Leeds United’s FA Cup journey came to an end earlier this week due to a 3-2 defeat at Chelsea.
The Whites took their Premier League opponents all the way at Stamford Bridge but were beaten thanks to Conor Gallagher’s 90th minute strike, which you could argue was against the run of play
Daniel Farke repeated throughout during the build-up to the game that he was unhappy with the scheduling of the match, and wishes he could’ve focused on it more.
However, with a trip to Huddersfield Town tomorrow lunchtime, Farke opted to make a number of alterations to his line-up, though those who came in can certainly be proud of their efforts.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Rest is Football Podcast, Gary Lineker noticed that Championship sides changing their starting XI’s was a theme of the last-16. Alan Shearer says he completely understands why it was done.
Lineker and Shearer discuss Leeds changes
Lineker said: “It’s funny because we got to the latter stages of the competition and I notice a lot of the Championship sides did play kind of second string and weakened sides, not all of them, but I think that’s probably down to the fact they do play 46 league games a season.”
Shearer then responded: “I do get it a little bit more for the teams that are in the position that Leicester and Leeds are in because of the pull of the Premier League and the might of the Premier League.”
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It would have been great to see the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville up against Premier League opposition after the seasons they have had, but Leeds have bigger priorities.
Under Farke’s own admission, Rutter has looked tired in recent weeks and although it was said to be an injury that ruled him out, a full week to prepare for the weekend will have done him good.
Thankfully the likes of Mateo Joseph and Jaidon Anthony were really able to step up to the plate at Stamford Bridge having barely started recently, meaning Leeds gave a good account of themselves, despite defeat.
