Leeds United take on West Ham this Friday, and set pieces could well play a decisive role, including the growing trend of long throws in the Premier League.
During the summer, Leeds’ plan was to become a horrible side to play against. That fed into the recruitment of physically imposing, athletic signings.
If you’re going to build a side that are good in the air and strong across the board, you need to take advantage from set pieces. That is especially the case if your next opponents have been abysmal of late when defending dead balls.
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Jamie Carragher slams growing trend of Premier League long throw-in routines
Capitalising on free-kicks and corners is one thing, which Leeds have. They are on three goals from set pieces, which is the fourth-best total in the Premier League. Meanwhile, their rivals West Ham are bottom from a defensive perspective, conceding eight already from a deal ball.
Plenty of the opportunities and goals scored across the Premier League, though, have actually come from long throw-ins.
Every Premier League team is trying to capitalise on long throw-ins now. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs)
It’s become a growing trend for each club to launch their throws into the box in the final third. So much so, that Jamie Carragher broke it down this week on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. He noted his frustration that long throws per 90 are more than twice as common this season (3.85 per 90, compared to 1.52 in 24/25).
“I used to want to see the long throws from those teams against the top teams and see how a Liverpool would cope with it, or a Manchester City who have maybe got ball-playing centre-backs – but can they go head the ball?” he said on Monday.
“I used to like that dynamic of the game. I’m frustrated with the fact that I feel like every team this season has taken a long throw at some stage. You see the numbers and it’s off the scale. And I’m trying to think of the reasons why and it’s because some of the top teams are doing it. It almost feels like it’s not something to be embarrassed about it like they maybe would have been in the past.”
Leeds United may have a secret weapon for long throw-ins: Ao Tanaka
Ethan Ampadu has been the man tasked with taking Leeds’ throws towards the box this season. If you could point me towards one even remotely dangerous one, then you’ve done well.
It’s never been a method that Leeds have got joy out of consistently. The running joke amongst fans is memories of Raphinha being forced to take them under Jesse Marsch.
Weston McKennie’s sole use on a football pitch for Leeds was actually his gigantic throw. He assisted Rodrigo against Friday’s opponents West Ham in May 2023.
However, upon rewatching our loss at Burnley, I was taken aback by Ao Tanaka’s long throw in the 84th minute, and the length of it:
Still image taken from Burnley’s full-match replay. Ball landed on the X.
After a quick ball dry under his top, Tanaka took a long run-up before hurling the ball high into the box. His throw found Pascal Struijk eight yards out from goal in line with Martin Dubravka’s near post.
Nothing came of the throw obviously, but Leeds’ answer to this new, astonishing Rory Delap worship might be the Japan international.
Ahead of kick-off, Ampadu is struggling with illness, while Anton Stach’s form has dipped of late. There’s a good chance we see Tanaka start on Friday night.
Should he get the nod, Leeds need to be getting him on throw-ins to test this shaky West Ham rear guard.
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