Beren Cross
Let’s keep this simple, my Leeds United XI would be unchanged. Did you watch the first half on Sunday? It was possibly the best attacking 45 minutes I can remember from the Whites this season.
That may have strayed into hyperbole, but they were good, yes, Norwich City were abject, but Leeds were flowing nicely through the gears as they picked the Canaries apart. Patrick Bamford was transformative in attack and provided a focal point the team has been crying out for all season.
It was hard not to reflect on how much better Marcelo Bielsa’s side would have looked with Bamford back in the team again. The bench is where attention is really going to be turned at Molineux. Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Jack Harrison, Kalvin Phillips, Joe Gelhardt and Jamie Shackleton would all be among my nine names in the dugout.
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That’s real strength in depth for the first time in a long time. Cooper and Phillips just feel like unnecessary risks after so long out. Give them minutes if it’s useful, but otherwise, save them for Southampton after the break.
The midfield pivot was much better without Koch in the centre, so he remains on the bench, for me. While Raphinha and Daniel James did more than enough to keep Harrison out of the picture.
It’s hard to ignore the impact Gelhardt is having from the bench as a disruptive influence. Bamford has the shirt for good now, while Rodrigo looked much more on it as the attacking midfielder in behind.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Forshaw, Klich; Raphinha, Rodrigo, James; Bamford.
Joe Donnohue
Leeds' first-half performance against Norwich at the weekend is enough to suggest an unchanged team remains the way forward despite the return of key players. Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper may well be named in the squad to face Wolves, but Jesse Marsch's careful reintegration of the pair suggests they'll sit out Friday night's game in the same way Patrick Bamford did at Leicester City.
If Rodrigo comes through a late fitness test, he should line up alongside Patrick Bamford as his display against Norwich was a bitter-sweet reminder of the quality he possesses. Capitalising on his new role within Marsch's 'leadership council', his relationship with Raphinha, and good form last time out could yield results.
He and Bamford are unlikely to see out 90 minutes if Marsch selects them, which is why last-gasp hero Joe Gelhardt stays on the bench. This week, Gelhardt was due to start for the under-23 side, but tweaked his back in training and was left out as a precaution.
Daniel James's versatility, work rate and effort off the ball mean he gets the nod ahead of Jack Harrison, despite the latter's encouraging second-half display against the Canaries. Jesse Marsch made reference to the Expected Goals (xG) Leeds conceded against Norwich, prior to a hectic final 15 minutes, citing a strong defensive showing in limiting Dean Smith's side to low-quality opportunities.
Cooper returns to the squad, but the partnership of Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk has arguably been Leeds' most settled centre-back pairing during a season of tumult. Junior Firpo isn't ruled out for the season based on the medical team's 'three-to-five week' diagnosis, but Stuart Dallas at left-back and Luke Ayling at right-back in the interim provides familiarity and a steady hand on both flanks.
Joe's XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Forshaw, Klich; James, Raphinha; Rodrigo, Bamford.
