Former Leeds United defender Tony Dorigo believes Daniel Farke’s side learned one harsh lesson during their defeat against Tottenham.
Daniel Farke was pleased with his side’s display in defeat against Spurs, as they gave a good account of themselves against a member of the current Premier League top four.
However, Farke called out Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the game, urging him to improve his efficiency in front of goal after the England international missed another two chances.
Leeds were undoubtedly unfortunate in the defeat, as Karl Darlow was beaten by two shots that deflected off centre-back Pascal Struijk to settle the game.
However, Tony Dorigo believes it was the Whites’ wastefulness in the final third that cost them, as Leeds sit on eight points after seven games heading into the international break.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesTony Dorigo wants Leeds United to learn from ‘harsh lesson’
Speaking on LUTV at full-time of Leeds’ narrow defeat against Tottenham, Dorigo bemoaned Leeds’ inability to find a second goal to pull level.
According to Dorigo, Leeds were taught a “harsh lesson” in the defeat, which they will need to address in their upcoming games.
Dorigo said: “There’s no doubt it is a disappointment because it’s a harsh lesson in being efficient in front of goal. Tottenham were just better on the day at exactly that. We certainly had the chances, we know they are a wily side, they kept us at bay to be fair in that second half, very well.
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“But once we started going direct, putting more pressure on them, the chances started to come a little more. But the opportunity for us to go and get that first goal in the first half was missed, and, once again, in the second half, the chance to take that lead was missed.
“We paid for it this time, we couldn’t come back. It was certainly a spirited display, but unfortunately, we suffered a home defeat.”
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty ImagesStats highlight key Leeds United issue
Although Leeds’ attack has clicked into gear following their consecutive run of three goalless games, efficiency in the final third remains an issue.
According to the data from Opta, Leeds have the third-worst conversion rate for non-penalty goals, having converted just 7.14% of their chances this season, ahead of only Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, compared to Tottenham’s 16.88%.
As things stand, Leeds remain down on their expected goals, having scored six goals and created an xG of 6.98 in their seven games to date, the eighth-worst ratio in the competition.
The numbers behind Leeds’ lack of efficiency in attack:
- Non-Penalty Goals Scored: 6
- Non-Penalty xG: 6.98
- Non-Penalty Goals vs xG: -0.98
- Non-Penalty Conversion rate: 7.14%
- Non-Penalty xG per shot: 0.08
Leeds’ xG per shot is also the joint-worst in the top flight, with a rating of just 0.08, level with Aston Villa and Sunderland.
However, having gone from three games without scoring to finding the net six times in the last three games, Farke will hope that the trickle of goals can become a deluge in the coming games.