Leeds United told they need better than Elland Road star to get promoted after tricky Derby outing

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Leeds United finally secured a win away at Derby County on Sunday night but they only managed to do it in the last 10 minutes of the match, thanks to Brenden Aaronson’s superb winner.

Leeds had wasted a number of chances beforehand, unable to find a way past Jacob Widell Zetterstorm. Dan James should have scored, Mateo Joseph had chances and Aaronson might have had two or three.

Daniel Farke had made four changes with Ao Tanaka, Largie Ramazani, Wilfried Gnonto and Joseph in the starting line-up, replacing Joe Rothwell, Manor Solomon, Dan James and Joel Piroe after the win at Stoke.

It was not until the substitutes came on that Leeds genuinely looked like the deadlock would be broken and that proved to be the case, when Solomon and Piroe combined to set-up Aaronson to find the net.

• READ MORE: Adam Pope verdict on whether Leeds will go back in for Emi Buendia

Jon Newsome tells Leeds United they need better up front

Joseph started as one of four changes made by Farke on Sunday but the Spain U21 star could not add to his two Championship goals this season. That is despite Joseph having plenty of opportunities to score.

Having watched Joseph and Leeds on Sunday, former Leeds player Jon Newsome told BBC Radio Leeds that The Whites need better than the striker if they are to go and get promoted at the end of the season.

“He huffed and he puffed. really good chance first half, he missed. Probably did just about enough, but I think as a top Championship side looking to get to the PL, you’re looking for a bit more,” Newsome said.

Ipswich’s 2024 example shows Leeds need to consider a striker

Leeds of course, have four strikers available. But Patrick Bamford is a target for Genoa and Wrexham while Joe Gelhardt wants to leave Leeds in January, so The Whites could be in need of a new forward anyway.

But, the need for a striker to fire Leeds to promotion may be a necessity even if Bamford of Gelhardt stay. Ipswich brought in Kieffer Moore last January, and signing a Championship expert proved key for them.

He scored seven goals in 18 games during the second half of last season, playing a crucial role as Kieran McKenna’s side staved off the challenge of Leeds to remain in second – it suggests Leeds need fire power.