Daniel Farke to make Isaac Schmidt decision for Leeds United clash v Bristol City
Tony Dorigo has backed Daniel Farke to start Sam Byram ahead of Isaac Schmidt for the clash between Leeds United and Bristol City.
The Whites travel to Ashton Gate to face the Robins on Saturday (26 October) as they look to stretch their unbeaten run in the Championship to seven consecutive matches.
Farke will have to make do without Junior Firpo who is suspended having picked up five yellow cards this term and LUTV pundit Dorigo expects the Leeds boss to hand Byram his first league start of the campaign rather than pick Schmidt.
Speaking on The Square Ball (25 October, 11:10) Dan Moylan said: “We’re going to miss Junior Firpo for the Bristol City game, what does he do at left-back?
“Does he go for Schmidt or do you think it’s Sam Byram?”
Dorigo replied: “I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but I am available. I did talk to Daniel and he quickly said you’re kidding me.
“What do you do? These sorts of things are going to come up, this is why you’ve got a squad and we’ve coped really well. Since then, I can see Byram stepping and doing a job. Simple as that.”
What has happened to Leeds United star Junior Firpo at Elland Road?
Undoubtedly, losing Firpo is a major blow for the Whites and Farke. While the Dominican Republic international is capable of making some major errors in defence, he provides a real threat down the left wing that very few fullbacks carry.
Against Sunderland, the former Barcelona man linked up incredibly well with Largie Ramazani to give the Black Cats’ backline a torrid evening before Illan Meslier’s last-second mistake gifted them a way back into the game.
While Byram is more than capable of slotting into the backline to offer a solid presence in defence, the 33-year-old doesn’t quite carry the same threat going forward, particularly when deployed at left-back.
Although Schmidt’s minutes in a Whites shirt so far this season have been limited, he has looked bright and energetic when introduced from the bench.
Farke is lucky to have two excellent options waiting in the wings to replace Firpo against Bristol City and it does feel as though he can’t really get this decision wrong.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been told to make a new Patrick Bamford exit decision after updates at Elland Road
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