Leeds United: Don Goodman moots possible change as ‘concern’ raised pre-Middlesbrough
Don Goodman has suggested Mateo Joseph is deserving of a starting spot when Leeds United travel to Middlesbrough on Monday (22 April).
Leeds have failed to score in back-to-back games, having followed up a 0-0 draw against Sunderland with a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
Following those successive home games, United quite simply need to pick up three points at the Riverside Stadium.
Goodman admits Leeds’ recent form is a worry, which could see Joseph turned to over the likes of Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe.
“Based on what I’ve seen since the international break, Matteo Joseph looks the liveliest and the most likely to cause opponents problems,” Goodman told MOT Leeds News.
“Chances have come and gone, and that’s proved really costly at this time of the season in which Leeds are desperate to get wins on the board.
“Leeds’ form has nosedived in terms of not creating as many chances and then not finding the back of the net. So that is a concern, and you also add into the mix the pressure element as well – all of that is not a great recipe.”
Mateo Joseph pushing for Leeds start vs Middlesbrough
Bamford’s run of five games without a goal led to Daniel Farke dropping him against Blackburn and starting Piroe up top instead.
However, the summer signing failed to impress and now Farke has a massive decision to make for the trip to Middlesbrough.
Joseph has yet to start a Championship game, so throwing him in now for a must-win game would clearly be a massive show of faith.
While the 20-year-old has not scored across his past four games, he has totalled just an hour or so on the field during those sub appearances.
As he showed with his double in the FA Cup tie at Chelsea, and his late equaliser against Watford, Joseph is capable of finding the net.
Leeds’ automatic promotion hopes may well depend on who leads the line at the Riverside, and many will hope Joseph is given his chance.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has mooted a selection gamble from Farke against Middlesbrough.
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