Double, double, toil and trouble, we're gonna burst Fat Frank's bubble CK: Parts 1 and 2

[welshwhite]

Derby are not that shit, they beat a very strong WBA team to clinch sixth place. It was on the box and they fully deserved their win.

[Tommy]

West Brom have also been fairly shite for a while though. As have we if we're being honest.

[eric olthwaite]

Me and you must watch different matches.
Pablo stank the place out yesterday.
Made one decent pass during the entire 90 minutes, contributed very little and failed to make contact with the ball for our best chance.
On his day he's the best player in the division, but yesterday wasn't it.
He's been poor for the last 5 games, needs a rest for the final.

Pablo had a very quiet game but ‘stank the place out’ is a bit much. I’m sympathetic to the idea that he needs a rest, but with the state of our injuries (and squad generally) I can’t feel comfortable about the team we’d put out for a semi-final without him in it. What would we do - drop Roofe back and play Bamford? Start Clarke? We still only have a narrow lead. If we get to half time looking ok and Derby look shit, fine, take him off.

[eric olthwaite]

Don't suppose anyone is interested in my theory that Derby are shit? This isn't to say they won't yet knock us out - we recently lost to ten men Wigan and Ipswich. They are just absolutely awful under Lampard, who seems to be legitimately clueless.

After yesterday I think my position is that Derby are okay but Fat Frank has a real tactical blind spot about how to play us in particular. Fortunately, even if he turns into a genius overnight, he’s now got to push up and also stop us, which feels like a big ask.

I’m still not confident though, because we’re Leeds.

[metalsmurf]

Where have you all been? Barring any injuries it will be the same team, it's what he does.

[Phil LUFC]

Where have you all been? Barring any injuries it will be the same team, it's what he does.

To be fair, there are legitimate questions with Jansson and Forshaw - he's often brought players straight back after missing 1 or 2 games in the 2nd half of the season. Last time he didn't was probably Phillips after his 3 game ban.

[Tommy]

I’m still not confident though, because we’re Leeds.

Absolutely. Prior to the Wigan and Ipswich matches I probably wouldn't have considered Derby to be a credible threat to us but now you really have to accept that anything is possible. We earned a reprieve of sorts with the overturned penalty (and perhaps with Kilch's headbutt) but I have no doubt that there will be a decision or ten against us in the coming match (or matches). We've been curiously nervous at home for a while and if Derby get the first goal, they could yet turn it around.

[Quiffy]

I’m still not confident though, because we’re Leeds.

We've been curiously nervous at home for a while and if Derby get the first goal, they could yet turn it around.

exactly. if we don't get an early goal on wednesday then i think we'll steadily turn into the porn star who can't get wood. i'll be getting that sinking feeling again where your previous hopes just seem like believing in santa claus. that comforting leeds feeling.

we're shit in the big games, bielsa's shit in finals. i need to stick a tenner on this.

edit. my willhill balance meant it was only a fiver for derby to qualify at 11/2 to return £32.50. this normally works.

[Oheddieeddie]

Forshaw is out thank god. I worry that we will stick Bamford up top and drop Roofe back

[OWETB]

Pablo stank the place out yesterday.

What the actual fuck?

Personally I think he was played with little responsibility so he could have a rest whilst occupying against Derby - him simply being on the pitch fucked up any chance they had. If he hadn't played, well that would have been a massive boost for them and a massive problem they didn't have to worry about.

Rest him again on Wednesday, on the pitch.

[thestraw]

I’m genuinely surprised that no team has *ever* lost the first leg and home and gone through

Step forward Leeds United..

[thestraw]

Ah I missed Huddlestones yellow.

It was assault with his elbow into Dallas' face. It should have been red, and a 3 game ban.

[thestraw]

Thing is, it wasn't a pen. Not only was it not [ultimately] awarded, I simply don't think it was a pen either. And I'd admit I thought it was, if I really thought so. Saying we got away with one won't change the result, so I would be quite happy to do so. I just don't think it was a pen, or even close to one.
The rest is bollocks.

It 100% wasn't a penalty, there shouldn't even be a debate. Harrison clearly clips the ball, doesnt even touch the Derby player.

[welshwhite]

Pablo often finds it hard against teams that park the bus, does not stop him trying to be brave at finding the one killer pass though.

Derby would be very fucking happy indeed to see him wearing their shirt on Wednesday.

[Devi]

Ah I missed Huddlestones yellow.

It was assault with his elbow into Dallas' face. It should have been red, and a 3 game ban.

Well, yes. But as I say, I missed the card. Probably couldn’t see it through the red mist that descended immediately over me in response to Huddleston’s GBH.

[thestraw]

I cant believe fans on here are even suggesting we drop our best player this season Pablo 'for the final'. WTAF is wrong with people.

He's our talisman, our creator and calm head on the pitch. Even if he has had a couple of bad games, he is un-droppable. And as for dropping him 'for the final', you need your fucking head examined : its only half time.

[kennyb41]

Forshaw is out thank god. I worry that we will stick Bamford up top and drop Roofe back

This is a massive concern of mine also as Roofe is shyte in any other position, having selection problems is supposed to be a good thing but not for us, they're a pain in the fcking arse as we always seem to produce out best performances when it seems we could get battered ....It has happened all season and I don't even know if i want him to find a place for Roberts..Forshaw..Bamford or PJ...fck it i'm off back behind the couch.......(with my Asian beauty (whore) obviously, and no her names not Bernard)

[rss1969]

We cant drop Pablo on Weds IMO. We are down to the bare bones as it is and I cant believe that Derby will be that bad again.

We need our best team out there, the job is only half done. Even one good half from him will probably be enough to see them off.

We will have 11 days between games if we win, he can rest then.

There is some merit in bringing in Clarke though as he has form against them at home.

[Tommy]

I think resting Pablo has merit on the grounds that he looks like he could use a break and can still be on the bench. Shackleton can play at number 10 and Clarke on the wing. I actually think Derby will struggle to cope with that combination and if not, we can bring Pablo on in the second half. It's not as if he's had one bad game, he's had a few on the bounce. This obviously won't happen, he'll likely stick with the same team barring Forshaw.

[dirty leeds]

I think resting Pablo has merit on the grounds that he looks like he could use a break and can still be on the bench. Shackleton can play at number 10 and Clarke on the wing. I actually think Derby will struggle to cope with that combination and if not, we can bring Pablo on in the second half. It's not as if he's had one bad game, he's had a few on the bounce. This obviously won't happen, he'll likely stick with the same team barring Forshaw.

Might go the other way round - start Pablo and take him off if we are well ahead?