With Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa announcing his team line up for the top of the table Norwich City clash early as he held his pre-game press conference, one topic of debate for fans on learning the team was the omission of Kalvin Phillips.
With the game clearly turning against us as Norwich made their chances count to sneak into top spot on goal difference, Bielsa has spoken about having to make some decisions now because recent team selections have not given him what he was looking for and for most fans on social media reacting to those words, there’s one simple tweak he can make as we go into next weekend’s clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.
Philips in midfield is the first thing he needs to do
— vince k (@eedsy) February 3, 2019
Bring Phillips back into the side to give us the protection he’s provided more often than not so far this year.
Philips in midfield is the first thing he needs to do
— vince k (@eedsy) February 3, 2019
Drop Ayling because he's been abysmal for ages.
Drop Forshaw because he's a liability.
Get KP back in his quarter-back role and get Bamford in there.— Adam (@AdamRoD87) February 3, 2019
Phillips has to play in mid has to!
— Mark Ramm (@LufcRammy) February 3, 2019
Kalvin back in midfield, Bamford up top and Izzy Brown has to at least make the bench
— Jake Riley (@JakeyRiley) February 3, 2019
“In one segment of the Championship we recovered the ball well and could play out (from the back). But we’ve lost this feature and I think I’m deeply responsible for it.”
Answer – Also Kalvin Phillips. We need him back in front if Cooper and Jansson.
— Lee Grayson (@LeeGrayson) February 4, 2019
Phillips in CDM is a must
— Sheldon Levett (@lufc_levett) February 3, 2019
Could list a load of suggestions, but at the end of the day, it's MB's job to make the decisions.
Yep, would like KP in holding MF, Clarke up on the left or right, Shackleton at right back, Bamford no9.— Si (@LeedsInShetland) February 3, 2019
I would bring in Phillips for Forshaw and Shackleton for Ayling. Bamford impressed, but he prob needs another week before starting. It's not easy with such a small squad, but no point in going there again.
— WJ (@jessop_william) February 3, 2019
It’s fair to say, not everyone was on board, pointing to Phillips’ own problems in some matches but this weekend is about responding to that defeat, even if it’s an ugly win.