The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 17th March) Are Leeds drawing their way to safety
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 17th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Are Leeds drawing their way to safety
With just one win in eight, Leeds Utd fans can be excused if they are starting to feel a little nervy. Whilst 15th in the table, they are only three points from the drop zone. While Daniel Farke’s men were arguably the better side at Selhurst Park at the weekend, the penalty miss and red card fiasco will seem to many as two points dropped as apposed to one gained! With Nottingham Forest, West Ham and even Spurs picking up crucial results, the battle at the bottom of the table is considered by many, too close to call!
However, talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan reveals one major advantage Leeds United have over their rivals - a surprising lack of outside pressure. Speaking on the airwaves, Jordan argued that while clubs like West Ham, Forest, and Spurs face massive media scrutiny and "catastrophic" storylines if the Whites go down, it is almost expected. Jordan pointed out though that if Leeds can continue "drawing their way to safety" (having notched up eleven draws this season; only Bournemouth have drawn more), they might just survive.
Interestingly, Jordan doesn't think the Whites are the primary candidates for the drop; he predicts West Ham will be the side to complete the relegation trio. The Eastenders have been playing catch-up, picking up twelve points from their previous eight games (7th in the form guide), and apposed to the seven points Leeds have accumulated over the same period (17th in the form guide). Nottingham Forest a place above Leeds (in the form guide) by way of better goal difference whilst Spurs are bottom on three points.
If you put Leeds out of the equation, who are drawing their way to safety, out of the last 24 games, they’ve drawn nine of them, and they’ve drawn against big sides as well, but they’re drawing, and they’re still losing games every now and then against the Sunderland’s of the world who we didn’t expect. If it’s Forest, Spurs or West Ham who go down, all of them come with a massive story.
Leeds re-write history book with gutsy second half display
You’d usually expect a first-half red card to be the kiss of death for a Premier League side, but Leeds United just rewrote the record books. Since Opta began compiling data in 2003-04, Leeds are the only outfit to have a player sent off in the first half, and not concede a single shot on target. It wasn't just luck; it was a masterclass in defensive discipline.
Daniel Farke’s half-time shift to a 5-3-1 formation proved vital. At the heart of the rearguard, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, and Pascal Struijk were absolutely colossal, turning their own penalty area into a fortress. Behind them, Karl Darlow stayed hyper-alert, vacuuming up every loose ball that bypassed the back three. Surprisingly, Leeds didn’t just "park the bus." Jayden Bogle and James Justin continuing to offer relentless attacking options down the flanks, while Ethan Ampadu was at his very best in the middle of the park.
Up top, Dominic Calvert-Lewin put in a tireless shift, constantly running the channels to keep the Palace defenders honest and providing a much-needed outlet when things got dicey. Rather than imploding, the players maturity and togetherness shone through. The history books tell us that Leeds rarely get the rub of the green, but the solidarity seen by Farke's men this season show they are not ready to thrown in the towel.
Whites leading race for City starlet
Leeds are leading the race to sign Manchester City wonderkid Stephen Mfuni. The young defender has been sharpening his tools on loan at Watford lately, where he managed eight starts in nine games, but a serious ankle injury at the weekend may have prematurely ended his season. A highly-rated prospect, Mfuni is known for his versatility, technical ball-playing ability, and strength, typically operating at either centre-back or left-back
From an analytical perspective, a summer move to Elland Road feels like a smart play for the Whites. Mfuni has earned rave reviews from City U18 boss Oliver Reiss, who described him as an "incredible player" with a top-notch attitude. While Pep Guardiola isn’t expected to clear a path to the City first team just yet, his blend of focus and adaptability makes him a hot commodity.
Leeds are currently the frontrunners to secure his signature. He is an England youth international, having represented the national team at U16, U17, U18, and U19 level.