A disappointing weekend for Leeds United that could have been worse as Daniel Farke’s men failed to beat Preston on Saturday, while promotion rivals Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland won.
Leeds were trailing Preston for much of Saturday’s encounter as Paul Heckingbottom took on his old side. Brad Potts’ goal for Preston though, was finally cancelled out when Jack Whatmough scored an own goal.
Josuha Guilavogui says Leeds must improve away from home and Saturday was another example of Leeds struggling away from Elland Road. Below, here are three things we learned from Leeds’ draw at Preston.
Three things learned as Leeds United draw at Preston North End
The best and worst of Brenden Aaronson
First of all, Preston’s Ben Whiteman should have been sent off. His tackle on Jayden Bogle deserved a second yellow and Tony Dorigo was surprised when referee John Busby chose not to hand him a card.
But Whiteman was shown his first yellow card when Aaronson reminded all what he does best. The USA star received a pass on the half-turn, completely fooling Whiteman and forcing him to pull him back.
It is what Aaronson is great at. Transitionally, the no.10 is excellent. But after that, he missed a golden chance to equalise and that’s what he struggles at, when he is given the chance to score or assist.
Dorigo said Aaronson “got it all wrong” and he did, technique and body position all questionable. Aaronson is aiming for 15 goals and 15 assists, and at the moment the USA star is miles away from that.
Daniel Farke should have started £12.5m Leeds ace
Max Wober starred when coming on for Junior Firpo in the 2-0 win over Derby, scoring Leeds’ second with the predatory instinct of a striker. Then, impressing from the off in the 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.
An own goal, but a very solid performance both in attack and defensively. However, Farke decided to axe the £12.5m-rated Wober on Saturday, with Jayden Bogle back from a hamstring problem at right-back.
It saw Sam Byram start on the left. Byram was his normal reliable self, but Bogle was the man caught out of position. Perhaps, given Leeds won the previous two, Leeds should have stuck with Wober and Byram.
Joe Rodon breaks record, but shows he’s actually human
Starting on Saturday, Rodon clocked up his 50th start in 2024 for Leeds in what was his 72nd appearance for the Whites. An incredible run of form from a player normally so consistent, and clearly, available.
Indeed, Rodon is the first Leeds defender to reach 50 starts in a year since Rio Ferdinand in 2001. But for some reason, Rodon switched off and decided not to try and clear a cross that lead to Potts scoring.
Rodon has often been robotic in just how good he is defensively. Way too good for Championship level, good enough on the ball to play in midfield. On Saturday, £10m Rodon showed actually, he is human.
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