Good Morning. It's Monday 2nd September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Comfortable win as Whites see off TigersLeeds go into the International Break with back to back wins under their belt, after seeing off local rivals Hull at the weekend. The Whites used their new found width to good effect, utilising Solomon's lightening fast pace down the left, terrifying opposition defenders in his wake. Even so, the Whites found it difficult to break down a Hull team content to get ten men behind the ball, and very occasionally counter, when opportunities arose.
Despite Leeds superiority, Ivor Pandur didn't have a great deal to do in the opening half. Bedia's ferocious drive could have given the visitors an unwarranted half-time lead, had it not been for Meslier's eye-catching save. Millar too was a constant threat down the left wing. He had an effort go narrowly wide just before the break.
As the game wore on, the hosts grew in stature, and Hull slowly began to tire. Leeds took a deserved lead on the hour mark when Mateo Joseph nipped in at the near post to steer home Solomon's cross, having left Will Jarvis and Lewie Coyle in his midst. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, who never looked like recovering. Leeds doubled their lead with ten minutes left on the clock. Firpo's cross field pass found Piroe in acres of space on the right hand side of the box. He had time to take a touch, consider his options, before slotting the ball past Pandur to make the game safe.
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Will strength in depth compensate for losing starsHull's tactic of getting ten men behind the ball, and hitting Leeds on the break, may not have been the most original, but it's likely to be replicated my most Championship outfits this season. We no longer have a proven goal scorer/provider capable of conjuring something up from nothing! Will this harm Leeds aspirations of a top two finish or will our new founded strength in depth compensate?
It took the Whites just over an hour to break down a pretty average Hull side at the weekend. It was comfortable in the end, but our average creation to goal ratio must improve if we are serious about reaching the promised land. Leeds are one of only five sides not to lose (in the league) this season. Looking at the teams in this division, it's difficult to pinpoint a side likely to finish above us this season. I don't think we'll ever have a better chance of automatic promotion, but Leeds must take their chances.
We have created 71 chances so far, with 23 shots on target and 7 goals (including the Boro Cup loss). We're the Bookies favourites to go up as Champions 13/8, with Burnley 6/1, Sunderland 8/1, Boro 8/1, West Brom 12/1 and Sheffield Utd 14/1 all some way behind!
