Leeds United were on a bit of a slump until a much-improved display against Bristol City on Tuesday saw the Whites back to winning ways.
That 2-1 win, with Bristol City scoring with the very last kick of the game, snapped a two-game losing streak and meant that the Whites consolidated their fifth-place in the Sky Bet Championship.
Today Leeds are at Portman Road to take on what will be a very well organised and hard to beat side in Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich. The Tractor Boys will be without 10-goal leading scorer Tom Lawrence, the Leicester loanee suspended after picking up a yellow card in the midweek draw at high-flying Brighton.
Leeds United team news
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI for today's game against @Official_ITFC… pic.twitter.com/sjLEOro9iH
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 18, 2017
Despite the rumours that were circulating on Twitter earlier, the big news is that Leeds top scorer Chris Wood starts up front for the Whites. The other big news is that the available Liam Bridcutt, back after his one match red card suspension, starts on the bench with the midfield base of Eunan O’Kane and young starlet Partick Vieira being preferred ahead of him.
Kemar Roofe drops to the bench with Northern Ireland international winger Stuart Dallas preferred out wide. The fleet-footed Hadi Sacko keeps his place on the wide right with the creative force of Pablo Hernández sitting in the #10 role being 19-goal Chris Wood.
The bench itself is packed with attacking prowess and flair with the Whites able to call on the services of loanees Alfonso Pedraza, Modou Barrow and Roofe as well as the bludgeoning influence that is five-goal Souleymane Doukara.
LUTV look ahead to the game
📺 With team news coming up at 2pm, LUTV look ahead to our @SkyBetChamp game against Ipswich today… pic.twitter.com/LVsXYV1oiM
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 18, 2017
Leeds United fans react on Twitter to team news
Leeds fan Liam questions the demotion of Roofe for Dallas, his emphasis being on a solid Leeds push at what is a winnable game.
https://twitter.com/liammkirby/status/832954322870734848
This Leeds fan is seeing Bridcutt’s dropping to the bench as a wise tactical move by Garry Monk.
Glad hes used o kane instead of bridcutt . O kane more attacking which he showed last time out #lufc
— StrongBowyer 💙💛 (@Strongbowyer90) February 18, 2017
Twitter user Mish have their view – it’s pace that kills Ipswich and hopefully Sacko can provide that today.
https://twitter.com/mishLUFC/status/832953946171912192
Here’s another tweet from a fan who appreciates the value of Kemar Roofe.
Really really disappointed @roofe39 isn't in starting 11 today. Get 9n as a sub n bag that winner kemar 😀
— ₩!GG¥ ALAW (@SimonWhitney2) February 18, 2017
The selection of Stuart Dallas ahead of more attack-minded players has caused some eyebrows to be raised with sections of the Leeds support.
https://twitter.com/THELUFCLAD/status/832953672044781569
Catherine is a Leeds fan who definitely sees the love for Chris Wood.
Seeing Wood in the staring line up 😍 cursing whoever made up that rumour #lufc
— Catherine 💙🤍💛 (@CatherineH24) February 18, 2017
Leeds fan Ralu wasn’t even the remotest bit worried about rumours of Wood’s absence.
https://twitter.com/RaLUFC/status/832953279176966144
Twitter user and Leeds United fan Batesy has a message for the creator of the Wood rumour.
https://twitter.com/BatesyLufc/status/832953022108094465
This Leeds fan sees the threat that Hadi Sacko poses for the opposition.
@WYSdaily we are a far better side with Sako in it ..always goes past his first man and stops opposing defender getting forward #lufc
— Steak – JustLeeds (@steakandsidney) February 18, 2017