Leeds travel south to face bitter rivals Millwall on Saturday afternoon.
Marcelo Bielsa has a dilemma on his hands. Injuries to Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford mean the Argentine has little option up front when the Whites travel south to face Millwall on Saturday.
Bamford has suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury, while Roofe has a knock that has forced him out of Saturday’s clash which comes as frustrating news to Leeds fans after Roofe’s excellent start to the campaign.
Bielsa admitted in his pre-Millwall press conference that his best option is Tyler Roberts, who has managed only two appearances for Leeds since signing for the club from West Bromwich Albion last January.
An ankle injury in training prevented him from featuring in the second half of the 2017-18 campaign, and he has only returned to feature in two Carabao Cup games where he has been largely disappointing on the wing.
Other options available to Bielsa are youngsters Ryan Edmondson and Sam Dalby, while Samu Saiz can also play up front after playing as a striker during his time with Spanish side Huesca before joining Leeds in the summer of 2017.
But Bielsa should throw Neil Harris’ Millwall a curve ball by taking note to the international break and starting Macedonia international Gjanni Alioski up front – after he scored two goals for his country in two games during the break.
Alioski, 26, scored a penalty against Gibraltar before lashing home a volley against Armenia in an excellent 2-0 win. He showed a predatory instinct that Leeds will need if they are to beat Millwall.
It has been evident in Alioski’s performances this season, too. A superb header against Derby as well as scoring against Norwich has seen him score twice this season.
Offering pace, an attacking tenacity and determination, as well as an inspiring confidence and no mercy in front of goal, Bielsa should consider starting Alioski over Roberts up front.
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