Transfers are done with and Jesse Marsch can finally draw a line under what he has at his disposal between now and January with Leeds United. The direct impact on Saturday’s squad at Brentford is a net loss in experience.
Daniel James would have been in the squad at the very least at Brentford, while Wilfried Gnonto, at 18, may not be thrown in at the deep end. Thankfully, Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo and Liam Cooper are available for selection and bolster the bench.
The main dilemma, as ever, stems from the frontline. Rodrigo’s dislocated shoulder removes him from the fray until next month, leaving Joe Gelhardt and Patrick Bamford to share the load.
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While this is my selection and not a prediction of Marsch’s, my rationale probably goes down a similar route to his. It really does feel like too great a risk in starting Bamford.
Leeds cannot afford to see their number nine break down again. With Rodrigo out for weeks and question marks around his long-term form anyway, the onus is firmly on Bamford to deliver now a senior forward has not been added in the transfer window.
Gelhardt did well at Brentford in May. I would start with him, see how it plays out and then call on Bamford from half-time if it really is falling apart in Hounslow.
Cooper would also be reinstated for me. Marsch felt he was the closest of the returners to starting the match and he has a strong track record of hitting the ground running after lay-offs.
Diego Llorente is stumbling into too many errors or near-misses in recent matches.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Sinisterra, Aaronson, Harrison; Gelhardt.
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