Simon Grayson makes Leeds United transfer plea in new 'Perfect' admission

Leeds United are still missing the "composure and ruthlessness" they need to get promoted, Simon Grayson has said.

Speaking to the Football League Paper (24 September), the ex-Leeds manager said that the Whites are lacking a creative attacking midfield presence following the end of the transfer window.

Grayson insists that it is holding Daniel Farke's side back from being ruthless in the final third, as he bemoaned their lack of potency both in open play and especially from set-pieces.

In quotes shared by Leeds Live, Grayson said: “Before the transfer window closed I said Leeds needed a creative number 10 to pull the strings in midfield – I still think that’s the case.

“What they really need is a bit of composure and ruthlessness in that final third. Time and again you see them dominate pressure and chances, but it’s like they’re always trying to score the perfect goal. 

“They’ve not scored from outside the box for a long time. They’ve not scored off a set-piece for months and months."

Daniel Farke still has enough talent to get Leeds United promoted

Despite the number 10-shaped hole which is still evident in Farke's squad, the Whites still have bags of potentially promotion-winning talent in their ranks with the new season well underway.

Georginio Rutter's sale to Brighton late in the transfer window does not seem to have been properly addressed, despite the additions of Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon and Ao Tanaka in the aftermath.

Brenden Aaronson's return to the club from last season's loan spell has seen him make the attacking midfield role his own thus far, while Wilfried Gnonto has frequently drifted into a central position.

However, the Whites' profligacy in front of goal is yet to take much of an uptick, and a regression in their speed of attack drew jeers from the away end against Cardiff on 21 September.

As his relatively new-look side continues to gel though, Farke will look to smooth out the cracks in their style of play, and if his United side can start firing on all cylinders, few others will be able to stop them.

In other Leeds United news, Graham Smyth spotted one Peacocks player being lambasted by Farke from the touchline against Cardiff.

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