Since returning from the overhang of last season’s three-game suspension for accumulating 15 yellow cards, Pontus Jansson has slotted back quickly into that ‘defensive mainstay’ position that he made his own last term.
Since his return to the starting XI, Leeds have only conceded a single goal, that being last time out in the 1-0 loss to Millwall – a game in which Leeds United were battered from pillar to post.
It could have been even worse for Leeds had Jansson not been his usual dependable self against the Lions, the Sweden international putting in a display that helped keep the score to something approaching respectability.
Pontus Jansson vs Millwall – a game in numbers
- Successful Tackles: 1
- Interceptions: 2
- Clearances: 17 (13 head/4 feet)
- Blocks (cross): 1
- Headed Duels: 5
- Losses of possession: 1
- Passes Attempted: 30
Worryingly for Leeds United fans, the Whites were forced to play the last 10-or-so minutes of the Millwall game without the help of the talismanic Jansson, who left the field injured (82′) with all the substitutes used.
The injury is enough to keep central defender Jansson out of the side to face Premier League Burnley in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup game at Turf Moor. With this potentially having a knock-on effect for Leeds’ game against Ipswich Town at Elland Road on Saturday, Whites fans were rightly worried.
However, head coach Thomas Christiansen has moved quickly to scotch the rumours that Jansson will miss out on Saturday saying of the Swede’s injury that “with Pontus it’s nothing really important.”
With that endorsement ringing in their ears, Leeds United fans will be looking for their side to begin to put things right against Ipswich, a game where Jansson will hopefully be back to bolster the back line.
