Max Wober could be set for different Leeds United role v West Ham in Premier League
Leeds United centre-back Max Wober could be set for a different role against West Ham United on Sunday [21 May] following Junior Firpo’s suspension, according to Graham Smyth.
The former Barcelona defender looked like a poor bystander for much of their 2-2 draw against Newcastle United and was even sent off in the final stages of the game on Saturday [13 May].
With the Whites in desperate need of a win on Sunday against West Ham at the London Stadium, Smyth writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post [16 May] believes Sam Allardyce may consider a key decision at left-back.
He wrote: “Allardyce will be faced with more big decisions this week as he prepares for the penultimate game of the season at West Ham United.
“With Junior Firpo suspended, he could bring Pascal Struijk in at left-back or put Max Wober there, which would create a vacancy in the centre of defence.”
Gaping problem
No matter who Allardyce opts to start at left-back against the Hammers at the weekend, one thing is abundantly clear: Leeds United have a major gaping problem within the position.
One of the factors that could be blamed for their poor position in the Premier League table is their issue at left back and it is very clear that Firpo certainly isn’t up to the required standard to perform every week in the role as his performance against Newcastle showed.
Even the most ardent Whites fans in Elland Road will be surprised that he stayed on the pitch as long as he actually did.
Many watching the game will have been surprised as to why Allardyce did not choose to bring him off when he wasn’t having a great run out there. However, there was no better option capable of coming in and bringing an improvement.
Wober and Struijk aren’t even ideal replacements either, so it will be interesting to see what the former England manager decides to do.
Many Leeds United fans will favour Wober given he played there during his Red Bull Salzburg days but Smyth is right, that may deter Allardyce’s quality at centre-back. This is a major decision which could prove very crucial in their quest to secure Premier League safety.
In other Leeds news, Radrizzani could now stay put at Elland Road after a £4.16bn update elsewhere.