Minutes for Cooper or Bamford?
When Jesse Marsch spoke to the media on Friday before the Chelsea match, he said Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford were doing well and in contention for Leeds United’s Premier League game. Assuming neither has suffered any kind of setback since then, they must be primed for minutes in this low-key Carabao Cup clash.
While Bamford is being carefully managed and a low-profile tie with Barnsley may be seen as an unnecessary risk, Cooper is champing at the bit for pitch time. The club captain has not played a match since Scotland duty in early June and this seems an ideal opportunity to begin his campaign.
How many full debuts?
Whenever Leeds are preparing for a cup game it seems to be a matter of how many debuts there will be, not if there will be any at all. Given it is League One opposition, at home, with a very settled starting line-up in the league, this seems ripe for rotation.
READ MORE: Rasmus Kristensen's Champions League admission to Jesse Marsch on Leeds United difficulties
There are 11 changes Marsch could make and still put out a side that does not disrespect the Tykes. Kristoffer Klaesson, Jeremiah Mullen and Luis Sinisterra look like candidates for full debuts.
Start the cup run?
This will be Marsch’s first cup game in charge of the Whites and a first opportunity to get going on a cup run. The closest the club has come to a deep run in either cup since the 2004 relegation has been 12/13 and 16/17 quarter-final exits in the EFL Cup.
Marcelo Bielsa’s record in the cups was pretty dreadful. Marsch has to look to do better and with the depth of the squad at his disposal looks well-placed to at least reach the third round.
Centre-back/left-back conundrum
Leo Hjelde looks ready-made to start this match, but where does Marsch play him? Centre-back is his natural home, but with the dearth of left-backs inside the building, he’s almost certainly going to be needed in Pascal Struijk’s place.
That opens up a central slot or two if Cooper is not recalled. Robin Koch and Diego Llorente may be best served with a rest in midweek, so Mullen or even less experienced picks may be on the head coach’s mind.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United finally confirm general sale date of new home strip after supply delays
Leeds United line-up vs Barnsley with Liam Cooper among 11 changes at Elland Road
'I knew' - Joe Gelhardt opens up on Victor Orta presentation that prompted Leeds United transfer
Leeds United fringe options left in no uncertain terms what Barnsley clash means for them
We simulated Leeds United vs Barnsley to get a Carabao Cup score prediction
