The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 13th January) - Six missing as Cottagers head to Elland Road
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 13th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Six missing as Cottagers head to Elland Road
Fulham’s trip to Elland Road this weekend looks set to be a real test of depth, as Marco Silva faces the prospect of missing up to six key players. The Cottagers head north without Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze; all representing Nigeria at AFCON, where they face Morocco in the semi-finals. £40m rated striker Rodrigo Muniz has been sidelined since November after hamstring surgery. Young forward Joshua King, who hasn’t featured since late December due to a knee injury in training, remains highly doubtful, as is full-back Kenny Tete, who is recovering from a hamstring strain.
Leeds, smarting from that painful stoppage-time defeat when Gudmundsson’s headed into his own net in the reverse fixture, will smell blood. They’ve already shown this season that they can exploit defensive uncertainty, and with Fulham’s backline so depleted, the Whites could take advantage, especially at Elland Road. Daniel Farke will not under estimate Marco Silva's side, who with four wins and two draws from their last six games are third in the form guide.
Another away tie in the Cup
Leeds United’s FA Cup journey takes them back to the Midlands in the fourth round, where they’ll face Chris Davies’ Birmingham City. Their last visit back to St Andrew's back in August 2023 ended in defeat, Lukas Jutkiewicz’s solitary strike handing then-new boss Daniel Farke his first defeat in charge, only for Leeds to settle the score with a comfortable 3–0 win when the Blues came to Elland Road.
Funny enough, the Whites were the very last ball out of the hat this time around, meaning another trip on the road, hardly a shock given their love affair with away ties. In fact, Leeds held an FA Cup record for 13 consecutive away draws from January 2016 right up until their home tie with Plymouth Argyle in January 2024. Fans will hope this latest road venture brings more joy than heartache as Farke’s side look to keep their cup run rolling.
Is James Justin the bargain of the Summer
Former Manchester Utd player, turned pundit Phil Jones has praised Daniel Farke for his half-time tweak which turned the Derby tie on its head. He hauled off Sebastiaan Bornauw, who’d found it tough dealing with Corey Blackett-Taylor's pace, and brought on James Justin, slotting him into the right of a back three. Almost immediately, Leeds looked sharper. Willy Gnonto equalised with a composed finish before Ao Tanaka's rebound added a second, just minutes later. Justin capped off a game-changing performance in stoppage time by ghosting into the box and getting on the end of Lukas Nmecha’s cross for his first goal in a Whites shirt.
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones, appearing on the BBC’s FA Cup highlights show, applauded Farke’s decision: “It was a clever substitution. Bornauw struggled in that first half, but moving James Justin into a more advanced role helped Leeds dominate possession and create chances further up the pitch.” In the end, Leeds ran out 3-1 winners and marched into the fourth round, all thanks to one shrewd tactical switch.
Whilst the tactical change should be applauded, it turns out that Bornauw picked up a slight groin strain in the opening half of the Derby game, making him a doubt for the weekends clash against Fulham. It remains to be seen whether Joe Rodon (and Jayden Bogle) will be fully fit either, after respective injuries. James Justin has shown, not just reliability and versatility but a bargain find at just £10m.