Thread:

I’ve watched every game of our season from the start. Now almost halfway through here’s what I think, for whatever it might be worth, about our squad, our performances, our potential and how the overall strategic plan is unfolding #LUFC

Regarding our squad, Bielsa inherited Championship players whom he’s elevated to mid table EPL players by sheer dint of coaching. His additions are a class above those he inherited, top 6 EPL level players. A gradual evolutionary process is unfolding. (2) #LUFC

That evolution is three-pronged — the first being the introduction of Harrison, Costa, Messlier and Poveda; the second obviously bringing quality like Rodrigo, Koch, Llorente and Raphinha; the third prong being the gradual introduction of youngsters. Struijk comes to mind (3)

More youngsters like Casey, Cresswell, Huggins, Greenwood and Gelhardt may make the breakthrough in the fullness of time, but it is also equally likely that intelligent solutions will be found in the continental transfer market. Organic and quick improvement is the strategy (4)

By the beginning of the 2021/22 season, at least 4 of the team who brought us out of the championship will be gone to mid level EPL sides, replaced by better quality players from the academy or elsewhere. These additions will resolve our efficiency and push #LUFC further up (5)

All things considered, I am sanguine about our prospects this season. We are on a trajectory to finish in the top 6. The growth strategy is clear, presenting a refreshing departure from the chaos and uncertainty of the Bates, GFH and Cellino years. (6)

In terms of the growth strategy, Bielsa’s philosophy is has been infused throughout all levels of #LUFC from the youth to senior squad, which will ensure reduced reliance on transfers because the capacity will exist within the Academy to meet first team needs. (7)

This is fomenting success rather than buying it — the secret of Revie’s Leeds and the keystone of Ajax and Barcelona. I think #LUFC can finish on 60 points or thereabouts. If we can improve our scoring efficiency, we can exceed that. Our approach play gives us the platform (8)

Our approach play makes us potentially deadly going forward; let down only by profligacy. Our leaky defense relates to set pieces, errors in our half, losing possession carelessly. Fix those two issues and results will change for #LUFC. If not this season, then next. (9)

How we finish this season boils down to two things:
The quality of finishing and the minimizing of defensive errors.
These have been the difference between being where we are now and being higher up the table, the difference between #LUFC and those top-6 sides. (10).

ENDS.