One issue with Leeds United’s recent form is a lack of attacking quality. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is failing to score goals, and Leeds as a team – and a Harry Gray development has rubbed salt in the wounds.
Calvert-Lewin has one goal this season and while the former England striker might have got a couple more, Ross McCormack believes it is Daniel Farke’s tactics to blame. Leeds aren’t playing to his strengths.
Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff might have created a decent amount of chances, but Leeds ultimately have only scored nine Premier League goals. In 11 games, that isn’t enough when the team is conceding.
Leeds have now failed to keep a clean sheet since the 0-0 draw against Newcastle, the third game of the season. Being unable to defend makes the attacking output look worse, as does a new Harry Gray stat.
Daniel Farke and Ethan Ampadu after Leeds' loss at Forest.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Harry Gray scores twice for Leeds United’s U21 side on Tuesday
Back after a hip issue that kept him out of three U21 games, sidelined for a month, Gray is in the goals again for Scott Gardner’s second string. On Tuesday night, Leeds’ U21 side were in EFL Trophy action.
A competition that pits U21 sides of Premier League clubs against teams from League One and League Two. On Tuesday, Leeds went to the Wham Stadium to take on League Two side Accrington Stanley.
The Whites would bravely lose 3-2, having gone down to 10 men on 40 minutes with Reuben Lopata-White sent off. The trend in the EFL Trophy is that senior sides are often better than the U21 outfits.
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Yet Leeds pushed Accrington the whole way, with Gray notching both goals for Gardner’s side. But three Accrington goals in 13 second-half minutes proved too much for Leeds, who eventually lost 3-2.
Harry Gray takes tally to 10 goals, more than Leeds’ PL output
Two things. Gray now has 10 goals and that has seen him overtake Leeds’ entire Premier League total of goals. Having only just turned 17, Gray is miles ahead of the curve and yet, topping the charts at this level.
The first thing, is that Gray’s form highlights the lack of goals in the senior side. Yes, Gray is a wonderkid and an unusual talent expected to go far, but it also shows how Leeds should be scoring more goals.
Harry Gray in action against Noah Okafor, before he left Milan for Leeds.
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
While Farke will say he needed more attackers in the summer, his decision not to bring Willy Gnonto on Sunday, Calvert-Lewin’s form, no creativity; that is all down to him and his tactics. It shines a bad light.
A worrying light, on Farke’s tenure. The second thing, Gray has got to be given a chance now. Not only is he doing it against players of his age or only slightly older in PL2, he’s scoring against senior players.
If Farke needs an attacker he has not yet used, a fresh new face. If Farke needs a way to reconnect the fans with the team and indeed, himself, bringing Gray into the fold will delight supporters this winter.