Leeds got back on track with a stunning performance against Derby on Friday night. It was the kind of display that we will look back and suggest was pivotal should Marcelo Bielsa’s men manage to secure promotion.
Every man on the pitch played their part. Liam Cooper’s return clearly made the Whites more difficult to break down, Gjanni Alioski and Jack Harrison each put in one of their best performances of the season, and Jack Clarke was sensational.
But now the dust is settling, it is time to issue a major apology to Adam Forshaw.
Forshaw has been heavily criticised in recent weeks. He was given the incredibly tough task of filling the void that Kalvin Phillips left after moving into the defence and then picking up a suspension.
It has not been easy for the 27-year-old. It was his mistake that led to Nottingham Forest’s opener in our recent defeat. And he seemed to be struggling to control games as Phillips had done.
How wrong we were
Unfortunately, it seemed heading into Friday that Forshaw had been fortunate that Phillips had picked up a suspension. Had the latter been available for Friday, most fans would have wanted him back in the midfield with Cooper alongside Pontus Jansson. That would have likely left Forshaw on the bench.
But blimey, are we grateful that Forshaw got a chance against the Rams!
The former Middlesbrough man was superb. He broke up play so often, and some of his passing was exceptional. It was arguably his best performance in a Leeds shirt.
Forshaw’s quality has never been in doubt, but we have recently asked questions about his ability to play in Phillips’ deeper role.
Now we have no doubts. Forshaw has shut us up. And we could not be happier to be so wrong.