A disappointing spell at the club, can he turn it around?
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00:00 And Junior Firpo, looking at his role to play in this team, now back in the mix, nearing that return, can he challenge for that left-back role?
00:09 Yeah, I definitely think so. The interesting thing with Junior Firpo is how he gets on at this level, you know, because obviously I think it's fair to say, you know, he hasn't worked out brilliantly for him since his fairly big money switch.
00:23 It has to be said he was brought in to be Leeds' new first-choice left-back. It's an area which the Whites have had problems in for several years, really.
00:30 Ali Oski obviously did a great job there as well. I mean, you know, they've had players that can play there, but he was brought in to sort of like fill that void, if you like, and it never really happened for him.
00:38 But, you know, I think he'll very much be looking to come back and try and challenge for that position.
00:43 And obviously the player in that place at the moment predominantly is Sam Byron, who in many aspects has almost been one of the signings of the summer in the sense that he came in for free.
00:52 Obviously, you know, initially on trial, the big question mark with him, of course, was his injury record.
00:57 But there doesn't seem to be any signs of that reoccurring whatsoever. And, you know, he remains very much the player to sort of like first choice in that role.
01:04 But Junior Firpo coming back, well, A, it will increase competition. There's no doubt about that.
01:09 Again, I think almost like the Jed Spence situation, because he's been out for a while, he obviously returned Firpo to training from his injury, but then had problems with his hip, hence why it's taken a bit longer.
01:18 It's not like he'll be coming straight back in. And obviously, Daniel saying he's in the mix, it doesn't mean that he's suddenly like going to start or be on the bench or maybe not even be on the bench to start with.
01:25 But it'll just be that's one of those ones. I just don't know how it will go with him.
01:29 What I would say with what you would say about players, though, is that you're dropping down a division and it does make a big difference.
01:35 I don't think the reason why, for example, Giorgione Routier is suddenly thriving is because he's now playing championship football, but as opposed to when he signed in the Premier League.
01:43 But it is a big factor. And obviously, with Routier, he wasn't given a huge amount of chances at all.
01:48 But you are down a level and it is a massive difference in the Premier League and the championship.
01:52 And it wouldn't surprise me if Firpo came in once he was given a chance and actually started to look quite decent.
01:57 So, yeah, I mean, almost like a bit of a forgotten man, really, because he's obviously been injured since the summer and Byron's there to be sort of like aimed at and will be first choice left back at the moment.
02:07 But it could be quite an interesting battle. I want to be interesting to see. And it's definitely a boost for Leeds having him back anyway.
02:12 in back anyway.