Leeds United Chat • The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 9th February) Selection dilemma for Bielsa
Selection dilemma for Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa faces a selection dilemma ahead of tonight clash with Aston Villa. Junior Firpo has not recovered significantly to take part this evening, which leaves a massive hole at left-back. Normally Stuart Dallas would fill in, but surely we need the Northern Ireland International to add some much needed bite in midfield! With Adam Forshaw returning to defensive midfield duties, Koch could drop back to partner Llorente at centre-back which leaves Pascal Struijk free to occupy the No 3 role.
Alternatively, Bielsa may entrust Leo Hjelde to fill the void. The Norwegian U21 International impressed the Elland Road faithful when called upon last month, prompting questions why he was dropped against Newcastle several weeks ago.
Unfair to judge Leeds - Gerrard
Ahead of tonight's clash at Villa Park, Clarets Manager Steven Gerrard has given a respectful opinion of Leeds Utd, and suggests it is not fair to judge the (Leeds) players this season due to their injury crisis. The former England midfielder also commented that Leeds are a very exciting team, and he enjoys watching them:-
“My opinion on Leeds is, as a team and as a squad, they’ve got really talented players, really dangerous players,” “They haven’t had the best of luck in terms of injuries, so it’s not fair to judge them too strongly.
“I’ve only focussed on Leeds over the last few weeks, as I was in Scotland up until November, but from the outside, I’ve always enjoyed watching Leeds. I think they’re a very exciting team. “They’re getting players returning from injury, and I’m sure once they get Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford back, it wouldn’t surprise me if they find a higher level of consistency.”
Cresswell delighted with return to action
Following their 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Monday evening, U23's Captain Charlie Cresswell spoke of his elation, not only at the result, but returning to action from a two-month lay off. The 19yo skipper had been sidelined after injuring his shoulder during training, just before Christmas. It coincided at a time when he was playing his best football, and was due to be rewarded with a rare start in the first team. According to Cresswell:-
"It was good, the fans helped us but I thought we did really well from start to finish. I was dusting off my rust to start with, first 30 minutes were a bit rusty but apart from that I thought we carried out [our task] throughout the game solid, I thought we dug in and it was amazing to do that, getting a win in front of the fans. "There was a bit of nervousness, a bit of an anxious feeling before the game because we needed a win, it's tight at the bottom," "To go in there [changing rooms] after and put the music on and start having a good time and smiling, it was good to see, nice to be a part of, it's good to be back."