Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Sat 25 November 2023 9:10, UK

Jaidon Anthony will be “frustrated” by his lack of playing time at Leeds United after being named among the substitutes against Rotherham United, according to Jermaine Beckford.

The Bournemouth loanee was only introduced with five minutes left of Friday’s (24 November) Championship clash as Leeds failed to find a winner in their 1-1 draw.

Anthony has started just two league games under Daniel Farke, which former Leeds favourite Beckford believes will now be taking its toll on the winger.

“This is something Leeds haven’t had in a while,” Beckford told Sky Sports [24 November] ahead of the game.

“The strength in depth off the bench – Patrick Bamford, Jaidon Anthony, who must be frustrated because he’s been fantastic every time he has come on.

“Coming from Bournemouth in the Premier League, not getting the opportunity to play week in, week out. That’s what we have missed from Leeds United.”

Now in contention

While having strength in depth is of course a massive positive, it does mean that Farke runs the risk of upsetting players by not using them.

Anthony is one such example, but the likes of Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto will also no doubt be questioning the German’s team selections.

Farke has settled on a favoured XI, which includes Daniel James, Joel Piroe, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter as his front four.

On the basis of results over the past month or so, nobody could really argue with that selection.

However, it did seem strange that Anthony was not handed a start against Rotherham due to fitness doubts over James and Rutter in particular.

Ten of Anthony’s 12 appearances this season have come as a substitute, but he will surely now be in contention to start against Swansea City.

The fixtures will be coming thick and fast between now and the new year, so Farke must ensure that he makes full use of his playing squad.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says a “generational talent” has been seduced into quitting Elland Road.