Leeds United need more goals from midfield but they sold their most attack-minded midfielder earlier this season.
Speaking to the BBC shortly after Leeds United’s 0-0 draw with Queens Park Rangers, former Whites player Noel Whelan suggested that one of the club’s current central midfielders needs to be braver when it comes to getting into goal-scoring positions.
“(Eunan) O’Kane does get forward more than (Ronaldo) Vieira but we just need more bravery from one of the midfield players,” Whelan told the BBC. “You don’t see enough of them in the box.”
A quick look at the goal returns of Leeds’ midfield options shows just how right Whelan is, with Vieira and Kalvin Phillips finding the net once each while Liam Bridcutt and O’Kane are yet to score in any competition this season.
In fact, Whelan’s comments bring home the strange decision to part company with Alex Mowatt back in January, even with his contract expiring this summer.
Mowatt could never be accused of failing to get into the box in a bid to find the back of the net.
He was Leeds’ most potent attacking midfielder and while he fell down the pecking order under manager Garry Monk, he would have been the solution to the problem Whelan has highlighted.
Relying on Chris Wood for goals is all well and good when the New Zealand international is fit and firing, but without him Leeds look devoid of attacking threat.
Mowatt is long gone, but it is up to those left behind to follow his lead.
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