LondonBristolian

I worry that we're essentially treading water until the end of next season. There are still some big contracts that need to end before the flexibility is really there to re-shape the squad.

I'm not necessarily into non-apple ciders but I do generally have a bit of a soft spot for anything blood orange flavoured so might give this a go!

Even knowing it was a film trailer, I still watched that half-expecting whatever the logo of whatever lager it was advertising to flash up at the end...

He’s also possibly having a massive crisis of confidence. I fear he may have reached the limit of his opportunities is here and get a sense Pearson is planning on next season without him but, even if so, I hope he gets back on track at his next club.

I don’t support dropping players for the sake of it but I would like to see Cundy, Benarous, Conway and Bell getting more opportunities over the rest of the season so the club can decide if they are ready to be counted on next season. I’d ideally want 2 or 3 more wins first though and Birmingham seems an opportunity to try to get one of those.

Totally agree with all that but, given the nature of Putin's regime and Abramovich's ties to him, even mild criticism is a departure from the norm. Interestingly it's now being reported officials in Ukraine contacted Abramovich a few days ago for help in trying to broker a peace deal. I've no idea how true this is or how committed he is to doing it but the fact a Russian billionaire close to Putin is trying to be seen as against the war - and two further billionaires have criticised it - furthers a sense that even the Russian Oligarchs who have previously been loyal to Putin aren't willing to support him when he goes against their interests. It's not a lot but it is another thing that weakens the sense of total control and authority that Putin relies on to prevent any internal challenges. I completely agree the handing over the club is absolute bollocks and it's both disgraceful that oligarchs from autocratic regimes have been able to gain so much financial influence over English football (and the UK in general) and that we are now becoming reliant on those same oligarchs to talk Russia down from imminent destruction. Whatever the ultimate outcome of this, it really is all another symptom how how seriously ****** our entire society (and the wider world) is.

Yes, since 2018. He actually holds three citizenships as he has also been a Portuguese citizen since 2021. But the fact he is a Russian citizen was the relevant bit to my post.

I do fear a bit for Leeds for the rest of the season and beyond. As you say, a new manager is going to find it hard to get the players you have playing beyond the level Bielsa has. Marsch is going to be a massive gamble too. Leeds aren't the most popular of clubs but I've always been impressed with the atmosphere at Elland Road. The 2-2 a few years ago (under Heckingbottom?) where you came back from two-down was one of the few times I've genuinely see a set of fans successfully will their team back into a match. I'm not going to lie - I think Leeds is a great city and don't mind having you in the Championship for a good weekend away - but I do think it'll be a real shame if you find yourselves struggling again and hope for your sakes you find a way to stay up.

Sheesh. Thoughts with the guy. Hope he gets well soon.

Am I right in thinking they’ve also had a lot of injuries that have exposed a lack of squad depth? I could be wrong on that.

What is interesting is Chelsea’s statement. ”The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating. Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.” Assuming Abramovich still has control into messaging the club puts out - and I would assume that - it contains a tacit criticism of Putin and rejection of Putin’s narrative that you would not expect from a Putin-supporting oligarch. I do wonder if Abramovich and other wealthy Russians are going to continue to support Putin after this - a war that leads to sanctions and bad PR really doesn’t seem to be in their interests.

He is not on his own: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ukraine-russia-war-football-kravets-26327608.amp It has to be said at least one Russian international footballer has spoken out against the war. Massive respect to him and any other Russian player brave enough to do so but it just sends out the wrong signal to willingly play competitive sport against a country trying to invade a country and overthrow a democratically elected government.

For your attempts to needlessly hijack a thread about how sport responds to a global crisis, purely to score political points, please accept this Golden Shoehorn.

Shouldn't everyone? And is a news story about rape really the place for pointless political grandstanding? This horrific news story only further emphasis the moral bankruptcy of holding a World Cup in a country with Qatar's human rights record. The World Cup should not be happening there and I for one will not be watching. But I am also not going to use it to start trying to score political points. I think any reasonable person who cares about human rights thinks the World Cup in Qatar is an appalling thing, regardless of which side of the political spectrum they sit.

******* disappointing but I’m not criticising the players after this performance. I honestly think we’re not far away from things really, really clicking. If we keep the bulk of the team together, we’re going to surprise people next season.

Atkinson too, albeit having been not at his best prior to injury.

As with the fans' Q & A, he comes across as hard-working, intelligent and grounded. I know it's only been the last few weeks Semenyo has really hit form but I'm really excited about him and think it obvious already that is way more than a flash in the pan. At times, it's like watching that kid in primary school who is way better than everyone else and knows it. The way he keeps the ball away from defenders at times is incredible. First time since Brownhill and Webster that I have really been convinced we have someone destined for the top.

I remember us getting hammered at Oxford under Pulis and Beaucamp was their standout player by far. RIP and thoughts with this friends and family.

My streak went today too. I was torn between two words for my last guess and picked the wrong one...

That's actually the best answer to your question. If you're not confident, you get stuck in your own heard rather than focusing on what's happening on the pitch.

@redapplehas said this above but my suspicion is you are describing a lack of confidence rather than a lack of desire. I think it is easy to see this in Vyner in that he has had a few games this season where he has not put a foot wrong but, when he does make mistakes, more mistakes tend to quickly follow. Problem is - whilst I feel for him - he is either going to have to find a way through this or settle for a career at a level below this one. Reading between the lines of interviews, I get the impression Pearson knows confidence is an issue for Zak and has tried more than one approach but ultimately it is something only the player themselves can ultimately navigate. Realistically Vyner is probably running out of time.

Problem with that is twofold. 1) It only really works in situations where you can easily get rid of (and replace) staff. Footballers have specialist skills and are not easy to move on or replace. If we take Vyner as an example, Pearson could just freeze him out but we then lose right back and centre-back cover in a small squad and we've got him for another year if we can't move him on in the summer. There's some businesses where you can easily get rid of staff. But there's a few - football included when finances are tight - where getting rid of staff is tough and you pretty much have no choice but to get the best out of what you have. 2) theoretically people should find their own motivation but it comes more naturally to some than others. And sometimes putting a little of work in with someone can produce an unexpected gem of an employee. At the same time, I think my view is that most people can motivate themselves but bad managers can kill that motivation and the trick to management is often trying to avoid being the one that demotivates people whilst also dealing with the damage wrought by previous managers who damaged the motivation of the unmotivated staff...

Seems a strange one. From what I can find, Grimsby transfer listed him and didn’t see him as part of their plans, released him and four months later he is on the bench in the Championship. Either Grimsby made a colossal error or there must have been financial or other reasons they felt they could not use him. Hope he does well for us!

I also think we have a reputation of playing fair by younger players. I think the reporting on the deadline day offers from Semenyo was quite revealing - i.e. that both Antoine and his agent were aware we were rejecting bids and were comfortable with that as they bought into the club's plans for him. I think both Semenyo and Massengo would want some assurances - and maybe a release clause - in order to sign a new deal at the club but I'd hope the club would be pragmatic about that. I agree that, as long as the club are fair in what they offer and the players are fair in what they asked for, both could extend.

Purely due to contract situations, Massengo. I actually think all three could and possibly should decide to stay next season though. At the moment, I think a move for any of them is a bit of a gamble where they may lose a year of football waiting to break through to a premier league side. Another year standing out at this level whilst playing regularly might get them a bigger move and more chance of getting straight into first team contention.