‘Huge’ – Don Goodman shares verdict on Leeds and West Brom, points out turning point for Whites
Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has claimed that some of the pressure has been left off Leeds United and West Brom in their bid for automatic promotion from the Championship.
West Brom moved nine points clear of third place on Saturday with a 3-0 win against Bristol City while Leeds went five points clear of Fulham by beating Reading.
Both sides endured poor spells of form around the festive period and into January but they are now looking revitalised while the chasing pack have now started to drop points again.
Earlier this month Leeds were level on points with third but just about managed to keep their heads above the water to open up some daylight once more.
And Goodman has pointed to the 1-1 draw away at Brentford as a turning point in the Whites’ fortunes.
“I think this last week or so has been huge for West Bromwich Albion and Leeds,” Goodman told Sky Sports’ EFL Podcast.
“To watch Fulham not win in three, to watch Brentford not win in three, to watch Forest not win in three when they’re trying to close you down is ideal. It almost takes a bit of pressure off you.”
The ex-West Brom striker added: “I thought the big thing for Leeds was the Brentford performance away. It’s the place that they went towards the end of last season and lost 2-0 but it was a battering really, to be honest.
“It was important after the Nottingham Forest defeat they got back to the Leeds we know, the kind of team that create a lot of chances and are on the front foot.
“It’s been nothing but positive for the top two.”
Although Leeds did not win at Brentford, they were certainly impressive and would have probably won if Kiko Casilla’s mistake did not gift the London club a goal.
Leeds have been playing well enough lately and creating plenty of chances but there have been just as many issues at the back as there have been up front.
However Marcelo Bielsa’s side has now kept back to back clean sheets and guess what? They won both games.
It’s always likely that Leeds are going to score but the important thing is keeping it tight at the back so that opposition teams do not have the chance to peg them back.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared an update on Gaetano Berardi’s contract situation.