
Leeds United’s 7-0 hammering of a Cardiff City side in decent form sent a clear message to the rest of the Championship. The Whites have been accused of being wasteful in front of goal this season but their forwards made hay when the sun shined on Saturday. Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon got on the scoresheet but the stand-out player was Daniel James. The Welshman scored one and provided two assists as he showed his class again in Leeds colours. He has been one of the most consistent players for the Whites this season and proved this weekend why he just could be too good for the Championship at this stage of his career.
The Whites meant business from the start as they romped to a two-goal lead in the first 15 minutes but they really turned the screws in the second half when they needed another five.
Cardiff came to Elland Road on Saturday on the back of an eight-game run without a defeat and before the 7-0 hammering at the hands of Leeds, their last loss in the league was on Boxing Day.
However, they looked hapless when Leeds applied the pressure in the second half and their defenders really struggled with the pace of Daniel James at times.
The Welshman was in full flow on Saturday and contributed to three of the seven goals Leeds scored against the Welsh side, which again showed his class this season.
James has been the epitome of consistency for Leeds this term and it is now clear to see that he is far too good for the Championship defenders.
Daniel James loves to shoot and it is paying off
James is one of the very few Leeds forwards who is not afraid to have a go from any angle in or outside the penalty box. While some of the attackers can be accused of trying to be too cute, the Welshman is always ready to get a shot away.
He has managed to net eight goals in the Championship this season but attempts more than two shots per game in the league. He is not always on target but his willingness to want to test the goalkeeper is something different compared to the other forwards.
Leeds had 29 attempts against Cardiff City and scored seven goals and in a game, where several players tried their luck, James still had the most number of shots.
James had seven shots and while he only scored once, his willingness to try his luck makes him an asset and a threat for any opposition defences on any given day.
The Welshman is now the second-highest goalscorer for Leeds this season behind Joel Piroe and he has been in blistering form in the last few weeks, scoring three times and registering as many assists in the last five Championship games.
He has stepped up for Leeds at the right time and his form is a good omen for a Leeds side who are determined to ensure that they earn automatic promotion to the Premier League this season.
James has also proved this season that if Leeds don’t get promoted he would be in demand next summer as Premier League would likely come calling as he feels too good to be in the Championship.
James – the creator-in-chief of Leeds
Junior Firpo’s three assists against Cardiff helped him equal James’ assists tally for this season but the Welshman has been the chief attacking threat for the Whites this year.
While six assists seem like a small number from the outside, his impact on the whole Leeds attack cannot be boiled down to a specific stat on a page.
The Welshman’s pace and dribbling ability on the right flank helps Leeds to transition from defence to attack in quick time and he is often the attacking outlet for the defenders to spot.
His tireless running to chase lost causes and willingness to work hard for the team make him such an invaluable asset for a team who are built on Daniel Farke’s principles of work ethic.
Even in a comfortable game against Cardiff, James was again all over the pitch and kept going at the opposition defence from different angles.
James is also a supremely fit athlete and that has solved one problem for Farke who hasn’t had to worry about the right flank because of the Welshman’s fitness and consistency.
Leeds need the winger to remain fit and at his best as Leeds look to ensure that they consolidate their position at the top of the Championship standings.
