da realsbet： Leeds picked up all three points on Saturday, but their game against Reading certainly left United fans with a few reasons to be worried.
da bet7： Supporters once again lambasted Patrick Bamford for his wastefulness against the Royals, but even that wasn’t the most worrying thing to take away from Elland Road this weekend.
Indeed, in the first-half Kalvin Phillips was subbed off due to an injury, and the stadium collectively held their breath wondering whether or not the Yorkshire Pirlo’s problem was serious.
Fortunately, it seems as though he’ll be back sooner rather than later as he gave a reassuring update on Instagram when replying to Ian Wright.
Hopefully, this debacle can act as something of a wakeup call for Victor Orta.
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The holding midfield role in Marcelo Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1 formation is described as one of the most important positions in the system, yet, Leeds have just one man who is fully comfortable operating there.
When Phillips was suspended earlier this campaign Bielsa’s grand plan was to play Ben White in his role, but he reneged on that idea a couple of times, with the Brighton loanee starting in midfield just once this season.
Now, we know the Argentine likes to operate with a small squad, but surely he should have backup options in one of his most important spots.
When Phillips came off on Saturday, it sparked a huge tactical reshuffle. Ezgjan Alioski came on for him and headed straight to left-back, Stuart Dallas then moved across the defence into right-back, forcing Luke Ayling into the centre, while White stepped forward into the midfield.
That’s multiple players now playing different roles than they started in, and that can be disorientating for anyone, no matter how well they’re coached.
The problem could have been circumvented if there was a player who could act as a direct replacement for Phillips on the bench, but Leeds simply don’t have a player of that ilk.
Saturday should act as a shot in the arm for Orta, and his first port of call once the summer transfer window opens should be a new backup holding midfielder.
In other news, Leeds fans weren’t happy with one Bielsa call on Saturday.