'Leeds must seize opportunity to make vital improvements'published at 12:46 GMT 6 January
12:46 GMT 6 January
Adonis Storr Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
This January transfer window could be the most pivotal in the tenure of 49ers Enterprises. Leeds sit top, but only three points separate first and fourth, and there are areas where United could improve.
Despite conceding the third fewest goals in the Championship, Illan Meslier continues to frustrate. Meslier is underperforming on his expected saves (post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed.) He is 15th in the league for this metric and errors have cost valuable points.
Leeds' three rivals for promotion have goalkeepers who have saved their team expected goals – Sunderland (2.5), Sheffield United (5.0) and Burnley (6.7). Expected to concede 20.8 goals, Burnley have conceded just nine. Leeds have stuck with Meslier in recent seasons, but it feels like it is time to try someone else.
The loss of Georginio Rutter's creativity was a blow last summer. Leeds have scored the most goals in the league, but in games where the Whites are struggling to break teams down, Daniel Farke's tactic of replacing seemingly every midfielder and defender with attackers has had mixed results.
The addition of a creative number 10 would provide Farke with a different option when trying to unlock stubborn defences.
Issues with depth at full-back and centre-back might have to wait until the summer, but a few injuries in those key positions and United would be forced into playing youth players like 19-year-old James Debayo.
Finally, Leeds need a set-piece coach. With Joe Rothwell on corners the delivery has improved incrementally. But United still look bamboozled at times when attacking and defending set-pieces. The Whites have the most corners per match, and concede the fewest – they have to find a way to capitalise on this.
Gossip: Sheaf and Berisha on Whites' radarpublished at 11:11 GMT 6 January
11:11 GMT 6 January
Derby are hoping to beat Sheffield United and Leeds to the punch and complete a loan deal for Louie Barry, who has been recalled by Aston Villa after scoring 16 goals on loan at Stockport in League One this season. (Yorkshire Post), external
Whites forward Joe Gelhardt is expected to leave on loan this month after struggling for minutes this season, with QPR, Derby, Coventry, Plymouth and Portsmouth reportedly interested, though the 22-year-old could also have options overseas. (Darren Witcoop, external)
Under-fire United keeper Illan Meslier might be allowed to leave Elland Road this month, if the club receive an acceptable offer for the 24-year-old. (Daily Mail), external
Leeds are also reportedly interested in a move for Hoffenheim striker Mergim Berisha, a 26-year-old who has scored once in 17 appearances this season. (Football League World, external)
The leaders were 3-1 up with nine minutes to go before conceding twice, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier being criticised for Hull's first two goals.
"I would be a poor leader if straight away after a game I punished individual mistakes by my players in public – I'm not willing to do it," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.
"The players involved in the goals can't hide that they should have done better in those situations."
Leeds are one point clear at the top of the table having lost just one of their past 12 league games.
"Overall you have to say it's a sign of what we are - we are not the finished product which cruises through this league," added Farke.
"We are one of the youngest sides in the league and we don't play without making mistakes.
"A more experienced side at 3-1 up would have kept the ball and maybe scored a fourth goal but we allowed ourselves to not be switched on."
Leeds host Harrogate Town in the FA Cup third round next Saturday before returning to Championship action at home to Sheffield Wednesday the following Sunday.
Farke says 'don't expect much' in January windowpublished at 17:10 GMT 3 January
17:10 GMT 3 January
Image source, Rex Features
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says that he's "not a big fan" of the January transfer window and not to "expect much" in terms of incoming players.
The Whites are the current Championship leaders after collecting a point against Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Day and the German is confident his squad has the quality required to hold on to their position.
"I don't like when the group is too big," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.
"Once everyone is fit and you have four players for one position, it could also be negative for the spirit and the togetherness.
"If you are forced to do something due to injuries or something is really missing in the group, then you have to react but when you're sitting at the top of the table - there can't be too much wrong."
Leeds saw their squad bolstered by the return of defender Max Wober on Wednesday, replacing Sam Byram for the second half.
It was only the fifth league appearance of the season for the Austrian after undergoing knee surgery in October and missing their previous three games with a related issue.
Leeds next visit Hull City on Saturday, 15:00 GMT.
Pick of the stats: Hull City v Leeds Unitedpublished at 11:20 GMT 3 January
11:20 GMT 3 January
Leeds United will look to retain their place at the top of the Championship table when they visit struggling Hull City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
A point would be enough to see them stay at the summit but having conceded a late equaliser against Blackburn Rovers just two minutes after taking the lead, Leeds will be hoping to bounce back quickly.
Hull suffered defeat in injury time on 1 January as Middlesbrough's Alex Gilbert scored from close range to leave them 22nd in the table.
Hull City have won just one of their last 11 league meetings with Leeds United (D3 L7), a 2-0 win at Elland Road in December 2018.
Leeds United have recorded a clean sheet on each of their last four away league trips to face Hull City (W2 D2), never before keeping five straight on the road against a single opponent.
Following a 2-1 win over Swansea before Christmas, Hull City will be aiming to win back-to-back home matches on a Saturday in the Championship for the first time since February 2024 against Cardiff and Millwall.
Leeds United will be aiming to win three consecutive away league games for the first time since winning their first four such matches of 2024 between January and February.
Leeds United are unbeaten in each of their last 16 Yorkshire derbies in the league (W12 D4) with the Whites winning more points in such fixtures since the beginning of last season in the EFL than any of their Yorkshire rivals (25).
Aaronson's goal was 'poetry' - Farkepublished at 21:21 GMT 29 December 2024
21:21 GMT 29 December 2024
Image source, Rex Features
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has told BBC Radio Leeds that Brenden Aaronson's winner at Derby County was a piece of poetry and and is his early pick of goal of the season.
"I think it was a fully deserved win," said Farke. "We were in total control because we expected them to be on it and to try press us. But we didn't allow them to press us because we had good solutions today.
"Perhaps in the first half we didn't have enough clear-cut chances to score, but we didn't allow them anything. In the second half my feeling was that at some point we missed too many clear-cut chances to win such a difficult away game.
"Normally you can't miss so many chances to win points in such a difficult place but then obviously we scored, for me, the goal of the season. It was an unbelievable team goal.
"I'll put it straight away into my poetry album, I loved this goal I have to say. It was a perfect team move and Brenden also came up with a perfect calm finish."
Pick of the stats: Derby County v Leeds Unitedpublished at 18:01 GMT 28 December 2024
18:01 GMT 28 December 2024
League leaders Leeds United travel to mid-table Derby County on Sunday evening with both sides looking to continue their winning ways to end the year.
Victory over the Rams took Leeds top of the Championship table three weeks ago, and a repeat of that performance this weekend will see them retain top spot.
Derby County are winless in their last six league games against Leeds United (D2 L4) since a 2-1 win in October 2017 under Gary Rowett.
Leeds United are looking to win three away league games in a row against Derby County for the first time since between 1954 and 1960.
Derby County have won their final league match of the year in each of the past seven years and are unbeaten in 13 such matches (W10 D3) since a 5-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest in 2010.
Leeds have won their final league match of the year in just two of the past 14 years (D4 L8), but they did score five goals in both victories – 5-4 vs. Birmingham in 2019 and 5-0 vs. West Brom in 2020.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke was winless in his first five Championship games against Derby County (D2 L3) but he has since won each of his last two against the Rams.
'A number nine would be welcome for Leeds'published at 17:48 GMT 28 December 2024
17:48 GMT 28 December 2024
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Rex Features
What do Leeds need?
The prevailing view is they need a natural number 10. Much like the tears of the 'Widows of Bielsa', supporters still mourn the hole left by Pablo Hernandez.
Boss Daniel Farke says he is happy with his squad and to expect a quiet January but has not ruled out a significant move if the opportunity presents itself.
Emi Buendia has been linked before but the one-time Aston Villa record signing's arrival at Elland Road even after only playing 48 minutes of Premier League football this season seems unlikely.
What sort of business are they to do?
Another long-term injury may force their hand. Leeds have suffered from several lengthy lay-offs already this campaign, notably to first-choice midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev.
Another number nine would be welcome but the sum of the parts of a side that is spreading goals around the front four has meant that Joel Piroe's nine goals in 14 league starts has compensated for Mateo Joseph's two strikes.
How successful have they been in recent January windows?
Last January saw Burnley's Connor Roberts arrive on loan and he proved an astute signing despite United just missing out on promotion.
The recruitment team with Nick Hammond as consultant has deservedly received a lot of plaudits for a high hit rate in both summers to date.
There have been a few changes recently with Alex Davies replacing Jordan Miles as head of recruitment but, whilst working within the required financial constraints, there is a feeling that the regime is likely to make solid decisions in the market if required, unlike the aberration that cost them tens of millions with the Jean-Kevin Augustin affair in 2020.
Are there likely to be any notable departures?
Patrick Bamford's bench-warming makes you wonder if he will push for a move with 18 months left on his deal. The one-cap England international is on a big contract and coupled with an injury riddled past few seasons it is difficult to see who could afford the 31-year-old.
Joe Gelhardt is the other forward who has dropped off the radar. We have been told he has had a few injury concerns but, after a spell at Sunderland last year, nine minutes of Championship football this term suggests another loan would suit all concerned.
How key is the window?
Farke has already managed expectations by playing down the club's intentions.
Having had a difficult summer in terms of key departures in Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray to the Premier League, it is fair to say that the subsequent arrivals of Joe Rodon (permanent), Largie Ramazani, Ao Tanaka, Joshua Guilavogui and Isaac Schmidt, as well as Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell both on loan, look capable of returning the club to the Premier League without too many additions.
