Beren Cross shares why Daniel Farke can take ‘sigh of relief’ after what happened at Leeds United
Daniel Farke will be considering himself relieved when it comes to the suspensions among his Leeds United squad, says Beren Cross.
The journalist reported for LeedsLive [27 October] how following the Whites’ frustrating goalless stalemate at Bristol City on Saturday, the manager will at least be reassured that three of his defence are not banned at once.
Junior Firpo was absent through suspension at Ashton Gate, while Jayden Bogle will miss the hosting of Plymouth Argyle next weekend [2 November] after picking up his fifth booking of the season during the second half.
Joe Rodon – as well as forward Wilfried Gnonto – stand on four yellows, and on the cusp of a one-match ban which Farke will be glad does not align with Bogle’s nor Firpo’s.
Leeds United navigating their small squad
Leeds have more options in some areas than others – for instance, despite his fast start at Elland Road, Manor Solomon has been missed less than first feared when he was out through injury thanks to the form of Largie Ramazani in his place.
With defenders, on the other hand, to hypothetically lose Bogle, Firpo and Rodon at the same time would have been a selection disaster for Farke, with new free agent arrival Josuha Guilavogui likely to have had to come straight in alongside Pascal Struijk in the centre of a much-changed defence.
Sam Byram was the man to come in for Firpo and put in a positive shift at left-back during the 90 minutes, his first full game after just 40 league minutes beforehand this season.
He will be expected to move across to the other side to fill the void left by Bogle, as the in-form Firpo returns against Plymouth.
Whenever Rodon’s inevitable suspension arrives, Farke will have to assess the state of play with the recovering Max Wober, with Guilavogui also able to slot in.
In other Leeds news, a former Whites player has come out in defence of Joel Piroe.
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