The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 20th December) - Does Archie Gray Risk Burnout?
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 20th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
With 2166 minutes of game time already, does Archie risk burnout
Archie Gray has been a revelation since breaking into the first team this season, but surely risks burnout if his game time continuous not to be managed properly. He has started 19 league games, both League Cup games, and all England U19 games (3 x 90 minutes). In total, Gray has notched up 2166 minutes of game time, and it's not even Christmas. He hasn't even been substituted in his last 12 league games!
Can Leeds afford to rest Archie? Spence is a more than reliable replacement at left back, though with Byram, Firpo and Dallas all injured, it would leave a major gap on the opposite flank.
Leeds will demand £30m for Harrison
Leeds will demand a fee of around £30m for winger Jack Harrison, should Everton wish to make to the move permanent. The 27 year old has helped revive the fortunes of the Toffee's. When he joined mid August, Sean Dyche's team were languishing towards the pit of the Premier League, but ever since have managed to pull things together, and are currently 4th in the form guide over the last 12 games.
Harrison's contract runs until the Summer of 2028, so there is no reason why Leeds shouldn't get top money for him. Leeds only paid Manchester City £11m for his services but had to fork out £9m in loan fees over three seasons. It's a shame Leeds failed to get a loan fee from Everton...
Should Farke have freshened up his side at the weekend
Phil Hay has intimated that Daniel Farke should have 'freshened up' his line-up last weekend after the 'hard slog' at the Stadium of Light midweek. It's easy to be wise after the event, especially with so much resting on results, but does he have a point? Obviously the gaffer has his preferred line-up, consisting of his best and most consistent players, and naturally doesn't want to deviate from it; which is understandable.
However, in recent games we have seen uncharacteristic mistakes from players like Ampadu, Piroe disappearing from sight, not to mention a drop in form from Archie Gray. Is fatigue taking its toll? The Whites are half way through their festive campaign will will see them play nine games in 33 days, and it's not going to get any easier!
Hay mentions that nine players have started at least 17 of their 22 Championship matches this season; a tell tale sign that his squad lacks the strength in depth needed to spearhead a top two finish.
It is ever more obvious that there is a specific line-up which appeals to him most and which he is most loyal to, hence one change at Sunderland last Tuesday and none at all against Coventry, despite a hard slog at the Stadium of Light inviting more of a freshen-up.
Nine Leeds players have started at least 17 of the 22 Championship matches under Farke. Several of them will go past 2,000 minutes for the season shortly. He has not had to ask himself this question often since August but if the core of his squad - the men who regularly win games for him - come up short, who else is likely to deliver? And who else is in the right form to deliver?
