Beckford wants Leeds United to be more ruthless in attack after Arsenal defeat
By Olly Allen
Jermaine Beckford has suggested Leeds United need to “be more ruthless” in the final third following a slow start to the season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Arsenal last night and currently sit 17th in the Premier League table with just one win from their opening nine games.
Only Burnley and Norwich City have scored fewer goals in the top flight than Leeds this season, while last year’s top scorer Patrick Bamford has been out since mid-September with an ankle injury.
Speaking to Sky Sports Main Event after last night’s game, as quoted by LeedsLive, Beckford gave his assessment of the Whites’ performance.
“Intensity wise it was right up there,” he said. “Quality-wise, in the final third especially, not quite there. That has been one of the main issues for Leeds United this season.
“Getting into the final third, creating opportunities has not really been anything to worry about. But having someone at the right place at the right time to put the ball in the back of the net, you have to be more relentless and ruthless in front of goal, especially at this level.
“They’ve missed key players. That makes an impact on sides with smaller squads in terms of getting the right players fit at the right times.
“Being able to show the quality on the field is the next step in Leeds United’s evolution under Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League.”
Goal-shy Leeds
Only five teams scored more goals than Leeds in the Premier League last season, with the Whites netting at least three goals on ten different occasions.
In comparison, they have only scored more than once in one of their first nine league games of the 2021/22 campaign.
The key difference, as Beckford states, has been their ability to put away chances. Leeds actually average more shots per game this season (14) than they did last season (13.7), but their average shots on target per game has dropped from 5.2 to 3.9 [WhoScored].
Bamford’s absence has not helped, with understudy Rodrigo only scoring for the first time this season from the penalty spot against Wolves last weekend. That said, Bamford himself only netted once in five games before his injury.
Bielsa will hope that Sunday’s trip to Norwich – who sit bottom of the table with the worst defence in the league – will provide his side with a chance to banish their attacking woes.
In other Leed United news, this player scored 4/10 in the player ratings for the loss at Arsenal.