MOT View: Leeds 26y/o comes good just in nick of time – 3 things we learned from win at Luton
The win against Luton made it three in a row for Leeds United and the points have been needed, with West Brom still top by two.
It also means no defeat for six games – and the last loss was the controversial game against Millwall. So, while Leeds might not be in as comfortable a position as their stats suggest they should be, things could be a lot worse and Marcelo Bielsa’s men are still on course for automatic promotion.
Here are the three MOT talking points from Kenilworth Road…
Rub of the green
When Luton equalised they got a new lease of life and Leeds were really lucky not to go behind shortly after. The linesman took an age to put his flag up to rule Harry Cornick’s goal offside. That would have left Leeds chasing a point and we’re still not convinced it was the right decision. Luton fans were complaining – we would have been if it had gone the other way, but with no VAR we’ll never know for sure. One thing we do know – after the terrible decision in the Millwall game, Leeds were due a bit of luck.
Just in the nick of time
Patrick Bamford has started to rediscover his scoring touch just at the right time. The 26-year-old striker might only have been credited with one of the goals on Saturday, but he all but put the second in the back of the net, too. It’s no more than he deserves after plugging away at the front for Leeds through a pretty horrendous drought. His head has never dropped. Eddie Nketiah is back in training this week and could make his return for the game against Huddersfield in December. That will take some of the pressure off Bamford.
West Brom the competition this season
The two best teams in the league are starting to pull away. West Brom gave Leeds a stern test at Elland Road and a draw wouldn’t have been an unfair result then. Under Slaven Bilic, they’re a well-rounded side, and ominously, their strikers are starting to find their scoring boots. It doesn’t matter to us whether we go up first or second, but it’s essential that Leeds hold onto West Brom and try to find some daylight back to third. The late winner against Luton was absolutely critical but it would be nice to start winning a few games more easily. Luton was the start of a run of easier fixtures for Leeds and a dominant display against Reading is just the tonic Marcelo Bielsa’s men need.
In other Leeds United news – Key Reading absence could see Leeds take advantage