Gjanni Alioski’s performances have arguably dipped in Leeds United’s last two Championship games.
After four games, Leeds top the Championship table having secured three wins and one draw under Marcelo Bielsa’s leadership. Nevertheless, the Whites would perhaps be wise to heed the warning signs present during their latest game.
Leeds travelled to the Liberty Stadium and bagged a 2-2 draw with Swansea City. The Whites finished strongly and will undoubtedly take a lot of heart from the way that they came from behind on two occasions, but the Swans were in the ascendancy for much of the contest and there were long periods of the game where the Elland Road faithful would have probably taken a point without hesitation had it been offered.
Criticising the team too strongly for their performance in Wales would be unfair. Bielsa has picked the same starting lineup in each of Leeds’ four league games, so it was the same side that beat Stoke and took Derby apart at the start of the month.
Nevertheless, it may be a surprise if Bielsa made it an unchanged side for a fifth game in a row this weekend, especially with the talent that has been on Leeds’ bench in the opening weeks.
One player who may perhaps be in danger if Bielsa does decide to make changes is Gjanni Alioski. Like last season, the Macedonia international started this term in excellent form, looking particularly bright in the opening games.
However, his form has been much more underwhelming in the last two games and it surprised few when he was replaced by Jack Harrison at the break of the draw with Swansea on Tuesday.
Harrison may not have made it impossible for Bielsa to leave him out with his display – he certainly looked lively, but often appears to want to take one more touch than he needs to – but he arguably made more of an impact than Alioski made before the break and perhaps deserves a chance to start against Norwich City.
If Alioski rediscovers his best form, then he could make a devastating impact at Carrow Road. But perhaps taking him out of the starting lineup on Saturday may be a sensible move after a couple of slightly more underwhelming displays.
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