Crysencio Summerville must be kept, Pascal Struijk sorely missed – Three things learned in Leeds United v Rotherham United
Leeds United could only muster a point in their Championship encounter with Rotherham United on Friday (24 November).
The clash at the New York Stadium ended 1-1, with Crysencio Summerville scoring for the visitors after just seven minutes, as Hakeem Odoffin netted for the hosts in first half stoppage time.
The draw leaves the Whites sitting third in the Championship table, with the Millers remaining in 22nd place. Here’s what MOT Leeds News learned from the stalemate;
Summerville must be kept
Leeds have plenty of talented stars among their ranks, and that will both please and worry the man in the Elland Road dugout.
Such worry may arise with those stars potentially leaving West Yorkshire, and Summerville falls into that category, with Everton, Bournemouth and Burnley having all looked at the winger [Ben Jacobs, 30 October].
His stock is only going to rise if the impressive displays keep coming, with Summerville involved in more Championship goals than any other player since the start of October after his goal against Rotherham [Sky Sports, 24 November].
Struijk sorely missed
After missing the meeting with Plymouth Argyle before the international break with a hernia injury, defender Pascal Struijk returned to Farke’s squad.
But the centre-back was only fit enough to make the bench, with Joe Rodon and Liam Cooper continuing in his absence.
Struijk did take to the pitch with 10 minutes to go, but by then it was too late as the Leeds defence had already allowed Odoffin to net a very, very sloppy equaliser, which ultimately earned the hosts a point.
Scary attacking strength in depth
The very impressive Summerville was joined in Farke’s starting XI by Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe and Dan James, with the Whites currently boasting a long list of attacking talent.
And the manager’s options in that area don’t end there, which he proved at Rotherham, with Farke having had the luxury of naming the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Jaidon Anthony and Patrick Bamford on his bench.
Goals were very hard to come by in the Premier League last season, with Leeds scoring just 48 times in their most recent top flight campaign. With 28 goals scored already this season, that tally should be left in the dust this time around, although Farke will rage that they only managed one against the Millers.
In other Leeds United news, a lawyer has shared a Whites compensation timeline verdict after the 10-point deduction handed to Everton.