On the 13th September Marcelo Bielsa gave his usual pre match press conference for our trip to Barnsley and when asked to give team news stated Adam Forshaw would be out of the game with a “pain in the side”. The general reaction from fans was
a.) “It doesn’t sound that bad and is just a short term injury nothing to worry about”
b.) “Forshaw isn’t a crucial player anyway we coped without him for much of last season”.
It most definitely wasn’t a short term injury the central midfielder has featured just once for 45 minutes since that date, as the 13th September proved to be a very unlucky Friday the 13th for Forshaw.
Leeds went on to win that particular game against Barnsley 2-0, however, there was a noticeable difference within that game. It was our 7th game of the season and during the first 6 games we had been in total control against every opponent and had a solid case to win all 6 games based on the performance levels (we actually won 4 drew 1 lost 1), all very impressive considering within those first 6 games we had to play 3 of the current top 7.
Against Barnsley, however, it certainly wasn’t plain sailing, it was a typical Yorkshire derby: end to end like a basketball game; tackles flying in; misplaced passes and no real quality or control from either side. The intensity and desire was evident from both teams but in truth Leeds were unable to demonstrate their extra quality against a Barnsley side who at the time were struggling badly and now find themselves bottom of the table. It was an afternoon that was very busy for Kiko Casilla and the rest of the Leeds backline. We went on to win it late on thanks to a well taken set piece from Kalvin Phillips for Eddie Nketiah to tap in and a stoppage time Mateusz Klich spot kick. However, the players and the fans knew they had been in for a real battle.
What was missing?
Adam Forshaw, before the match few seemed concerned with the absence of the former Everton academy graduate. However, within 90 minutes without him in the side, attitudes towards the player changed massively. The next game came up against Derby and the reaction to Forshaw being absent again was totally different to before, now it was a genuine cause for concern. Leeds would go on to win just 2 of their next 7 games and in that spell played by far the worst football they have ever played during the Marcelo Bielsa era. Of course Leeds have gone on to recover from that slump and later in the season have recovered from another poor run during the turn of the new year. Leeds all in all have coped fine without him. At the same time, however, it’s also fair to say Forshaw is a very useful player to have when available. When Leeds went on a 7 game winning run in the winter of last season Forshaw started every game, just like he did during the superb opening month to this season, many write this off as coincidental but it isn’t. Forshaw during both spells managed to put a run of games together and showed exactly why he has played at the higher level.
Forshaw arguably plays in the most difficult position of the whole team, alongside the two outstanding midfielders in the Championship Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips. It’s a daunting task for anyone in this league when the benchmark is so high and many players have tried and failed to fill the interior midfield role alongside Klich this season. It’s difficult to see how any player at this level never mind just in this team would be able to catch the attention of the watching fan, with that level of quality either side of them but the key here is that this has never been on Forshaw’s mind. Having met Adam in person and seen the way he acts around the club he is the epitome of a side before self team player and a leader even though he doesn’t and never has worn the armband. Forshaw knows exactly what he had to do in the team when he plays, he doesn’t look for the Hollywood pass out to the wingers or the line breaking pass to Patrick Bamford. He doesn’t look to stand out and win the game on his own, he keeps his game simple and whilst that might seem a negative it gives Leeds a platform to dominate games.
Forshaw keeps things simple he wins his 50-50’s and recycles the ball well, two critical functions to a possession based Marcelo Bielsa side. A dependable player in forward and defensive transitions. Often when he is in possession he will look for the safest easiest pass or to pass the ball and creative responsibility to a more creative player. This is seen in modern football as a negative but when you have line breaking passers like Phillips and Klich in the side, it’s important to also have that function in the side to complement them. This ensures the midfield remains in control should one of Phillips or Klich not be able to find their passing range.
During the first game of this season Forshaw stood out, not because he played any differently to what he usually does but because of the nature of the game. It was a game where Phillips and Klich weren’t at their best and the Bristol midfield also struggled to string passes together, Forshaw kept his cool, won the ball back with ease and was sensible with the ball going on mini runs when the space was there to run into. This ultimately proved to make a big difference in the game as Leeds dominated the game throughout despite 2 of their midfield trio not being at their usual levels. Forshaw does the same things in every game and throughout his Leeds career has only really been properly appreciated when he isn’t available or when Phillips or Klich have off days. An analogy of Forshaw would be if he was a running a marathon he would be the runner who stays at the same pace from mile 1 to 26, during the distance some will overtake him but he will also overtake others, his level is always the same and at times Leeds have missed his dependability badly.
Perhaps more is expected from a player who cost £4.5 million but it’s difficult to truly assess his time at Leeds so far. Many are key to point out his lack of goal involvement and willingness to break the lines. While in certain games (particularly at home) when the opposition sits back and stays in a compact shape without the ball, Forshaw probably isn’t the best suited to that type of game. It would be more of a Pablo Hernandez or Tyler Roberts type of occasion to produce a moment of magic. However, in a more open end to end game when everyone is losing their cool, that’s when you need the sensible one at the party. It’s worth noting Forshaw has got the capability to score goals, earlier in his career he helped Brentford to promotion from league one with 8 goals and 9 assists and a league one player of the year award. And before his injury whilst he didn’t score he did see a lot of chances fall his way with chances to score in almost all 6 of the opening games, the signs were there.
It may be that the current suspension of the season doesn’t see Adam Forshaw return from injury when football does return, to help for the last 9 games and even if he does he probably won’t start games given the recent performances of Klich and Pablo prior to the suspension of the season. However, if he is available don’t doubt for one minute Marcelo Bielsa will use him Forshaw’s playing style is highly effective for a side wanting to be possession based and there’s a reason Bielsa described him in July 2018 as the most technical player in the side. In an incredible twist to Forshaw’s Leeds career, the sensible dependable experienced midfield option might be just what Leeds need during the last 9 games to help see them over the line.
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