Saturday afternoon and Leeds United laid to rest an indifferent start to the season with a fine 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, a victory that laid many ghosts to rest.
It was, at times, an imperious display as the Whites, starved of possession and living off relative scraps really did put Sheffield Wednesday to the sword. At a time when Leeds fans demanded a response from the team, the Whites took up the call-to-arms and responded with a display that gave more than just the three points.
It was a display that demonstrated a sense of hope to the fans. It is this sense of hope that Leeds United can carry forward to Tuesday’s EFL Cup Second Round tie against Sky Bet League Two side Luton Town. Leeds struggled in the First Round, only beating Sky Bet League One side Fleetwood Town 5-4 on penalties.
4-2-3-1 – a formation to make the Hatters mad and claim victory
GK: Rob Green
Goalkeepers need time and consistency, not chop-n-change when it comes to appearances in the first XI. In light of this, Green should start the game against Luton Town. Not only to develop this sense of continuity but also to get used to a different line-up in front of him in a game that Leeds United would be expected to win no matter what side was put out.
DEF: Lewie Coyle, Sol Bamba, Pontus Jansson, Tyler Denton
It would make sense to drop first choice full-backs Charlie Taylor and Luke Ayling from the starting line-up for Tuesday’s cup game, although they could play a part from the bench should circumstances demand they be needed.
The two young guns in Coyle and Denton would make good deputies in stepping in, with Coyle already having many first-team minutes under his belt.
Starting Pontus Jansson would give the newly arrived 6ft 5in Swede valuable game time with his team-mates, as well as giving the coaching staff the chance to take a better look at him in a game situation. Bringing Sol Bamba back to the fold could be seen as a chance to rebuild his confidence, as well as allowing the two central defenders from Saturday (Bartley and Cooper) to recharge ahead of a tough game at the weekend.
DEF MID: Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieira
Vieira has an engine that growls and purrs with equal frequency. With two consecutive actions the 18-year-old has shown that he can transition between a crunching challenge and a sublime cross-field ball with relative ease. Phillips would be a good pairing with Vieira, one where youthful exuberance and drive would come from both. Like Vieira, Kalvin Phillips also possesses a snap in the tackle and a surge in his running, meaning that the central defenders would be protected and the midfield complemented.
MID: Alex Mowatt, Pablo Hernández, Stuart Dallas
Alex Mowatt, whilst not a natural left winger by any stretch of the imagination, possesses a good enough footballing nous to make good on the left of a midfield three. He has a decent enough range of passing and is deadly around the periphery of the opponent’s area.
Hernández is wasted as a bog-standard central midfielder, he’s just not effective there. However, where he does excel is in the slot behind a lone striker. His range of passing, eye for an excellent pass and footballing experience allow him to settle well into what is often called the #10 role in a team.
Dallas simply needs game time. A run out against Luton Town would allow the Northern Ireland man to stretch his legs and settle back into the Leeds United set up more after his exertions in the Euro 2016 Championships for his country. Some might say that he’s not performing as well etc etc etc but you cannot discount his five goals and six assists for the Whites last season. Form is temporary, ckass is permanent.
STR: Kemar Roofe
Leeds already know what Marcus Antonsson and Chris Wood can do, but Roofe hasn’t really hit the straps at Elland Road yet. Granted, there have been flashes of his potential but nothing consistent or explosive. Against Luton Kemar Roofe would be back on familiar territory, a thorn in the side of a League Two defence. Starting Roofe up top might give him that opportunity to open his Leeds account outside of a friendly and allow him to kick on further into the league campaign.
