Obstacles to Leeds United’s first team do not come much bigger than the central-midfield axis of Marc Roca and Tyler Adams. Adam Forshaw has a contract extension to earn, but at this early point in the campaign, it seems like he has a mountain to climb even getting on the pitch.
As surprise storylines go, the speed at which Adams and Roca have settled into the middle of Premier League parks is right up there at the top of the Leeds bill. With Kalvin Phillips moving on and Adams and Roca both new to the club and division, there were some understandable questions about their transition.
Adams and Roca have dovetailed expertly in the opening weeks of the season. In blunt terms, the former wins the ball and the latter does something with it. Their grip on that double pivot looks rock solid.
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All of which leaves Forshaw kicking his heels on the bench with one eye on an expiring contract next summer and a need to justify an extension. Leeds have a 12-month option they can choose to trigger or not next summer.
Forshaw’s worth to Marsch has never been in doubt. The head coach has repeatedly waxed lyrical about the midfielder’s sage view on the sport. They were memorably seen talking for the best part of half an hour at Vicarage Road last season, exchanging views on tactics, philosophy and the team.
In the summer, after an impressive performance against Brisbane Roar, Marsch said: “Adam’s an important player for us. He's a big leader for us. He helped set up a couple of goals with some of the plays he made (against Brisbane Roar). He's a very reliable leader and player for us. No question.”
It’s plain to see Marsch trusts Forshaw who, after a horrendous two years out with injury, recovered last season to a level few ever expected him to reach again. He did not look out of his depth in the top flight.
While he turns 31 next week, those missing years from the pitch arguably leave Forshaw feeling more like a player in his late 20s with a lot of yards still to run. He wants to run them at Elland Road, but he has no chance of getting in the team on form grounds currently.
Adams and Roca are two of the team’s best, and most consistent, performers through the early stages of this campaign and there is no prospect of Marsch dropping them. Injury or consistently outstanding turns from the bench seems to be Forshaw’s only way of getting into that XI right now.
While Forshaw bides his time and trusts in Marsch’s faith, Leeds can relax in the knowledge they have a very safe, experienced pair of hands ready to come on from the bench with the ability to control games and control tempo.
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