As Leeds United progressed through to the second round draw of this years EFL Cup against Bolton Wanderers, goalkeeper Jamal Blackman impressed plenty as he got to make his club bow between the sticks.
With 24-year-old coming through Chelsea’s youth ranks, his performance showed why he was so rated last season during a loan spell with Sheffield United and with Bailey Peacock-Farrell starting both Championship clashes so far, some fans feel that Blackman did enough to retain his spot in the starting eleven for this weekend’s clash.
How much of this is an overhang from his perceived error in the last match is open for debate, but I imagine Marcelo Bielsa will again make changes back having rotated in midweek.
He nearly cost us a goal last night with poor handling. Never change a winning team unless you have to.
— David Taylor (@TaylorDee93) August 15, 2018
I'd make one change for Saturday, Blackman to start. Pontus, Bamford and Baker all pushing and will get plenty of starts but for me the one change this week. #lufc Won't be universally popular but isn't based solely on the Derby free kick.
— bill fox (@foxobilly) August 15, 2018
Blackman has to start on Saturday, much more comfortable
— Tom Dransfield (@tomdransfield10) August 14, 2018
The duo of Blackman/Peacock-Farrell is over 9000 times better than Wiedwald/Lonergan. #lufc
— Subjective Football (@BenBuford11) August 14, 2018
To me Blackman looked nervous. Spilt a couple shots. Think bpf will def start sat
— Daniel Greenwood (@DAN250978) August 15, 2018
Reactions were split and plenty pointed out the ‘don’t change a winning team’ mentality in football, but I really can’t see Bielsa shaking it up that much. Despite the criticism BPF took from some following the Derby match, he had plenty of support and if the Bolton lineup was purely on rotation, then there’s no reason to assume he won’t come straight back into the squad.