Sam Allardyce predicted to use Max Wober in midfield for Leeds United by BT Sport pundit
Tony Dorigo has predicted Sam Allardyce to use Max Wober in a midfield role for Leeds United in their upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle (13 May).
The Whites are bang in trouble after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City was followed by a pair of wins for relegation rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest on Monday (8 May), with the club sitting 19th with three games of the season remaining.
Writing in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, BT Sport pundit Dorigo admitted that Allardyce could use the Austrian international in midfield instead of his usual centre-back role if long-term absentee Adam Forshaw was not fit enough to start his second game in two weeks.
“Adam Forshaw coming in at Manchester City was an obvious one because we can keep the ball, he’s got experience, but we’re asking a lot of him with his lack of gametime in recent years.
“He gives absolutely everything and if that is the way Sam Allardyce is going to go then Forshaw will be vital.
” He’s got other options, I thought he might possibly take a look at Max Wober in a midfield role but whichever route Allardyce takes, Leeds don’t have an ideal-world scenario here so Forshaw is probably the best fit.”
Needed at the back
The decision on Wober is a tough one to strike.
The Austrian’s ability to jump into the midfield when needed is extremely useful, but in this situation, is he better used at the back?
It was originally as soon as Wober was sidelined that Leeds started shipping goals for fun under Javi Gracia, and you can’t help but feel his leadership is integral to the heart of the defence.
With fellow centre-back Liam Cooper ruled out of the clash against the Magpies, it looks like keeping Wober in defence could be the best call, and keeping Forshaw in the middle of the park if he is fit enough to start.
Although a two-man midfield of Marc Roca and Weston McKennie isn’t the best-case scenario, Allardyce has few other options to call upon.
Big Sam might be tempted to push the former RB Salzburg man into midfield, but this could well leave his side extremely vulnerable at the back.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites will be without four first-team players for their Premier League clash against Newcastle United, according to an injury expert.