

Leeds reach Quarter-Finals of Capital One Cup
Leeds joint top at end of October
Bullard offered West Ham job

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Despite 3 losses out of 6 matches I was still very pleased with our results, we gave really spirited displays against Man Utd and Arsenal, we was really unlucky against Napoli and we dominated Villa and Wolves despite our lack of goals. One thing that is worrying is Ayoze Perez is struggling in front of goal which is causing us to struggle to kill off matches.


Player of the Month
Bryan Oviedo

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The left wing back has been in awesome form this month, gaining 2 MoM awards and 2 assists along with some fantastic defensive displays.

November

Leeds drop down to 7th in League
Alli scores in debut for England
Leeds top Europa group
Bullard signs 2 year contract extension

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A really up and down month, we had 2 great wins in Europe however it's really started to take its toll on the squad and we went the whole month without a league win against some of the weaker opposition in the division. The congestion of fixtures has shown the lack of real depth in the squad and I may need to look at a possible loan or two in December.


League Standings

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I never expected to continue our position in the Champions League spots but I am a little disappointed in our recent decline down the table and hope that December can be a better month


Europa League Standings

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So really we are just looking at needing 1 point from our last match which is coming up next at Celtic, I would like to think we have what it takes.



New Contract

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With only 7 months left to run on my current deal the chairman was keen to discuss a new contract, I have had plenty of offers over the last season but until I achieve my goals I am here to stay.



Player of the Month
Sam Byram

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Same as Bryan Oviedo last month, the young English full back had a great month, he picked a MoM award, 1 assist and 1 goal, along with an average rating of 8.5 across the month.

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December

Leeds in Semi-Final of Capital One Cup
Messi wins Ballon Dor for the 5th time
Leeds progress in Europa League


Results

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Another mix bag of results this month. We started off with a great result against Celtic to guarantee our 1st place finish in our Europa group and sets us up with a tie against PSV. We continued to struggle in the league with poor performances against Bournemouth and Southampton but then after a couple of good results the stand out performance was our win against Man City, a match that we dominated from start to finish. Lastly the game against West Brom was a managers nightmare, 4-1 up in 27 minutes only for Ekeng to get sent off again and that really changed the match in the Baggies favor. Overall I am still happy with the month


League Standings

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Half way through the season and we are still in touch with the top four at the moment, I strongly feel that with the right additions in the January transfer window we can carry on our push to fight for a European spot which is really what we need to carry on progressing.


Europa League

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Never looked likely after the first 3 matches but some great performances in the final 3 and we finished top of the group which was really pleasing

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So we have been given a tough draw against PSV but then looking at some of the other teams in the competition it could have been worse. If we can get a good result back to Elland road for the 2nd leg I feel we have a chance.


Player of the Month
Ayoze Perez

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Ayoze has really managed to pull himself out of his drought with 6 goals this month, he has showed glimpses of being a really great forward for the club and I hope he can continue this form and help us push on.



Main January Transfer Targets

Emre Can - Liverpool
Currently on the transfer list and available for 3.7M, he will instantly slot in as I look into offloading Ekeng who has always been a bit of a liability.

Chris Smalling - Arsenal
On signed for Arsenal at the beginning of the season but surplus to requirement, will look to bring him in on loan for cover.

Leo - Atletico
Loan listed by Madrid as he isn't playing enough and he really could add great competition for Ayoze.


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January

Leeds unbeaten in league
Alli demands 'Let me join Gunners'
Leeds reach Wembley for 2nd season running


Transfers

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I managed to sign all of my transfer targets and it really has strengthened my team. Can comes in on a loan deal but we have agreed a possible Future Fee of £3.4M and I will be taking advantage of this deal. Leo is a great talent and Smalling adds a great experience and depth to a some times fragile defence.


Results

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As always January was a long and congested month but this was by far our best month so far, starting off with a fantastic win against Chelsea, a match that we controlled and showed real class. We won both our 3rd & 4th round FA Cup fixtures with ease to set up a home game against Sunderland in the 5th. The draw against 1st place Tottenham was great and wins against Newcastle and Forest in the League were professional jobs well done. Lastly our Semi-Final win in the Capital One Cup against Man City was epic, after a disappointing loss in the first leg where we could of taken more from the game, we came back with a bang and really upstaged City to show everyone we mean business. We will play Liverpool in the Final at Wembley.


League Standings

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We have really started to cement our place in the top 8 now, allowing us to look up the league at teams we can chase for them European spots. We seem to have a great knack at beating the so-called 'Big teams' and with our 3 new signings I have a really good feeling about this season.



Leeds Player of the Month
Dele Alli

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Despite the in-form young English central midfielder demanding a move to Arsenal this transfer period, he has been in absolutely scintillating form, with 3 goals a couple of assists, he has been bossing our team of late. Luckily the interested parties Arsenal and Liverpool never made an offer in this window. If we can win a competition and qualify for Europe again, hopefully I can convince him to stay.​
 
You've made huge progress in this season. Your defence seems good, not many goals conceded except this crazy amtch against West Brom.
 
hera said:
You've made huge progress in this season. Your defence seems good, not many goals conceded except this crazy amtch against West Brom.
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Cheers buddy, we have come a long way. Defence does have its moments, as you will see again in the next update.
 
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