A lot of Leeds United fans fully believe in the ability of Gaetano Berardi, who could play against Hull City – after it was confirmed that Liam Cooper would once again not be available.
Marcelo Bielsa also told reporters that Kalvin Phillips would return to the starting XI as he has served his one-match suspension.
Is Berardi adequate backup for Cooper?
Yes, he is rash but a good defender
No, poor discipline
The news about Cooper has worried some fans who feel that the Whites don’t have enough cover at centre-back.
TEAM NEWS: Cooper (calf) is out but Phillips returns to the group. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) December 9, 2019
Surely a Backup Centre half is needed in January, Coops picking up a lot of injuries.
— Mark Kavanagh (@kavana25) December 9, 2019
Berardi and Ben White, we’ll be fine
— LUFC News (@LUFC_NewsOnline) December 9, 2019
We need some height at the back look how many free headers we have on Saturday . When we play wba they have some big units and that’s probably our one weakness .
— NAS67 (@Nasmith1967) December 9, 2019
Other Leeds supporters, though, have every confidence in Berardi and the other options.
Berardi was quality on Saturday
— Adam Green (@AdamGreen0823) December 9, 2019
Berardi was different class saturday, very underrated on the ball and reads the game better than anybody in our side besides probably Pablo. Shame he’s a liability when he’s needed the most as he’s actually a very capable footballer.
— Sean G (@SeanyGee) December 9, 2019
Surely Ben White back in defence and either Ayling or Berra will drop out.
— ChessFan (@ChessFan13) December 9, 2019
What do we think?
Berardi played his part in the Whites’ 2-0 win over Huddersfield, and after a dodgy first half, he sorted himself out and turned in a steady display to ensure that Leeds kept their 11th league clean sheet of the season.
Hull, however, do possess one of the best players in the league in Jarrod Bowen, and Leeds will have to find a way to shut him out if they want to keep another clean sheet.
Missing Cooper is a blow, but the return of Phillips should mean that Ben White moves back into the centre of defence.
This should be enough to sure up the defence and allow Leeds to keep their excellent defensive record.
Berardi can be rash but partnered alongside the classy White he should be able to deal with the threat of the Tigers for one game.