Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom recalling Andy Lonergan would suggest weakness

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Championship giants Leeds United need a consistent number one but would it make any sense for Paul Heckingbottom to change things up now?

Felix Wiedwald appears to have established himself as Leeds United’s undisputed number one over the past few months but that is arguably a damning reflection on Andy Lonergan’s performances when given a chance earlier in the campaign.

The veteran shot-stopper returned for a second spell at Elland Road from Wolves in the summer and made seven Championship appearances from October to November after the former Werder Bremen ‘keeper Wiedwald had conceded 11 goals in just four games.

But Lonergan did little to suggest he deserved the number one jersey on a regular basis. He made an absolute howler in a 3-1 defeat to Brentford and, just two games later, was beaten four times by a rampant Wolves side at Molineux. His only appearance since was January’s 2-1 FA Cup loss to League Two Newport County.

So it would not exactly reflect well on Leeds’ goalkeeping situation if new manager Paul Heckingbottom was forced to recall the 34-year-old Lonergan with Wiedwald once again stuck in a spiral of poor form.

The German has started all four of the Championship games since Heckingbottom replaced Thomas Christiansen at Elland Road but looked far from convincing as Leeds conceded from two long throws against Bristol City and then let in another two in another draw, this time with Derby County.

Wiedwald continues to struggle to command his area and, in the Championship, this makes him easy prey for hungry opposition.

So less than a month after Lonergan was ‘furious’ about denied a move to Sunderland, per The Sun (4^th February, page 60), the fact that some fans have called for his return to the starting XI shows just how hard Heckingbottom’s decision could be.

Christiansen never convincingly settled on a number one and, if Heckingbottom flip flops in the same fashion, it may just betray a sign of weakness – one that the former Barnsley boss cannot really afford so early on in his Elland Road career.