Sam Allardyce is tipping Adam Forshaw to play what could be a pivotal role for Leeds United on Sunday afternoon. Leeds travel to West Ham United this weekend for their penultimate fixture of the campaign and they know that nothing less than a win will do if they are to climb out of the bottom three and survive the dreaded drop.
It’s a match that is steeped in pressure given the Whites unenviably precarious position and the potential consequence of another defeat doesn’t bear thinking about for United supporters, who will be hoping and praying that results go their side’s way on Saturday, too. However, those fans will feel a lot better about Leeds' chances at the London Stadium should Forshaw be named in the starting XI.
The midfielder has been one of most impressive in white since Allardyce took the reins at the start of May. Stepping into the starting line-up as one of the first changes the new head coach made, Forshaw turned in a strong performance in defeat at Manchester City before emerging at half-time against Newcastle United to shore up the Whites’ midfield and help them secure a point.
Read more: Every word Sam Allardyce said on Bamford, Leeds United frustrations, injuries, Rutter, West Ham
Forshaw’s long-term future may look uncertain at this point, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, but his importance to the Leeds cause at this point cannot be underestimated and that’s a notion Allardyce has echoed.
“It's just his body, his career and the fact that we have to handle him with a little bit of care,” the boss said at Friday morning’s pre-match press conference when asked about Forshaw’s status. “I think that he is a vital part of what's going to happen on Sunday.
“If he can get on the pitch, hopefully he can stay on the pitch for as long as possible because I see him as a very valuable asset in midfield.”
If Forshaw were to come in, he would be one of a number of changes to the Whites’ line-up this weekend with guaranteed alterations to come at the back. Junior Firpo, who has started 13 of the club’s last 15 Premier League games, will miss the trip to the capital through suspension following the red card he received against the Magpies last time out.
As such, a decision must be made when it comes to who starts at left-back against the Hammers.
“We've been talking about that in terms of who do we fit into that position or do we perhaps change the system to a different way of playing,” Allardyce added. “So we've got to look at what West Ham did last night and last week at Brentford.
“Then, we've got to look at what players we've got available and pick a system to suit our team that's available and or compete against West Ham.”
READ NEXT
- Sam Allardyce has already laid out Patrick Bamford plan after painful Leeds United week
- Sam Allardyce faced with Leeds United dilemma on Marcelo Bielsa's final flourish vs West Ham
Leeds United can be optimistic about future regardless of Premier League survival
Andoni Iraola's 'very open' Leeds United decision and his Rayo Vallecano future
Sam Allardyce's stern words behind the scenes in battle to change damaging Leeds United habit
