Credit: Imago

James Barker

Sun 22 March 2026 8:10, UK

James Justin played well for Leeds United in the place of the suspended Gabriel Gudmundsson against Brentford.

After Gudmundsson’s controversial sending off against Crystal Palace, Daniel Farke was forced to turn to his squad depth to find a replacement for the Swede on Saturday night.

His only two natural options were Sam Byram and Justin respectively, and it was the latter of those two which got the nod against Brentford.

Justin, 28, signed from Leicester City in this season’s summer window, but the experienced defender has found in somewhat challenging to hold down a starting role in his debut campaign in West Yorkshire.

It was a frustrating evening at Elland Road on Saturday, as Leeds had to settle for a goalless draw against Keith Andrews’ team, but Farke’s men have at least moved one point closer to preserving their Premier League status.

James Justin was good for Leeds United vs Brentford

Justin has had his Leeds critics this season, with some not totally convinced of what the one-cap England international particularly brings to the team.

One of his best traits is indeed his versatility, as he’s a right-back by trade, but can and has operated everywhere across the backline and in midfield too.

So, with Gudmundsson being the left-back/left wing-back in Leeds’ system, it was on the left flank where Justin had to come into the team against Brentford, which as aforementioned, isn’t his natural side.

However, the Englishman still put in the kind of performance that, whilst it perhaps didn’t overly catch the eye or have his name on the lips of Leeds fans coming out of Elland Road, did show his worth to Farke and the team.

As detailed by Sofascore, Justin played three key passes against Brentford, had three shots on goal, took 73 touches and made only one unsuccessful touch in the game.

He also carried the ball 17 times, made nine defensive contributions, cleared the ball six times, won three of his five ground duels and made just one foul.

It was simply a very solid performance from Justin, who showed that he’s more than capable of stepping up in an unnatural position and putting in a shift that doesn’t compromise his sides’ chances of getting a result.

Justin is a very solid Swiss Army Knife player for Leeds

Some players don’t make careers out grabbing the headlines for their team, but those characters who can just fill in anywhere and do a job are so often worth their weight in gold.

Justin is one of those players, as whilst his displays don’t routinely see him picking up man of the match awards, he is one who rarely lets his team down either wherever he’s asked to play.

So, especially when fighting against relegation in a division as testing as the Premier League is, when injuries and suspensions strike, being able to turn to a player like Justin is an invaluable commodity for a manager.

He’s the profile of player that Farke could no doubt wax lyrical about his importance for hours on end, as he knows that he can just call his number and he’ll get a performance out of him.

Therefore, whilst he isn’t the flashiest, most technically gifted defender Leeds have ever had, Justin shows his true value in games such as the one against Brentford, where some fans perhaps don’t realise just how crucial he is until they’re in that Gudmundsson-esque situation.