‘ALWAYS UNPOPULAR’: LEEDS UNITED TOLD ONE OF THEIR PLAYERS ISN’T ACTUALLY LIKED
‘Unpopular’ Luke Ayling
“Luke Ayling is always unpopular wherever he goes,” said Hendrie. “I think he is giving the Hull fans a bit of stick.”
Leeds’ defence starting to show consistency
Leeds have now kept three clean sheets in a row and, for the first time in a while, there’s something to be said for their defence. For too long, they’ve been toothless, sloppy and nervous at the back, particularly in the first half of the season, but that’s all under new manager Farke. Now that he’s getting used to things, he’s slowly starting to get things going.
In a related development:
‘He’s improving’: Daniel Farke backs ‘top class’ Leeds summer signing to explode
‘Difficult decision’
Leeds were held to a goalless draw at Millwall and after the match, Leeds Live asked Farke how Byram is and if it’s a case of ‘managing his game’.
Having been one of the top performers against Millwall last weekend, Byram would not have been dropped if he was in top form.
“Yes,” confirmed Farke.
“It was also a difficult decision because I think he was one of our best players on the pitch at Millwall.
“But we waited till the last moment to have a conversation with him after our short training in the morning and he said to me he doesn’t feel ready to play 90 minutes, doesn’t feel ready to start again.
“Sam is an experienced player. Also, I trust also his choice and when we see where he’s coming from, we have to give him lots of credit that he plays on a regular basis and delivers so many top class performances.
“But yes to play on this level three games within six days is at the moment a bit too much too much for him.”
‘I’m quite confident’
When Farke was asked if he thought Byram could handle starting three matches a week, he said:
“Yes, I’m sure he will capable to do this,” he replied.
“Because he’s improving his endurance and his stability and also his belief in his body, more or less from day to day, but he comes from period in the last two years he hardly played the game and now he’s playing so many games that we have also good options with Luke Ayling, with Jamie Shackleton, so I’m happy that I have good options.
“I’m quite confident that the longer the season takes if he stays not injured that he’s capable to play three games within one week.”
I’m delighted to see how well Byram has responded to his return to Elland Road. He was one of the club’s cult heroes in his first spell, and I’m sure he’s well on his way to becoming a Leeds legend.
I’m also delighted to hear Farke’s optimism about Byram’s fitness and his chances of breaking into the first team in what is shaping up to be a huge season for Leeds.
