Having just been thumped 5-0 (Blackburn) three days previously, expectations were high in the Leeds camp, but in football, you can’t take anything for granted. In fairness to the Whites, their performance wasn’t all that bad, especially when compared to their previous four. They dictated play in all but the most important discipline, but were duly punished for their wasteful execution and poor distribution.
Leeds unbeaten home record came crashing down, and their automatic promotion hopes severely dented, as Blackburn Rovers produced one of the surprises of the season at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime.
Despite Leeds’ dominance, Blackburn created the better two chances: first, Meslier had to stretch to stop Szmodics after he broke free from Ampadu on the half-way line; second, Connor Roberts made one of the best tackles you’ll see in the Championship to deny Dolan a simple tap-in at the far post; third, the creative duo combined well for the winner eight minutes from time; fourth, Dolan opened up the Leeds defence by finding Szmodics in acres of space on the edge of the area; fifth, Dolan slice.
Why don’t Leeds have a set piece coach
Leeds has one of the lowest goal ratios from set pieces in the Championship, despite averaging 15.4 attempts at goal per game (second only to Southampton’s 15.6)! It’s not enjoyable to read how many unnecessary freebies and corners have been added up. Only eight goals from set pieces have been scored by Leeds this season. Plymouth (5) and Blackburn (5) have both done worse!
Why have they only scored once from a corner in 110 attempts and not scored straight from a free kick in the last three years, despite the club having made significant squad investments and having some of the best players in the division? Farke’s club struggles with aerial victories as well; only 13.4 header victories per game.
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