Robin Koch is beginning to make his mark in the defensive midfield role at Leeds United.
The 25-year-old has been moved into the middle of the park by Marcelo Bielsa in the midst of the club’s ongoing injury crisis and he is starting to look at home.
It isn’t a role that is totally new to the Germany international with him operating in that role both at international level and for his former club Freiburg.
He struggled on the opening day of the season but, then again, there were few stand-out performers in the defeat at Old Trafford.
Operating alongside Adam Forshaw, and then Lewis Bate, in the middle of the park at the London Stadium, Koch built on his impressive showing against Burnley.
He was very effective in the way that he broke down West Ham’s offensive forays on Sunday and was equally assured in his passing when Leeds were looking to spring counter attacks.
Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire, Koch claimed that he is utilising one of his main qualities to adapt to the slightly unfamiliar position.
“It’s not quite a completely new position for me of course,” said Koch. “It’s a bit different from my normal position as a centre-back but I played it at my old club before loads of times and sometimes for the national team.
“For me, it’s more about getting back to being 100 per cent fit. It’s a bit a different position but it’s a good challenge for me personally and it’s going well.
“I would say [there was more creativity against West Ham]. This is one of my qualities. It doesn’t matter where I play, centre-back or defensive midfield, I want to start building the play from behind and I’m trying to bring this quality to Leeds now.”
Despite Forshaw confirming his hamstring injury is only ‘minor’, he might not be risked against Newcastle on Saturday.
It means Koch is likely to retain his place in the midfield, especially considering the fact that Stuart Dallas might be forced into the left-back spot as Junior Firpo was also withdrawn early at West Ham with a hamstring problem.
Leeds supporters will be hoping for more of the same from the German enforcer but, like many of his team-mates, he has had injury worries of his own this season.
With a trio of really important games coming up for the Whites, the maintenance of Koch’s fitness and consistency will be massive for Bielsa and the rest of the team.
