Leeds face one of their toughest challenges stopping David Cotterill

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Things don’t get any easier for Leeds as they face Birmingham this Saturday.

It doesn’t get any easier for Leeds United in the Championship. Last weekend, Neil Redfearn’s side earned a creditable point at Bolton Wanderers.

But what’s their reward? A clash with the in-form Birmingham City – led by creative force David Cotteril.

“With Cotts it’s ironic that he can play badly and still affect the game in a positive way, not many players can do that,” Birmingham boss Gary Rowett is quoted as saying by the Birmingham Mail.

“I am not saying he played badly on Saturday, but even when he is not on song he can still affect the game with a little bit of quality.

“He has done that, away at Huddersfield, he didn’t play great but scored the winner. At [Nottingham] Forest the other week, he probably didn’t play very well at all but had a hand in two of the goals.”

Indeed, the Leeds defence faces one of their toughest tests this Saturday as they bid to keep both Cotterill and Birmingham as a whole – a side that have scored three in each of their last three games – quiet.

As Opta stats show, Cotterill is the Championship’s most creative player in the final third. When it comes to the chance creation Leeds fans may be hoping Adryan would produce, the 27-year-old winger is the man truly delivering.

With 78 chances created so far this term, the Birmingham man tops the bill in the second tier. He also has seven assists to his name and is an avid passer and crosser in the final third.

Whoever Redfearn picks within Leeds’ back four, then, (and defensive midfield) they face a tough time trying to keep Rowett’s men – and Cotterill in particular – quiet.