Leeds United beat Preston at home last weekend to boost their chances of automatic promotion. The result on day was both good, and bad depending on which side you view it from.
The Whites took one step closer to the Premier League, and after Sheffield United slipped up, they now have a 98% chance of promotion according to Opta. With four games to go, Daniel Farke’s side just need to avoid dropping points, and the club will be playing top flight football next season.
The bad? Leeds had 20 shots, 6 big chances and only managed to score two goals against an unimpressive Preston side. In the second half on Saturday, the Whites managed to score zero goals from three big chances in a game where an equalizer from the visitors could have cost the team precious points.
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Leeds United star needs to be benched vs Oxford
Credit: Imago Images
The main culprit against Preston was Joel Piroe. The striker managed to miss three big chances, hit the post, and continued his abysmal form of one goal in his last 10 games.
The other player who was guilty of missing chances was Brenden Aaronson. And it is not only this game, the attacking midfielder has had his poor form unnoticed for months. He also missed a sitter against Preston. Saturday’s game really showed the attacking flaws of this Leeds United team – there aren’t many players in the squad who are clinical in front of goal.
When it comes to Aaronson, Daniel Farke really needs to consider sitting him on the bench on Friday.
Brenden Aaronson’s woeful form
Leeds fans understand why Brenden Aaronson plays – he runs a lot and is active in duels. He is the ideal attacking midfielder for Daniel Farke’s side. But in recent games, his form has just been awful. Joel Piroe has gone 10 games with one goal scored, and his partner up top has failed to step up and find the back of the net.
Credit: FBref
Statistics show that the 24-year old has had just four shots on target since February. We are in April and near the end of the season, and Aaronson has just been a non-existent goal threat. In these last four games of the season, Leeds cannot afford to have players be invisible in attack.
The club needs goals to win games, and the sooner Daniel Farke finds a solution to this problem, the better.
What a load of crap