Stats offer insight into Leeds United’s best performing wide options

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The Championship side have used several options out on the wing.

Leeds United manager Garry Monk

While the pecking order at Leeds United is arguably well established in most positions, Garry Monk would be forgiven for not quite knowing who his best wingers were.

In a division as competitive as the Championship, having wide-men who can create something special with either a brilliant run or delightful cross could be the difference between scrapping in mid-table or challenging for a top six spot.

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the statistics from some of the men who have been used in the wider roles amongst the three players that sit behind the striker.

The first observation that can clearly be made from the stats is that Hadi Sacko is Leeds’ most in-form winger thus far this season.

Hadi Sacko

As well as contributing two assists, the Frenchman also averages the most crosses per game, and consistently enjoys successful runs with the ball. His average of 2.78 means that he makes more than two more successful dribbles per game than any of his rivals.

He also makes the most accurate passes per game, though the margin to second-place Stuart Dallas is much less noticeable, and makes the most touches, which shows that he is always keen to get on the ball.

Stuart Dallas

While Dallas is not far behind Sacko in terms of accurate passes or touches per game, he perhaps needs to improve his other results if he wants to be deserving of a regular place in the team.

With Chris Wood proving much more ruthless when it comes to headers this season, the Northern Irishman’s average of 0.17 accurate crosses per game is surely nowhere near what it needs to be.

Meanwhile, both Kemar Roofe and Marcus Antonsson’s statistics may not appear to be overly impressive, but both men are predominantly considered to be strikers, so they should arguably move into the equation when Monk wants his side to get onto the front foot.

Alex Mowatt

But it is arguably Alex Mowatt that deserves to be on the other side, based on his performances this term so far. While Mowatt is stronger in the centre, the summer acquisitions of Liam Bridcutt, Eunan O’Kane and Pablo Hernandez surely mean that a place on the wing would be the Englishman’s best hope of holding down a regular spot.

As well as also registering two assists, Mowatt has made more accurate crosses per game than all of his rivals barring Sacko.

And when you consider that Mowatt has played 90 minutes just once this season, it makes his statistics all the more impressive as he is competing with his rivals despite rarely playing a full game, perhaps suggesting that the best combination would be himself and Sacko on either wing.