Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t having not nearly as much involvement in away games as he should. But, he could be missing for the weekend after Daniel Farke’s update.
Away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Leeds are going to have to show a lot more than they have in recent away games.
Defeats to Burnley and Brighton came without a goal to show for it. United squandered big chances in the former and barely creating anything in the latter.
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Daniel Farke struggling to get goalscoring tune out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin
One of the most alarming things about Leeds’ defeat at Brighton was not the three goals conceded in particular. It was actually, in my opinion, the fact that United barely laid a glove on a side that hadn’t kept a clean sheet all season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin cut a lonely figure away at Brighton. (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)
Leeds were the side to rectify the Seagulls’ woeful defensive record. Our system was a massive detriment. We fell into virtually every trap Brighton set and failing to ask real questions by playing direct and being a physically imposing side.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin somehow became the person criticised by many on social media. That was despite having virtually no service throughout his 65 minutes on the pitch. It’s a running theme this season, scoring once from just 1.8xG.
It’s not as if he’s squandering chances constantly, he’s not even getting these opportunities.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin shares cryptic post after troublesome Daniel Farke injury update
Leeds could be without their number nine for this weekend against Forest, though. Daniel Farke provided a worrying update during his pre-match press conference.
“It is actually an adductor injury, so a little adductor strain,” Farke told the press on Friday afternoon. “It will be a tight race so we will make a late call. He is doing his rehab and progressing well but was not in team training yet.
“We still have a couple more days but we won’t take any risks. So, it will be a late decision if he travels with us or not.”
While Farke is stressing that there won’t be any risks taken with United’s starting striker, Calvert-Lewin himself has shared a quite pointed update on social media not long after Farke’s presser:
There’s no caption to go with the pictures, while Sebastiaan Bornauw is also present in the foreground of one, having also been named as a doubt due to an MCL injury. However, this post emerging after being labelled an injury doubt seems conveniently timed to say the least – especially the second picture where the striker is stretching out his adductor muscle.
Joe Rodon asked how Leeds United can get Dominic Calvert-Lewin into away games more
Leeds’ lack of bite, with or without Calvert-Lewin, is an obvious problem. If Leeds’ starting striker isn’t getting involved in away games consistently, then we’re in trouble.
Centre-back Joe Rodon was asked this week how he thinks United can rectify this clear issue with their number nine.
“It’s probably about being brave, not necessarily just that, more confidence [as well],” Rodon told BBC West Yorkshire. “I know what this team’s capable of playing with the ball, how comfortable and dominant this team can be on the ball.
“So, I think it’s more believing, and a big thing is the first 15-20 minutes of away games, really important that you start fast. We didn’t do that at the weekend [vs Brighton], and in this league, you’re going to get punished.
“There’s a lot of things we look at and we try to work on. But, our main point as a team is being confident, brave and smart, staying in games and let the rest take care of itself.”
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