Noel Whelan asked whether picking Andy Lonergan for Leeds’ clash with Reading was right decision

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Felix Wiedwald has been left out of Leeds United’s starting lineup for their Championship clash with Reading on Saturday.

Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds that Thomas Christiansen has definitely made the right decision leaving Felix Wiedwald out of the Leeds starting lineup for their Championship clash with Reading.

Wiedwald has endured a difficult time since arriving at Elland Road in the summer. After keeping six clean sheets near the start of the campaign – during which, he appeared to have little to do – the German received plenty of criticism for a string of shaky displays.

While he was not solely at fault for Leeds’ poor run of form heading into the international break by any means, his performances would have instilled little confidence in the defence playing in front of him, with particular question marks arising after the Whites’ 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

And Christiansen has seemingly decided that it is time to make a change following the break, with fellow summer signing Andy Lonergan being handed his first league start since he returned to Leeds. And Whelan suggested that the coach has made a good decision.

“Yeah, absolutely right decision,” he told BBC Radio Leeds when asked whether Christiansen was making the right call.

“He’s the manager and he’s got to make tough decisions. And on this one, he’s done the right thing. He’s been really erratic for me, has Wiedwald. He’s not been brave enough in certain situations and I’ve lost a little bit of confidence in him.

Christiansen will be hoping that his decision proves to be vindicated with Lonergan having a good game against the Royals if he is given a lot to do. Lonergan was exceptional in the League Cup tie with Burnley, and he will be determined to prove that he can keep Wiedwald out of the starting lineup for the foreseeable future.

And Christiansen will be hoping that time out of the side proves to be exactly what Wiedwald needs to put his difficult start to the season behind him ahead of whenever he comes back into the team.