Graham Smyth believes it would be a ‘harsh’ decision to drop Jamie Shackleton for Leeds United’s trip to Millwall on Sunday.
Smyth was speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road Podcast where a number of Daniel Farke‘s selection dilemmas for the game at the Den were discussed.
With Sam Byram back in contention following the injury he picked up at Ipswich Town last month, left-back is certainly among one of the biggest decisions Farke will have to make.
Byram was extremely impressive in the matches he played up until picking up that problem, however Shackleton has stood in admirably for Leeds since then.
The 23-year-old was excellent in the second half of the win against Ipswich, before then backing that up with a strong display in the 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday last time out.
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Smyth says it would be harsh to drop Shackleton
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth believes it would be a harsh decision if Farke was to leave Shackleton out of the starting XI based on his current form.
He said: “If Byram is available, it would be harsh [to drop Shackleton]. Shackleton also played there last season, knows the ground, knows all about Millwall, it would be harsh if he dropped out because I thought he was excellent against Sheffield Wednesday so big decisions for Farke.”
There is no doubt dropping Shackleton would be cruel, but if Byram is to fit to start he should come in at left-back as he provides a more natural option in that role.
Not only that, but Byram’s added height could also prove useful at the Den with Millwall likely to be very direct in how they play.
Leeds have three games in just six days this week and so Shackleton will no doubt get his opportunity in that time, but matches against Hull City and Watford may just suit him slightly better.