The Marching On Newsletter 🟡 Luciano Becchio chat: 'New Leeds United signing has impressed me'
PLUS exclusive snippet from ex-Leeds boss Dennis Wise, and what I saw at Thorp Arch this week
Edition #4
Welcome to The Marching On Newsletter, a free weekly Substack from me, Isaac Johnson, which unpacks all things Leeds United. If you enjoy this edition but have not yet signed up, consider subscribing to get each newsletter sent directly to your inbox each Friday morning! Or forward it to a friend who may also enjoy it. Cheers! 🗞
IN THIS EDITION:
⚪️ Latest club and injury news
🟡 Luciano Becchio chat on Leeds striker state of play
🔵 Denis Wise: ‘Calvert-Lewin key to survival’
🟡 Watch: Leeds stars react to their new video game ratings
⚪️ Answering your questions
⚽ Latest club news
Lucas Perri out for two games with injury, with four others facing late calls vs Fulham
Daniel Farke gives honest verdict on lack of late transfer signings
Isaac Schmidt hints at permanent exit intention
Elland Road part of bid for 2035 Women’s World Cup
Mateo Joseph speaks again on Leeds United exit
Stuart Dallas: There could be a future for Illan Meslier at Leeds
Jonny Howson reveals motive behind becoming Leeds academy player-coach
49ers’ investment into recovery and gym facilities laid out with £250k injection
Valencia phone calls to Leeds about Largie Ramazani loan capture
💬 Luciano Becchio: ‘I think Leeds can stay up’
I had a brief chat with former Leeds striker and cult hero Luciano Becchio this week about United’s transfer activity and attacking state of play following the frustration of deadline day.
I’ve decided to publish the Q&A we had verbatim, which you can read in full below.
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Isaac: Do you think Leeds have enough quality in attack to avoid relegation this season?
Luciano: “I think so. It's a team that creates scoring opportunities, and with the signing of Dominic, it strengthens the attack even more. We have a compact team, and if injuries help us, I don't think we'll struggle this year.”
What are your thoughts on the signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
“For me, it's a good signing. First, he came on a free transfer, which makes for good business. Second, we know he's a very good player, and injuries haven't helped him. He needs time and confidence to perform at his best, and I know he wants to be in the World Cup, so he's coming with a lot of hunger to do well.”
After the 0-0 draw with Newcastle, Daniel Farke said it would be ‘difficult’ to keep Leeds up with his current attacking options, and wanted more attacking signings before deadline day. That didn't happen. Where do you think that now leaves Farke, in regards to the message sent to his current attacking players?
“Maybe that message was meant for some players to give a little more. As a coach, the only way you can get the best out of each player is by demanding the most, the limit. And this message may have been Farke's strategy.”
Leeds have not yet scored from open play in the Premier League after three games; is that something that worries you?
“We have players who create chances, and I've always said we needed a goalscoring striker, and now we have him. I'm confident that Dominic will be at his best this year.”
What have you made of Leeds United’s other transfer business? Has anyone impressed you so far?
“There's still a lot to see; it's still too early to tell, but the one who impressed me the most is Anton Stach. I think you always have to be positive, and I honestly believe it won't be a bad year.”
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I spoke to Luciano more in-depth earlier this year after Leeds secured promotion in May. Click here to read that piece.
🗣️ Quote of the week
I was able to ask former Leeds boss Dennis Wise a few questions this week and this is what he had to say about the signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin:
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is an interesting one. He had two good seasons around 2019/20 and 2020/21, scoring about 13 league goals one year and 16 the next.
“That was also when he was heavily involved with England. If he can rediscover that kind of form, then Leeds have a real chance of staying up.
“The concern, of course, is whether they’ll score enough goals. Dominic has shown he can do it – the question is whether he will do it.”
Thanks to SkyBet for facilitating the chat.
Read what Wise believes is Leeds United’s biggest weapon this season by clicking here.
📹 Watch: Players react to video game ratings
Leeds players have been shown their player ratings for the new upcoming edition of ‘EAFC 26’ - the very popular football video game formerly known as ‘FIFA’.
For those who need a quick lowdown; players are scored on certain metrics - such as speed and defending - out of 99. The average of all these metrics is then what their overall rating is out of 99.
Basically - the higher the score, the better the ability. The video below - which includes some humorous reactions from squad members - will give you a grasp… just click the image below to watch.
[Clicking on image takes you to new browser]
✍️ Isaac’s diary
Many people have asked me, ‘what do you do when there are no Leeds games and no transfer window during an international break?’. The answer is, I take a breather.
While the regular season has only just started, many of us who follow United all over had a jam-packed summer of touring and transfer chasing. From the pre-season trip to Sweden on July 19 onwards, it had been full-on up until deadline day on September 1.
Not that I’m remotely complaining or expecting any sympathy whatsoever. In truth, I like it that way. I’m so glad Leeds are back playing again tomorrow.
When I arrived at Thorp Arch for yesterday’s press conference, the players were practising corners ready for Fulham. Jack Harrison was taking the corner I saw.
I asked Daniel Farke who his set-piece takers are now that the transfer window closed without a known specialist in the side. He was reluctant to give a clear answer, not wanting to reveal his plans to Fulham, but mentioned Harrison, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev as possible options, all of whom have already taken set-pieces this season.
Craven Cottage will be the second away ground ticked off this league campaign and the hope is that it is a much better trip to London than the last one. I’ll report back on whether I manage to gain access to the new rooftop pool atop the Riverside Stand.
❓ Answering your Leeds United questions
BarryMccar27170: Is this Perri’s second injury since arriving?
Yes and no. Leeds may argue no, given he arrived from Lyon with a hamstring injury he sustained there but it is the second time he’s been sidelined whilst a United player.
He missed the friendly draw with Villarreal on August 2 and only played 45 minutes against AC Milan in Dublin because of that issue. This quad setback is a new injury and will keep him out for the trips to both Fulham and Wolves.
Anonymous: Any news on Noah Okafor? Is he fit to play?
Farke did not mention him in Thursday’s press conference but that’s probably a good thing. He would have said if Okafor was ruled out - and his groin issue didn’t prevent him from making the bench vs Newcastle anyway.
Having not been called up by Switzerland, he has had ample time to rest - enough for him to start, you’d think. But let’s see. He hasn’t played for two weeks.
📩 Send in your own question by filling in this simple contact form.
🗳 Poll - Who would you pick in goal vs Fulham?
It looks as though Karl Darlow, 35 next month, will get the nod in goal as the current number two, with Lucas Perri injured.
His last Leeds outing saw him produce a blunder against Sheffield Wednesday and Saturday will be his first Premier League outing for nearly four years.
Illan Meslier, aged 25, has double the number of top-flight appearances than Darlow (107 vs 52), though the Frenchman is hardly error-free either - to say the least. So…
LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS:
How would you rate Leeds United’s transfer window?
Very good - 3%
OK - 44%
Not sure - 21%
Underwhelming - 32%
Very poor - 0%
📰 My most read stories of the week
1) 49ers’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury stance underlined by £250,000 investment and medical upgrades
2) Leeds United transfer stance on free agent Hakim Ziyech clear after director speaks out
3) Leeds United face goalkeeper conundrum amid baffling Illan Meslier situation
4) How 14 players who left Leeds United this summer have fared including Firpo and Solomon
5) Inside Largie Ramazani’s exit to Valencia - frequent phone calls and Leeds United clause truth
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Love Becchio and beckford great partnership back in the day when we was in league 1 . Really like your content