Leeds United must address obvious problem to save automatic promotion chances — YEP 27/12/23

-


Leeds United have one area they must improve if they want to make up ground on the automatic promotion spots.

By Jamie Kemble

Leeds United have suffered a fresh blow in their automatic promotion chase, but they already know what they need to correct if they want to make up ground on those above. Daniel Farke's men thought they had set themselves up for the perfect festive period after beating Ipswich Town in the final game before Christmas.

That win reduced the gap to seven points, but the Whites suffered a defeat away to Preston North End on Boxing Day, and Ipswich drew with leaders Leicester City to regain a point. Eight points now separate Leeds, who have dropped to fourth place, from second spot, and they go up against serious play-off contenders West Brom in the Midlands on Friday.

But as the New Year approaches, Farke and his coaching staff don't need to do a whole lot of research to uncover one of Leeds' biggest problem. While the Whites sit near the top in both the home and away tables, there is a big gap between their performances at Elland Road and on the road.

At home, Leeds have picked up an impressive 28 points from 36, and only Leicester (with 30 points) and Ipswich (with 29) have picked up more points in front of their own fans. Though, away from home, the Whites have the fourth best away record in the division and they are even further behind the top performers.

While Leicester have picked up 29 points away from home and Ipswich have racked up 24, Leeds have had to settle for just 17 points from a possible 36. Southampton, who have just leapfrogged Leeds, have 22 points from away trips.

The causes? It's not exactly clear why Leeds have picked up fewer wins away from home, while they are unbeaten at Elland Road. The obvious factor would be the absence of home support. Elland Road has been a fortress again this season, while fans are creating big atmospheres away from home, with Preston selling out for the visit of the Whites on Boxing Day.

Leeds will need to learn to manage those big atmospheres away from home, particularly if they are going to end up in the play-offs. There have been some key away wins, with the biggest being the Leicester win at the King Power Stadium, but consistency is key in an automatic promotion race, and Leeds can't afford to maintain such a big gap between their home and away form.

At their current pace, Leeds will be lucky to get to 90 points, and while that is an impressive figure, it's no secret that both Leicester and Ipswich are on pace to get to 100 points and beyond. Given Leeds can hardly improve their home form, there's only one place the necessary improvements can come from, and that's away from home.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more