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A must-win game for Leeds, who starts v Cardiff?

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Leeds ensured they remain at the top of the Championship table after a 3-2 home win against Ipswich on Saturday. The result kept Leeds’ home unbeaten run going and saw them remain top of the pile, however only on goal difference. Tuesday will see us come head-to-head with Cardiff, who are one of those sides who sit on the same points as us. Despite us only being 9 games into the season, victory over the Bluebirds would be a massive, massive result for Leeds and it’s arguably a must-win already.

GK – Felix Wiedwald – Despite his absolute howler for Ipswich’s second goal and his constant flapping at crosses I feel Thomas Christiansen will stick with Wiedwald in between the sticks. I’m all for giving him time I just hope that’s all he needs, he’s rated highly enough in Germany and there’s got to be a reason for that.

Into the defence…

RB – Luke Ayling – Ayling was class on Saturday and for me he’s easily one of, if not, the best right-back in the league. He’s so consistent and I’m not sure he’s ever had a bad game for us. He’ll definitely start on Tuesday.

CB – Pontus Jansson – Jansson was rested on Saturday, mainly to ensure he was 100% for Tuesday’s game. We’ve conceded just the single goal when he’s played so far this season which just shows how important he is to our side.

CB – Liam Cooper – The centre of Leeds’ defence now looks a lot healthier with the return of Pennington and with Conor Shaughnessy showing a lot of potential when called upon but I think Cooper’s performances so far this season will see him continue alongside Jansson.

LB – Gaetano Berardi – Anita went off after the hour on Saturday and really seemed to be struggling with an injury. For me I’d definitely start with Berardi, he’s going to give everything for the cause and I truly feel we need that tomorrow night.

Into the midfield…

CDM – Eunan O’Kane – He was man of the match for me on Saturday, he was everywhere. He really is flourishing in this Leeds side and it makes you wonder what went wrong for him to be left out so much at the back end of last season, he’s our best central midfielder.

CM – Kalvin Phillips – I’d be tempted to go with Klich for this one but Kalvin is proving the doubters wrong this season that’s for certain. He’s scored four goals from midfield which is more than any of our four main central midfielders (Phillips, Vieira, Bridcutt and O’Kane) from last season got in the whole of the 2016/17 campaign. His running from deep certainly seems to be causing problems for opposing teams and it’s great to see him doing well.

CAM – Samu Sáiz – No matter how much of a battle it’s going to be on Tuesday, we’re going to need our best players on the park and Sáiz is certainly one of those. He can unlock any defence given the opportunity and he’s always got the two deeper midfielders backing him up. A must-start for me.

Into the attack…

RW – Ezgjan Alioski – Should’ve had a goal on Saturday after a nice bit of tricky play but his effort struck the post and went out. I think he’ll start Tuesday, him and Sáiz together are a joy to watch.

LW – Stuart Dallas – I think Dallas has been unlucky not to start more games this season but I do think an away trip to Cardiff might see him come into the side ahead of Pablo Hernandez. Despite the Spaniard’s strong start to the season I do think Dallas will provide more strength especially defensively. I’d be tempted to keep Pablo on the bench and bring him on just like we did against Burnley when he played that wonderful pass into Sacko for the opener.

ST – Pierre-Michel Lasogga – Lasogga against Bamba could be an interesting battle should it happen tomorrow night. The new Leeds forward already has 3 goals to his name this season and is a right handful for opposing defences. I certainly think he’ll start on Tuesday.

Let us know which teams you would go with ahead of the game tomorrow!

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  • Tim says:

    There are so many options at the moment. For me we definitely need Viera and Klich on the bench with a view to bringing one on if we are struggling.
    I can’t see why we can’t win this one and Sunday as well. We need a really good start though.

  • David says:

    I’m looking for a win and if the game was purely footballing, we would win it. But Cardiff will come with a physical dimension that we have so far not found comfortable. So we’ll need players who can cope with that.

    Also, Weidweld is a liability that will be targeted. We should drop him as the stakes are too high to risk him.

  • gerrycwmbran says:

    I agree with you regarding all of your selections EXCEPT THE KEEPER.
    Weidwald was crap in Germany and his last 5 games were riddled with mistakes and goals they blamed on him.

    He hasn’t really been tested here BUT: he can’t kick straight (most go off the park),
    he comes when he shouldn’t,
    he stays when he should come (first goal saturday was a cross into the 6 yard box and he stayed on his line), THE SECOND WAS TOTALLY HIS FAULT,
    …and he cannot catch a ball only parry like most continentals.
    The only reason he has kept so many clean sheets is because of the defense – and without Jansson on saturday he was absolutely found wanting right through the game.
    In short he is second, only to Rahubka – so WHY is he being selected – after nine games he ain’t going to improve!
    Why oh why did we get rid of Green – and we’ll have to play Lonergan (who we got rid of because he wasn’t good enough to be our first choice keeper when we had a crap team!

    …And I forgot to say that HE PANICKS – just witness the number of times that his throwouts to defenders on saturday gave all of us in the stands heart attacks – he was throwing out to them even when they were being marked by the two wingers and their number 10! Every club in the Championship now knows how to play him – he should never play for us again – and if he plays against Warnock’s Cardiff we’ll lose because Warnock is no dummy manager and he will see our weakness!
    GerryCwmbran
    MOT

  • gerrycwmbran says:

    …Having got that off my chest I obviously hope I’m proved wrong!
    GerryCwmbran
    MOT

  • Steve Hemingway says:

    it’s going to be a very physical game and we will need to start with pysical players i.e. Lonergan , Ayling , Jannsen, Cooper, Berardi. Dallas , Klische, O’kane. Saiz , Lasogga, Philipps. Option is Ayling right midfield and Shaughnessy rb and Klische starts later. Alioski not robust enough to start.Good that we have so much depth to change around regarding what opposition we have.

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