Leeds United star recognised as Daniel Farke handed quickfire solution to next problem

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Life as a Championship manager often resembles that of a firefighter, given the number of issues that have to be extinguished at speed.

The relentless nature of English football’s second tier means that crowded fixtures lists, lengthy queues for the treatment table and the navigation of financial rules will all affect what a manager can put out onto the pitch.

One of Daniel Farke’s big strengths as Leeds United manager is his level-headed nature, as the German has been able to navigate two successful summers of upheaval when it comes to his side’s playing squad.

The latest curveball Farke had to deal with came via a suspension, as he had to make his first tweak to what had been an extremely settled defence for Saturday’s trip to Bristol City.

Sam Byram gets Team of the Week nod

Junior Firpo picked up a fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-1 win over Watford, meaning he was suspended for the trip to Bristol, with Farke turning to Sam Byram to replace him.

The 31-year-old has been a regular off the bench, but this was his first start of the Championship season and he turned in an eye-catching display, leading the way in Leeds United News’ player ratings and he has also won Championship Team of the Week honours.

The EFL use WhoScored data to compile their best XI of the weekend, with Byram’s algorithmic score of 7.9 the second-best defensive mark of the weekend, behind only Sunderland’s Trai Hume.

Byram solves Farke’s next selection headache

Firpo is available to face Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle at the weekend after completing his suspension, but Byram is set to keep his place in the Leeds defence, as Jayden Bogle is now suspended for a match after he was booked in Bristol

Byram should have no issues switching flanks and deputising for the former Sheffield United player, giving Farke a ready-made solution at a time when injuries are gripping the squad.

The Leeds boss will also be relieved at how his team’s disciplinary situation has turned out, as both Firpo and Bogle, plus centre-back Joe Rodon were all on four yellows at the start of the Watford clash, raising the possibility that all three could have been missing at the same time.

The staggered bookings of Firpo and Bogle have averted this, with Rodon needing to get past the Derby County match on December 7 without a caution if he is to avoid a one-match ban.