Why Daniel Farke has got to consider dropping Brenden Aaronson and starting Leeds United ‘man mountain’

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Leeds United eased to a 3-0 win over Plymouth on Saturday afternoon but on Wednesday night, they take on a completely different animal – a much tougher test against in-form Millwall.

Goals from Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson saw Leeds cruise to a seventh Championship win of the season. One that saw Leeds solidify second spot, with Burnley and Sunderland dropping points.

Wayne Rooney instructed his Plymouth side to defend and defend, but as soon as James slammed home a shot from 25 yards, his game plan was dead. Leeds cruised to a win without getting out of second gear.

But on Wednesday night, Leeds face a much tougher test. A physical Millwall side that have won their last three games, with Sunday’s win over Burnley their best yet as Jake Cooper scored the only goal to win.

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Why Daniel Farke should drop Brenden Aaronson at Millwall

Millwall are renowned for being a physical side and it is proven in their 16 goals scored this season. The Lions currently sit in seventh place, punching above their weight in terms of finances, due to set-pieces.

Six of Millwall’s 16 goals are from set-pieces and Harris boasts seven players above 6ft. Jake Cooper, Ryan Leonard, Japhet Tanganga, Mihailo Ivanovic, Lukas Jensen, Murray Wallace and Shaun Hutchinson.

Daniel Farke needs to name a side that can at least try to cope or match Millwall’s physicality and that means, potentially dropping USA star Aaronson and starting Josuha Guilavogui in central midfield.

Brenden Aaronson is the League’s most dispossessed player

Aaronson has been knocked off the ball or tackled 38 times this season, more than any other. Daniel Farke described him as “excellent” on Tuesday, but that lack of physicality is still a problem for Aaronson.

Against a side like Millwall, Leeds cannot be weak. Physicality is required and if Aaronson is to come out of the team, then they need to bring in a strong player and new signing Guilavogui fits the bill perfectly.

Neil Redfearn described Guilavogui as a “man-mountain” on Saturday and at 6ft 2in, he is an asset in the air. One that can be important in both boxes. In a game Leeds need height, Guilavogui fits the bill.