Leeds United are one of the unluckiest teams in the Premier League this season. Advanced statistics show that they should be way ahead of where they currently are in the table.
Daniel Farke’s side have only managed to score seven goals, however expected goals data shows that they have accumulated 10.0xG. Which means that Leeds are statistically one of the best attacking sides in the competition.
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Leeds United expected goals against Credit: FBref
However, missed chances have cost the team so much. In recent games against Bournemouth, Spurs and Burnley, the match has been decided because the Leeds players cannot find the back of the net. Brenden Aaronson missed a big chance against Burnley, and the Whites squandered many chances to kill off the Bournemouth game before they dropped points.
Defensively, Daniel Farke’s side are not supposed to be where they are. Leeds have let in 13 goals despite conceding 8.3xG – which means that defensive errors and poor goalkeeping has cost them a lot.
When asked if he would change the defence that has conceded six goals in three games, he had this to say:
”We have to look into every detail. The main thing is regardless of who plays or not, we have to be more clinical and effective.
”Every player has to be a bit more focused and concentrated in decisive moments in both boxes.
”Two or three results don’t go your way, a change can change momentum.
”But not a question of who plays, it’s more like whoever plays will bring this attitude, switched on in the small details.”
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Jaka Bijol Credit: Imago
In recent games, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have come under the spotlight. Bournemouth were able to score a late equalizer with no one marking the far post, and both Spurs goals came from defensive lapses. Against Burnley, Lesley Ugochukwu was able to head the ball unmarked with both Rodon and Struijk left flat footed on the ground.
Despite all this, Daniel Farke is adamant that he cannot make immediate changes to the lineup because of recent results. Many people around the club have called for Jaka Bijol to get a start with the number of goals being conceded. But Farke had this to say about the Slovenian getting into the first team:
”Always a bit tricky at centre-back. Naturally you don’t change it that much, change at winger or striker or full-back.
”Centre-backs run the least, not a big impact replacing centre-back if you chase a game.
”Quite good for Jaka that he had two 90 minutes for the national team, for Sebastiaan a bit more tricky.
”We used the international break for an in-house friendly with a similar load to games. This is professional football and everyone has to adapt, ready to deliver when they get the chance.”
Jaka Bijol radar Credit: DataMB
Bijol was one of the best defenders in Italy last year, and is dominant in the air and very good with the ball at his feat. Daniel Farke and Leeds signed him for a reason, but so far, it has been confusing with the situation surrounding him.
What will it take for first choice pairing to be dropped?
No one is directly blaming Rodon or Struijk for the recent results, but what is a fact is that the team is poor defensively. And if results keep going this way, what will it actually take for Daniel Farke to try Jaka Bijol or Sebastiaan Bornauw? Farke has made big calls earlier this season, but he has to assess the current defensive situation.
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