BBC pundit issues verdict on Sam Byram’s display on second Leeds debut on Sunday

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Matt Kilgallon has issued his verdict on the performance of Sam Byram after the defender made his second debut for Leeds United, coming on for the second-half against Cardiff City on Sunday.

Kilgallon was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after Leeds scored twice at either end of the second-half to salvage a point against the Bluebirds at Elland Road.

Sam Byram ended up signing a one-year contract with the Whites last week after spending the summer working with Daniel Farke’s side.

Byram, of course, started his career as a marauding right-back. But he was needed on the left on Sunday after Leo Hjelde had a very tough time in the role.

Kilgallon praises Byram after second Leeds debut

Byram was obviously more comfortable on his right foot. But he did not let that stop him trying to drive down the line and break into the box. And he played his part in Leeds giving Cardiff more to worry about on that side of the pitch in the second-half.

Kilgallon certainly felt that Byram gave a very good account of himself in the dramatic draw.

“He did very well, he was an attacking force as well. But looked solid at the back. He’s got the experience there, and Farke knows him well. He can trust him. He came on and he shored it up,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I liked him there. It might be somewhere where he’s going to play. It looks like he can do it. It wasn’t like you were watching him going ‘he’s on the wrong side’. He was very comfortable going out wide and overlapping on the left-hand side. So no, really impressed with him when he came on.”

Obviously, it is not ideal that Leeds are starting the season with Hjelde and Byram competing for the left-back spot. Neither consider left-back to be their best position. And Leeds have had too many players like that down the years.

Unfortunately, it appears that Daniel Farke cannot do a great deal in the market while Leeds have not sold many players permanently. And with that, he may not have too much choice until Junior Firpo potentially returns.

If Byram’s display is a sign of what is to come, he has to start for the time-being. But it is important to not read too much into one game when it is not yet clear what the season is going to look like for either Leeds or Cardiff.