‘Three massive changes’ – Exclusive: Pundit makes Leeds line-up claim ahead of Leicester clash
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that Marcelo Bielsa made three “massive changes” against Aston Villa and they worked out so well that he won’t hesitate to do the same again.
He claimed Bielsa will name an unchanged back four if Liam Cooper is ruled out of the game against Leicester on Monday.
That will likely mean no place in the starting XI for Pascal Struijk – seen before the Villa game as the stand-in centre-back.
Struijk played in the holding midfield role against Villa but was subbed off after just 21 minutes.
Gjanni Alioski came into the side for a rare start and Luke Ayling played absolutely brilliantly in the centre of defence in the 3-0 win.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News Robinson said, “If Liam Cooper is not fit on Monday then I don’t think you’ll see Bielsa changing things at the back.
“I think the back four looked great. Villa created some chances but they were always going to do that.
“It was a makeshift back four – look at the players that Leeds had missing. Dallas was on the right, Ayling at centre-back, and Alioski came in on the left.
“Dallas is normally on the left, Ayling on the right and Alioski doesn’t start so that’s three massive changes right there.
“Robin Koch has come in and he hasn’t had a solid centre-back partnership yet so you’ve got to give him credit for what he’s done.
“If the injury situation is the same against Leicester I think the back four will stay the same.”
Liam Cooper has missed three games already this season and aggravated a groin strain in the warm-up ahead of the defeat against Wolves.
We should find out more about whether he’s going to play on Monday in Marcelo Bielsa’s press conference on Friday afternoon.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Said I wasn’t good enough’ – Leeds ace claims Bielsa battered him for 30 minutes after PL clash