da supremo： [ad_pod ]
da betsul： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Ahead of the new season, there were concerns from Leeds fans over their defensive situation.
They’d seen Pontus Jansson walk out of the door and were then subjected to seeing a partnership of Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi ship four against Manchester United.
It wasn’t an ideal start to their preparations for the campaign but after five league matches, Leeds have conceded just two goals.
Berardi may only have appeared in two of those games, but further worries laid down during Leeds’ defeat to Stoke in the Carabao Cup, are unjustified.
On the chalkboard
Leeds’ defence very much had a makeshift look to it on Tuesday night as despite playing three at the back, only one of them in Berardi had much experience of playing in that role.
Leif Davis was next to him in a position he started in against Salford but because of one aspect, there were worries.
Standing at 5 foot 4, Davis is incredibly small in stature so playing as a centre-back is hardly ideal. In comparison, his Swiss teammate is only 5 foot 10.
As a result, there were fears over their height and the negative impact it would have.
The Whites may have conceded from a set-piece but that was more about the overall team than individual players.
On paper, these reservations are somewhat understandable. Having two players below 6 feet in your defence could cause you some troubles.
But the fact is, both Davis and Berardi are actually quite handy in the air.
The latter was victorious in five aerial duels against Stoke last weekend according to WhoScored whilst the former won six when stepping into the side in midweek, per statistician LUFC Data.
Despite his height, Davis showed great perseverance and strength to get above his man which was also evident against Salford earlier in the month.
In Leeds’ victory against the League Two outfit, no player won more duels, nine, than the teenager did.
On this evidence, worries about their height and abilities in the air are unjustified.
Losing the 6 foot 4 Jansson was always going to be tough, but so far, Leeds have survived without him.
[ad_pod ]