Marcelo Bielsa was certainly surprising at the press conference today ahead of the FA Cup game on Sunday afternoon. Leeds head to face Queens Park Rangers and the fans have been calling for players to be rested. Two days ahead of schedule Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that’s exactly what he’s doing by announcing the entire team.
Leeds Team To Play QPR
GK – Baily Peacock-Farrell – A slight surprise that Will Huffer isn’t going to get a game but with all the changes to the team he maybe thought it best to keep the current number one. For the first time in his Leeds career Peacock-Farrell is under pressure.
RB – Jamie Shackleton – The arrival of Jack Clarke into the first-team recently has taken some shine off youngster Jamie Shackleton. It shouldn’t, and he has another chance to impress from the start on Sunday.
CB – Luke Ayling – Bielsa says he needs the minutes and they won’t do him any harm. Hasn’t looked himself at all since his return to the side.
CB – Aapo Halme – A very promising looking player in Halme will get his start on Sunday. Has impressed so far this season when he’s been called upon. Very young and cost the club just £400k from Helsinki.
LB – Leif Davis – Thrown into the mix in one of the toughest fixtures of the season away at Aston Villa and didn’t let himself down. Now that’s out of the way we will be able to see a bit more of him on Sunday. Barry Douglas is now out injured.
DM – Adam Forshaw – Described as playing in the “4” role for Sunday does mean the sitting job for Forshaw. Personally I think he’s got more than enough to play well in this position but isn’t showing it currently.
CM – Lewis Baker – More of the attacking midfielder of the two but won’t have Pablo Hernandez in front of him, will have Jack Harrison by the looks of things. If ever there was an opportunity he doesn’t want to pass him by at Leeds then this is it.
RW – Gjanni Alioski – Could be either left or right but hopefully off the right where he causes so many more problems for opposition defences. One of the few who seems to have raised their game the last few weeks.
LW – Jack Clarke – That’s right, the youngster is about to start his first Leeds United game. Despite that fact he will still be the go-to player in the side. The first of many.
False 9 – Jack Harrison – Marcelo Bielsa says he’s looking forward to seeing him play in a “false 9” role, and to be honest I am too. We don’t have many options in there so he’s worth a try, hasn’t done much playing out wide.
ST – Tyler Roberts – Make no mistake this is a huge chance for Roberts. He stepped up when we had no other strikers and hasn’t really had a chance since.