Leeds United have needed new players to step up to the plate this season after losing three of their key stars in the summer and several more to injury.
The Whites lost arguably their three best players from the 2023/24 campaign in Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, but are still right in the mix for top two.
Daniel Farke has also seen Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Max Wober, Manor Solomon and Dan James already miss large portions of the season through injury.
As such, Leeds have needed others to step up to the plate to keep them in the mix for automatic promotion, and in actual fact, they are much closer to first place than they were this time last year.
Leeds are only out of the top two on goal difference and have a decent run of fixtures ahead where they need to try and take advantage.
How Leeds feel about Junior Firpo and Pascal Struijk performances
In Summerville and Rutter, Leeds lost a lot of their attacking flair from last season, although the likes of Largie Ramazani, Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson have stepped up.
But the basis of Leeds’ strong start to the season has been formed on their defensive record. Farke says the side who concede the least number of goals always go up, and that is what Leeds are trying to do.
Leeds have shipped just eight goals so far this season and three of those came on the opening day against Portsmouth, a match in why they significantly overperformed their expected goals (xG).
Only Burnley, Sheffield United and West Brom have conceded less so far, with the continuity in Leeds’ back four clearly playing an important role.
Junior Firpo’s suspension at Bristol City was the first match any of Leeds’ defence have missed this season, and speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, Graeme Bailey says he is one of two players surpassing expectations.
It is said the Whites are ‘pleasantly surprised’ by both Firpo and Pascal Struijk’s performances so far, with the latter’s return from a long-term injury lay-off having been crucial.
He said: “I think they’re pretty happy with where they are. I think Aaronson could be the best player in the division and it’s turning out that way.
“The club as a whole is pleasantly surprised with Firpo and Struijk, who have helped solidify the defence, but they are top-flight performers, so they should be doing it in the Championship.”
Struijk performing like he’s never been away
Leeds’ 3-3 draw with Portsmouth on the opening day was Struijk‘s first competitive appearance since Boxing Day last year.
Struijk missed the entire second half of last term due to injury and had he been available, then perhaps Leeds’ season would’ve ended differently.
After so long out, Struijk could’ve been forgiven for showing some signs of rust, but has actually been the total opposite.
He has been one of, if not Leeds’ best player over the opening three months of the campaign, playing a crucial role in the Whites’ impressive defensive record.
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