Leeds United are once again setting up the pace on the top of the table but what matters is who would occupy that slot come the end of the season. The Whites meanwhile haven’t had the best of home record so far as they have won just one of their three home games so far. Next, they will welcome Derby County at Elland Road sans Frank Lampard.
Last season’s animosity between the two clubs is likely to remain, and we are expecting a feisty encounter this weekend. Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills meanwhile believes that Jamie Shackleton will find it hard to keep his place in the starting eleven even after impressing in the previous tie against Barnsley.
Danny Mills on Shackleton’s display and first-team chances
The 42-year-old said (Football Insider), ”He (Shackleton) came in and I thought he did very, very well. He gets around the pitch, athletic, passes the ball well – does all those things that you expect from a midfield player. Forget whether it’s a holding midfield or attacking midfield. I thought he did very, very good but long gone are the days you win the game, and you get an unchanged team.”
Selection Dilemma: A Positive problem to have
The English youngster was handed a start after Adam Forshaw suffered an injury before the Barnsley clash. To be fair, Shackleton has never disappointed whenever he has got his chances to feature in the starting eleven. His energy, commitment and ability to drive the ball forward makes him an asset in midfield, and he is certainly knocking on the door to becoming a regular.
However, Adam Forshaw is an experienced campaigner who has started the season brightly. So Mills is definitely right that even though Shackleton impressed, he might lose his place in the starting lineup. Moreover, in a big game against Derby County, going in with an experienced player makes more sense.
Nevertheless, having a selection dilemma is always seen as a good sign as that shows that non-regular players are keeping the first eleven members on their toes. Shackleton has played in different roles in the middle and even as a right back on occasions.
That shows that he is always willing to adapt to the circumstances and more often than not, he has come out triumphant. In a long and hard season, we expect Shackleton to play a significant part in Leeds United’s promotion run.
