Boss Daniel Farke made four changes to his side for Wednesday night’s Elland Road date against Queens Park Rangers as Luke Ayling, Joe Rodon, Archie Gray and full debutant Jaidon Anthony all came into the side.
Captain Liam Cooper, Glen Kamara and Dan James all dropped to the bench from the XI that started last Saturday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at Southampton whilst Jamie Shackleton missed out altogether due to a shoulder injury suffered in training.
Leeds bounced back from the Saints reverse with a 1-0 victory against the Rs and Farke must now decide whether to make changes having kept a winning side for the visit to St Mary’s but ultimately seeing his Whites slump to defeat. That presents an obvious big question mark and the impressive re-emergence of Patrick Bamford is another key point to ponder.
Bamford was handed his second outing since recovering from a hamstring injury as a second-half substitute in Wednesday’s win against QPR and quickly impressed. Just three days later, this is how we think Leeds will line up against Bristol City. Junior Firpo, Djed Spence, Willy Gnonto and Stuart Dallas remain out as they continue their recoveries from injuries.
7. CM: Archie Gray
Gray was given a rest against Southampton after a busy start to the season at just 17 years old as summer signing Glen Kamara was handed a full debut but Gray was missed and bringing him back into the XI looked absolutely the right call against QPR. The teen again made the most of his chance as he impressed and he and Ampadu look like the best midfield pairing at present, even allowing for Gray's tender years. Ilia Gruev is also waiting for his big chance. Photo: George Wood
8. RW: Crysencio Summerville
The 21-year-old Dutchman took just nine minutes to unlock QPR, making the most of a sublime Georginio Rutter pass to score what proved the only goal of the game. Farke is not short of wing options, even with Willy Gnonto injured, but Summerville looks top of the pile at present although there is also the option to play him as a no 10, as was the case in the latter stages against QPR when Patrick Bamford replaced Joel Piroe to move upfront as Rutter went to the right flank. Photo: George Wood
9. LW: Jaidon Anthony
A hard one to call and probably a straight shoot-out between Anthony and Dan James who dropped to the bench against QPR as deadline day signing Anthony was handed his full Whites debut. Anthony brought plenty of danger to the left flank, supplying some neat crosses which no-one got on the end of and the Bournemouth loanee stayed on until the 65th minute, leaving the field to warm applause as James was introduced. Ian Poveda, on much later for Summerville, is also in the mix but the feeling is that Anthony might get the nod again. Probably a close one though. Photo: George Wood
10. ACM: Joel Piroe
Piroe has failed to fire in United's last two games having made an initial brilliant start to life at Leeds and it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see him come out of the side, possibly with Summerville starting as a no 10. But the front line pairing of Piroe and Georginio Rutter remains a very promising work in progress and one that is likely to be continued from the start against the Robins although Patrick Bamford surely strongly re-enters the equation when fitness allows. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Georginio Rutter
Eyebrows were raised at the club record fee that Leeds paid to sign Rutter for in the January transfer window but now the only raised eyebrows are arising at his latest piece of impressive flair or skill. The Frenchman often had QPR men in knots and will surely start against the Robins, even in spite of Bamford's display from the bench although there is clearly room for both of them, as seen in the closing stages when Bamford went up front with Rutter out wide. Rutter, though, has so far made the biggest impact upfront. It could be argued that Bamford, Summerville, Rutter and Anthony are the most in-form front four at present so an interesting one for Farke to solve although Bamford has ultimately only just returned from injury and will likely need more time before becoming a starting option. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo