Leeds United winger Gjanni Alioski was left on the bench for the Whites’ latest Championship clash.
For Ezgjan Alioski, it has undoubtedly been a mixed first season in England. On his day, the Leeds winger looks as if he could be destined to follow the likes of Pontus Jansson and Gaetano Berardi and secure cult-hero status. However, he is just as likely to put in the kind of performance that leaves fans tearing their hair out.
Against Sheffield United last weekend, the Macedonia international’s display definitely fell into the latter category, as he struggled to make a meaningful impact on the contest as Paul Heckingbottom’s first game in charge ended in a disappointing defeat.
Perhaps unsurprisingly therefore, Heckingbottom decided to leave Alioski on the bench for Sunday’s home game against Bristol City, with Pablo Hernandez and Stuart Dallas starting on the wings as Leeds began the game in a 4-4-2 formation.
What may have surprised the 26-year-old however, was the fact that when Heckingbottom decided to make changes as Leeds looked to get back into the game after going 2-0 behind early on, it was Kemar Roofe and Hadi Sacko who came on while Alioski remained on the bench.
Roofe’s performances have also attracted a mixture of considerable praise and severe criticism this term, but his introduction seemed sensible given that striker Caleb Ekuban was the man coming on. But throwing Sacko may perhaps be a concerning sign for Alioski.
Sacko has struggled this season and the substitution seemed to get a very mixed reaction amongst the Elland Road faithful with the Frenchman yet to score a goal or provide an assist in the league this term.
To many, Alioski – who has started more games than any other Leeds player this term – would have been the safer option to bring on at that stage, with the summer signing scoring five and contributing four assists in the league. But Heckingbottom went for Sacko, and the substitutions seemed to have a positive impact as Leeds came from 2-0 down to earn a point, with substitute Roofe scoring the equaliser.
Sacko arguably put in one of his best performances this term, threatening to cause some problems and that may have done his chances of remaining Heckingbottom’s wildcard no harm at all. And that may also prove to be bad news for Alioski.
With none of the four players who could be potentially be wide options disappointing while they were on the pitch, Alioski’s place in the pecking order is no longer clear.
Heckingbottom will undoubtedly be hoping that his absence on Sunday proves to be the catalyst he needs to get his form back on track. If it does motivate the winger to find his best form, he definitely still has a huge role to play in Leeds’ season.
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