LUTV commentator Bryn Law has explained why he believes Anton Stach is under significant pressure to perform “every time” he takes to the field for Leeds United.
Anton Stach has been one of Leeds’ success stories so far this season, slotting into the midfield and winning the club’s goal of the month prize for his brilliant free-kick against Wolves.
However, Stach struggled as Leeds fell to a defeat against Burnley, failing to pick up his man for both of the home side’s goals.
Stach is looking to force his way back into contention for Germany after being left out of their recent World Cup qualifiers, and will need to lift his level of performance to do so.
Now, Bryn Law has explained why he believes the German is under particular pressure to deliver, as Leeds continue to struggle in front of goal.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesBryn Law on the pressure faced by Anton Stach
Speaking on the Square Ball podcast, Law expressed his sympathy for Stach, after he struggled to impact the game in the defeat against Burnley.
According to Law, one incident in particular sums up the pressure the German faces, as he had a free kick saved by Martin Dubravka.
With Leeds struggling to convert their chances, this only ramps up the pressure on Stach when Leeds have a free-kick in a dangerous area. Law said: “I think back to Saturday, and a free kick just outside the penalty area in the first half.
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“It’s the same sort of place that Stach absolutely pumped that one in against Wolves, and this one, the goalkeeper saved. You need those, Leeds need a 100% hit record with those moments, those opportunities.
“So you’ve got a guy in the side who you know can do that. You’ve seen him do it. You need him to do it. Every time.
“That’s the pressure on him from those situations because you’re not going to get, that was the one moment when that free kick opportunity was presented. So where you’ve got the quality in there, the guys have got to produce it.”
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesWhere do Leeds United rank in the Premier League by xG?
According to Sky Sports presenter David Jones, speaking on Monday Night Football on the 20th October, Leeds’ xG differential against Burnley was the biggest in any defeat this season, as Leeds created a total of 2.63 to Burnley’s 0.45.
When judged across the entire season to date, Leeds’ problems in front of goal become more apparent, as evidenced by Brenden Aaronson’s miss against Burnley.
According to FootyStats, Leeds have an xG differential per 90 minutes of -0.52, having scored 0.88 goals per game and created an average xG of 1.44 goals per game.
This ranks Leeds 17th in the Premier League, ahead of Wolves, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in a worrying trend for Daniel Farke and his side.