5 factors away from third and with simply three video games to go, Leeds United can start to tentatively begin plotting for all times within the Premier League subsequent season, having surged again to the summit following Friday’s slim victory away at Oxford United.
The Yorkshire aspect have shaken off a March wobble amid what has been an unbeaten month to this point within the Championship, with Daniel Farke’s males having now claimed three successive victories to bolster their determined bid for promotion.
Whereas historical past would recommend it could be silly to start out popping the champagne simply but, it could seem that the Whites will be capable to keep away from the lottery of the playoffs this time round, with Manor Solomon’s strike proving the distinction on the Kassam Stadium.
The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur man expertly transformed on the backpost following Jayden Bogle’s threaded cross throughout the field, with the guests additionally going near doubling that tally after the break, as Ao Tanaka notably struck the put up from vary.
Aided by the defensive solidity of the likes of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, the Whites had been fortunately not made to pay for his or her incapacity to kill the sport off, albeit with questions nonetheless needing to be requested of the attacking unit – together with younger Wilfried Gnonto.
Wilfried Gnonto’s recreation in numbers vs Oxford
If and when Leeds do e-book their place again within the top-flight, the Elland Highway aspect will largely have their backline to thank for that much-needed success, having shipped simply 29 objectives in 43 league video games so far.
Whereas Farke’s males are additionally means out in entrance with regard to objectives scored – having netted 24 extra occasions than Burnley behind them – issues have begun to dry up of late, with the league leaders scoring simply 5 occasions in 4 outings in April.
Profitable video games is, undoubtedly, all that issues, though there could also be a priority that Leeds aren’t actually placing groups to the sword, with Gnonto amongst these within the ahead line who’re at present failing to fireplace.
Certainly, the diminutive Italian – who notably appeared set for an exit following the membership’s relegation in 2023 – has scored simply six objectives and registered solely 5 assists within the second tier this season, a document that features only a solitary purpose involvement for the reason that begin of February.
With summer season signing Largie Ramazani ready within the wings, Gnonto has nonetheless remained a first-choice determine no matter his wayward kind, with Friday night seeing the 21-year-old fail to register a single key cross or full a single dribble earlier than his late withdrawal.
Chalkboard
Soccer FanCast’s Chalkboard sequence presents a tactical dialogue from across the international recreation.
The 40-touch speedster additionally misplaced 5 of his seven whole duels and registered only a solitary shot amid his waning affect, with Yorkshire Night Publish journalist Graham Smyth awarding him a 5/10 match score, whereas writing that he merely ‘could not get going’.
In fact, Gnonto is hardly showcasing indicators of a participant who can gentle up the Premier League subsequent season – the identical can be true of Joel Piroe.
Why Leeds must improve on £15k-p/w star
It is price noting that Friday wasn’t precisely a poor outing for the previous Swansea Metropolis man, with Piroe notably teeing up Brenden Aaronson within the first half with a intelligent reverse cross – having registered two key passes in whole on the night time.
24/25 Championship | Joel Piroe |
|---|---|
Appearances | 43 |
xG | 15.06 |
Targets | 15 |
Key passes per recreation | 0.9 |
Cross accuracy | 77% |
Floor duel success fee | 33% |
Aerial duel success fee | 20% |
Dribble success fee | 31% |
Stats through Sofascore | |
That stated, it was one other instance of the Dutchman proving one thing of a bystander to proceedings whilst his aspect pushed for a second, with the 25-year-old registering simply 31 touches in all, fewer than teammate Karl Darlow recorded within the sticks (38).
Whereas he can characterize an efficient hyperlink man, the £15k-per-week enigma hasn’t proven that much-needed leading edge amid what is a vital stage of the marketing campaign, with the 15-goal marksman having now gone 9 video games and not using a purpose.
What makes that document much more irritating is that Piroe is not precisely thriving as the point of interest within the workforce both, with the journey to Oxford seeing him lose the ball on ten events, whereas having misplaced ten of his 16 whole duels.
As Smyth – who did award the previous PSV man a 7/10 match score – famous, Piroe additionally notably ‘light’ after the interval, with it having been no shock when he was in the end changed by Patrick Bamford on the 75-minute mark.
It could appear that Leeds will edge their method to promotion no matter Piroe’s struggles of late, though it hardly bodes effectively for the influence that he could make when Farke’s aspect are competing in top-flight motion subsequent time period.
Whereas the signing of a brand new goalkeeper could also be among the many checklist of priorities this summer season, the Yorkshire outfit are additionally in want of a real improve within the centre-forward ranks if they’re to keep away from a swift return to the Championship.
Associated
Farke can repeat Meslier trick by dropping “nameless” Leeds flop
Daniel Farke can repeat the trick he performed with Illan Meslier by dropping this Leeds United flop.
