Leeds United and Bristol City engaged in a spirited clash at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon as both teams attempted to extend their winning streaks.
In order to replace Largie Ramazani, who sustained an injury on Tuesday, and Junior Firpo, who was serving a one-game suspension, Daniel Farke had to make two changes to his Leeds team.
Sam Byram and Dan James entered the game against Bristol City, who, like Leeds, had gone six games without losing. Leeds was ultimately held to a 0-0 tie, which was a frustrating outcome.
Max O’Leary, a standout for Bristol City, believed his team deserved the point they earned, but Illan Meslier believed Leeds deserved all three. However, one Leeds defender had a successful day.
For Leeds United, Sam Byram won each and every one of his duels.
Farke, the manager of Leeds, has a few players that choose themselves. At the moment, the top choices are Wilfried Gnonto, Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell, Junior Firpo, Pascal Struijk, Illan Meslier, Jayden Bogle, and Joe Rodon.
Perhaps so are Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson. However, Byram, a versatile star, got the opportunity to make a claim because Firpo was unable to play on Saturday and Bogle is now suspended for Plymouth’s visit next Saturday.
And he did. Byram won all eight of his duels, and he appeared skilled both in and out of possession. Farke called Byram “outstanding” last term for a strong performance, and he was again on Saturday.
Sam Byram makes a claim and will get a second opportunity at Leeds.
With Firpo back in the starting lineup but Bogle out, Farke will need to decide who plays right-back when Plymouth and Wayne Rooney and Adam Forshaw visit Elland Road.
Given Byram’s performance on Saturday, the Leeds manager will undoubtedly choose the more seasoned player over Plymouth rather than Isaac Schmidt, the unproven new recruit. The latter is a right-back by nature.
Statistics for Sam Byram as Leeds and Bristol City draw:
64 passes were successful, and 11 passes were unsuccessful.
Two opportunities were generated.
One header, one clearing, and four tackles
Out of eight duels, eight were won.
Despite being left-footed, Schmidt has spent most of his time at St. Gallen playing right-back, so Farke might be persuaded to give him a shot against one of the Championship’s weaker teams.
However, Byram’s brilliance on Saturday will be difficult to overlook, and it is highly likely that the Thorp Arch academy star will be selected over Schmidt when Rooney, Forshaw, and Plymouth visit Yorkshire.
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