Saturday’s results saw Leeds United stay in second place but continue to pile the pressure on Sheffield United and Chris Wilder in first, as The Whites ran out 4-0 winners over Oxford United.
Goals from Dan James, Jayden Bogle, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon saw Leeds cruise to an easy win at Elland Road as Daniel Farke’s men continued their stunning form at home, a tenth win in 12 games.
Unfortunately for Leeds, all three automatic promotion rivals secured wins on Saturday, too. Chris Wilder watched his side ease to a 2-0 win against Cardiff City in Wales, scoring both goals in the second half.
Burnley saw off the challenge of Watford thanks to goals from Jaidon Anthony and Leeds’ January target Josh Brownhill. Sunderland came from behind to beat 10-man Norwich City at the Stadium of Light.
Leigh Bromby says what Championship boss told him about Leeds
While Leeds have an impressive 45 points from 22 games, there are issues Farke must sort out if Leeds are to secure automatic promotion. The obvious one, is Leeds’ inability to win regularly away from home.
At home, 31 points from a possible 36. Away, just 14 points from an available 30 with Leeds winning only three of 10 games. Leigh Bromby told BBC Radio Leeds he spoke to a Championship boss about Leeds.
The former Elland Road defender did not name the manager but said the gaffer in question recently beat Leeds. Bromby says the manager told him Leeds have one weakness, and claims it is in central midfield.
“When I speak to other people I know, like the manager that recently beat Leeds, I asked him “what do you think about Leeds?”, he said they’re unbelievable with the ball but you can run past them in midfield, this manager took points off us. That’s what others think, and Daniel will know that,” Bromby said.
Ethan Ampadu’s return from injury can help Leeds be more solid
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have filled in for Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. But the current midfield duo are more attack-based. Rothwell says Leeds have lost some defensive nous without Ampadu and Gruev.
However, Ampadu is back from a long-term knee injury. The Leeds skipper started at centre-back with Joe Rodon, with Pascal Struijk only available for the bench on Saturday and Max Wober picking up an injury.
Ampadu lasted the entire 90 minutes and while a whole game at centre-back against Oxford is different to 90 minutes in midfield away at Blackburn perhaps, it is a big step in the right direction for Ampadu.
The Wales star offers that grit, aggression and defensive-minded approach in midfield that is lacking in the form of Rothwell and Tanaka. It will be interesting to see who Farke starts in midfield when all are fit.
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