As the Leeds United team news filtered through ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Harrogate Town, Daniel Farke’s starting XI arguably posed more questions than answers.
With Manor Solomon, Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani all starting, who would feature where in the final third?
Who would play at centre-half alongside Pascal Struijk? Ethan Ampadu or Joshua Guilavogui? And, with Isaac Schmidt playing as a left-back since arriving in West Yorkshire from Swiss outfit St Gallen over the summer, how would he fit into the team with Sam Byram also on Daniel Farke’s team sheet.
As it transpired, it was Guilavogui who would begin the game in the middle of Leeds United’s backline with Ampadu in a more advanced role. Schmidt, meanwhile, would play on the opposite flank as Byram started on the left.
Farke was reluctant to use Isaac Schmidt as a central defender recently, explaining why he did not bring on the £4.5 million acquisition following injuries to both Byram and Jayden Bogle against Blackburn Rovers on New Years’ Day, but he had no such reservations about shifting the 25-year-old from the left to the right against Simon Weaver’s side.
Daniel Farke lauds Leeds United duo Isaac Schmidt and Joshua Guilavogui
“He is a really attacking full-back,” Farke said during his post-match press conference. “He is adventurous. It’s difficult to judge right now [but a start is] important for him and his confidence. He looked sharp in many situations.
“It was beneficial for him his performance.”
Schmidt, actually a right-footer, certainly looked comfortable receiving the ball in the build up. There were a few nice interchanges with Gnonto too, particularly when he made one clever underlapping run during the first-half.
Farke was also pleased to see his 34-year-old veteran help keep a clean sheet, even if Joshua Guilavogui was arguably fortunate to avoid gifting Harrogate a penalty early on.
“I think Josuha did OK in the centre-back position,” Farke adds. “Yes, it wasn’t the biggest challenge in defending today [but] it was important to see him there.”
Farke has just three first-team central defenders at his disposal in Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon. And while Leeds have been linked with the likes of Nico Elvedi, Andrew Omobamidele and Christopher Wooh – Abdukodir Khusanov was reportedly a target before heading to Manchester City too – Guilavogui’s experience and adaptability gives Leeds another option alongside the similarly versatile Ampadu.
“We don’t have too many options in the central [defensive] position,” Farke adds. “[Guivalogui produced] a very important 90 minutes for the whole squad.”
“Ethan Ampdau has played many games before his injury. His importance in this position, he has proved. Rodon definitley needed a rest. I thought Josuha, with his experience, would be able to play in this role. He played in the Bundesliga a lot in this position. He’s also a rock at winning headers.
“Isaac is a right-footed player. Perhaps he even feels a bit on comfortable on the right and play a bit similar to Jayden Bogle. I think it was the right decision for Isaac.”
Farke welcomes back Ilia Gruev in FA Cup and hails Manor Solomon
Farke was pleased to welcome back Ilia Gruev too after a three-month injury absence. He also lauded Manor Solomon as the Israel interantional set up the winning goal in the 59th minute.
Largie Ramazani capped a ‘best on the pitch’ performance with a tidy header just before the hour mark.
“Manor Solomon? A really great assist in a game where the opponent is defending deep. Another great assist,” Farke concludes.
“[Gruev’s appearance] was no gift. I’m careful after a long-term injury but he was so sharp this week. I was really surprised. I wanted to use this momentum.”
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