Attackers axed in Monk 4-2-3-1: Leeds best possible XI to face Bristol City
COMMENT By Harvey Byrne
Garry Monk should axe attackers Stuart Dallas and Pablo Hernandez from the Leeds starting XI when they welcome Bristol City to Elland Road on Tuesday evening.
The duo were very poor in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Cardiff and both struggled to create anything noteworthy against Neil Warnock’s team.
The pair must be dropped to the bench in the midweek encounter and as a result winger Modou Barrow and Kemar Roofe should come into the side, with the latter recently returning from an injury.
Manager Monk will be forced into one other change after Liam Bridcutt saw a red card for two yellows against the Welsh team and that should see Eunan O’Kane come into the team.
Goalkeeper Rob Green is one of the guaranteed names on the team sheet for Leeds and the 37-year-old will be looking to keep his 12th clean sheet of the campaign..
However, he will need to be protected by a back four likely to be without stars Pontus Jansson and Charlie Taylor.
The Sweden international is a doubt for the encounter with Bristol City after missing Saturday’s match with Cardiff through illness.
Meanwhile, Taylor has not featured since 17 December due to injury and when he does eventually return it is likely that he will need time in the reserves or as a substitute to regain fitness.
The back four will also need protection however, with joint second top goalscorer Tammy Abraham in Lee Johnson’s side.
Centre midfield duo O’Kane and Ronaldo Vieira are known more for their defensive capabilities rather than what they can do up the pitch and they will provide a sense of freedom to those in the final third.
The attacking midfield trio must see Alfonso Pedraza in the side alongside both Roofe and Barrow.
The Spaniard is still getting to grips with the style of football in England, but he could prove to be devastating once he does get going and could be vital in the end of season fixtures.
The three attackers will also be looking to feed star man Chris Wood, who will more than fancy his chances of adding to his 21 goals this season against a team who conceded three at the weekend.
When the two sides last met at Ashton Gate earlier in September Bristol City finished 1-0 victors, but this team has more than enough to ensure the three points stay at home on Tuesday.
In other Leeds news, fans have urged Monk to axe this 25-year-old on Tuesday.
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