Rocco's Round-Up (26/1/24 to 1/2/24)
Friday, 26th January 2024
Leeds fans around the world were aghast this morning, as no weekly round-up was published on Leeds That. The news that Charlie Cresswell has decided to stay and fight for his place must have gone some way to easing the pain. Elsewhere in the press-conference, Farke spoke of how greedy he is to progress in the cup, before dropping the bombshell that he’d prefer to draw with Plymouth than lose, and would refrain from sending Meslier up for a corner if the scores are level towards the end. Ever the professional.
Saturday, 27th January 2024
The journalists that tempted fate all week got their just desserts, a replay on the south coast on Tuesday week. A drab affair was lit up by another FA Cup wondergoal, with Jaidon Anthony following up Bamford’s Yeboah impression in Round 3 by recreating Rod Wallace’s goal v Spurs from 30 years earlier. If we make Round 5 perhaps we’ll see Firpo recreate Waltzing Masinga’s solo effort at Highbury.
Sunday, 28th January 2024
With the transfer window drawing to a close, finally there was concrete reports of a new signing, with a deal agreed for Japanese right-back Daiki Hashioka. Within an hour Phil Hay confirmed he was off to Luton instead and Leeds were back to the drawing board. In the FA Cup, United’s 14-year unbeaten home run looks safe for another year. A trip to Chelsea or Villa will be the reward for winning the Plymouth replay.
Monday, 29th January 2024
My pick for young player of the season is being poached by Sunderland! Leo Hjelde lasted 45mins as the clubs first choice left-back, once again proving what a dunce Victor Orta is at spotting young talent (sign enough shit and one Cry Summerville will stick). Remember that January when Premier League Leeds couldn’t find anyone who was a marked improvement on Hjelde, Grenwood and Bate?
Tuesday, 30th January 2024
Two days to go before the window “slams shut” and it seems United’s number one target is Evertons’s Ben Godfrey. There’s a few Burnley lads also on the shortlist, while Blackburn want Super-duper Liam Cooper, who’s not for sale.
Wednesday, 31st January 2024
Presser day today, and it was bad news for the yellow tie brigade as Daniel Farke gave a full and frank explanation on the unlikelihood of any incomings to replace the dead wood cleared out. The humble Herr also pointed out that this is the greatest Championship campaign in Leeds’s history, but people don’t care about that nonsense, they want signings!
Thursday, 1st February 2024
Deadline Day brought the acquisition of Connor Roberts from Burnley, an experienced right-back with 50 international caps who was in the Championship team of the year last season, on a straight six-month loan. Better still, he’s not cup-tied, and he’s from Wales look you! In other good news, the clear-out of Orta’s Academy All-Stars continues to gather pace. Ian Poveda will always be remembered for the self-portrait on his wall, and Sean McGurk for looking a bit like Jon Snow’s ‘Wildling Bitch’.
