Samuel Saiz should be left on the bench when Leeds United play three at the back

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Leeds United jumped back to the Championship summit yesterday with a 2-0 win against Ipswich Town at Elland Road. Goals from Kemar Roofe and Liam Cooper were the difference in an excellent display from the home side.

A formation shift was made for the game, with Pontus Jansson’s suspension forcing Marcelo Bielsa’s hand. He switched to his trademark 3-3-1-3 formation for the tie and it produced brilliant results.

Pablo Hernandez thrived in the system, as did Kalvin Phillips as part of a back-three. It certainly seemed to suit Ezgjan Alioski as well.

But if Leeds are playing this system, then one man who should miss out is Samuel Saiz.

The Spaniard looked slightly lost in the system. With Phillips dropping into defence it forces Mateusz Klich into a more defensive role and, subsequently, does the same for Saiz.

That detracts from the pairs best attributes and certainly sees them play within themselves.

If Leeds are going to play this system, the better option is to bring in Adam Forshaw. He can play in the more defensive role, giving Klich the freedom to roam around as he has been all season with aplomb.

Saiz, would then be a good option from the bench to replace Hernandez, should the exquisite but ageing Spaniard begin to tire.

When playing with the four-man defensive system, Saiz fits in perfectly. But tasked with more to do in this more complicated formation, the 27-year-old would be better as an impact sub.