Leeds defender Coyle is currently on loan at Fleetwood.
Despite remaining a regular on loan at Fleetwood Town and certainly one of the first names on the team sheet under Joey Barton, Lewie Coyle’s chances of salvaging a Leeds career look slim – but Saturday could prove the start of a turning point.
The emergence of Jamie Shackleton as a right-back under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road has given Leeds top-quality depth on the right side of the defence – along with Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Gaetano Berardi.
It saw 23-year-old Coyle rejoin Fleetwood in the summer on loan, despite playing 23 times for the Whites senior side. The defender is known for his defensively solid approach, but is more than willing to get forward.
The chances of Coyle returning to Leeds when his loan expires and breaking into Bielsa’s side remain unlikely, due to the depth in Bielsa’s side. But Joey Barton’s Saturday decision may give him a new chance.
That is because Barton opted to play Coyle in central midfield. A lack of options in the middle of the park saw Barton pick Coyle to play on the right side of a three-man midfield.
The Blackpool Gazette rated his display as a 7/10, describing his performance as: “A new role on the right of the midfield three, he made some strong interceptions and also showed attacking initiative. Interesting to see how that role develops.”
Leeds are certainly less equipped in the middle of the park. The loss of Samu Saiz in January has seen striker Tyler Roberts forced to drop deeper, while natural winger Pablo Hernandez has come into the middle of the park.
Other options include Kalvin Phillips, Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich. For three positions, though, it is hardly the required depth needed for a Championship campaign – or indeed a Premier League one.
Coyle has less than 18 months left on his contract, but with Bielsa renowned for his preference for players with versatility, Coyle may save his Leeds spell if he can shine under Barton in central midfield between now and the summer.
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