‘Honestly’ – Jamie Carragher baffled by copycat tactic deployed by Newcastle in Leeds draw
Leeds United faced a tough test at Elland Road against Newcastle as their frustrations in front of goal continued.
Daniel Farke’s side are yet to score from open play since returning to the Premier League, but their defence has held firm to keep two clean sheets in three games.
Leeds have had to adapt their tactics following promotion, and will need to find a solution to their goalscoring troubles after drawing 0-0 with Newcastle.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have also struggled without wantaway striker Alexander Isak, but they are now copying one tactic which led to success last season.
Newcastle copy PSG kick-off tactic against Leeds
Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League in style last season, beating three Premier League sides en route to glory, and clubs are now attempting to copy them.
In Leeds’ draw with Newcastle, the visitors kicked off the second half at Elland Road in a very unusual fashion, as Sandro Tonali booted the ball towards the opposite corner.
- Leeds have not scored in over 185 minutes of football since the opening day.
- The Whites did not record a single shot on target against Newcastle until the 89th minute.
This put Leeds into possession immediately with a throw-in awarded to Gabriel Gudmundsson, but allowed Newcastle to push up high immediately, in a tactic which was used a lot by PSG last season.
Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Jamie Carragher admitted that he was baffled by this style of kick-off, and questioned why teams are copying PSG in this tactic.
“Honestly. Everyone is doing this kickoff now. Paris Saint-Germain did it last season, and because they’re the European champions it’s almost okay to do it now,” Carragher stated.
Leeds’ goalscoring troubles continue against Newcastle
The Whites have scored just one goal this season, with Lukas Nmecha scoring the winning penalty against Everton on the opening weekend.
Leeds barely troubled Arsenal in their 5-0 defeat at the Emirates, and they were frustrated again against Newcastle as they failed to create any clear-cut chances, and offered little attacking threat despite some promising moments.
There has been frustration in the transfer market as Leeds failed to recruit Igor Paixao and Facundo Buonanotte among others, and their squad in its current state may continue to struggle in front of goal.
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