Around this time every year the YEP player ratings for each match are tallied up and averaged out to show who has caught the eye most consistently in the early part of the season. Given the Whites are now in the Premier League and their newly-promoted status, anything better than a 6 out of 10 performance is to be congratulated because the quality of the opposition is simply incredible. Even midtable outfits who might be thought ordinary in the top flight have stars capable of grabbing a game by the scruff and winning it with individual ability. Leeds are swimming with sharks.
Prior to the season it was not known who could keep their head above water in the Premier League. So few of Daniel Farke's men have had the chance to establish themselves in the English top flight, even if some have done it in other 'big leagues' across Europe. Joe Rodon was a player who had not properly enjoyed a sustained opportunity at such a level and yet the Welshman - Leeds' Mr Consistent last season and the season prior - is still coming out on top. Thus far he has answered the question marks over his Premier League suitability and come out with the best average rating of his peers. Remarkably, he has averaged 7.2 in the YEP ratings this season, just as he did across the whole of last season.
Gabriel Gudmundsson has run his fellow defender close, having settled in quickly to life in English football. Ethan Ampadu also boasts an impressive average overall thanks to a very solid start to the campaign but his recent trend of form has not been a good one.
Others have not shone, for a variety of reasons. Some simply haven't had a chance or a run of starts and have found themselves coming off the bench late in games that Leeds are either chasing or trying to lock down. Attackers tend to have it worst because the expectation is that they come onto the pitch and create or score a goal. But it is also true that some of Farke's men have failed to grab their chances.
The ratings never tell the whole picture because of each player's different circumstances, game time and how the team's overall performance impacts their ability to shine or contribute. They still paint a picture however. For new signings like Lucas Perri, Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin the ratings tell us that Leeds need something more from each of them. From Perri, a performance level that makes him an upgrade on Karl Darlow. From Stach they need more of an impact and a presence in games. From Okafor they need the glimpses of individual brilliance to flourish into goals and assists. And from Calvert-Lewin they need goals to go with his work-rate.
Perhaps the most concerning average rating of all, so far, is that of Jaka Bijol. The defender has only played four times and needs more of a chance to get into his rhythm but since he replaced Pascal Struijk he has not put forward much of an argument to keep the Dutchman out of the side.
The squad's average right now sits at a 6 out of 10 and that is probably a fair reflection of where Leeds are as a side after 11 games of the new season. They're outside the drop zone after all. But particularly after the last two games, there is more that Farke needs to get from this side as a collective and individuals.
Rodon has played 11 times this season and consistently performed at a good level. He hasn't been perfect but he's been impactful and kept errors to a minimum. He's a goal threat now too. On the evidence so far he's a nailed-on starter in the Premier League.
1. Joe Rodon - 7.2
Rodon has played 11 times this season and consistently performed at a good level. He hasn't been perfect but he's been impactful and kept errors to a minimum. He's a goal threat now too. On the evidence so far he's a nailed-on starter in the Premier League. | AFP via Getty Images
The Swede has been one of Leeds' best performers so far this season. His ball carrying has caught the eye. The last two games have arguably been his most difficult with a pair of 5s as ratings but prior to that he was very solid.
2. Gabriel Gudmundsson 7.1
The Swede has been one of Leeds' best performers so far this season. His ball carrying has caught the eye. The last two games have arguably been his most difficult with a pair of 5s as ratings but prior to that he was very solid. | Getty Images
Ampadu's position in this ranking is under threat if his recent form continues. After an impressive start and solid displays he has gone off the boil. In his last five games his average has been 5.8. The previous four it was a little over 8.
3. Ethan Ampadu - 6.9
Ampadu's position in this ranking is under threat if his recent form continues. After an impressive start and solid displays he has gone off the boil. In his last five games his average has been 5.8. The previous four it was a little over 8. | Getty Images
Struijk made a very decent start to the season and showed his importance to Leeds' build up but he wobbled against Spurs and Burnley. The team has wobbled since too, but things have not improved with Struijk on the bench and Bijol in the side.
4. Pascal Struijk - 6.6
Struijk made a very decent start to the season and showed his importance to Leeds' build up but he wobbled against Spurs and Burnley. The team has wobbled since too, but things have not improved with Struijk on the bench and Bijol in the side. | Getty Images
The Welsh international came in for Lucas Perri and did well in the Premier League. He was solid for the vast majority. His average has suffered because of the Sheffield Wednesday debacle and the Burnley game. Otherwise he did a good job.
5. Karl Darlow - 6.5
The Welsh international came in for Lucas Perri and did well in the Premier League. He was solid for the vast majority. His average has suffered because of the Sheffield Wednesday debacle and the Burnley game. Otherwise he did a good job. | Getty Images
We haven't seen too much of the defender - he's only had four rateable appearances - but he's looked solid enough.
6. James Justin - 6.5
We haven't seen too much of the defender - he's only had four rateable appearances - but he's looked solid enough. | AFP via Getty Images