If Leeds United are going to stay in the Premier League this season, beating Leicester City on Tuesday night feels like an absolute must. Otherwise, the Whites require a remarkable run to keep themselves in the top-flight.
Hammerings to Crystal Palace and Liverpool were followed by an abject showing against Fulham. It was a performance devoid of fight and passion. It was, in all honesty, probably the performance which determined that Javi Gracia should not be in charge beyond this year.
Big changes are needed before Leicester come to Elland Road on Tuesday. It is hard to be positive about Leeds right now. But there are some changes which could give the supporters some much-needed hope.
So with that in mind, here are four changes to the lineup we hope to see…
Joel Robles in for Illan Meslier
Illan Meslier may have a bright future ahead. But there is no question that he has not been good enough of late. And after his two mistakes cost us against Fulham, Javi Gracia would surely be asking for trouble sticking by Meslier against the Foxes.
Joel Robles may not be an ideal option. But he will be someone with a point to prove if he gets a chance. And in truth, Meslier would surely appreciate the rest after such a tough time.
Junior Firpo in for Robin Koch
Leeds’ best two defenders on Saturday were Max Wober and Liam Cooper. Robin Koch meanwhile, had a really shaky afternoon. He was poor in possession and he was bailed out by the skipper on a couple of occasions.
Max Wober needs to return to his best role at centre-back. No ifs, no buts. And that means bringing Junior Firpo back in, with Wober replacing Koch in the centre.
Adam Forshaw in for Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie did not look like a player you would want to sign permanently against Fulham. He was even fortunate to not be sent off at one stage.
It says everything about how poor Leeds have been in so many ways that we now want to see Adam Forshaw start alongside Marc Roca.
He won’t do anything spectacular, but he is composed in possession. And he will show the kind of fight the fans will appreciate in the middle of the park.
Willy Gnonto in for Brenden Aaronson
You can see what Javi Gracia likes about Brenden Aaronson. One thing you cannot question about the American is how hard he is prepared to work. But he simply has not been good enough.
Referees are not giving him genuine free-kicks because of how easily he goes down most of the time. And he is not providing the quality needed. His unwillingness to run at defenders and actually try and take them on was almost infuriating at Craven Cottage.
Gracia dropping Gnonto made some sense. Gnonto had not been at his best for a while after his superb start to life in the side. But the fact that he is not using him more is almost baffling at this point.
Crysencio Summerville has been our best attacker in a number of games this season. And Jack Harrison has produced some huge goals.
The time has come to bring Gnonto back into the side from the off. If not, Luis Sinisterra would also be in with a shout.