Adam Forshaw was not a player lauded by much of the Elland Road faithful following his arrival at Leeds United from Middlesbrough, but the midfielder’s efforts as part of Marcelo Bielsa’s core midfield unit this season are starting to help change perceptions.
Alongside Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips, Forshaw is yet to miss a starting line-up in the Championship and has played every available minute of second-tier action the boss has had to offer in the opening weeks of the campaign.
In those, the £20,000-a-week ace has helped to one goal – assisting Pablo Hernandez’s opener in the curtain-raiser at Bristol City – as well as a playing further three key balls and penning an average pass accuracy rating of 82.8%.
Only Hernandez has played a higher number of successful passes in the opponent’s defensive zone, too, with the Spaniard boasting 70 completed final third balls to Forshaw’s 62 – narrowly edging midfielder partner Klich (61), and eclipsing the likes of Jack Harrison (46) and Patrick Bamford (11).
Forshaw still has some room to grow defensively in order to become a complete central option, but the 27-year-old is clearly displaying the best form of his United career with displays deserving of the starting role he has been awarded.
Leeds supporters are slowly coming onside to the Liverpool-born star signed for a reported £4.5million, with fans taking to social media to share their thoughts of his efforts so far this term…
He always said he was an attacking midfielder
— Zak Pullen (@zak_pullen) August 23, 2019
Now Forshaw is fit as he wasn’t fully most of last season that Forshaw Klich and Phillips midfield looks so strong. Forshaw unlucky not to have scored a couple so far this season.
— Damian Hughes (@DamianHughes8) August 22, 2019
I’m not the biggest fan of Forshaw from last season but I feel him and Dallas have been excellent this season. Credit where it’s due and he deserves a lot of credit right now. #LUFC
— Leeds Designs (@leeds_designs) August 22, 2019
I said so after 1st game before i went off here. He’s been decent tbh, doesn’t mean I’m a fan but he’s doing well so deserves the plaudits atm.
— paul warrick (LUFC) (@paulwarrick3) August 22, 2019
He’s been a machine so far! Covers every blade of grass
— Scott Mc (@ScottMc42731676) August 22, 2019
He breaks up so many opposition attacks, a footballers footballer.
— Phil (@philleeds12345) August 22, 2019
The Bielsa Effect
Oh and a load of hard work no doubt
????????????????????????????????— Dumpfor (@Dumpforsp) August 22, 2019
He’s looked really good tbf
Should of have a couple of goals I reckon he can kick on and be a big player this season
— dyl (@dylburrows_) August 22, 2019
Injury free pre season players really performing as opposed to them starting behind the rest last season
— Simon Green (@Simongreen19) August 22, 2019