Losing to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon may not have directly aided Leeds United's survival cause, but the manner of the defeat, and protected goal difference, leaves quiet optimism. Champions League-chasing Newcastle United visit Elland Road on Saturday after a full, clear week of work under Sam Allardyce for the hosts.
There are options for the new boss if he does want to move his pieces around, as he suggested post-match on Saturday in Manchester. Luis Sinisterra, Stuart Dallas and Tyler Adams are expected to remain unavailable, but Liam Cooper is yet to be ruled out.
We look ahead here to some of the routes Allardyce could go down this weekend.
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Centre-back shift?
The back five generated the most discussion at the weekend, largely because of the bold call Allardyce made with Illan Meslier. Given how the head coach addressed the topic, it seems highly unlikely Joel Robles will be immediately swapped with the Frenchman this weekend.
If anything, Meslier could be done for the season now, barring an unforeseen collapse from Robles in the next two games. Further forward, Luke Ayling looks safe at right-back and every inch the kind of character Allardyce wants to see in this dogfight.
The rest of the backline depends on the formation Allardyce goes with. After the relative success of last weekend, would the former England boss want to risk switching to a back five in a home game?
Given Rasmus Kristensen is not a natural in the centre, Robin Koch, understood to have missed some training last week, should be a strong bet for a return to the right side. Max Wober has to start, but it’s whether that’s at centre-back or left-back.
Given Allardyce’s preference for a solid base, there is a very real chance Junior Firpo makes way for Cooper to push Wober wide. Cooper’s glute problem will be one of the headline topics in Thursday’s press conference.
McKennie and Roca done enough?
In his assessment of Adam Forshaw’s return to the fold, Allardyce admitted problems in midfield were proving the general consensus across the coaching staff. Forshaw did enough to retain his place, but questions linger around Weston McKennie and Marc Roca.
How else could Allardyce change it though? Adams looks done for the campaign, while Archie Gray and Darko Gyabi don’t jump out as types the new boss would want to rely on.
Crucially, Sam Greenwood, the other option in the background some have called for, did not impress when he was held to the City flame on Saturday. It’s the toughest test of the season and perhaps an unfair gauge of what he can still offer.
Small factors like McKennie’s long throw could keep him on the pitch, while the same could be said for Greenwood’s own set-piece deliveries.
Rodrigo or Bamford?
Allardyce seemed to make his bed with his comments on Patrick Bamford last week, but will he lie in it this weekend? The number nine tried his best with a thankless task at City, but ultimately failed to make the ball stick when Leeds cleared their lines.
Rodrigo hardly has a better record in the hold-up stakes, but he has at least shown an eye for goal this season. Yes, injuries have impacted Bamford’s rhythm in front of goal, but Leeds are where they are and the fact is Rodrigo is their best route to goal currently.
Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto probably did enough, in such a defensive game, to retain their places for the return to Elland Road. Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Brenden Aaronson will hope to catch Allardyce’s eye in training.
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