Leeds United cruised to a 3-0 victory over Plymouth on Saturday, with goals from Dan James, Joel Piroe, and Brenden Aaronson securing their seventh Championship win of the season. The result saw Leeds strengthen their hold on second place, as Burnley and Sunderland dropped points. However, Wednesday night presents a completely different challenge, with an in-form Millwall awaiting them, promising a much tougher test.
Wayne Rooney’s defensive strategy for Plymouth was quickly undone when Dan James hammered home a 25-yard shot, and from there, Leeds cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win without breaking a sweat. However, Wednesday night presents a much sterner challenge as Leeds United face Millwall, a physical side on a three-match winning streak. Their latest victory over Burnley, sealed by Jake Cooper’s match-winning goal, is their most impressive yet, setting the stage for a tough test at The Den.
Why Daniel Farke Should Drop Brenden Aaronson Against Millwall
Millwall are a physically imposing side, and their 16 goals this season highlight their strength in set-piece situations. Sitting in seventh place, the Lions have punched above their weight, largely due to their aerial threat, with six of those goals coming from set-pieces. They boast a squad full of height, with seven players standing over 6ft, including Jake Cooper, Ryan Leonard, and Japhet Tanganga.
Against such a physically dominant team, Daniel Farke may need to adjust his lineup to better cope with Millwall’s strength. This could mean dropping Brenden Aaronson, who, despite his creativity and flair, may struggle against the physicality of Millwall’s midfield and defence. Instead, starting Josuha Guilavogui in central midfield would offer the necessary physical presence to compete in the air and break up Millwall’s aerial dominance.
Brenden Aaronson: The League’s Most Dispossessed Player – Why Daniel Farke Must Consider Dropping Him Against Millwall
Brenden Aaronson has been dispossessed more than any other player in the Championship this season, with 38 turnovers to his name. While Daniel Farke praised Aaronson’s overall performance on Tuesday, the American’s lack of physicality remains a significant concern, particularly against a team like Millwall.
Millwall’s physicality and aerial dominance are key to their success, and Leeds cannot afford to be weak in this department. If Aaronson is dropped, Farke needs to bring in a player who can match Millwall’s strength. New signing Josuha Guilavogui is the perfect candidate. At 6ft 2in, Guilavogui is a “man-mountain,” as described by Neil Redfearn, and his physical presence in both boxes could prove invaluable in this battle. With his ability to win aerial duels and break up physical play, Guilavogui provides the height and muscle Leeds need in such a tough contest.