This article is part of Football FanCast’s Off the Bench series, which places in-game managerial decisions and squad selections under FFC’s microscope.
Just as the wheels looked as though they were finally fixed permanently on Leeds, they’ve detached again in some style.
A win over West Brom last Tuesday gave the Whites a platform, one that made a statement to the rest of the division about their capabilities.
However, that was before Millwall spoilt the party on Saturday afternoon.
A controversial red card and penalty saw the Lions take the lead before they extended their advantage before the break.
Leeds fought back through Gjanni Alioski but it was ultimately a poor effort as they succumbed 2-1.
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Snapshot
Leeds’ form has been topsy-turvy of late and they’ve failed to really get going in the last month or so.
Defeats against Charlton and Swansea were stumbling points but this was perhaps one of the worst performances of the campaign so far as they were reduced to ten men from an early stage.
Berardi’s red card was his seventh since joining Leeds and it wasn’t until the second half that they were able to regain some control.
That happened courtesy of Barry Douglas’ introduction.
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Off the bench
The Scot was slammed relentlessly for his display and overall contribution to the side after the match, something that was perhaps rather harsh given he played a vital hand in allowing Leeds greater impetus.
They still failed to take a point from the game but it should have done enough to provoke a major dilemma for Marcelo Bielsa.
On the face of it, bringing on Douglas for the more attacking Helder Costa was a strange substitution, but it almost paid off.
Alioski was able to move forward into a left-wing position, a role he ultimately scored in, while Jack Harrison was put on the right.
The pair consequently combined for the goal as the 22-year-old was able to deliver a cross which was put into the back of the net by the man who replaced him on the left.
Both of them looked more comfortable in those roles, not least for Harrison who has now registered more assists on the right in one half of football as he did on the left in ten matches.
Meanwhile, Alioski was able to rampage forward on a regular basis without having to worry about his defensive duties.
Douglas may have been slated by supporters but he’s someone who could actually see Leeds’ fortunes improve, that’s because of the two wingers in the side last weekend.
A dilemma has now arisen for Bielsa who will be left pondering whether playing Alioski further forward and Harrison on the right is the way to go.
Both players have improved in form recently so it’s certainly a solution worth bearing in mind – that’s if the Argentine trusts Douglas in a defensive capacity.
