Leeds United are in a rut and falling fast whilst, conversely tonight’s opponents Brentford are rising and glowing – the Bees are a side on fire.
Last time out United compounded their recent droop in form with a 2-0 loss away at Nottingham Forest which followed a dour display at Elland Road which saw the Whites suffer a 1-0 loss on their own patch. Those results are a thread in a larger tapestry that has seen them lose five of their last six games and throw away a points buffer to 3rd that once threatened to top 13 points.
Now, that buffer is just goal difference and opponents Brentford are two points and three places behind their visitors to Griffin Park tonight. It is a ground the Whites haven’t won at since 1950 and current form would indicate a home win again tonight.
Leeds United team news vs Brentford
📋 One change to the #LUFC Starting XI, as Kalvin Phillips returns from suspension in place of Gjanni Alioski
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 11, 2020
Leeds United’s starting XI shows one change to the side that lost to Forest at the weekend with Kalvin Phillips making an expected start after his three-game suspension. On the bench, Gjanni Alioski drops down from his much-criticised start against Forest where his rashness could have had more severe consequences than just a yellow card.
Patrick Bamford and Kiko Casilla keep their starting spots despite fans clamouring for a change in personnel with french duo Ilhan Meslier and Jean-Kevin Augustin slated as their replacements.
With it being such a high-stakes game, it was obvious that any line-up that the Whites put out tonight would face a degree of scrutiny from fans. Here’s how some of these fans reacted to tonight’s squad on Twitter.
Leeds United fans react to team news vs Brentford
Kiko starting FFS we're doomed 🤦♀️
— Helen Walker 💛💙💛 (@hellsbelles92) February 11, 2020
Falling out of love with football
— H a r e ♛🇬🇧 (@Hareee_19) February 11, 2020
— FocusOnLeeds (@FocusOnLeeds) February 11, 2020
Okay good joke now announce the real line up
— Sam (real life tinpot) (@SamBirdyy) February 11, 2020
Have they killed Poveda or something
— JACK (@jackleeds_) February 11, 2020
— Ashleigh (@ashlaurenn_) February 11, 2020
I need to find me a woman as loyal to me as Bielsa is to his players… #lufc
— John G (@JohnGild88) February 11, 2020
How badly must one play to get dropped by Bielsa. Casilla could pretty much throw three in tonight and still get picked
— Dan Fawcett (@fawcett_dan) February 11, 2020
Just rewarding failure. It seems it doesn’t matter how many times you cock up you still get picked. Like, have another go and it’ll come good. 😩🤞
— Steve (@Steve02582268) February 11, 2020