After the draw with Rotherham United, Junior Firpo is now a’massive, massive worry’ for Leeds United, according to Adam Pope.
According to Adam Pope, Junior Firpo is now a “massive, massive worry” at left-back for Leeds United after a 1-1 draw with Rotherham in his first start of the season.
On Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet on November 27, the BBC journalist stated that while there was plenty of blame to go around for the home side’s equaliser at the New York Stadium, it was the former Barcelona man who was the most concerning.
Daniel Farke chose the 27-year-old over Sam Byram due to an injury concern on the latter, in a changed back-line alongside captain Liam Cooper, who was himself in the side over Pascal Struijk after hernia surgery, and while Pope was full of praise for the two centre-backs, as well as Joe Rodon and Archie Gray, he is now very uneasy about the picture on the left.
“I thought Cooper sets the tone with the first header of the game,” Pope said (12m). Liam Cooper, I thought him and Rodon were great that way, and he did everything he needed to do.
“He got a cramp, but he’ll be fine, even though Struijk came on, which is incredible, isn’t it, outrageous?”
“So they’ve done that, Rodon‘s done his part, and Archie Gray did some incredible things in the game as well.” And, while we can all point fingers at the goal, one major contributor was left-back.
“So that’s a massive, massive worry for me right now, and I never thought it’d be as much of a worry as it is, in the sense that Byram had sort of sorted it out.”
“Two years ago, I was in denial, thinking they didn’t need to sign anyone. If Byram is comfortable, that’s great, but wow.”
There is nothing new here.
Firpo is an easy target because he has clearly been a disappointment since joining Leeds United from Barcelona three summers ago.
However, it may be unfair to blame him for the dropped points when he was making only his second appearance of the season after a lengthy injury layoff, and he has been tipped to do well at this level after being “found out” in the Premier League.
It’s also not surprising given that his struggles in recent years have demonstrated that the Whites have needed an answer at left-back for some time and have consistently failed to find one.
The former Norwich City man has been a valuable addition, but given his fitness record since leaving Elland Road the first time, he was always a risk if he was expected to play every game.
His 16 appearances have already exceeded expectations, but even if he misses one or two here and there, Firpo will be the next man up unless Farke wants to rely on Jamie Shackleton.
The back line as a whole has been very impressive, and from unexpected sources in part, but even with Byram fit, the left side is the biggest question mark, so a new arrival in January isn’t out of the question.
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