Leeds United could set boo boys off with perfect dose of needle and nightmare fuel
We start our run through five things to look out for during this afternoon’s clash between Cardiff City and Leeds United with the home crowd. After the hosts’ worst start to a league season in 35 years, it will not take much for the home faithful to turn this afternoon.
How many times have you seen the Leeds fans grow impatient when their out-of-form side begins playing poorly at Elland Road down the years? If the Whites can start well today and put Cardiff under the cosh, they may see the natives growing restless, which will only further hamper the Bluebirds on the field.
Is Solomon risked?
Of the multiple injuries Leeds have dealt with this week, Manor Solomon’s was described as the biggest doubt for today’s game. Daniel Farke remained quietly optimistic the Israeli, Joe Rodon, Joe Rothwell and Junior Firpo would all be available for the match, despite missing parts of training this week.
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Solomon’s injury record could mean Farke is extra cautious with him, even if he is fit enough to start on the bench, rather than in the starting line-up. When Largie Ramazani is waiting in the wings too, there may be an even greater temptation to restrict the Tottenham Hotspur loanee’s minutes.
Does Farke respond to defeat with changes?
If midfield was the one part of the team you could have feasibly seen Farke making tactical changes, his response in Thursday’s press conference may have ended that train of thought. The manager shot down the notion Ilia Gruev could be switched out for someone more attacking like Ao Tanaka or Joe Rothwell because of the balance the Bulgarian brings.
Farke seemingly rates what he is getting from Gruev alongside Ethan Ampadu. He pointed to the defensive solidity he has enjoyed in the last few games, with their only concession coming after Solomon’s slip last weekend.
Might there be some temptation to bring Sam Byram in for a defensively suspect Jayden Bogle? It seems unlikely.
A repeat of one of Farke’s best?
One of the particularly convincing wins of last season came at Cardiff City Stadium. Can this season’s side respond to last weekend’s loss and deliver something similar today?
Illan Meslier, Firpo, Rodon, Ampadu and Gruev are the only realistic survivors of that 3-0 win in the Welsh capital, and even two of those remain injury doubts. It was a day Patrick Bamford lead the line imperiously, scoring early, the defence was dominant and by the end of the second half the entire team was oozing class.
These were, to borrow Farke’s phrase, offensive fireworks. The German could do with something just as fluid if he wants to quieten some of the critics.
Rodon ready to rustle?
Rodon’s Swansea City roots are well known, as is Cardiff’s hatred of their Welsh neighbour. Rodon particularly enjoyed last season’s 3-0 win because of the reception he was given by the locals.
He will be desperate to be involved again today in order to give his reply to the undoubted shoeing he will get from the home crowd. Is there anything a Cardiff fan would like to see less than a cheery Swansea man when they are at their lowest ebb?