Adam Forshaw has already had Jesse Marsch's message on…

Adam Forshaw has already had Jesse Marsch's message on Leeds United pecking order

Fights do not come much bigger than the one Adam Forshaw went through to play football for Leeds United again after that two-year hip ordeal. The midfielder proved to be one of the few feel-good stories in a wretched campaign last year as he returned to something like his best football.

The 30-year-old now has another fight on his hands. As he has done for his entire career, Forshaw has another manager’s head to turn in order to reclaim a starting spot for the Whites.

Tyler Adams and Marc Roca have started well together for United. While the American has caught the eye with his tackling, work rate and determination, Roca has emerged as one of the division’s most prolific progressive passers in its opening two weekends.

After injuring the medial collateral ligament in one of his knees during the Crystal Palace match in Perth, Forshaw spent more time on the sidelines and was forced to miss out on the opening day. That paved the way for Adams and Roca to settle into a pairing, but Forshaw made his comeback at the weekend.

Marsch would later admit he perhaps should have introduced the midfielder earlier in the game, but his late cameo in Hampshire was followed by a more meaningful 45 minutes with the under-21s on Monday. It’s progress for Forshaw and it’s clear Marsch is still backing him to have the ability to supplant Adams or Roca.

Earlier this summer, the head coach’s message to Forshaw was clear. He said: “Adam’s an important player for us.

“He's a big leader for us. He helped set up a couple of goals with some of the plays he made (against Brisbane Roar). He's a very reliable leader and player for us. No question.”

In a squad which Marsch admitted could lack maturity at points of this season because of its low average age, a player of Forshaw’s experience is going to prove pivotal. Saturday was the ideal example of the type of game he can be used in to settle the rhythm and his team-mates.

Premier League teams generally seem to be as good as their benches based on the injuries and suspensions they face through a campaign. Marsch is going to need Forshaw, and his presence at the weekend was a major plus point for him given how little experience sat behind him one week earlier.

A time will come when Adams and Roca open the door for Forshaw and it’s critical he is ready and waiting to swoop in and make the starting line-up his own.

Adam Forshaw has already had Jesse Marsch's message on Leeds United pecking order

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