Thomas Christiansen assesses Lonergan’s performance in Leeds defeat; comments on Wiedwald’s reaction to being dropped

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Leeds United suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Reading in their first Championship game back following the international break.

Thomas Christiansen has told BBC Radio Leeds that he thought that Andy Lonergan played well during Leeds’ defeat to Reading on Saturday, and insisted that he would not expect Felix Wiedwald to be happy with the decision to leave him out.

Wiedwald has endured a difficult time since arriving at Elland Road in the summer. He may have kept six clean sheets in his first seven league games, but the German’s recent performances have arguably left a lot to be desired, with his display in the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday seeing him come in for particular criticism following the Owls’ first two goals.

His cause was not helped by Lonergan’s brilliant performance against Burnley in the League Cup coupled with the fact that Leeds fans will remember from his previous spell that the 33-year-old is a reliable stopper at Championship level.

It was still somewhat surprising however, when the team was announced for the clash with the Royals with Wiedwald left on the bench and Lonergan making his first league start since his return to the club in the summer.

It would prove to be a disappointing afternoon for the Whites as they were beaten 1-0, but Lonergan was arguably Leeds’ best player, making a couple of excellent saves before he was finally beaten late on. And Christiansen praised the Englishman after the game, and suggested that he was happy with his decision to make the change.

“This is a decision that I have to take and I believe that today was a good opportunity for him to stay in the goal. He had a good game. About the goal, I don’t believe he could’ve done anything,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“He made good saves, and also in the corner kicks, free-kicks, he’s done good.”

Christiansen also suggested that he would be more upset if Wiedwald was pleased with the omission than he would be if the summer signing reacted badly.

“He will take it like all the players who are left out of the 11 or of the squad. And if he was happy, then for sure, he gave me the right to choose Andy. He took it as a professional. Of course, [he was] disappointed and this is just a sign for him to keep on working,” he added.

It remains to be seen how long Christiansen plans to leave Wiedwald out of the starting lineup for. Based on Lonergan’s display against Reading, it would certainly be a surprise if the German did return against Bristol City.

But if he does get back into the team at some point, Christiansen will be hoping that the time spent out of the side will be exactly what Wiedwald needed.