Leeds United boss Daniel Farke set a precedent with his starting lineup for the Championship clash against Southampton, showing nobody is guaranteed a place in his side.
The likes of Joe Rodon and Jaidon Anthony, both on loan from Premier League sides Tottenham and Bournemouth respectively, were left on the bench. Similarly, the experienced Luke Ayling was also left on the sidelines.
Farke has shown it doesn’t matter whether you’re a big name in the dressing room, or if you’re perceived to be more talented than another option, you need to be at the top of your game to prove you belong in the starting side.
Farke’s lineups are chosen on merit rather than previous displays or suggestions of what players could do, it’s what they prove they will do for him and for the club that makes the difference. Naming an unchanged lineup from the 3-0 victory over Watford was proof of that.
With such an impressive display in that win, each and every player in the starting lineup had proved they deserved their place. The standards have been set high, and it will be up to the players not involved to meet that standard and earn a place in the side.
Rotation will of course be necessary as the season drags on and fixture congestion starts to become more of an issue, but even then, the players that are rotated in will have to prove to the boss that they deserve to play a part in his side.
Rodon is the prime example. He has been thoroughly impressive so far this season, proving his quality and improving the defence, but after a sloppy red card against Hull, he was replaced by Liam Cooper, whose performance proved he deserves the place in the side. It will now be up to the Welshman to reclaim it.
Farke has sent a message to his side. He has set a precedent and every player now knows they will need to be at their best in training and on the pitch if they want to start week in week out for the boss.
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