Leeds United have their mojo back.
Parts of this nascent season have felt like a slog. At struggling Cardiff City a week ago, the 2-0 win was laboured. On the opening day against Portsmouth in the 3-3 draw, it was an unpredictable and frantic match-up against promoted opponents.
But against Coventry City, Leeds returned to their attacking best and revelled in total dominance over poor opposition.
Mark Robins’ side have been a banana-skin fixture for many teams in recent seasons — and Leeds slipped during their end-of-season slump with a 2-1 defeat in April — but they rolled over and let United have it their way.
Summer exits at Elland Road were always likely to stunt attacking creativity. When the losses are 20 goals and 10 assists from Crysencio Summerville and seven goals and 16 assists from Georginio Rutter, immediate replacements cost big money. Leeds chose not to spend it, alarming fans and frustrating manager Daniel Farke, and instead brought in less expensive players with potential. It is going to take time but Leeds are within touching distance of the top two and are still improving.
🚀 What. A. Finish. pic.twitter.com/rXX2ELeKOn
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 28, 2024
With the comprehensive win over Coventry, they look to be making steps in the right direction.
In his first start at Elland Road, Largie Ramazani was a bright spark offering plenty from the left wing. Handed his chance against Cardiff in the absence of fellow summer arrival Manor Solomon, who was out with a hamstring injury, the 23-year-old lifted fans out of their seats. After last week’s goal, his link-up play with Mateo Joseph and Brenden Aaronson made him a threat as he came inside and caused problems for Coventry.
Leeds were patient in possession in the first half and used Ramazani’s movement to cause problems as Junior Firpo overlapped from left-back. His cross to Willy Gnonto provided the opener, with the Italian lashing a well-taken shot past Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
Creativity has been a concern for Leeds in recent weeks and fans have questioned Farke’s style of football. But the German has made clear his blueprint is to give new signings time to bed in and build on a foundation of a strong defence. The performance against Coventry was United’s most complete yet and showed his plan is working.
Another clean sheet is a bonus heading into a difficult week with away trips to Norwich City and Sunderland. It was all the more impressive given late pre-match injury worries for Pascal Struijk and Firpo, with both cleared in time for the game. Bar Illan Meslier’s late save from Brandon Thomas-Asante, the Leeds goal went untroubled for most of the game with centre-backs Struijk and Joe Rodon mostly fulfilling roles as the first line of attack rather than being stretched.
“When we are as electric as we were in the first half and you have 35,000 fans cheering you on, it’s a bit easier in comparison to a difficult away game,” Farke said. “It was another step forward for them (the attacking players). We still have to manage the minutes of Largie because he needs to add more physicality but he was involved in many good situations.
“I was pretty happy for Willy, a goal and a good assist. For Joel Piroe, a goal was important, so we looked in a good relationship with each other among our offensive players.”
🎯 @Jayden_bogle off the mark! pic.twitter.com/EtN6hbbpdz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 28, 2024
For all the confidence of Leeds’ starting attacking quartet, their second goal came from a less likely source — full-back Jayden Bogle. A one-two with Ramazani brought Bogle’s first goal for the club in his best performance so far. United’s third was a trademark Piroe finish that came 10 minutes after coming off the bench. The 25-year-old turned in Gnonto’s cross to seal the points and allow Leeds to see the game out.
With this win marking the first of three games in seven days for Farke’s side, the main concern is keeping injuries at bay. Captain Ethan Ampadu was forced to withdraw early due to a knee problem and there will be an anxious wait to assess the severity of the midfielder’s injury. His replacement, Ao Tanaka, was given his first extended run-out and slotted straight into the action, performing well in a more defensive role than might be natural for the Japan international.
“He had to (be more disciplined) but the good thing is he had to play this role a few times last season for Dusseldorf when they dominated a bit more,” Farke said. “He is so composed on the ball and if you can calm the game down, even in a more defensive-thinking position, it’s quite important.
“I was pretty happy with his awareness in the second half to sense the danger and in two or three really important wins of the ball. He needs to add that to his game because he doesn’t have the natural defensive instinct like Ethan Ampadu who has played a lot at centre-back. I’m quite happy how he fulfilled this role.”
Leeds enter their most challenging week of the early part of this season in good form, if not good overall health. Continuing their positive trend and emerging from it unscathed will be a test — and one that a side with ambitions of promotion must pass.
(Top photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
