Leeds United have one more Championship game to play and it could prove to be the most-important match of the entire season if Daniel Farke’s side can get themselves back into second.
Last Friday’s 4-0 defeat to QPR was woeful both in terms of performance and result as The Whites were hammered in a match they were expected to win, handing Ipswich the advantage in the race for second.
It sees both Leeds and Ipswich sit on 90 points, Farke’s men ahead on goal difference but Ipswich with a game in hand. The Tractor Boys are in action on Tuesday evening against FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry.
Changes need to be made by Farke following last weekend’s defeat. It was an atrocious display with so many of his key players struggling when they haven’t let him down throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
One of those players was Ilia Gruev, who was way below the standards he has set himself since coming into the side in January. Don Goodman said Gruev was “too slow” in stopping QPR’s second goal of four.
Below, we look at three changes Farke must make to his side for Saturday’s clash against Southampton.
Farke must drop Gruev and bring back Glen Kamara
It is no slight on Gruev, everyone has a bad day at the office and it must be remembered that Gruev is still only 23. He has been crucial for Leeds in the second half of the season after being a bystander in the first.
But, his form has dipped not just at QPR but over the last few weeks and Leeds need to be at their utter best. The best versions of themselves to beat a Southampton side who’ll be up for it. Gruev needs a rest.
Kamara has not played as holding midfielder much but is more than capable of doing it. Experienced and in a pressure situation, it makes sense to use him and start the Finland star over left-footed Gruev.
Connor Roberts is crucial but only if he is fit enough
Sam Byram really struggled at QPR despite being a player that has often been reliable when fit this term. His jump into a tackle and earning himself a yellow card was naive, and showed a player feeling pressure.
Roberts, 28, is fighting to be fit for Southampton and hopefully he can play against Russell Martin’s side because Leeds need him. A player with promotion experience and doing it when it really matters.
Keeping Archie Gray alongside Kamara in midfield makes sense, so axing Byram for Roberts would be our second change if the Wales star is fit. Leeds need reliable players and Roberts is without doubt, that.
Anyone but Joel Piroe up front…
Piroe was awful against QPR, arguably one of the worst performances in a Leeds shirt since Farke arrived at the club. His first touch, body language, work rate and overall quality were all absent at Loftus Road.
Piroe is a top striker at this level but he seems to have suffered a drop in confidence since Patrick Bamford came in as first choice. Bamford missed the QPR game due to a knock to his knee at Boro.
If Bamford is fit then it’s a no-brainer to bring the one-time England man back into the side and if he isn’t, maybe throwing Mateo Joseph at the Southampton defence for an hour might just guide Leeds to a win.
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