Has Felix Wiedwald already lost the trust of Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen

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Former Bundesliga goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald was dropped for the first-time this season by Leeds United, with Andy Lonergan starting against Reading.

The wish of countless Leeds United supporters came true on Saturday afternoon, as Thomas Christiansen dropped the under-fire goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald for the Elland Road clash with Reading.

The German goalkeeper had conceded eight goals in his previous three outings for Leeds prior to the international break, and was widely pilloried for his passive performance in the 3-0 defeat to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Wiedwald has failed to command his area, encouraging unflattering comparisons with one-time Whites ‘keeper Marco Silvestri. And former Leeds striker Noel Whelan even went as far as to describe Wiedwald as a ‘coward’ on BBC Radio Leeds.

And while Leeds’ 1-0 home defeat to Reading – The Whites’ third defeat in succession – has supporters fearful of another false dawn in terms of a return to the Premier League, the return of Andy Lonergan between the sticks in place of Wiedwald at least ensured manager Thomas Christiansen emerged from the game with some credit.

The 33-year-old, who spent a season at Elland Road in 2011/12, returned to West Yorkshire from Wolves this summer. And Lonergan made only his second appearance of the season against Reading at the weekend.

And while Lonergan’s display was far from faultless – the veteran ‘keeper flapped at a corner and his distribution left a lot to be desired – the 6ft 4ins stopper looked a far safer pair of hands than the eternally unconvincing Wiedwald.

The question hanging over Christiansen’s head, however, is which goalkeeper he makes Leeds’ number one for the foreseeable future? Has Wiedwald endued one poor performance too many in a Leeds shirt?

The identity of whoever is starts between the sticks for Leeds’ trip to Bristol City next Saturday should speak volumes about Wiedwald’s current standing under his new manager.