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da prosport bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Going into the new campaign, Leeds fans stamped down their fears over injuries.
This was a squad that was tormented by problems last term as by February 2019, there had been 28 separate issues with various different individuals.
Patrick Bamford even missed 22 matches whilst Barry Douglas sat out the final stages of the term.
Had the nine-goal Bamford been fit, Leeds may well have finished higher in the division. But that’s a huge if. As it happens, they weren’t promoted and once again were faced with the tasking off attempting to go up.
The Whites started well with wins over Bristol City and Wigan before their clash with Brentford last night.
However, lo and behold, there were injury fears before the match had even kicked off.
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In Marcelo Bielsa’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday he revealed that Liam Cooper, Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski were all doubts for the match.
It may have provoked a similar feeling to those pre-season thoughts but Leeds must take the rough with the smooth this season.
Yes, injuries could wreak havoc but having a small squad does have its positives.
Earlier this week, former footballer Andy Couzens told Football League World: “I think the manager wants a trimmer squad, he wants all good eggs. I mean that in a nice way, a squad where nobody’s coming in and bad-mouthing people off or whatever it may be. You need everybody together.”
And indeed, these are some of the huge advantages to having an undersized roster.
Leeds aren’t exactly blessed with too many options, particularly at centre-back with Gaetano Berardi the only really viable alternative for when someone is injured or suspended.
Given his own disciplinary record, this is far from ideal but Leeds do have cover in other positions whilst they also have some fabulous young talents coming through.
Mateusz Bogusz scored against Western Sydney Wanderers in pre-season whilst Jamie Shackleton played a lovely reverse ball into Helder Costa before their opening strike against Salford.
Alfie McCalmont, meanwhile, earned his debut in that fixture as Leif Davis was among those to play in defence.
And it’s young players like those will reap the rewards from Leeds’ thin squad. The more minutes they play, the more suited to first-team football and the Championship they’ll become.
Thogden ranks all 24 Championship home kits in the video below…
Having a small squad allows for a tight-knit group. It allows everyone to be on the same page and although competition is often healthy, knowing where you stand as a player is vital.
Over the course of the season there will be room for rotation and injuries will occur but having a thin side should mean greater chemistry and rapport, especially now Bielsa is into his second season.
For those reasons, it can prove beneficial for Leeds this term.
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