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'Wow' – Adrian Durham taken aback by early Leeds team news v Bristol City
talkSPORT broadcaster Adrian Durham has been shocked by the early Leeds team news from Marcelo Bielsa, who confirmed that Kiko Casilla would be starting against Bristol City on Saturday.
Durham has covered the last two games for Leeds United, the 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and the 1-1 draw with Brentford, and is at Elland Road today.
Casilla made blunders in both previous games, allowing himself to be beaten at the near post for the opening goal in the game against Forest. He gifted Brentford their only goal of the game on Tuesday when he let a simple back pass roll under his foot.
Talking on Drive (talkSPORT, Friday, 5pm), Durham praised Kalvin Phillips but found it hard to believe that Casilla was starting again on Saturday.
“It’s three Leeds games in a week for me,” Durham said. “I’ve become the Leeds correspondent.
“It’s fascinating watching Leeds. Against Forest they were hopeless, they couldn’t string two passes together. They were garbage.
“Midweek they were much the better side against Brentford. One of the big differences was Kalvin Phillips… I think he’s brilliant.
“For me Kalvin Phillips is amazing. It’s like Jack Grealish last season, he should be in the Premier League.
“Bielsa has said that Kiko Casilla is staying in goal after his blunder against Brentford. Wow. To just let the ball roll under your foot like that, it was incredible.”
Bielsa confirmed that two players would be starting against Bristol City – Casilla and Patrick Bamford. Both players have come in for sustained fan criticism over the past couple of months.
He’s a supportive manager which is what players under the cosh need. Now it’s time for them to pay back his loyalty.
It’s not hyperbole to say a win today is a must. Bristol City are three points back in seventh place. Fulham are on the same points as Leeds and have a much easier game against Barnsley today.
West Brom could go nine points clear at the top if they beat Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off today.
Ironically, Leeds want that to happen as Forest are part of the chasing pack and so close Leeds can feel the breath on the back of their necks now.
A clean sheet and a goal for Bamford would be the dream outcome, although with Casilla’s FA hearing set for next week this could be his last game in the Championship for a while now, irrespective of how he performs today.
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