Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa have achieved quite some results from the festive fixture list and have Kemar Roofe to thank as the former Oxford United netted three decisive stoppage time goals in two games to ensure the Elland Road outfit stayed top of the Championship but, after a busy couple of weeks, the physical strain is clearly starting to show on some of the players.
On the chalkboard
The Whites host Hull today with the aim to extend their league lead but, after apathetic showings against Blackburn last time out, Pablo Hernandez and Adam Forshaw must be rested if Bielsa wants to avoid a slip up.
Both were extremely sloppy throughout the game and, but for Roofe’s heroics, could have cost their team the points – Hernandez in particular has been a key player this season in the push for promotion but, at 33, the Spaniard cannot be relied upon to play regularly during such a busy period.
The duo are in desperate need of a rest otherwise Bielsa risks them sustaining injuries or entering bad patches of form – neither of which scenario can be afforded if Leeds want to lift the trophy – and so the Spaniard has little choice but to drop them.
Who should step up?
Jack Clarke could be the beneficial of such a decision – the youngster bagged his first professional goal for the club in a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa and is widely regarded as one of the most promising youth talents in the division.
The 19-year-old can fill in for Hernandez as he can play out wide, while Lewis Baker would also surely step in alongside Clarke.
While the Chelsea loanee may have been pretty poor this season overall, he is a decent back-up to call upon – he most likely won’t offer as much to the game as Hernandez, who is vying with Roofe for the player of the season award, but it’s a gamble Bielsa absolutely has to make.
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