Noel Whelan concerned about early Leeds team news ahead of clash v Cardiff
BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has expressed concern at what is likely to be an unchanged Leeds line-up for the Championship clash against Cardiff on Saturday.
In his pre-match press conference, manager Marcelo Bielsa said that centre-back Liam Copper was much better after missing the last two games.
However, he also said that if he wasn’t 100% then he wouldn’t risk him.
Talking on West Yorkshire Sport Daily (Friday, 6pm), Whelan was asked what he thought were the chances of Bielsa naming an unchanged line-up on Saturday.
“Very strong,” said Whelan. “Nine and three-quarters. It looks like Liam Cooper will be rested again. Personally I’d like him back in the side, despite how amazing Berardi was the other day.
“He gives us that extra height, more balance at the back and he can start attacks off with that lovely left foot diagonal ball that he’s got in his locker.
“The more physicality we have against a big, strong Cardiff side, the better.”
We’re half with Whelan on this one – we also think that Cooper will be rested.
We think that could actually be a good thing, though. Leeds are a better side with Cooper in, that’s not in dispute, but Leeds have won the last two games without conceding a goal.
Berardi was one of the best players on the pitch for Leeds against Hull.
More importantly, we need Cooper fit for next Saturday when we travel to Fulham in one of the defining games of the season.
Fulham are 11 points back in third and three points at Craven Cottage would take Leeds one huge step close to the Premier League.
Beat Cardiff without him tomorrow and keep Cooper fresh for the Fulham game. There’s an Under-23s game on Monday that he could play 45 minutes in if Bielsa wants to get his match fitness back up.
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