Should Neil Redfearn consider changing Sam Byram’s position?

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The Leeds defender has been superb going forward this season but has left his side vulnerable defensively.

A common theme within Leeds United’s current squad is youthful exuberance.

The Yorkshire side have an abundance of young talent on their hands, all of whom are full of energy & creativity – and lack experience.

Sam Byram is a good example. The Leeds full-back has been brilliant going forward so far this Championship campaign. Defensively, however, the 21-year-old has left Neil Redfearn’s team exposed on more than one occasion.

Yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest was a case in point. Too often crosses were allowed into the box without opposition or pressure.

Should Redfearn, then, consider adapting Byram’s current position?

As Opta stats show, Byram has completed the third-most final-third entries of any Leeds player this season and is a lively attacking presence.

So why not allow the 21-year-old to maximise that willingness to get forward?

As a right midfielder, Byram could roam down the right-hand side and offer his right-back protection. That would give Leeds a boost both going forward and defensively down that flank.

As things stand, however, the full-back’s constant desire to get forward is creating plenty of chances for his side – he won the penalty Billy Sharp converted at Nottingham Forest – but Byram simply isn’t offering enough at the other end.