---
title: "Leeds: Phil Hay hints at Jesse Marsch playing a front two"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/phil-hay-formation-hint-marsch-leeds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2022-03-01T16:05:22Z"
modified: "2022-03-01T16:05:22Z"
---

# Leeds: Phil Hay hints at Jesse Marsch playing a front two

**New Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch could potentially use Patrick Bamford in a front two when he returns from injury, according to journalist Phil Hay.**

### The Lowdown: Marsch replaces Bielsa at Leeds

The 48-year-old was [confirmed](https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/29569/jesse-marsch-appointed-leeds-united-head-coach) as the Whites’ new boss on Monday following the [sacking](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60529015) of Marcelo Bielsa 24 hours earlier.

The former RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg manager is tasked with staving off the threat of relegation, with Leeds now very much finding themselves in a battle to remain in the Premier League.

The return of key players such as Bamford could go a long way to succeeding in that mission, and a new update suggests that a tactical change could be on the cards with Marsch at the helm.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Latest: Hay predicts possible formation change

Writing in a Q&A for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3155050/2022/02/28/leeds-united-fans-what-do-you-think-of-jesse-marschs-appointment/) on Monday, Hay claimed that the returning Bamford could be used in a two-man strike partnership alongside either Rodrigo or Joe Gelhardt.

When asked about what formation the new Leeds manager could potentially deploy, the journalist replied: “Marsch has used a front two before. When Bamford is back, does that create and opportunity to pair Bamford with Rodrigo? Or Gelhardt? Fascinated to see what he does formation wise. It surely won’t be 4-1-4-1.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-35/)

### The Verdict: More attacking threat?

This could be an intriguing move by Marsch and it may even bring the best out of Rodrigo, whose time at Leeds has certainly been underwhelming so far.

He has [scored just three times in 12appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rodrigo/leistungsdaten/spieler/131505) as a centre-forward this season, but with Bamford alongside him once the latter is back from injury, the Spaniard could benefit from his team-mate’s [link-up play](https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-warned-of-neglectful-bamford-return-by-graham-smyth/) and selflessness, becoming more of a force in the process.

Gelhardt could also thrive in attack with the 28-year-old, using his colleague as a perfect foil to do the dirty work while the youngster looks to produce the firepower which has seen him score [18 goals in just 27 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-gelhardt/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/503980/verein/20116) for Leeds’ under-23s.

***In other news, Leeds could sign one player this summer, according to a journalist. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/brenden-aaronson-backed-summer-move-leeds-marsch/).***