Ian Poveda not good enough – Three things learned in Leeds United win v QPR
Leeds United returned to winning ways after their humbling 3-1 defeat to Southampton with a confident 1-0 victory and clean sheet against Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road on 4 October.
Crysencio Summerville scored what proved to be the only goal of the game just nine minutes with a clinical finish past Asmir Begovic before Leeds went on to see out the victory in comfortable fashion.
It could, and arguably should have been an even more comfortable victory for Daniel Farke’s side, who racked up a total of 16 shots with an xG of 2.03, although their finishing was poor, hitting the target with just three of those 16 efforts [Sofascore]. Here is what we learned from the Whites’ victory.
Poveda is simply not up to the standard
Ian Poveda has been on the fringes of this Leeds squad so far this season and came on for just his fourth league appearance under Daniel Farke, but failed to impress in his ten-minute cameo.
In ten minutes of play, Poveda touched the ball just eight times, making three passes and losing possession twice. He didn’t complete a single dribble which, for a winger, shows how ineffective he was. Ultimately, he doesn’t look up to the standard Leeds need.
With Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, Daniel James and Jaidon Anthony all ahead of him when fully fit, it’s difficult to see where the 23-year-old will fit into Farke’s plans long-term.
Trouble may be ahead for Bamford
The QPR goalkeeper Begovic was handed a red card in the 93rd minute of the game after Patrick Bamford flicked the ball past him, before collapsing to the ground. Replays showed that there was no contact between the players, with R’s boss Gareth Ainsworth claiming the striker admitted there was no contact. [Phil Hay, 4 October]
EFL and FA laws state Bamford could now face punishment for “successful deception of a match official”, which could see him serve a two-game ban if he is found guilty.
It would not be the first time Bamford has been found guilty of this offence, as he was also charged in the aftermath of Leeds’ playoff semi-final clash with Aston Villa in 2019 [FA].
Farke needs to figure out his best midfield
Archie Gray was the preferred option in the middle of the park as he replaced Glen Kamara after the latter’s abject display in the defeat to Southampton. The constant chopping and changing of the midfield suggests Farke doesn’t know his first-choice options for that role.
The boss will need to make a decision on who his preferred partner for Ethan Ampadu will be, to find some stability and allow confidence to grow in whichever player he chooses.
In the last four games, Kamara and Gray have played two each, with a decision now of increasing importance for Farke. 17-year-old Gray seems, as things stand, to be the first choice, but the £5.5million outlay on Kamara [Rangers Review, 31 August] suggests he is seen as the more reliable option.
In other Leeds United news, an international manager has shared his update on a Leeds star’s fitness.