Time to try something new – FA Cup contest a chance for change at Leeds United
Leeds United have played the same full-throttle football for every game they’ve played under Marcelo Bielsa’s management.
And while it brought them great success in getting promoted from the Championship before achieving a top ten finish in their return to the Premier League, form has dipped this season.
A host of injuries for sure hasn’t helped matters but it seems that teams have figured out how to beat Bielsa’s “murderball” and it could be time to change the record.
In an ideal world, Bielsa could look to use his senior players in a new formation and determine if he sees it working when they return to league action.
Injury problems at Elland Road though has decimated the Argentine’s squad and he still has only the bare bones to choose from, not that that should stop him from experimenting with his side.
With stress loads high on his fit senior players this season, Leeds’ FA Cup game against West Ham could see some of the club’s Under-23 stars earn a chance in the first team.
Crysencio Summerville, Sam Greenwood and Max Dean have grown a strong bond on the pitch and they have all contributed heavily to Mark Jackson’s side this season.
Dutch winger Summerville scored a hat-trick in their 3-3 draw with Sunderland on Wednesday and was brought off at half-time, maybe to rest up ahead of a potential start in the FA Cup.
Greenwood, 19, was also subbed at the break which indicates he could be involved in Bielsa’s team too to make his fourth senior appearances but Dean, who is only 17 years of age, played the full game.
Even if these Under-23 stars aren’t quite ready to play Premier League games, a cup test against strong opposition is the ideal time to see what they are made of.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has updated fans about an Elland Road-linked midfielder.