News

Monday is a must-win game for Leeds against Wolves – this XI can take all 3 points for Monk’s side

|
Image for Monday is a must-win game for Leeds against Wolves – this XI can take all 3 points for Monk’s side

Saturday’s result should give Monk and the lads a brilliant confidence boost but results around us means we’re now only 3 points clear of 7th but at least it’s in our own hands and up to us to stay where we’ve been for the last 141 days.

It’s a quick turn around from Friday night and Leeds will face another test on Bank Holiday Monday as Wolves come to Elland Road. They’ll bring plenty of attacking threat especially if £13 million Helder Costa is in their squad. It’s an important game and one we need to win. If results don’t go our way we could find ourselves outside the top 6 come Monday night. Here’s the line-up we’d go with…




GK – Rob Green – Green put in another fantastic performance on Friday and was one of the main reasons we didn’t lose the game. Quite possibly the best free transfer in all the years we’ve been out of the top flight.

Onto the defence…




RB – Luke Ayling – Another solid performance from Ayling on Friday. He’ll continue at right-back I’m sure, his attacking threat helps us a lot especially at home.

CB – Kyle Bartley – What a performance from Bartley on Friday and you could see how much it meant to him celebrating Wood’s equaliser at the end, we need him permanently. He’s missed just one game all season which just shows how important he’s been to us.

CB – Pontus Jansson – Once again Jansson was unreal when it mattered. Put his body on the line on more than one occasion and he and Bartley were immense together. He really gets what it is to be Leeds and I just hope no matter what happens this season we manage to keep hold of him for next year. The real talking point is that he’s only one booking away from a three game suspension. If he doesn’t get yellow carded against Wolves then he’s bound to miss at least one of the Play-Off games, should we make it. For me, he’s got to take a tactical yellow. We can’t afford to lose him for the Play-Off’s and Ayling is more than capable of covering at centre-back. Jansson and Monk will have discussed this for sure and providing we’re winning on Monday you could well see Jansson receive a soft booking.

LB – Charlie Taylor – A tough decision for Monk. Berardi has been brilliant this season but Taylor is the best Left-Back in the league. I don’t think he’ll be here next year no matter what division we’re in next season. I think Monk will go with Taylor and give Berardi a rest.

Into the midfield…




CM – Kalvin Phillips – Kalvin Phillips received plenty of abuse on Social Media but he was no worse than Bridcutt on Friday, in my opinion he was better. He put himself about and actually had a better completed passing percentage than Bridcutt. I think it’s between him and O’Kane to start in one central midfield position and I think Monk will stick with Phillips.

CM – Ronaldo Vieira – Vieira was due to start on Friday but for an illness. I reckon Monk will recall him for the Wolves game, we missed him and the physical side of his game against Newcastle. He’s had a brilliant first season in professional football. It’s hard to remember he’s only 18 at times, he’s going to become some player.

CAM – Pablo Hernandez – He was shocking on Friday but unlocked the Newcastle defence with one simple pass when we needed it. He suits the home games more so I think he’ll start, on his day he’s magical.




Finally the attack…




RW – Kemar Roofe – Provided the assist for Wood’s goal with a brilliant cross. That’s now 9 assists in all competitions for Roofe and he has more than Hernandez, who has 8, despite having less game time than the Spaniard. Some feat for a player who’s playing his first season of Championship football.

LW – Alfonso Pedraza – He put in a good shift on Friday and has plenty of ability despite lacking in pace. Pedraza almost opened the scoring against Newcastle with a thunderous effort that crashed against the crossbar and he had another shot that just whizzed wide of the goal. Monk has to start him on Monday, we can’t afford to drop any more points.

ST – Chris Wood – Grabbed our leveller at the death with a great finish. With 25 for the season an the potential of 7 games remaining I think Wood would be disappointed if he didn’t hit the 30 mark. Wolves are just one of four clubs that Wood hasn’t scored against this year, until Monday hopefully.

This is a must-win, we really can’t afford to drop any more points with Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham ready to pounce. Hopefully the Elland Road faithful will be behind the lads from the off and make it as hostile as possible for the Wolves players.

Do you think Leeds will come away with a win on Monday? Let us know in the poll below…

Share this article