Chances were in extremely short supply as Leeds United and Burnley mustered just one shot on target between them during Monday night’s oh-so-forgettable Turf Moor stalemate.
But positives, in the eyes of head coach Daniel Farke and former Leeds United attacker Michael Bridges, were certainly a little easier to come by than shots on target.
Farke was delighted with the impact Ilia Gruev made on his first start since September after knee surgery. The £4 million signing from Werder Bremen was combative throughout and occasionally classy, keeping Burnley dangerman Josh Brownhill at arms’ length throughout.
Farke felt Leeds were ‘top’ in the defensive side of the game, meanwhile. After Norwich City failed to muster a shot on target on Wednesday night at Elland Road, Illan Meslier was again little more than a spectator on the other side of the Pennines.
And on an off-day for the likes of Joel Piroe and Manor Solomon, Jayden Bogle was arguably Leeds’ stand-out performer once more. The most consistent attacking threat from the visiting Championship leaders came not from their talented frontline, but from their rampaging right-back.
Jayden Bogle hailed by Michael Bridges as he shines in Leeds United’s Burnley clash
In an era where full-backs have never been more important, particularly from a creative perspective, Bogle gave Michael Bridges something to smile about during a game which could conceivably be prescribed as a cure for insomnia.
“It’s nice to know that we have that option from full-back,” says Bridges, who spent five years at Leeds between 1999 to 2004. “He gets himself in there [the final third], its good to see that a full-back is having an impact in the game.”
Daniel Farke labels Jayden Bogle an ‘outstanding’ talent, while arguing that the former Sheffield United wideman has been the club’s most impressive performer over the last few weeks.
This – Leeds United News gave the £5 million signing an 8/10 for his efforts in Lancashire – was a continuation of Bogle’s excellent recent form.
Farke also praised Sam Byram and the returning Junior Firpo after that Norwich win. And Bridges feels it is no coincidence that Leeds’ full-backs are in such impressive nick, Bogle and co given the freedom to push on in the knowledge that Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are providing protection in behind.
“I think that is what Daniel Farke’s tactics allow to happen. It didn’t matter who is playing in the full-back positions this season, I think they’ve all really relished the opportunity,” Bridges adds. “Firpo has got himself a few assists and it was good to see him on the bench today.
“Byram has always filled in in the right areas and got a couple of goals as well, and I think this is because of the way Farke allows his full-backs to play.
“Bogle, I thought, had a very good game [against Burnley] because he was involved in a lot.”
Daniel Farke thinks Bogle is Leeds’ most in-form player
Leeds United’s number two has now played the full 90 minutes in 22 of the club’s 29 Championship matches since arriving from the Steel City.
No one in a Leeds shirt produced more passes into the final third against Norwich. And, four days later, only Dan James managed more shots on goal than the right-back.
“Jayden Bogle has been my player of the match for the past ten games,” Farke told reporters in midweek. “This was a normal game by his high standards. He is outstanding and a top-class character.
“Great performances in attack and defence.”
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