Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce said he may look towards a formation change against Tottenham Hotspur due to injury doubts over Rodrigo Moreno and Patrick Bamford.
Allardyce was speaking after the 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday, a game in which Bamford limped off in the first half with a hamstring problem, and Rodrigo struggled with a foot issue.
While Bamford is almost certain to miss out at Elland Road this weekend, there is more hope regarding Rodrigo, though pain in the plantar fascia can be difficult to overcome.
Allardyce has already pretty much confirmed club record signing Georginio Rutter will not be used, and if Leeds‘ first choice strikers are absent for the final game of the season, a system change could be in the offing.
Allardyce plots Leeds system change
In order to accommodate his lack of striking options, Allardyce could revert to a back three. That would likely see Liam Cooper return to the starting XI, with Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wober either side of him.
After Junior Firpo’s red card against Newcastle United, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him never wear a Leeds shirt again, but it could needs must this weekend.
Moving him to wing-back could eliminate at least some of his defensive duties, instead providing the width in attack, with Luke Ayling doing the same on the other side.
Leeds aren’t exactly blessed with options in the middle of the park and so Allardyce could opt for the same three he has gone with in two of his three matches in charge.
That consists of Robin Koch sitting just in front, with Adam Forshaw and Weston McKennie pushing a little further forward, leaving no place for Marc Roca.
With no out-and-out striker, Allardyce could look to pair two of Leeds’ most dangerous wide options together down the middle.
Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison are the most likely to be given the nod, with the former having had experience in this position for Italy.
Possible XI (3-5-2): Robles; Kristensen, Cooper, Wober; Ayling, McKennie, Koch, Forshaw, Firpo; Harrison, Gnonto