Adam Pope shares Leeds United concern as groundhog day scenario mooted
Adam Pope believes the away form of Leeds United is “concerning many” in their bid to secure promotion to the Premier League.
The Whites may currently be sat second in the Championship and just three points adrift of Sheffield United after their 1-1 draw against Preston at Deepdale on Saturday but their travel sickness is an area that can be improved.
This season, Leeds have only won 14 points away from home and while their season average at the moment is two per game, Pope has shared his worries about what their poor away form could mean for the future of Daniel Farke’s men.
“Eighth in the Championship’s away form league table, compared to top of the one on home soil, is quite the disparity,” Pope wrote on the BBC Sport website (18 December).
“Leeds United’s inability to reflect their dominance at Elland Road on their travels is concerning many, despite the overall combination – 28 + 14 = 42 – providing a two points per game average which should guarantee promotion.
“The late equaliser at Preston North End on Saturday, welcome as it was, had been preceded by a swell of disgruntlement from the large away following in the Bill Shankly kop. Another groundhog was having its day, just like at Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.”
Leeds United need to improve their away form in the Championship soon
Since the start of the season, most fans and pundits alike believe that Leeds have what it takes to win the title thanks to their impressive summer transfer window as well as the quality they already had within their ranks.
Last season was no doubt tough for the West Yorkshire outfit as they narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion after they lost the playoff final to Southampton who currently sit rock-bottom of the top-flight table.
There’s also no denying that Leeds have one of the strongest squads in the league with the likes of Joe Rodon and Willy Gnonto among their ranks.
But, if they want to guarantee automatic promotion or perhaps win the title, they’re going to have to find a way to replicate their form in both home and away games.
Otherwise, their fellow title rivals could leave them in the dust as it’s unclear how many more slip-ups such as their games against Blackburn and Preston Farke’s men can afford if they want to avoid the playoffs this term.
In other Leeds news, the Whites may have found their new Crysencio Summerville after what a “dangerous” ace did against Preston.
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