Sam Byram second-best in key Championship stat ahead of former Elland Road man despite bit-part Leeds United role

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Daniel Farke has a decision to make on Wednesday night when Leeds United got to Millwall – and it is whether he keeps Sam Byram in his back four, or brings back Jayden Bogle.

For the first 11 Championship games, Daniel Farke named the same back four. New signing Bogle on the right, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in the middle, and Junior Firpo on the left – maintaining consistency.

But in the last two games, Farke has had to deal with suspensions. Firstly, Firpo at Bristol City and then Bogle on the right of the defence against Plymouth, and Byram came in to the side on both occasions.

Byram won all of his duels against Bristol City, and Byram earned the praise of Daniel Farke following that 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate. The 31-year-old replaced Bogle during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Plymouth.

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Sam Byram surprisingly sits second in key Championship stat

The Thorp Arch academy product is a reliable, go-to option for Farke when needed. The stats prove it too, with Byram the Championship’s second-best player in successful tackles on average per 90 minutes.

Indeed, Byram is averaging a total of 3.6 successful tackles per 90 minutes. An impressive amount, but it will not come as a surprise given Byram’s combative and aggressive approach to defending for Leeds.

He sits behind Festy Ebosele, a player that eagle-eyed Leeds fans will remember. The player that caused Firpo a few issues against Watford, with Firpo receiving his fifth yellow card for a could on Ebosele.

Sam Byram followed by player Leeds allowed to leave in summer

Farke will have a selection dilemma on his hands at full-back. Byram’s performances are deserving of a start against Millwall, but Bogle and Firpo have been superb in recent weeks and they are likely to start.

Despite the likelihood being that he returns to the bench on Wednesday night at Millwall, Byram will play a crucial part in this Leeds side throughout the season and it will be interesting to see if he stays at Leeds.

He has a contract at the club until the end of the season. Clearly, Farke is a big fan of Byram after initially working with him at Norwich and then bringing him back to Leeds after a seven-year hiatus.