First team

Doukara gives Evans some thinking – who should start against Preston on Sunday

|
Image for Doukara gives Evans some thinking – who should start against Preston on Sunday





Souleymane Doukara’s excellent impact on Thursday night will have given Steve Evans some thinking when choosing his starting XI to play Preston on Sunday. Doukara replaced Tom Adeyemi, who looked very unfit from the start, in Leeds’ 3-2 victory at Molineux.

Doukara along with Sam Byram and Stuart Dallas were the pick of the bunch in United’s away win – leaving Evans with a decision to make as to who should keep their place and who should be given a chance.

Goalkeeper – Marco Silvestri
Marco appears to have turned a corner recently. He’s been in excellent form and although I still get weary when he has the ball at his feet, there’s no doubt that he’s a fantastic shot stopper. Keep it going, Marco…

Onto the defence…





Right-back – Scott Wootton
I’d like to see Lewie Coyle given a game but I can’t see it, not yet anyway. Wootton will continue at right-back. He wasn’t too bad against Wolves but there’s plenty of improvement needed from him.

Centre-back – Giuseppe Bellusci
Despite his display in the first half hour, Bellusci was very good for the next 60. He was calm and composed, something we don’t often see from him.

Centre-back – Liam Cooper
He was at fault for Wolves’ first goal but there’s no doubt he’s been our best central defender. I just hope Evans doesn’t drop him due to one fault.

Left-back – Charlie Taylor
Another excellent display, I’m running out of words to describe how good this boy is. Irreplaceable, we can’t afford to let this guy go in January.

Onto the midfield, will Byram retain his place?





Right-midfield – Sam Byram
Two goals and a man of the match performance. Undroppable, you would have thought. Who knows with Leeds, Cellino and Evans though? He’ll probably be replaced by Antenucci or something… In all seriousness, he was brilliant on Thursday and showed exactly what we’ve been missing. He gave Wolves something else to think about which also allowed Dallas to move around and get more space to do what he does best.

Centre-midfield – Liam Bridcutt
Bridcutt started slowly but grew into the game as it went on. He and Cook were excellent in that second half period where we tore Wolves to shreds. Looks exactly what we’ve been missing in the midfield. Sign him up.

Centre-midfield – Lewis Cook
Another good performance in the middle, he’s so good when he takes control. His pass to Byram for Leeds’ equaliser was great. We just need to get both doing it from start to finish.

Left-midfield – Stuart Dallas
He finally got his goal, and some finish it was after a great one-two with Doukara. He should’ve opened the scoring early on with a fantastic volley that struck the post. His overall play was brilliant once again, moving around taking on anyone who got near him. His work-rate is second to none as well. Class.

Finally, the attack…





Central attacking midfield – Souleymane Doukara
The best substitute impact I’ve seen since the Grayson days. He was magnificent; he got on the ball, held it up and allowed others to come into play. On the ball he was decent and made excellent use of it. He wasn’t an out-and-out striker but more of a number 10, dropping deep and picking the ball up to feet.

Striker – Chris Wood
He had a bit of a nightmare in front of goal but he worked hard for the team. He’s the only forward capable of playing up top on his own and he seemed to work well when Doukara came on. Goals will come, I’m sure of it.

Share this article