It will be interesting to see what sort of team Daniel Farke picks for Leeds United’s clash with Southampton on Saturday.
Leeds’ hopes of finishing in the top two are now all but over after Ipswich Town’s win over Coventry City last night, which moved them three points clear heading into the final day.
Ipswich only need a point from their home game with all but mathematically relegated Huddersfield Town to secure promotion, regardless of how Leeds get on at Elland Road.
Of course, there is still always that one per cent chance that Leeds could do it, but realistically, Farke will now need to be switching his focus towards the play-offs.
Farke can become the first manager in Leeds’ history to get the club promoted from any level via this route, but according to Martin O’Neill, has some work to do to get his squad ready for it.
With that in mind, it would not be a surprise if there is some temptation for Farke to rotate his side somewhat this weekend, in order to keep them fresh for a two-legged semi-final.
Farke has the perfect chance to hand Mateo Joseph full league debut
The play-offs is always the most stressful part of the season for any club involved, but for players, they will be eager to be their side’s hero.
Farke has a relatively settled starting XI at Leeds but given recent form, he should use Saturday as an opportunity to hand a couple of fringe players a go to show what they can do before the play-offs.
It doesn’t have to be anything drastic, but there are a few members of the squad who have not got the minutes they have deserved recently, and of those is Mateo Joseph.
Not only did he score twice at Chelsea in the FA Cup, Joseph has changed a number of matches from the bench over the last couple of months, but for whatever reason, is still yet to start in the league.
Even in Patrick Bamford’s absence last week, he opted to bring Joel Piroe in up front, a decision which very much backfired. Piroe has never looked comfortable as a lone striker, and it is a mistake Farke cannot repeat.
Farke has wanted to stick with the experience of Bamford in attack whenever he has been fit due to the youthfulness of the rest of the front four. Georginio Rutter, Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville are all below the age of 22.
However, with the pressure firmly off Leeds going into Saturday, there really is no better time to finally reward Joseph with his full league debut.
If it goes to plan, Farke now has a wildcard option he can trust in the play-offs. If not, he can bring back a fully rested Bamford. No brainer.
What other changes could Farke make?
As mentioned, Farke will not want to rotate and experiment too much while there is still a tiny chance of automatic promotion, but there are a couple more he could make on top of Joseph.
Jaidon Anthony has not been given anywhere near enough of a chance lately, and he could come into that trio behind the striker. He displayed some excellent link-up play with Joseph at Chelsea, providing assists for both of his goals.
The player in which he should replace is Rutter, allowing one of Summerville or Gnonto to move central. Rutter has not looked himself since surgery and so a proper rest will keep him fresh for the play-offs.
Leeds have also really lacked midfield control in the last couple of matches and in order to deal with that, Glen Kamara should be brought back in. Whether Archie Gray is rested or moved to right-back, is another question.