Leeds United urged for ‘self-reflection’ with multiple now at risk after auditions vs Birmingham
Daniel Farke may not have been impressed by what he saw from several of his Leeds United players against Birmingham City on Sunday.
The Whites just edged past Birmingham at St. Andrews’ through penalties after being held to a 1-1 scoreline over 120 minutes, and will now look forward to an FA Cup fifth-round tie.
Lucas Perri was the hero in the shootout, as Farke‘s heavily rotated side managed to get the job done against an in-form Championship team.
The Blues posed a big challenge for Leeds, and it may have been Farke’s introduction of his big-name players which aided the victory in the end.
Now, the German head coach may have gotten answers through multiple showings from players who haven’t featured as much this season.
Graham Smyth says bench awaits number of Leeds players after Birmingham
Farke started with the likes of Sebastiaan Bornauw, Willy Gonto, Ao Tanaka, and Sean Longstaff, who have all had reduced minutes this campaign or, for some, less playing time in recent weeks.
Last time out in the FA Cup, Leeds breezed past Derby County fairly easily, even with a rotated side, but this time some struggled when facing Chris Davies’ in-form team.
| Player | Premier League minutes |
| Sebastiaan Bornauw | 308 |
| Ao Tanaka | 741 |
| Willy Gnonto | 349 |
| Sean Longstaff | 939 |
While writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Graham Smyth explained why, even though the Whites got over the line, some may now struggle to gain Premier League minutes in the second half of the season.
Smyth said: “Being in the hat was the only requirement when the tie kicked off. But as individuals, there ought to be some tough self-reflection.
“Rust or no rust, quality should have shone through far brighter than it did, even against an in-form Birmingham City in the pouring rain. For a handful, what lies beyond this cup tie is no mystery but simply more time on the bench.”
Facundo Buonanotte also started, but was hooked at halftime, and given Brenden Aaronson’s current form, the Argentine could struggle to break into the first team.
Who failed their Leeds audition vs Birmingham?
Gnonto has only started four league matches this season, despite playing 43 out of the 46 games in the Championship last campaign.
The Italian was tipped for an Elland Road exit in the winter transfer market, but after staying at LS11, he may now be wishing he’d have sought pastures new.
Despite scoring the winning penalty, Longstaff didn’t put much of a stamp on the game. Birmingham had 55 per cent possession in the whole match, and that may be down to the Whites’ lack of midfield control.
With Ilia Gruev, Anton Stach, and Ethan Ampadu all at the top of their game, Longstaff could risk no starts from now until the end of the Premier League season.
Bornauw has also struggled for minutes, and his worries at Leeds look set to continue until the summer.
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