Leeds United’s hard-fought, and at times fortuitous, 2-1 victory over Bolton served as the first ridding of the Brighton misery.
A two-goal salvo from Italian Mirco Antenucci, both excellently taken opportunities, gave the Whites the victory on the day; a day when Leeds put in a much better performance.
Since Saturday’s game, there has been a sense of renewed hope in both the Leeds camp and that of the supporters. Yes, to a certain degree, the pre-match protests did divide opinion between Whites fans, but the end result was for all.
This begs a very straightforward question: if the Bolton performance addressed some Brighton weaknesses – what do Leeds United need to do at Cardiff?
3 things that Leeds United need to beat the Blues.
1. A performance
It isn’t going to be enough to turn up and just hang in there and hope to scrape a draw. Cardiff aren’t mugs; they’ll produce more threat than Bolton did. Leeds need to actually put in a performance that shows a sense of desire and gumption; they need to simply ‘want’ a result. When Leeds went at Bolton, they caused them problems – they really did. Mirco Antenucci had two delightful finishes but the hard work was done all over the pitch. This is something that needs to be repeated against Cardiff who, again, will prove to be better opposition than Bolton were.
2. Solid at the back, centre and the edges.
Defensively, Leeds need to be more solid and not allow as many shooting opportunities, that’s where goals come from – obviously. In the centre of the goal, Leeds’ centre backs need to be firm in the tackle and ready to clear any danger; they need to be ably assisted by Liam Bridcutt and Toumani Diagouraga. Bridcutt and Diagouraga need to be those pillars of strength in front of the central defenders who simply staunch the flow of any attacks, forcing opponents to explore the flanks. Playing two defensive ‘sixes’ allows them to help out the left and right backs – likely to be Charlie Taylor and Gaetano Berardi for tonight. Whilst their focus may be on starting attacking moves, the full backs also need to guard against one particular weakness that Leeds have, balls from wide thrown into dangerous positions in the box.
3. Round pegs in round holes…again.
Leeds’ return to a 4-4-2 formation paid dividends; not just two goals for Antenucci but also because neither he nor Souleymane Doukara are lone strikers. The trouble is that Leeds tend not to like playing 4-4-2 away from home and should Chris Wood be fit will likely revert to a 4-4-1-1 formation – Wood in the lone striker role. That’s fine, he’s suited there but what about the ‘1’ behind him? Do Leeds push up Lewis Cook and bring Stuart Dallas to play left midfield, a complement to Mustapha Carayol on the right? Does Cook stay on the left and Antenucci drop back into the ’10’ slot behind Wood? That’s the welcome problem that Leeds United have, a midfield with talent and promise. However, as much it is a welcome problem, it is also a curse. You want to play with natural width in say a Dallas/Carayol combination, then someone must be sacrificed in a 4-4-2, if you are wanting to use Bridcutt and Diagouraga as a block at the base of midfield. Whatever Evans’ choices – let’s hope it is a move away from makeshift and fill-in players in positions they are not best suited to.
