Exclusive: Nigel Martyn wants defensive reshuffle as Leeds take on Newcastle

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Nigel Martyn has told The Boot Room that he wants Diego Llorente to be handed his first Leeds United start against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening – and also wants a defensive reshuffle following three successive defeats in 2021.

Leeds have lost all three matches this month and failed to score, losing 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur and then Crawley Town – before being narrowly outmuscled by Brighton last time out. Now, Leeds take on Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

The Toon are in a bad spot of form themselves, with Steve Bruce under enormous pressure. They have suffered four straight league defeats, last picking up three points in the Premier League on December 12 with a 2-1 win over West Brom.

Martyn wants £22k-a-week (Spotrac) Llorente to start – having only featured once before when replacing Robin Koch against Chelsea. Martyn also wants a reshuffle at the back, in which Luke Ayling would return to his natural position of right-back.

“I think you bring your regular centre-back in, in Llorente and partner him with [Liam] Cooper – and push Ayling back to right-back, and [Pascal] Struijk is probably the one to miss out with [Kalvin] Phillips back in midfield.

“[Marcelo] Bielsa would like to line-up like that, he would prefer Luke at right-back. It is almost like starting again, really. You’ve got to do that,” Martyn continued, when discussing who should start in defence come Tuesday night.

TBR’s view – Who starts at left-back?

Martyn is right. Leeds have missed Ayling bombing up and down from right-back, and Stuart Dallas has struggled to provide his best form – playing on the right despite being left-footed. Leeds need a reshuffle and Llorente is fit again.

Him and Cooper at centre-back, with Ayling at right-back is ideal. But who plays on the left of the defence? Dallas is a mainstay under Bielsa and clearly the Argentine rates him, but Gjanni Alioski has done well recently at left-back.

Surely, Dallas is much more likely to start over the Macedonia international but Bielsa may want a more attacking left-back against a Newcastle side that are short of confidence. Dallas should be given the nod, if Llorente is brought in.