On Saturday, Leeds United disposed of Bristol City at Elland Road even though they were missing their number one goalkeeper and their best defender in Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Pontus Jansson. However, Marcelo Bielsa brought in Will Huffer and Aapo Halme to good effect, with both of the stand-ins playing well as they helped preserve a clean sheet in the Championship.
Huffer and Halme remain on standby for Tuesday’s game against Reading as Bielsa waits on Jansson and Peacock-Farrell:https://t.co/vJFU6whK1i
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) November 25, 2018
After the pair’s Saturday performance, it looks like Bielsa could be set to throw them both back in as Reading visit Yorkshire tonight in midweek Championship action. The Yorkshire Evening Post brought this news as Bielsa has claimed he’s unsure whether or not Jansson and BPF will be available, and the fans would rather see their stars get given time to recover and come back fully fit and firing for Sheffield United on Saturday.
Both Huffer and Halme were good enough to step in for the odd game but the fans are still convinced that they won’t be able to fill the role of long-term alternatives just yet. However, it’s still good for Bielsa to know he can rely on some of his fringe men for the odd game here or there considering the current injury situation and the size of the squad at Elland Road, although if either of the fill-ins have a poor game tonight then the mood will quickly change amongst the fans.
You can read The Whites’ verdict on Huffer and Halme here:
https://twitter.com/ClarkDazlin/status/1066729005204811778
Huffer had good game but halme outstanding I thought not afraid to have ball at feet and won everything in air showed to be a very good talent
— robart beattie (@robartbeattie) November 25, 2018
Huffer showed a lot more conviction, confidence and command of his area that I've seen in BPF all season. Wasn't massively tested though. Halme was solid. Kalvin even more so.
— Jono O'Brien (@Jono_ob) November 25, 2018
Huffer did well and Halme showed he has what it takes Both did themselves proud
— CurlyHillLeeds (@HillCurly) November 25, 2018
As much add Halme played well yesterday
My ONLY concern would be if he comes up against a bit of Pace.
He ain’t the quickest, but he looks really good on the ball and obviously his height is an advantage.Huffer I’d have liked to see been tested obviously 2-0 up at the time
— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) 25 November 2018
Instead of risking PJ or BPF why not keep H and H, stick in Saiz, go on the attack and try to blow them away instead?
— Mich (@Mich_Lufc) November 25, 2018
The Whites are more than prepared to throw in Huffer and Halme tonight and will just hope that their senior pros can be back for Sheffield on Saturday.
