MOT View: Leeds switch would make sense, player exploited v Cardiff
With Leeds United having been hit with a number of injuries once again this season, Marcelo Bielsa has had to look to the academy to fill his bench at times.
Not only has he just placed them on the bench, but the past couple of weeks have seen two youngsters make their debuts for the Whites.
First, Oliver Casey came on in the 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town, then Pascal Struijk did exactly the same only a few days after when Leeds beat Hull City.
Bielsa must have been impressed with the latter, as he brought him on once again to help combat Cardiff City’s height at Elland Road.
It backfired for Leeds, who let a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 against Cardiff, with the 20-year-old at fault for the equaliser. Struijk lost track of the ball as well as Robert Glatzel, who finished calmly when through on goal.
It is always easy to place blame on a younger player though, with Leeds fans slamming the Dutch starlet after the clash which saw the Whites lose their winning-streak.
This will leave Bielsa with a decision to make, and it could see Casey given a chance to return to the matchday squad in place of his fellow academy star.
Struijk could be set for a spell on the sidelines at Elland Road, back in the under-23s and that could definitely reopen the door to Casey to cement that spot on the bench.
We have been watching Carlos Corberan’s side regularly this season, and Casey has certainly been one of the standout players from the heart of the defence.
The 19-year-old made two interceptions and also had a 100% passing percentage in his cameo against Huddersfield [WhoScored], proving he could be a lot calmer in the face of adversity in defence – unlike Struijk against Cardiff.
Casey replacing Struijk for the clash against Fulham on Saturday would certainly make sense after the latter was exploited recently.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds star left ‘disappointed’ by Bielsa decision in 3-3 draw v Cardiff