Leeds United: Graham Smyth ponders possible solution to problem area for Daniel Farke
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has suggested Jaidon Anthony could be a possible option at left-back for Leeds United against Bristol City.
Leeds head into their showdown at Elland Road on Saturday (7 October) without the injured Jamie Shackleton and Junior Firpo, while Daniel Farke has confirmed Sam Byram is doubtful.
Should that be the case, Farke will be light on options in that area of the field, potentially meaning he may have to look elsewhere for someone to fill in.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast [6 October, 9m 20s], Smyth said: “Do you consider Jaidon Anthony at left-back, in an emergency, if Shackleton and Byram are not available?”
Far from ideal
Farke will not want to push Byram too far, having used the defender twice already over the past week, but he may well be forced to for this match.
If not, Anthony seems to be as good an option as anyone – albeit this is far from an ideal change.
The Bournemouth loanee is a left-sided midfielder or forward by nature, but he did play at full-back for the Cherries during pre-season.
There is also possibly the option of moving a centre-back out wide, whether it is Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk or Liam Cooper.
Again, it is far from ideal for Farke, but he will surely have come up with a plan in the days leading up to the game, knowing his options were limited.
Whoever Farke goes with against Bristol City, hopefully they put in a performance to help keep Leeds in the top six heading into the two-week break.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has been praised for an “immense” answer he gave at his press conference.