There were a lot of questions about the Leeds United attack at the start of the season. But it seems like Joel Piroe leaving the lineup has opened the goals for the Whites in the last couple of games.
Daniel Farke made the bold decision to start a whole different front three against Fulham last month. It did not work as Leeds failed to score, but it laid a platform for the other games. In the last three games, the team has managed to score six goals, a stark contrast to the first four games when they managed just one open-play goal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has played a big part in this – his hold-up play and all-around movement open up a lot for the team.
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Graham Smyth answers Dominic Calvert-Lewin critics
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Credit: Imago
Graham Smyth has been discussing Leeds’ performance in the early part of the season on the Inside Elland Road podcast. And he has said suggestions of Dominic Calvert-Lewin moving to the bench for Joel Piroe are not acceptable.
“I saw somebody saying that Piroe should be given a chance, which to me is utter madness.
“If you play Piroe instead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds do not get half the chances that are being created at the minute.
“The reason that Leeds are getting these chances is because Calvert-Lewin is a focal point, he’s a platform, a battering ram against centre-backs.
“He’s winning the first ball, or he’s doing enough that Leeds can win the second ball because the defender hasn’t had a comfortable free header.
“Or he’s laying the ball off and bringing people into play, running behind, stretching the defence.”
Joel Piroe cannot match Calvert-Lewin’s influence this season
Calvert-Lewin is a big part of this Leeds attack, and the statistics clearly show that. The striker gets on the end of the best chances, and even though he has not been prolific, it helps open up a lot for the team. He ranks in the 89th percentile for expected goals, which means he is one of the best in the league at getting on the end of open play chances.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin radar Credit: DataMB
It is not something easily replicated – fans saw how static the Whites were when Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe were on the pitch. Leeds being successful up front this season will heavily rely on Calvert-Lewin.
