Leeds United: Ilia Gruev the weak link as telling stat emerges after loss v Blackburn Rovers
Leeds United suffered a first defeat of the season at Elland Road in a disappointing performance against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (13 April).
Sammie Szmodics’ goal late on proved the difference between the sides as Blackburn found the net from one of just three shots they registered all game.
As per Opta’s Jonny Cooper on X [13 April], that is the fewest shots on record in a game to beat Leeds at Elland Road. In short, Blackburn were not very good yet still won.
While it is easy to blame the attackers for failing to find the net for a second successive game – and serious questions do need to be asked over the profligacy up top – others could be doing more.
Indeed, as pointed out by the LUFCDATA account on X [13 April], Leeds have not score directly from a corner now in the Championship since December 23 against Ipswich Town.
Some 131 corners have been taken since then without anyone converting. With three games of the regular season to go, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara, Ilian Gruev and Archie Gray have yet to register a league goal.
Granted, none of those are in the side to prove the difference for Leeds in terms of match-winning goals. At the same time, Leeds’ promotion rivals have defenders and midfielders who are regularly chipping in.
Not to single one of those in particular out for blame, but holding midfielder Gruev has had just three shots on all season [FBref]. His 0.19 shots per 90 is the second lowest of any Leeds player.
Gruev registered 59 touches in the loss to Blackburn [WhoScored] prior to being taken off, but the game passed him by. It was the type of contest in which the Whites could have done with the Bulgarian driving forward.
In games of a tight nature, it can often be a defender or defensive midfielder who pops up to snatch all three points. That has quite simply not been the case for Leeds this term.
With over a week to prepare for the Middlesbrough game, Daniel Farke could do with rehearsing some corner-kick routines. In a season of such fine margins, it could yet make all the difference.
In other Leeds United news, a fixture headache has been avoided after common sense prevailed from Manchester City.
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