Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen has lended his backing to under-fire goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald after his performance in their 2-0 win over Barnsley.
Wiedwald now looks set to start again for Leeds as they welcome Aston Villa to Elland Road on Friday night, after the German spent a spell on the bench as deputy to veteran Andy Lonergan.
The 27-year-old Wiedwald was a summer signing from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, but his shaky early season form saw Lonergan enjoy an extended run in the side in his place.
Wiedwald finally started against Barnsley after Lonergan spent seven games as Christiansen’s number one, and the German looks set to start again on Friday after Christiansen’s comments
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Christiansen said: “It was important for him and for the team to keep a clean sheet after so many games receiving goals.
“It is important for the goalkeeper to keep the goal to zero, just as it is to the striker to score goals. It gives confidence to the team. This is important in these moments, especially in these positions.
“This was the game for (Wiedwald) to come in and it was a decision we spoke about through the week. We thought it was his moment. He’s performed well in training and he has learned from his mistakes.”
OPINION
Expectations were high when Wiedwald made the move to Elland Road from the Bundesliga, and the former Germany youth international certainly lived up to them at the start. An incredible record of six clean sheets in his first seven games was indicative of the form that the whole Leeds team were enjoying, but the wheels fell off spectacularly after that. Wiedwald then conceded nine goals in the four following games and was dropped in place of Lonergan. His failure to dominate his box was the main criticism of the 27-year-old, but his return to form will encourage Leeds fans who were worried his signing represented a flop for the club. They will just hope, as Christiansen says, that he has learned from his mistakes, and continues well against Villa on Friday.