Leeds United v Arsenal; Sheffield United v West Ham; Preston v Sheffield Wednesday - all the big match talking points

LEAGUE action returns at the weekend and here are five key games to whet your appetite:
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa: Welcomes Arsenal. Picture: PALeeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa: Welcomes Arsenal. Picture: PA
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa: Welcomes Arsenal. Picture: PA

The arrival of one of the game’s establishment clubs in Arsenal to Elland Road will provide a further reminder that United are firmly back in the big time - with matches against the Gunners and Manchester City representing the blue riband games on home soil in the first half of 2020-21 when the fixtures were unveiled.

In the here and now, a concession of eight goals in two identical 4-1 losses to Leicester City and Crystal Palace means that any sense of anticipation has been tempered somewhat.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Tackles West Ham. Picture: PASheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Tackles West Ham. Picture: PA
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Tackles West Ham. Picture: PA
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For all of United’s eye-catching traits and culitivation as many supporters’ ‘second favourite team’ in the Premier League this term, those who follow them intently will be anxious that they start getting back to basics as well.

To put it bluntly, Leeds are conceding too many goals to make a discernible impact this season. Attacking wise, they are firmly among the movers and shakers and their capacity to entertain and enlighten precedes them. But defending does not.

Leeds have the joint second-worst goals against record (nine) on home soil and the joint worst number of concessions overall (17 with West Brom).

Last season, United let in 14 goals in 23 Championship home games in 2019-20 – keeping 13 clean sheets along the way. Defence was a fulcrum of their promotion quest.

New Sheffield Wednesday manager Tony Pulis: Seeking Preston repeat. 
Picture: Steve EllisNew Sheffield Wednesday manager Tony Pulis: Seeking Preston repeat. 
Picture: Steve Ellis
New Sheffield Wednesday manager Tony Pulis: Seeking Preston repeat. Picture: Steve Ellis
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A few shut-outs would provide reassurement or else the winter chill might start to be felt. Leeds’s offensive aplomb takes care of itself.

Let’s not beat around the bush, this is a huge game for Sheffield United in every way.

Chris Wilder rightly said that back-to-back games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool were as tough as it gets at this present time and he was bang on the money.

Barnsley coach Valerien Ismael: Aiming to build.  Picture: Bruce RollinsonBarnsley coach Valerien Ismael: Aiming to build.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Barnsley coach Valerien Ismael: Aiming to build. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

A home appointment against the Hammers is winnable, if not straightforward. A victory would energise the Blades’ campaign as they approach a critical juncture of their season - the run-in to the end of the year when league tables start to matter and fates take shape.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A defeat would be demoralising, dent confidence and represent a further punishing psychological blow after an international break.

There are a stack of issues for Wilder. Can he conjure a winning formula up front? Will he persist with Rhian Brewster? Will Enda Stevens be switched to his left wing-back berth. What is the condition of his international players on their return?

In the circumstances, three points on Sunday would be as big as any during his time at the club.

Bradford City manager Stuart McCall: Out to kick-start campaign. Picture: Bruce RollinsonBradford City manager Stuart McCall: Out to kick-start campaign. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Bradford City manager Stuart McCall: Out to kick-start campaign. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Barnsley v Nottingham Forest (Saturday)

Barnsley are 10 points better off than they were at the same stage of last season and a run of three victories in four matches has enabled Valerien Ismael to help repair the damage of a worrying and underwhelming start to the campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But, as the Frenchman will attest, it is important not to get carried away. The Reds have periodically been guilty of this before.

Barnsley feasted on crisis club Derby last time out and showed their application to secure an excellent win over below-par Watford after making the most of QPR’s travails in the previous home match.

For the Reds, it is about consistency. A win over Forest, who have lost just once in seven games under the command of a canny Championship operator in Chris Hughton, would potentially be a significant moment.

Preston v Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday)

Deepdale was the venue for Tony Pulis’s maiden victory in official charge in his last job at Middlesbrough - and how the Welshman will be hoping that lightning strikes twice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under normal circumstances, Pulis would be welcomed by around 5,000 Wednesdayites in the away end, but these are no ordinary times.

It will be fascinating to see how he sets about things. In his introductory press conference, Pulis spoke about assessing his players before deciding on how to set the team up, more specifically up front.

What can be said is that Pulis likes his teams to be defensively solid, first and foremost. Those across his backline will primarily be there to defend and not for their attacking qualities.

Will he move Dominic Iorfa to right back, for instance, to enable him to effectively have three central defenders in a back four or will he opt for a back three with wing backs?.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His first port of call is likely to be building a formation and knowing who he can trust defensively.

Salford City v Bradford City (Saturday)

City were on the receiving end of a meek 2-0 defeat at the Pennisula Stadium in March, when Ash Hunter struck twice as the visitors succumbed all too easily in their final match before the first lockdown.

Memories of that afternoon show ensure that no team-talk is required from manager Stuart McCallfor those who took part for the claret and amber on that day.

City and Salford have been slow out of the starting gate this season, with the latter now under the command of former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Richie Wellens, recently appointed as their new manager.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now is the time for both clubs to get serious. A win for either can provide a catalyst to spark their League Two season hopefully into life.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.