Javi Gracia to axe Jack Harrison in first Leeds United XI v Southampton – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has suggested Javi Gracia could leave out Jack Harrison if he adopts a 4-4-2 formation for Leeds United during their huge Premier League fixture against Southampton.
The former Watford boss was announced as the Whites’ new head coach on Tuesday (21 February), having signed a “flexible” deal with the Yorkshire side.
The Spaniard previously utilised a 4-4-2 system at Vicarage Road and wouldn’t be against the formation being used for Leeds, even if it did mean Harrison dropping to the bench.
“I wouldn’t be against that [4-4-2], I mean Rutter has been brought in for a club record fee and he hasn’t really been given an opportunity. Bamford has been given a chance and he hasn’t played well since,” Robinson exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“They’ve got a lot of good attacking players but it’s about getting them on the pitch in the right areas. If they’re going to play a 4-4-2 then McKennie and Adams would play in the middle with Gnonto wide left and Summerville wide right and then you’re leaving out Harrison.
“I wouldn’t be against Rutter and Bamford playing in that formation. I would like to see It. Maybe it would make us more defensively sound and then you’ve got the likes of Aaronson on the bench.
“There are a lot of quality attacking players on the bench, it’s defensively where Leeds need to sure up. They’ve let too many goals in that have been their own doing if you like.”
Gracia is set to be without Max Wober the crunch fixture at Elland Road, with The Mirror [20 February, pg. 6] suggesting the Austrian is set to be sidelined for three weeks with a shoulder injury.
Despite only arriving at the club earlier this week, this is a must-win game for the 40-year-old, with the Saints one place below Leeds at the bottom of the league table.
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