After Sam Byram’s performance for Leeds United against Norwich City on Saturday (October 21), Daniel Farke should think about benching him.
Starting at left-back, the defender played for 70 minutes until being substituted by Willy Gnonto with his team trailing the Canaries 2-1.
But once the 30-year-old was replaced against his former team, the Whites were able to turn things around and win 3-2 at Carrow Road.
Since returning to the team after departing for West Ham seven years ago, Byram’s afternoon in a Leeds jersey most certainly wasn’t one of his finer performances.
The Whites academy product was released at the end of the previous season and then signed during the summer from Saturday’s opponents, Norwich.
Despite his recent struggles with fitness, he has made 12 appearances across all competitions this season without experiencing any issues with injuries.
In the early going of the season, he has usually been a reliable performer for Farke, but he just never seemed to grasp things against the Canaries.
None of the Leeds defenders had a particularly easy afternoon, especially in the first half, and none of them really basked in any glory.
Byram, however, appeared to be rather unsteady defensively compared to how he usually plays on the left side of the backline.
He received the lowest rating of any Whites player (6.6) for his performance, tied with goalie Illan Meslier and fellow defender Joe Rodon.
Farke changed the team’s formation and virtually bet on winning the game, but Gnonto, who took his position, entered the game and quickly gained momentum by picking up an assist.
Byram may have merely had a bad day, which happens occasionally, but with Jamie Shackleton back on the bench at Carrow Road, he might start at left back on Wednesday (October 25) against Stoke City.
Byram’s ability to play back-to-back games in the middle of the week is still in doubt, so this would allow him the chance to rest up and be ready to go for the match against Huddersfield Town on the following Saturday (October 28).
He has undoubtedly contributed enough this year to remain the first-choice left-back, but against Norwich he just wasn’t quite himself. Perhaps missing one game wouldn’t be the worst thing for him.
Leave a Reply