Should the Leeds United boss ditch his Conor Shaughnessy experiment, even if he’ll be more tempted than ever to persevere?
Eunan O’Kane is expected to spend a bit of time out of Leeds United’s matchday squad due to a suspension. The Republic of Ireland midfielder was given a straight red card for violent conduct in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Ipswich Town, following an incident with Jonas Knudsen.
Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen suggested that he would appeal, but the evidence on offer looks relatively damning and it seems likely that the suspension will stand regardless.
With Ronaldo Vieira still injured, it gives Christiansen a bit of a dilemma in midfield and the United head coach might well persevere with Conor Shaughnessy, even though it’s time to admit failure on that experiment.
The 21-year-old has often been used in central defence this season but more and more Christiansen has been deploying him in midfield, and more and more Shaughnessy is developing into a figure of resentment within the United fanbase as a result, due to deficiencies in that role.
He put him there after O’Kane’s dismissal on Saturday and supporters of the Elland Road side ripped into the youngster on Twitter, though it’s not his fault.
The Irishman, who began as a defensive midfielder at Reading, simply lacks both the positioning and pace to be a success in the Championship from that role, and the sooner Christiansen realises this and plays Vurnon Anita or Mateusz Klich there instead, the better.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
