Graham Smyth has outlined what Leeds United are saying about Anton Stach following his start to Premier League life.
Leeds United signed 10 players but Anton Stach has been named Leeds’ best signing of the summer. Players like Stach have made Leeds significantly taller and more combative.
Of course, from the sheer size of the signings alone, it’s clear Leeds have had to prioritise Premier League physicality in various forms. Even if some final pieces of the puzzle were missed out on, set-pieces will be vital to Leeds this season.
Despite wanting a set-piece taker all summer, Leeds will have to manage with Anton Stach’s surprising deliveries instead. Although, a set piece coach is imminent for Leeds.
Stach’s set-pieces have created numerous Leeds chances already, but he is 6’4″ and many have been left confused as to why the German is the primary taker in the Leeds team and not in the box himself.
Graham Smyth’s Anton Stach reveal
Speaking via The Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth revealed the plan with Stach and why he will continue to remain as Leeds’ set-piece taker.
He said: “The club will say Anton Stach’s very, very good at set-pieces. Well, let’s see it, you know, let’s see that actually bear fruit in the Premier League.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“They’d also say that Anton Stach’s not that good at attacking set-pieces, so having them in the box might not actually be the weapon that you think it is. I guess it’s like Pascal [Struijk] and [Joe] Rodon, right?
“Both very good at getting the first contact on a ball into the box. Rodon’s incredible at doing that in his own box — complete 50p head in the opposition box.
“You know, when the ball comes in, Rodon does a great job of getting away from his marker quite often and getting the first contact, but getting the ball on target seems to be a real problem for him.
“Not all players who are big and win headers are good at attacking headers. And perhaps it’s going to be more out of necessity, and maybe it’s a bit of necessity and a bit of his profile, but maybe Stach is just going to be better-suited taking them than attacking them.
“I don’t know. Can you coach that? I don’t know. Can you coach him into being a an absolute missile in the box? I suppose if he’s the best one with the best technique at taking dead balls, then you’re better let in Struijk or Bijol, or Rodon, you know?
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is good in the air, you’re better letting them attack the the dead balls. But I think it’s an oversight to not have another. Jack Harrison and [Brenden] Aaronson, I think we’re all haunted.
“I think they’re probably haunted by the memories of them tapping the tops of their head and then not clearing the first man. Gosh, you just don’t want to see that again when you’ve got the box loaded with galutes ready to thump a header into the back of the net.”
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesGraham Smyth’s primary concern regarding Leeds’ survival chances
Without Daniel Farke getting the creative winger or No.10 he wanted capable of set-pieces, Leeds will have to find other ways to score. Smyth is concerned by the team’s output overall.
He added: “I can see that in the wingers you’ve got different things. You’ve got pace with [Dan] James, you’ve got power with [Noah] Okafor, you’ve got work rate with [Jack] Harrison and [Brenden] Aaronson.
“[Willy] Gnonto’s ball-striking. You know that little bit of difference making ability perhaps? I just don’t think you’ve got enough creativity there. I don’t see a I don’t see enough assists and goals there.
“And then you look at the strikers and I worry about injuries. I worry about Dominic Calvert-Lewin staying fit and discovering his best form, you know? Doing those two things.
“[Lukas] Nmecha I like the look of as an alternative. He held the ball up brilliantly against Newcastle. I thought he played very, very well. Is he going to be dangerous enough?
“And [Joel] Piroe completely unproven at this level. You know, golden boot winner in the Championship. We just don’t know if it’s going to translate.
“So that, for me, there’s so many ifs and I just look at the team and think are you going to score enough goals? And that’s my worry.”