Daniel Farke faces a few big decisions ahead of Leeds United’s clash with Stoke City on Tuesday, with the Whites arguably not at their best for a few games now in the Championship.
Saturday’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town followed a win against Leicester where Leeds more than rode their luck and a 2-0 victory at Plymouth which was uncomfortable at times.
The 3-2 defeat to Chelsea in midweek was encouraging. But Leeds clearly cannot afford to not get back to winning ways at Elland Road this coming week. And thus, a couple of changes may be required.
Time is right for Connor Roberts to get full league debut for Leeds
Connor Roberts has made a real difference in his last two league appearances. The January signing equalised against Leicester. And he set up Patrick Bamford for our goal against the Terriers on Saturday.
It was a rare piece of quality from the visitors in the draw.
With that, there is surely an argument that the 28-year-old has done enough to start against the Potters – for what would be his full debut for the club in the league.
One of the reasons Roberts is yet to get his proper chance is the form of Archie Gray. The 17-year-old looks so comfortable at right-back. And Gray was responsible for an outstanding piece of defending in the first-half against Huddersfield.
But Roberts coming in obviously does not mean that Gray needs to drop down to the bench. Instead, he should perhaps push back into the midfield, potentially in place of Glen Kamara.
Whites need to bounce back quickly
Kamara was not himself against Huddersfield. And that definitely hurt Leeds, who seriously lacked composure in the final third.
It would be a big call to rest the Finland international. But Gray was absolutely brilliant in midfield against Chelsea in the FA Cup. So Leeds would not necessarily lose a lot having the teenager in there.
Roberts has done enough during his cameos off the bench to earn that chance to start in the near future. And perhaps putting him in will also help unlock Gray’s full potential in some massive games.