Eight points from seven games in a run that has included three of the Premier League’s six Champions League sides is impressive going, even if Leeds United will believe they deserve more.
Leeds have already faced Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham. They have beaten Everton and Wolves, while drawing with one of the most exciting sides in the Premier League, in Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side.
Defeat at Marco Silva’s Fulham was unjust, when Gabriel Gudmundsson headed into his own net. Leeds didn’t deserve to concede late on against Bournemouth to draw 2-2 and on Saturday, Leeds were superb.
Daniel Farke made the point after the game that he felt Leeds deserved to win the game, not just worthy of a draw. Yet, Leeds are not matching their performances to results yet, with many chances squandered.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty ImagesDaniel Farke admits Leeds star’s situation is ‘frustrating’
Leeds had chances against Newcastle but failed to score, and should have scored more than two against Bournemouth. But on Saturday, Leeds were their most wasteful yet as The Whites managed only one.
Leeds could have scored three or four. Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed three good chances, Joe Rodon hit the post, Sean Longstaff fizzed one wide, Pascal Struijk had a header and Joel Piroe was close late on.
Speaking in his press conference after the match, Farke said that Calvert-Lewin’s missed chances is a situation that will come as a “frustration” behind the scenes. He remains calm and confident on camera.
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“In the first half, he probably should have hit the target. The goalkeeper is there with a top save, and he’s two inches missing when it goes through the box. It is a bit frustrating, but that’s the fate of a striker.
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“Sometimes you have these periods when you find it a bit more difficult. I’m happy with his performance. If he, right now, thinks too much about goals and wants to force it too much, it will never work,” he said.
“What he has to do is what he does: work for the team, relentless workload, bring yourself into good positions and then, sometimes, you need also a bit of luck and perhaps a deflected strike or scruffy goal.”
Leeds fans will all agree with Jermaine Beckford’s verdict
Speaking after the game against Bournemouth in which Calvert-Lewin missed a header from a Brenden Aaronson overhead kick, and a poke at goal from a Sean Longstaff shot, Jermaine Beckford praised him.
Strikers are judged on goals and rightly so. Goals also affect a striker’s confidence and rhythm, and yet, Beckford says Calvert-Lewin has been “unbelievable” for Leeds, thanks to his work rate and hold-up play.
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Calvert-Lewin offers so much more to Leeds than his goals and if Leeds are to stay up, keeping him fit is key. Wayne Rooney thinks he will come good if he stays fit, and he’s right, even if he isn’t scoring.