Exclusive:Leeds United icon Gary McAllister identifies what the Whites are lacking in the final third
Leeds United icon Gary McAllister believes the Whites need more belief in order to improve in the final third.
Firepower has been in short supply at Elland Road this season, with Leeds among the lowest scorers in the Premier League after 10 games.
It is hardly unusual for newly-promoted clubs to endure struggles in front of goal, but there have been some alarm bells sounding nonetheless.
Leeds were particularly toothless in their recent 3-0 reverse at Brighton & Hove Albion, intensifying the scrutiny on their attacking contingent.
Gary McAllister’s verdict
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post via Spreadex Sports, former Whites midfielder and manager McAllister said: “[They need] a bit more belief. Obviously, coming up, there is the stigma of the teams coming up and there’s been a tendency to find it very difficult, especially to score goals. Everyone talks about them going straight back down.
“I think three wins in 10 games is decent. I just think they need to go over that hurdle of believing they belong in the division. Obviously, it would be nice to get to the back end of the season, stay up, and build on that.”
Leeds United’s attacking struggles
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was among the marquee additions to manager Daniel Farke’s squad over the summer, arriving after failing to agree fresh terms with Everton.
Metrics tell a story of a forward offering plenty to the frontline without getting the service he requires.
McAllister said: “There’s been attempts to try and bring goals into the team. Calvert-Lewin’s been brought in and I just hope he can get a run of games and a run of form and start scoring goals.
“Goal-wise, it’s just getting that balance right - committing people to go attack and getting people ahead of the ball, but not to let yourself open at the other side. I think that’s the big difference in the Premier League.
“The centre-forwards, they’re playing against, nearly always, world-class centre-backs. Just watching Arsenal last night [against Slavia Prague in the Champions League], they don’t look like conceding goals. It’s hard to score goals in the Premier League.”