Leeds United enter their final two matches with a solid and confident lineup that should be free of the doubts and uncertainty that have plagued recent weeks.
Selection arguments and uncertainty had clouded the waters for Leeds United in recent weeks, as their form dipped following the international break. With each point surrendered since Vicarage Road, Daniel Farke’s lineup has become increasingly riddled with problems that must be solved.
With only two games remaining in the season, Monday’s triumph on Teesside should put an end to that. The confidence gained from the victory over Middlesbrough should help the team settle back into a familiar rhythm and, perhaps, improve cohesion throughout their final tests.
The injuries to Connor Roberts and Daniel James eliminate two additional possibilities that the manager could have had in his lineup. After that morale-boosting victory, it would be surprising to see the Whites anything but unchanged at Loftus Road on Friday night.
There is still a slim chance Farke will trust Glen Kamara to return and shift Archie Gray to right-back, despite the latter’s superb performance on Monday night. The teenager resembled the midfield string-puller we saw at Stamford Bridge and deserves another chance with Ilia Gruev.
After the Liam Cooper experiment at Watford, central defence speaks for itself, and Charlie Cresswell is no longer even considered for matchday squads. Junior Firpo’s two additional assists from left-back strengthened his position as a critical fifth attacking outlet in this 4-2-3-1 system.
Wilfried Gnonto had the recent upper hand over James down the right flank, but the latter’s injury will sideline the Italian for the next two games if he can stay healthy. Georginio Rutter was both happy and irritated by Monday’s victory, but he did win the penalty and contributed to the other three goals.
Crysencio Summerville scarcely needs to be mentioned, but Patrick Bamford scored and appeared significantly more involved in the attack versus Middlesbrough. Mateo Joseph’s popularity was skyrocketing following regularly poor performances from senior players, but Bamford’s experience pushed him back into the starting lineup, and he should stay.
