Neil Redfearn: This is what Leeds must do to improve form of under-fire star
By Danny Wright
Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn believes that Felix Wiedwald needs a bit of a confidence boost in order to improve his stuttering form in Yorkshire.
Wiedwald, 27, arrived at Elland Road in the summer from Werder Bremen and instantly ousted Rob Green from his No 1 spot in the Leeds starting line-up.
The Whites star impressed in his first few games as he strung together consecutive clean sheets as the Yorkshire giants rose to the top of the Championship standings.
However he has since found himself come under fire from the fans and pundits for his performances in the last couple of matches than have seen him concede six goals in losses to Cardiff and most recently Sheffield Wednesday.
Redfearn has suggested that dropping Wiedwald will not be the best course of action for Thomas Christiansen could take as they could wreck whatever confidence he has left.
Instead, the ex-Leeds and Rotherham boss reckons that he needs a little bit more time to settle down into life in the Championship as well as receiving the backing from the fans and management.
“They brought him in as No 1. They’ve put all the money on him in regards to backing him but they’ve got to give him confidence,” said Redfearn, as shown in a video on Radio Yorkshire’s YouTube account on Wednesday.
“They’ve got to get behind him and give him some confidence to go out there and perform.
“He’s shown at times he can make shot stops and his reflexes have been good at times.
“His bread and butter stuff has not been bad but he’s just got to come to terms with this division I think.”
Wiedwald has been ever-present in the Championship this term, keeping six clean sheets in 11 league appearances, with all of them shut-outs coming in consecutive games.
Andy Lonergan was signed up in the summer to replace Green as the back-up option to the German stopper and so far the ex-Wolves man has only featured in the League Cup.
In other Leeds United news, this rising star of the Whites has been named among the best young talents in the world.
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