Farke will ring the changes this night.
Daniel Farke made six changes to a Leeds United team that was in disarray after a three-day turnaround from Championship to League Cup competition a year ago. Before Tuesday’s press conference, you would have expected fewer changes from the German for tomorrow’s match against Middlesbrough, but Farke virtually signaled the necessity for more rotation at Elland Road.
Nine moves may seem excessive, especially given that Middlesbrough will ask far more questions than Shrewsbury Town did. Karl Darlow, a goalkeeper many Championship clubs would rate as their number one, will undoubtedly make his fourth competitive appearance for the Whites.
Illan Meslier’s poor performance on Saturday provides even more reason to sit him down on Wednesday night. It could be a coin flip as to which of Saturday’s full-backs gets a rest, but Junior Firpo’s injury history suggests Farke wants to relieve the pressure on his legs.
Jayden Bogle may potentially be given the opportunity to make up for Saturday’s defensive blunders and be one of the few who remains in the squad. Max Wober and Sam Byram appear to be good chances for the season’s initial starts on the left side of defense.
Is Farke taking on too much risk with James Debayo? Unless the manager keeps Joe Rodon or moves captain Ethan Ampadu back, the kid might play in the center with the Austrian. Farke’s comments about Debayo suggest he may want to give him this chance.
Joe Rothwell, who missed out on Saturday, will also be a banker starting on Wednesday night. We know Ampadu is rarely absent from the starting lineup, and in such a close game, the captain will almost certainly keep his spot.
Does he start in defense to make room for Charlie Crew, or in midfield to accommodate Debayo? Crew may be too vulnerable to start in this game, especially against such strong competition, including an attack-minded Rothwell.
The front four appear to be precisely poised for mass rotation. There are four players waiting in the wings who all require minutes. Patrick Bamford’s sole option is to lead the attack, leaving Joel Piroe to follow him.
Joe Gelhardt excelled at Home Park last season when he played on the right wing, and he could return there in search of rare minutes. That leaves Brenden Aaronson as another banker who requires game time to play off the left.
Predicted starting XI: Darlow; Bogle, Debayo, Wober, Byram; Rothwell, Ampadu; Gelhardt, Piroe, Aaronson; Bamford.
