
Largie Ramazani came on and made a massive impact in Leeds United securing all three points against Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on Sunday. The game was on the knife-edge and the home fans were getting a bit tetchy with Leeds only leading by a goal going into the final ten minutes. Ramazani’s swivelling low shot doubled the lead for the Whites and his shot was redirected by Ao Tanaka in injury time to make it 3-0 for the home side. It was a significant performance by the winger when Leeds are looking for their squad players to step up and be counted in the latter half of the season.
The Whites needed to win on Sunday to maintain their place at the summit of the Championship table as Sheffield United picked up all three points against Norwich City on Saturday.
Manor Solomon’s third-minute goal signalled an easy day out against Wednesday at Elland Road, but Leeds’ Yorkshire rivals were not ready to roll over. The home side had to defend resolutely to keep their opponents at bay.
Leeds fans were feeling nervous when the game into the final ten minutes with the score still at 1-0 but Largie Ramazani stepped up to the plate and produced two great moments to score the second goal and assist a third to secure the points for the home team.
The Belgian winger joined Leeds last summer and has been a squad player this season for the Whites, making just seven starting eleven appearances in the Championship thus far.
With Leeds chasing automatic promotion in a close race, Leeds need their squad players to step up to the plate and Ramazani showed that he is ready to produce the goods for Daniel Farke’s side when needed.
Largie Ramazani will push for a starting berth
Manor Solomon has cemented his place in the Leeds starting eleven through the weight of his performances over the last few weeks and they have the ever-reliable Daniel James on the right.
However, there are still 21 matches left in the Championship season and Leeds will need their squad players to make a stronger claim for a place in the starting eleven.
Ramazani has struggled to make the eleven consistently this season and it is clear that he is not part of the starting choice front three for Farke at this stage of the season.
However, his impact from the bench on Sunday and his win against Harrogate Town in the FA Cup have shown what he brings to the table.
Solomon can be injury-prone from time to time and Leeds could need to rest in some games soon to ensure that he remains fresh and fit for the business end of the season.
It could be the opportunity for Ramazani to get into starting starting eleven and ensure that he gives Farke more selection headaches with his performances.
The Leeds boss is known for consistency in his selections and is not a fan of tinkering around with the team too much during a season if his top choices are fit.
However, even he knows that he will need his squad players at some stage this season if they are to get promoted and Ramazani’s performance on Sunday must have encouraged him.
A source of inspiration for squad players
Ramazani’s performance on Sunday is exactly what Farke wants from his squad players as they push for promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Leeds are never away from injuries as we found out last week when news of Pascal Struijk’s hamstring injury emerged, which will keep him out for at least three weeks or even more.
While Solomon and James are the starting wingers, Farke needs his other wide men to step up and Ramazani did exactly that in the Yorkshire derby.
His performance will serve as an example of what the other squad players need to do if they want to receive more opportunities from now until the end of the season.
Farke will stick to his top choices but he will need to keep his squad players involved and need more such performances as what Ramazani produced.
If Leeds are to play in the Premier League, their squad will have to do it and not just 11, 12 or 13 players that Farke trusts to start most games for the team.
