The time for change is now. After an 11-2 aggregate defeat from the last two games, I would be keen to get away from the scene of the crime, turn over a new leaf and see what inspiration can be picked from the Leeds United wreckage.
Illan Meslier remains. Like Javi Gracia, I don’t see 11 concessions and pin it all on the young goalkeeper. Yes, the Frenchman needs to improve, but I would not be risking another loss on the chance an out-of-practice Joel Robles can roll back the years.
Right-back remains an issue, so I would dispense with it entirely. Rasmus Kristensen did not suggest he was ready to keep Luke Ayling out of the side on Monday night, so, with a couple of centre-backs ready to come in, I would shuffle into a back three.
READ MORE: Weston McKennie is another victim of Leeds United's injury curse and problem Javi Gracia must solve
Liam Cooper and Max Wober have seen their stock soar as spectators rather than participants in the last two games. Robin Koch has enough credit in the bank to retain his place on their right.
Crucially, United do have a versatile, hard-working wide player in Jack Harrison. While experiments with him at left-back have failed in the past, I feel there would be enough in his locker to make it work as a right-sided wing-back.
Koch would shuffle across to back him up, while Junior Firpo would be more defensive on the other flank, tucking in to make a back four when the time calls for it. Harrison would need to keep an eye on Willian going in the other direction, Firpo would marshal Harry Wilson, Wober would be trusted to meet Andreas Pereira, leaving Cooper and Koch to track Carlos Vinicius.
There is surgery in the middle and a couple of punts. Gracia assured us Adam Forshaw is ready to go, so I’m testing that theory, as well as Sam Greenwood’s ability to play in crucial fixtures.
The England youth international has not started since the trip to Accrington Stanley, but in light of Marc Roca and Weston McKennie’s recent failings, I’d hope the youngster can repeat something like his final-day turn of last season. With Wober given licence to step out of the backline behind them, I’d hope they have some protection.
Wilfried Gnonto, of course, comes in from the start. Rodrigo would continue through the middle and Luis Sinisterra is shunted to the right in a fluid front three.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Koch, Cooper, Wober; Harrison, Forshaw, Greenwood, Firpo; Sinisterra, Rodrigo, Gnonto.
READ NEXT:
Javi Gracia highlights problem posed by Tyler Adams' Leeds United absence in latest injury update
Patrick Bamford slammed in surprising outburst as Leeds United failings criticised
Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's reaction, desire, Meslier, injuries, leaders
Javi Gracia's take on Leeds United supporters' 'lack of desire' criticisms after Liverpool thrashing
Leeds United boss Javi Gracia delivers Max Wober and Patrick Bamford injury updates
