Leeds United’s attack sometimes looks like high-speed improvisation as Farke’s men always seem to be in frantic breaks or ricochets occurring purely on instinct. But when we slow down the footage, a rhythm becomes apparent.
During their four open play goals in the Premier League this season, the Whites followed a repetitive pattern, a hidden attacking signature underlying almost every successful attack.
What seems like chaos has the hallmarks of structure, and it says far more about Leeds’ intent than the scoreline alone. Each goalscoring sequence was watched and examined from the beginning of possession, the intensity of movements and the ending.
The aim was not to dissect every failed transition but to discover what works. The underlying patterns did emerge when we slowed down the chaos.
Patterns in Leeds United goals
Anton Stach has proven to be a good link between defence and offence (Credits: Imago Images)
Leeds United has scored four open-play goals this season, and an underlying pattern entailed all of them. A central recovery always transitioned into a move towards the flank, followed by an instant delivery into the box.
Two developed down the right, one from the left, and another was a rebound in front of the goal. Interestingly, all the goals were scored from inside the box.
The West Yorkshire Outfit do not rely on shots from distance as they create proximity. Their goals map a trajectory with the players moving wide, delivering early and shooting from inside the box.
Jayden Bogle and Anton Stach are the regular starting points, with Noah Okafor twice being the finisher. The numbers do pass the eye test as Leeds’ xG from non-penalty situations is 6.9, sitting slightly at the verge of underperformance as non-penalty set pieces flip the total to six.
The goals scored from set pieces just go on to illustrate how good the Whites are at utilising dead-ball situations. Leeds have scored seven from 7.6 xG overall, still lower than expected, as conversion seems to be the problem throughout the rush.
More design than chaos
Leeds fashion has good looks but finishes slightly less than expected. The problem probably stems from rushing the objective, as Farke’s toolbox includes taking advantage of transition opportunities.
Set pieces are bridging the gap at the moment, but to stay up, the German needs to exploit better or find other avenues. A chaotic conclusion would seem logical, but Leeds’ attacks always follow a structure using their best strengths.
Apart from the set-piece goals, there is a clear pattern of moving wide and then into the box. Despite garnering an attacking structure, the Whites might still need to focus on developing more structure in the box.
The chaotic 54th-minute finish against Bournemouth serves as a good example, as the team can get wobbly sometimes. Despite just being promoted, the Whites have done a great job at finding a structure that works for them.
Farke’s men do employ the pattern rigorously, but the process should also serve a purpose, as the effort in front of the post should be matched by their build-up.
