Leeds’ stupendous start under Marcelo Bielsa hit a massive setback in recent weeks amid injury woes and loss of form. They were leading the Championship tally for months but looked vulnerable recently which led to uncertainty over their promotion hopes. The Whites are still pretty much favourites to make a long-pending top-flight return but must cope up with the challenges being encountered every gameweek while locking horns with league counterparts.
The backline of Leeds has let down many after conceding some soft goals from set-pieces. Meanwhile, the further injury blow of right-back Luke Ayling against Nottingham Forest has now made the gaffer apprehensive prior to the next couple of months’ of busy schedule.
A ligament damage is likely to keep out the Englishman sidelined for a while, and the shallowness of the squad would put El Loco in a quandary while lining up his alternative down the right. Versatile Gaetano Berardi has been ruled out for four months soon after returning from a six-week injury layoff, and the crisis at the back now needs to be handled tactically before the transfer window reopens in January.
The return of left-back Barry Douglas should work as a defensive boost and allow his makeshift Stuart Dallas to deputise on the opposite side of Leeds’ ‘back four’. Dallas, a midfield attacker by traits, has been erroneous and unimpressive as the understudy whereas academy prodigy Jamie Shackleton remains the only other alternative who has featured in a similar role under Bielsa despite flourishing as a midfielder through youth ranks. The double blow has now put the Whites in further trouble due to the shortage of options. A change of formation won’t be helping them either due to lack of senior names in the central backline.
“He will play as a full-back. He has a very important contribution to the offensive play. He has a very good first pass. He is a dynamic player and adapts very well to the style of play.”
The manager stated recently even if the supporters are not entirely convinced with the Northern Irishman’s display, but they have to show their trust in such a difficult and decisive phase of the season before it hits the culmination next year.
