Our View – After Ayling ban and injuries, Marsch needs to copy Conte’s Tottenham and use 3-4-3 for Leeds

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Luke Ayling’s red card means Leeds will now be without three crucial players in their bid to avoid relegation – with Stuart Dallas and Patrick Bamford also injured. Jesse Marsch needs to do something different.

When Ayling has been sidelined in the past, Dallas comes in. Now, he might have to rely on Jamie Shackleton – who himself has been injured for some time. Other options include a centre-back on the right, or Dan James.

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But perhaps, a reshuffle in system is needed. The 4-2-3-1 system so far adopted has worked at times, but the personnel might mean that Marsch needs to switch up. He needs to take a look at Antonio Conte’s Tottenham.

Spurs showed, on Saturday evening, how to defend. The system, the fight, the vigour, the bravery. But it was very organised, structured – stopping one of the world’s best attacking sides. Only a deflected, 25-yard strike went in.

Marsch needs to copy Conte and Tottenham as Leeds face Chelsea…

A lack of form and confidence means Leeds need to focus on stopping Chelsea, rather than trying to win the game. Limiting the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and co. should be Marsch’s first port of call.

The best way to do that is more bodies in defence. Conte used a 3-4-3 to attack, but it reverted into a 5-4-1 out of possession. Leeds have the personnel to play with three at the back, and wing backs.

Illan Meslier remains in goal, Liam Cooper is fit again – and should be partnered with Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk either side. The hard-working wingers of Dan James and Jack Harrison gives Leeds balance.

Conte uses defensive midfielders, in Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – and the combination of Robin Koch with Kalvin Phillips would give that shield. It also frees up Raphinha, with two behind him.

Raphinha, Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt up top gives Leeds pace, guile and attacking know how. Conte’s system might just give Leeds a chance against Chelsea, if Marsch is brave enough to try it on Wednesday.