Leeds United won’t have long to dwell on their defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon. In just a couple of days they’ll be in action again with Leicester City travelling to Elland Road on Tuesday evening and it’s a game Leeds cannot afford to drop more points in.
Nothing less than a win will do for Javi Gracia and his side and he’ll be considering a heap of changes once again to take on Dean Smith’s Foxes. Here’s a look at the decisions he might have to make ahead of the clash
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier has come under scrutiny in recent weeks and he did himself no favours with the mistakes he made on Saturday in west London. Flapping at a deep cross to the back stick, Meslier’s intervention gave Harry Wilson the chance to score Fulham’s first on the day and Andreas Pereira had him to thank, too, for Fulham’s second.
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As such, there has been a growing number of calls for a change between the sticks, with some suggesting Joel Robles’ experience could be utilised should a change be made. However, the decision to drop Meslier, who is still only 22 years of age, should not be taken lightly by Gracia, who will be more than aware of the consequences of dropping his number one.
Meslier’s confidence is already fragile and it could be a long road back for him should the head coach remove him from the fold. Gracia isn’t expected to make a change in goal on Saturday night and he’ll be keen to avoid having to make such a call, too.
Of course, Kristoffer Klaesson provides another option for the head coach but given he hasn’t played a minute of first-team action this season, his selection looks unlikely.
Defence
Gracia made a couple of changes to his backline at Craven Cottage with Liam Cooper and Max Wober returning to the fold in favour of Junior Firpo and Pascal Struijk. The pair were amongst Leeds’ best on the day and, while they did require treatment at points, if they are fit enough to make the quick turnaround they surely will.
Robin Koch has struggled for confidence of late and he looks some way short of the form he has been in for much of the season. However, Gracia doesn’t have a huge amount of options defensively at present.
Struijk is the only other centre-back in the squad and his performances against Crystal Palace and Liverpool make his selection hard to justify. There could be room to move Wober inside to partner Cooper if Firpo came back in, though.
The left-back didn’t get a minute in the capital and he might be an option should Gracia feel the need to tinker with the backline. The right-back spot looks a little tricky at this point.
Neither Rasmus Kristensen nor Luke Ayling have done enough to nail down the position, but with his options limited, it seems one has to play.
Midfield
Leeds’ midfield was practically non-existent on Saturday afternoon. Weston McKennie was a long way short of the standards expected and required of him against Fulham and Marc Roca wasn’t much better.
Neither man particularly justifies selection, in truth, but with Tyler Adams out injured, Gracia’s ability to make drastic changes is limited. Adam Forshaw looks the most likely option to step in if changes do come.
The veteran fared relatively well during his short amount of time on the field against Fulham and he could be in a position to make his first start since New Year’s Eve against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Sam Greenwood is also an option, but he’s also in the running to replace Brenden Aaronson further up the field.
Aaronson frustrated once again against the Cottagers and failed to truly make a lasting impact on the contest. The American has been a regular feature under Gracia, but his attacking output doesn’t justify selection at present, with Greenwood available for the Spaniard.
Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto can both play in the role, too, but it seems they could be needed on the flanks.
Attack
Let’s start in the middle. Despite struggling at Craven Cottage, Rodrigo looks the safest bet to lead the line.
The goals he’s scored this season are still considered enough to take that spot over Patrick Bamford, at this stage and his ability to take chances could be absolutely decisive. It’s hard to make a case for Georginio Rutter at this stage, while Bamford hasn’t shown his best form for some time.
Gnonto surely has to start now, too. The Italian established himself as the club’s most threatening presence going forward earlier in the season, but he has struggled to convince Gracia that he deserves more than just a bit part role.
Leeds need goals more than ever now, though, and Gnonto is tried and tested, even at his young age. On the other side it looks a straight call between Luis Siniterra and Jack Harrison.
Harrison struggled to get involved against Fulham and his impact was severely limited as a result. Crysencio Summerville found the going tough, too, despite starting brightly in west London.
Sinisterra, on the other hand, looked lively when he entered the fray in the second half after missing out on a starting spot due to the knock he picked up against Liverpool. It’s a tough call but if Sinisterra is fit enough to start against Leicester City, there’s an argument to say he should, with his attacking output being up there among Leeds’ best.
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