Steve Sidwell and Chris Sutton share ‘big problem’ for Leeds United as relegation verdict given after 2-2 draw v Brighton
BT Sport pundits Steve Sidwell and Chris Sutton both feel Leeds will be relegated from the Premier League despite their 2-2 draw with Brighton.
The Whites fought back from losing positions twice to earn a point at Elland Road on Saturday (11 March), but results elsewhere saw them drop to 19th in the table, one point off safety.
And discussing the team while live on BT Sport Score (11 March, 16:26), Sidwell admitted that he believes Leeds “really struggle” with creativity and goalscoring which could put them in trouble.
“The thing with Leeds for me is they don’t score enough goals,” Sidwell said.
“They really struggle. They’re not really creating enough as well. Home form is going to be key throughout the season from now on in, but they’re really struggling to create and they’re not clinical enough.”
Sutton then asked if he felt Leeds were down, and Sidwell admitted he was sticking with his pre-season prediction that they’d be relegated.
“I tipped them to go down at the start of the season Chris. I thought they would struggle and I still think they will go down, yeah.
Sutton was then asked for his opinion, and he agreed with Sidwell.
“He’s been proved right. I don’t think I tipped them to go down at the start of the season but I agree with Steve.
“They don’t score enough goals. They’ve got some really talented players but that’s a big problem, not scoring goals.”
Problem
There is no doubting that Leeds have a problem when it comes to scoring goals regularly, but the bigger issue seems to be keeping them out at the other end.
So far this season the Whites have scored 31 goals, which is more than every other team in the bottom half barring Leicester City. Defensively though they have conceded 42 goals, which is the fourth worst record in the entire division.
Going forward we have got plenty of quality with Patrick Bamford back among the goals, Rodrigo back from injury and a supporting cast of Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra all capable of chipping in.
But we have to find a way to balance that talent with not being so open at the back, because unless we can start keeping clean sheets then we’re making it even harder to escape trouble for a second straight season.
Something has to be done defensively if we’re going to prove these two wrong and stay in the Premier League.
In other Leeds news, BT Sport pundit couldn’t believe what he saw during the Leeds draw v Brighton.
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest, breaking news from Elland Road.