As a two-time Championship champion at Norwich City, Daniel Farke knows first-hand that a title race like the one his Leeds United side find themselves embroiled in is often decided by the strength of your squad, not just the starting XI.
Leeds, of course, have a deeper roster than most.
It is hard to think of a single other second-tier club who would not be able to find a place for Willy Gnonto in their first XI from January to April. £10 million Largie Ramazani has started only seven league matches, meanwhile, as Isaac Schmidt and Sam Byram play back-up to Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle.
Schmidt made his Switzerland debut this month. The £2.5 million summer signing from St Gallen has now played more minutes for his country across 2024/25 than he has for his club in league action.
Though, as Farke rules Dan James out of Saturday’s clash with Preston, could a first league start be Schmidt’s rewards after a couple of lively cameos in the position where he first made his name back home in Switzerland?
Daniel Farke praises Isaac Schmidt as Dan James injury opens Leeds United door
Schmidt had played mostly as a full-back in a Leeds shirt.
But, after a brief appearance further forward in the 1-1 draw at Luton Town, it was Schmidt rather than Largie Ramazani who came on to replace the aching James in midweek.
Leeds’ appropriately-titled Swiss Army Knife of a footballer may be tasked with a more advanced role than he is used to at Elland Road, then. Especially given that Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom likes to push left-sided wing-back Robbie Brady high up the pitch in a manner similar to Samuel Iling-Junior in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.
“I’m not surprised [that Schmidt is showcasing his versatility] because we knew before that he could play in several different positions. That he can play left and right-back,” Farke says.
“He is a right footed player but he can also play in the left-back position. In the early stages of his career, until the ages of 22 or 23, he more or less always played as a winger.
“We knew that he is also capable of doing this, especially if he has to play as a winger and also defend forwrad-thinkng opponents. A full back like Iling-Junior.
“In this game [versus Middlesbrough], it was a good solution to have him on the bench because, if the opponent’s full-back is doing so much in the offence, your winger is asked questions in defending. He was definitely the right choice for this game.”
Farke admits lack of minutes for Sam Byram is a ‘joke’
Schmidt is not the only member of a talented squad who can consider himself a little unfortunate as minutes prove hard to come by. Leeds have won 10 and lost none of the 15 games in which Sam Byram has started this term.
Furthermore, Byram recently became the first Leeds player since Gordon Strachan over three decades previously to go over 20 matches in a row unbeaten.
“There is obviously lots of competition,” Farke adds when explaining why Schmidt and Byram have been forced to accept a backseat role. “Junior Firpo is playing outstanding this season, especially going forward. Jayden Bogle, the same.
“It’s a joke that Sam Byram, who has such a good points average per game, is not involved that often. Isaac has more or less three competitors in his position.
“It’s tough for Isaac. He has never played before in English football, or in a top league. It is as different intensity in training and games. He needed to adapt.
“The more you impress in training, the more you are involved in the games. I like what he delivers in training. I like his attitude.
“And although he wasn’t playing that much, he kept going in training and that brought him into a really good shape. He is getting the rewards with more appearances and minutes.
“An important player or us and for the run-in.”
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