Defeated at Brentford, but Leeds United were unlucky at the weekend not to score.
An instant win under new manager Darko Milanic did not materialise on Saturday, but there are reasons to be positive.
As well as having more possession than opponents Brentford, who won 2-0, Leeds used it well in key areas.
Opta statistics from the match at Griffin Park show that Milanic’s Leeds were better in three important fields than any Championship game this season under Dave Hockaday or Neil Redfearn.
| Match | Successful Final Third Passes | Key Passes | Total Scoring Attempts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds | Brentford vs Leeds | 93 | 11 | 13 |
| Leeds | Leeds vs Brighton | 91 | 5 | 6 |
| Leeds | Leeds vs Bolton | 88 | 8 | 8 |
| Leeds | Birmingham vs Leeds | 79 | 8 | 12 |
| Leeds | Watford vs Leeds | 77 | 3 | 4 |
| Leeds | Bournemouth vs Leeds | 73 | 9 | 11 |
| Leeds | Leeds vs Middlesbrough | 65 | 6 | 9 |
| Leeds | Millwall vs Leeds | 64 | 9 | 9 |
| Leeds | Leeds vs Huddersfield | 52 | 7 | 8 |
Leeds produced more successful passes in the final third of the pitch, created more chances, and had more attempts on goal – all three topping other games including the sensational win at home to Huddersfield a week ago.
There’s no pretending the loss was not extremely disappointing, but with a home game next, Leeds can get back on track and kickstart Milanic’s reign.
The signs are there that he is getting the team playing good possession football and creating chances. With better finishing and greater fortunes, results will surely follow as players acclimatise to his style.
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