Assessing Leeds Uniteds Survival Prospects and Areas for Improvement

Leeds United’s Dismal Campaign: Can They Turn It Around in January?

Leeds United is facing challenging times — are they on the brink of relegation or can they revitalize their season this January?

A Promising Start Now in Jeopardy

Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, Leeds secured their return to the Premier League with an impressive tally of 100 points in the previous season’s Championship. However, just a mere 11 matches into the current season, it appears they may be on the path back down.

With only one victory in their last five league matches, including crushing losses to Burnley and Nottingham Forest — teams also struggling near the bottom — Leeds now boasts one of the weakest records in the league, surpassed only by bottom-placed Wolves.

Is relegation now a foregone conclusion, or could the upcoming January transfer window offer them a lifeline?

An Opportunity Missed for Leeds?

Reflecting on their performance so far, it’s clear that Leeds should be tallying more than just one point per match. Among the newly promoted teams, they enjoyed the easiest beginning to their campaign, encountering tough opponents such as Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle — matches that were somewhat expected to be challenging.

Their schedule becomes significantly tougher over the next ten games, pitting them against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool (twice), and Manchester United. Given their current form, it’s hard to envision them securing points from these fixtures.

Before the 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest, Farke remained optimistic:

Yes, we face Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool in quick succession, but I’m not deterred. Why can’t we earn points from those matches?

He recounted similar scenarios from the past:

Everyone expected us to be outclassed by Newcastle, and yet we managed to draw. The same applied to Tottenham, where we performed well and could have won. I believe we can achieve something against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City too.

The Need for Goals

The primary concern for Leeds this season is their inability to score goals. They have found the net just ten times, with only Wolves scoring fewer at seven. Notably, defender Joe Rodon surprisingly leads the team in scoring with two goals, alongside Noah Okafor and Lukas Nmecha.

Interestingly, the team has created opportunities comparable to a mid-table club, having produced 22 significant chances but failing to convert 17 of those. The onus is clearly on the forwards to capitalize on these chances.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has frequently started in recent weeks, yet he has only managed to score once from eight shots on target, with an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.02.

Areas for Improvement: Possible Transfers

This summer, both Burnley and Sunderland spent more on player acquisitions than Leeds as they geared up for the tough challenge of remaining in the Premier League. For Leeds to avoid relegation, they will need to respond in the January transfer window.

Strengthening their attack is essential, as securing a striker capable of succeeding in one of the world’s most competitive leagues is no easy task, but potential candidates do exist.

One example is David Promise, a towering 6’5″ Canadian forward, who has netted 31 goals in 59 matches for Belgian club Union St. Gilloise. With a dueling success rate of 46.5% and an aerial duel win rate of 64.7%, he possesses the attributes necessary for the Premier League. This season, he has scored five league goals from just 11 shots on target, though he is slightly underperforming his xG by 1.52. If Leeds hopes to attract him, they must act quickly, as interest from top European clubs is growing.

The left-back position also requires bolstering. Gabriel Gudmundsson, secured from Lille in the summer, has yet to acclimate to the demanding pace of the Premier League. Introducing competition could potentially elevate his performance.

A feasible option could be Ipswich’s Leif Davis, who offers a more offensive style compared to Gudmundsson. His attacking flair would provide Leeds additional tactical flexibility, especially given their inclination to deliver crosses. Davis, currently at a Championship club also experiencing difficulties, may be receptive to the idea of joining Leeds.

Conclusion

While the situation for Leeds is certainly concerning, all hope is not lost if they make strategic signings in January. Nonetheless, with a daunting fixture list ahead, extraordinary effort from Farke’s team will be necessary. The influence of Elland Road could also play a pivotal role — if they can turn their home ground into a fortress, unforeseen possibilities may arise.