Before Luke Ayling signed for Leeds United, it was likely that the only thing that Whites fans knew of the ex-Bristol City right-back was he urinated from a balcony at the Cheltenham Festival. However, since signing for the West Yorkshire outfit, he’s been doing anything but taking the p***.
In fact, since arriving at Elland Road Ayling has become one of Leeds’ most consistent players. His displays at right-back have been good enough to keep out Gaetano Berardi, the Swiss/Italian defender being the best of the initial raft of players brought in when Massimo Cellino first took over the club.
It’s not just his displays that are catching the eye, but also the fact that his presence adds a certain sense of security and cohesion to what is a vastly improved Leeds United backline. Leeds’ back four is an altogether much tighter unit and Luke Ayling is a vital part of that, being a front-to-back, box-to-box defender.
Here’s a little look at some of the numbers behind Luke Ayling.
Luke Ayling: his Brentford performance vs his season ‘per 90 minute’ average
Defensive
- Tackles: 1 (2.9 per 90)
- Interceptions: 0 (1.5 per 90)
- Clearances: 3 (2.7 per 90)
- Blocks: 1 (2.1 per 90)
It was a quiet day at the back for Luke Ayling, the right-back only having to make the one tackle and not having to make any interceptions of opponent ball. He did make more clearances than his season average over a typical 90 minute period but, as his single block showed, his performance today against Brentford wasn’t necessarily about him showing his defensive attributes.
Possession and Distribution
- Pass Attempts: 75 – includes 18 throw-ins (42.5 per 90)
- Pass Completion: 76.8% (74.8% per 90)
- Key Passes (leading to shots): 0 (0.7 per 90)
- Pass Direction: Forward, 57; Backwards, 18
- Pass Destination (area of field): Defensive Third, 20; Midfield Third, 32; Attacking Third, 23
Ayling’s lack of defensive input was more than balanced out with the efforts he made getting up the right flank and setting Leeds off on the front foot. His 75 pass attempts against Brentford was 76.5% more than you’d expect from him over a typical 90 minutes this season – showing that he was more effective going forwards than usual. His pass completion percentage was more than he achieved over a typical game period meaning that more of his passes were finding their intended targets.
It’s not just the volume of his passes that is benefitting Leeds United, but also his drive and distribution. 57 (76%) of his passes were forward of where he received the ball, this helping keep Leeds on the front foot in the game. It’s not only the fact they are going forward that counts towards Luke Ayling’s importance to the Leeds United cause, but it is also where they are played to that are helping the Whites out. 32 (42.7%) of his passes against Brentford were played into the midfield area, and 23 (30.7%) were played into the attacking third of the field – an area where Brentford would be forced to defend.
The numbers and output only tell a partial story of Luke Ayling and what he’s achieved since signing on at Leeds United. It is the consistency of his performances that are beginning to catch the admiring eye of Leeds United fans. These are performances that show both sides of Ayling’s game, the willingness to get forward and put in a more than respectable shift down the flank as a marauding full-back as well as the doggedness to get back and dirty in the trenches doing the defensive stuff.
Amongst the drive and determination there is more than a sparkle in Luke Ayling’s play; a sparkle that is being seen by fans as a growing consistency that is adding to a more coherent Leeds United defensive unit.
Stats derived from:
- Leeds United vs Brentford – match chalkboard on WhoScored.com
- Leeds United season stats (‘Detailed’ tab) on WhoScored.com
