Unpredictable Botaka can give Leeds United additional edge

Leeds United manager Uwe Rosler is hoping the ‘unpredictability’ of new winger Jordan Botaka can lift Leeds from the disappointment of last weekend’s defeat to Middlesbrough.
Jordan Botaka faced Middlesbrough on his Leeds debut at the weekend.Jordan Botaka faced Middlesbrough on his Leeds debut at the weekend.
Jordan Botaka faced Middlesbrough on his Leeds debut at the weekend.

Botaka made a 64-minute outing in a 3-0 defeat at The Riverside, his first appearance for Leeds United since joining the club on a two-year deal from Dutch side Excelsior at the start of this month.

The 22-year-old was thrown into the side in place of Byram who dropped to the bench following a difficult week in which he was criticised by Leeds owner Massimo Cellino for refusing to sign a new contract at Elland Road.

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Rosler hinted ahead of the game that he might withdraw Byram from the firing line but United’s head coach insisted that Botaka’s inclusion had been a way of limiting the impact of Boro left-back George Friend.

Friend maintained a low profile during much of Sunday’s game, although his first-half cross drew Leeds defender Giuseppe Bellusci into conceding an expensive own goal.

Rosler said: “If Sam would have played, they would have pushed us back. George Friend would have been on the front foot. George Friend stayed back because he didn’t know what Botaka was about.

“Friend, who’s one of the most attacking left-backs in the Championship, didn’t cause us any problems. He stood back because of Botaka.

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“I was happy with what we got for his (Botaka’s) first game in English football. It was an encouraging debut. He had his moments and it’s something he can build on.”

Rosler faces another decision this weekend, however, with Will Buckley set to offer another alternative on the right wing.

Buckley is due to join Leeds on a 93-day loan from Sunderland on Friday, in time to make his debut at home to Birmingham City the following afternoon. The 25-year-old has been training with United for the past week.

Striker Lee Erwin, meanwhile, has said he would be happy to go out on loan as he looks for a way into the Leeds United first team.

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Erwin confirmed that Rosler had spoken to him about the possibility of leaving Leeds on loan. “Yeah he has but I really don’t know what’s happening,” Erwin said. “I’ve asked but we’ll wait and see.

“I’d enjoy going out on loan if there’s no chance of me playing first-team football here. Once you get a taste of first-team football, like last year, it’s a lot better than under-21 football. Hopefully I can get out and prove my point.

“If you look at Chris Wood and Mirco Antenucci, you can’t fault them or the way they’ve played. They’re doing really well and they deserve to be in the team. I understand that. It’s just a learning curve for me.

“I’ve got a lot to learn and I’ve always said that but I want to develop into a player who the club can use for the first team.

“I’ll hopefully get something sorted but if not, I’ll continue with my football here, develop and maybe get picked and get a chance.”

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