David Prutton raises Leeds United area of concern after what he’s seen
David Prutton has tipped Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph to enjoy a breakout campaign at Elland Road but has highlighted an area of concern for the side moving forward.
The 20-year-old has led the line for Daniel Farke this term and scored his first Championship goal of the season in the 2-0 win against Hull City before the international break.
Sky Sports host Prutton spoke to the Yorkshire Evening Post [7 September], and while the former Whites player is expecting a big season from Joseph, he reiterated the need to supply goals from all over the pitch this season.
He said: “It’s been said for some time that a potential pitfall for Leeds is not spreading the goals around them. I still believe that. Are they getting enough from set pieces? No. Do they get enough from players that are not out and out strikers or forwards? Possibly not. So it’s a collective.
“I understand your eyes are drawn to the centre-forward and the ten possibly playing off him but again, I do stress that it is a collective.”
Leeds United cannot rely solely on Mateo Joseph this season
One goal in four appearances this season for Leeds is not exactly a return to shout home about for Joseph, but he will continue to be the spearhead of the attack for the coming weeks.
The Spaniard is certainly determined to become a success at Elland Road. He began his training four days after the Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton, and his hard work paid off with four goals in pre-season.
He has continued his stunning form into the international break, scoring the winner for the Spain U21 side in a 2-1 win against Scotland.
However, Joseph managed a two-goal return last season in 26 appearances, with both coming against Chelsea in the FA Cup. He is already halfway to matching his tally last season, but he cannot be relied on alone to fire Leeds to automatic promotion this season.
Brenden Aaronson and Pascal Struijk are the only two Whites players on the scoresheet this season who are not out-and-out forwards. Last term, only 13 goals were scored by non-forwards in the side an underwhelming tally overshadowed by the brilliance of the recently departed Crysencio Summerville.
Farke has bolstered his offensive options this summer in the shape of Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon, and the forwards will need help from other areas of the pitch to share the burden this season and earn their much-coveted return to the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, national media reacts to a performance from Whites ace Manor Solomon.
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