please log in to view this image Southampton v Leeds Utd Saturday 30th September@12:30 | St Mary's Leeds make the 420 mile round trip to the South Coast at the weekend to face an out of sorts Southampton team, desperate to stop the rot, and subsequent slide down the table. Back to back wins at the beginning of the season seem like an eternity ago for Russell Martin and his men following straight defeats against Sunderland, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough. They now sit 16th in the Championship, two points from the drop zone. Another loss on Saturday could spell the end for the former defender who Daniel Farke will remember from their days at Norwich. Daniel Farke must decide whether to recall Joe Rodon back to the heart of the defence, after serving a one match suspension following his red card at Hull. Cooper and Cresswell are both biting at the bit, though in all honesty, the Spurs man will probably get the nod. The gaffer has a similar dilemma in midfield with both Gray and Kamara vying for one slot. Patrick Bamford is nearing a return to action after his latest injury setback. The former Chelsea apprentice, who turned 30 earlier this month, suffered a hamstring strain during Leeds pre-season finale at Hearts, but returned to full training last week. He may travel with the team, but is likely to have little impact. please log in to view this image Dallas too is on the comeback trail. He's back in full training, and looking forward to a return to action, though Southampton may be a little ambitious. Willy Gnonto will be out of action for four weeks. The Italian International sustained ankle ligament damage during the Hull game, and went under the surgeons knife earlier this week. Junior Firpo has not fully recovered from the knee injury that has kept him sidelined since June. He continues to train alone. Ethan Ampadu is carrying a knock, but should fit to travel down to Southampton on Friday lunchtime. Under fire Saints boss Russell Martin may recall Ryan Manning and Joe Aribo back to he starting line up, after being dropped to the bench at Portman Road. They also weren't named in the starting line-up at Boro last weekend. Defenders Jack Stephens and Juan Larios continue to be ruled out whilst Summer signing Ross Stewart isn’t far from match fitness.
Based on the following XI, who should Captain the side? Meslier Shackleton Byram Ampadu Rodon Struijk Summerville Kamara Piroe Rutter James
Struijk for me but no problem with Ampedu either. Elland in your opinion should we be flying down to Southampton tomorrow as I'd have thought it would be way better for the players rather than a long coach journey on a Friday afternoon ?
Hoping Farke picks the best 11 on Saturday and doesn't dodge the big decision by leaving Rodon on the bench. If he does and we lose then I'll be less than impressed for the simple reason that you have to play your best right sided centre half when fit and available.
I would have said Byram. Farke already stated that Byram is a fantastic lad to have around the dressing room.
This will be interesting. Exactly the sort of banana skin we usually **** up in. A team out of form we lose to. I’ll have complete faith in Farke if we win this one.
Before a ball was kicked most of us would have had this down as our toughest away game. This one or Leicester anyway.
Southampton have been playing well enough - they may have lost 4 on the bounce but in every game they’ve created chances, not taken them and pretty much every opponent’s shot has gone in. Bit like we were for most of last season. They have some glaring defensive issues but anyone who thinks they aren’t dangerous opponents is off the mark in my view.
Saints relentlessly play out from the back so if they beat our press they'll create chances. 50/50 game for me although the bookies have us quite strong favourites.
I guess they’ve seen us dominate decent opponents recently and Southampton have been a soft touch. It’s very Leedsy to end an opponents bad run
I was wondering about our CB partnership for Saturday. Logic suggests that Rodon & Struijk are our best pairing, but the big question for me is Farke's view on red cards. Many managers have very strict views on a player letting the side down, & often insist on punishing offenders by dropping them for a game or games. Although he's shown real signs of being a disciplinarian so far, I don't know enough about him yet, so the jury is out for me. Hope it's Rodon & Struijk, as that's another week Coops lasts without injury!
