There’s no doubt about it, Leeds United need goals in their next three games if they’re to stay in the Premier League. The optics don’t look good after Monday night’s results, with wins for Everton and Nottingham Forest leaving Leeds in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety with three games remaining.
As such, Sam Allardyce has a job on his hands to turn the Whites around and they’ll be looking to secure their first win in six games when they take on Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon. Newcastle are flying high in the Premier League and the three points could be vital when it comes to their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.
Leeds will need to be solid at the back to keep the likes of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak quiet, but if they’re to breathe life into their hopes of survival they need to be ruthless in front of goal, too. As such, eyes will be on Allardyce’s striker selection for the game.
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Here’s a look at the options at the head coach’s disposal.
Patrick Bamford
Allardyce could be heard singling out the striker during his first press conference in the job last week, insisting Bamford could be the man to make a difference if he was fit and firing on all cylinders. Such words were undoubtedly designed to bolster the striker’s confidence at this pivotal point in the season, but Allardyce gave him the nod to lead the line at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
Bamford cut an isolated figure against Man City, struggling to get involved and make an impact as he found himself being swallowed up by a dominant backline. The service to him was poor to say the least, but he failed to give Leeds any sort of outlet in attack at the home of the champions, with his best moment being a glancing header wide.
To his credit, though, the England international provided one of Leeds’ biggest threats in front of goal last month, bagging goals against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth and seeing a third marked down as on own goal after a rather large deflection from Fulham’s Joao Palhinha. His work off the ball should always be noted, as should his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play.
He’s the type of striker Allardyce had favoured in the past and the striker will certainly feel as though he has plenty to offer in his Leeds side.
Rodrigo
After being overlooked for a starting spot at the Etihad Stadium, Rodrigo sent a clear message to the head coach after stepping into the fray as a substitute. The Spaniard only had one chance in the game, but he took it with aplomb, latching onto Junior Firpo’s knockdown before burying the ball in the bottom corner of Ederson's net.
It was an example of the finishing ability he has showcased all season and with 14 goals to his name in all competitions, he has every right to feel hard done by when he is named on the bench. He’s proven himself to be Leeds’ most dangerous, reliable and consistent in front of goal and the Whites have found themselves relying on his ruthless edge all too often.
The Spaniard ought to be heavily utilised over the last three games and his ability to dig something out of nothing could be pivotal. Rodrigo does get himself involved in build-up play and he has the ability to make a difference off the ball, too, as his rampant display against Leicester City at Elland Road last month showcased.
Other options
Beyond Rodrigo and Bamford, Allardyce’s options are limited. Of course, Georginio Rutter, who performed well for the U21s on Monday night, is available and can play up front, but he seems more suited to playing alongside a strike partner or on the flank.
Wilfried Gnonto can also play through the middle, but he has been best utilised on either the right or left wing in the past. It’s a tricky call, but it’s one that has the potential to make or break the club’s hopes of survival at this point in the season.
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