Watford manager Tom Cleverley has been speaking after Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road and he shared what he has noticed about Daniel Farke’s side.
Goals from Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson earned Leeds all three points but that does not tell half the story from Elland Road, with Cleverley’s side really pushing Leeds at the start of the second half.
Leeds came into the game with their tails up. Five unbeaten, last beating Sheffield United while Watford’s dismal away record made it look like an easy Leeds win, backed up by what happened in the first 10.
Daniel Bachmann made two mistakes and Leeds found themselves two goals to the good. Ramazani’s shot was fumbled over the line, before Bachmann spilt a Wilfried Gnonto cross right to Aaronson’s feet.
Tom Cleverley shares what he’s noticed about Leeds after 2-1 loss
Watford grew into the game despite the double setback and started the second half like a 100m runner out of the blocks. Kwadwo Baah skinned Pascal Struijk, before his cross was played back to him to score.
It saw the Hornets really push for an equaliser but ran out of steam towards the end of the second half, and Leeds really should have won by more. Cleverley though, feels his Watford side were “unfortunate”.
He told Watford’s site that Leeds know how to win: “We were unfortunate to come away with nothing this evening, and it is a bit of a sore one, but sometimes that is football and you have to keep believing.
“Credit to Leeds, they are one of those sides that even when they are not at their best they know how to win, and that is a sign of a top team,” the Watford manager continued, discussing his outfit’s 2-1 defeat.
Where Leeds were last season after 11 Championship games
It is a good indicator of not only if Leeds have improved, but the early front runners and the points they were on at this stage compared to now. Many felt the Championship would be weaker this time around.
While Leicester and Ipswich had 30 and 28 points after 11 games, and Leeds sit joint top with Sunderland after 11 on 22 – there are the same amount of teams on 18 points or above, with some only playing 10.
Leeds are three points better off at this stage, and three places. This time last season, Leeds were in fifth with 19 from 11. This time around, joint-top and only behind Sunderland on games won, with 22 points.
Leeds are ticking along nicely and while there are injuries, they are coping. Some much-needed rest days are incoming, ahead of a tricky looking trip to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City on the weekend.
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