Dan James must be axed after stinker – Three things learned in Leeds United v Coventry City
Leeds United made it back-to-back Championship games without a win as they were only able to draw 1-1 with Coventry City at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side were looking to bounce back from their defeat to Sunderland last time out and looked like they would claim all three points when Crysencio Summerville gave the Whites the lead early in the second half with his 11th goal of the season.
But Bobby Thomas’ strike only eight minutes later ensured the points were shared and meant that Leeds missed the opportunity to close the gap to Ipswich Town as they could only draw with Norwich City at Portman Road.
Here’s what MOT Leeds News learned from the win.
Dan James deserves the axe
Few players at Elland Road have been in better form this season than Dan James but against Coventry on Saturday the Welshman was incredibly wasteful in front of goal and he could have won the game for the Whites on more than one occasion.
His decision to dive to the ground in the first half under little to no pressure rather than taking aim at Bradley Collins’ goal was incredibly naive and was a huge waste of an excellent chance and he then missed an incredible chance in the last moments of added time.
On top of that, he failed to find a teammate with any of his eight attempted crosses in the match and only one of his four shots actually hit the target [Fotmob].
With Wilfried Gnonto waiting in the wings, Farke should look to freshen things up out wide next time against Ipswich Town.
Number 10 and left back needed
Leeds United supporters don’t need to be told that Farke needs a new left-back and a new number 10 when the January transfer window opens, but Saturday’s draw with the Sky Blues was even more proof that the window cannot come soon enough.
Djed Spence deputised well enough at left-back but the Tottenham loanee is not a natural fit on that side of the pitch and occasionally that hindered the Whites. The 23-year-old didn’t complete a single dribble or cross in the match and looked much less effective than he has at right-back.
Joel Piroe doesn’t look comfortable in the number 10 role and while Farke has insisted it is his best position, there has been little in his recent performances to suggest that statement is correct. The Dutchman only had two shots in the match and did almost nothing with the ball when he got on it.
Farke and the 49ers will already have their shopping list drawn up.
Farke not doing enough
When Leeds were chasing the game, Farke’s course of action was to throw basically every attacking player he had onto the field with absolutely no apparent game plan. This has happened too many times this season and the German has to be criticised for it.
It feels like the Leeds boss panics when he is chasing games and the Whites need him to be the calm head at Elland Road. So far, Leeds United have only scored one goal via a substitute this season and that is not good enough for a club that wants to win automatic promotion.
Farke needs his substitutes to start impacting games regularly, especially considering the depth at Elland Road and part of that comes from how he uses his changes during matches.
In other Leeds United news, Farke was spotted looking furious after one moment in the clash with Coventry