Simon Grayson has spotted a bit of a change in Leeds United’s recent attacking approach, and no one sums that up better than Manor Solomon.
Across the Championship this season, Daniel Farke’s side average just shy of 17 shots per game.
But in those successive victories over Cardiff City, Coventry and Watford, that average rises to 23 shots per game.
Leeds thumped Cardiff 7-0 during their heaviest Elland Road victory in over 50 years, followed that up with a commanding away win at Coventry and then cruised past Watford as Dan James’ early brace proceeded efforts from Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe.
And while Solomon’s seventh Championship strike may have come with a hefty side of good fortune – his speculative long-range effort deflected in by Watford defender Matty Pollock – former Leeds United boss Simon Grayson was just pleased to see Farke’s charges display the confidence required to take on the sort of shots most wouldn’t even dare to think about.
You make your own luck, as Solomon discovered at Vicarage Road. What is it they say about buying a ticket and winning the raffle?
Simon Grayson feels Manor Solomon sums up Leeds United’s attacking change
“Manor goes to the ball, drops a shoulder, gets half a yard away from the Watford player and drives into the wide open space,” Grayson smiles. “Leeds players have been criticised at times for not shooting enough but recently the lads have decided they are going to be more positive around the box.
“It takes a big deflection but fair play to Manor for getting into that space, taking on the shot and young Matty Pollock was a bit unfortunate with the deflection. But [to go] 3-0 up was something we deserved.”
Solomon now has eight goals or assists in his last seven Championship outings.
And while his sensational form may be something of a double-edged sword – his contract is Tottenham’s to do with what they see fit, after all – the good news is that Manor Solomon is along for the ride at Leeds with Premier League football seemingly destined to return to West Yorkshire.
Grayson a huge fan of ‘outstanding’ Tottenham Hotspur loanee
“He’s got to be up there with one of the signings of the season,” adds Grayson, the man who took Leeds out of the depths of League One a decade ago. “I think everybody was aware of his talent, from his background and what he’s done.
“Injuries have played a part in him not having the success, hence why he was allowed out on loan. Him leaving Tottenham has been our positive.
“You can see him now, he’s got that low sense of gravity, he can go left or right, defenders haven’t got a clue. He’s so intricate with his play around the box, his understanding with Piroe but also the number ten and the centre-forwards as well.
“Outstanding talent. Hopefully he can stay fit until the end of the season because he will play a big part.”
Legendary Leeds captain Dominic Matteo, meanwhile, could not help but notice that, if Solomon opted not to take that shot on, the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Fulham winger had James and Piroe on hand to receive a pass into the penalty area.
“When the ball goes in, you’ve got Piroe, you’ve got Dan James, you’ve got options all over the place,” an awe-struck Matteo points out. “Obviously, we got a little bit of luck with the deflection.
“But because we are playing so well and we are doing the hard yards, you get that little bit of luck sometimes.”
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