Watching Leeds United play must be becoming a frustrating affair for the fans as the Whites have been unable to turn their domination of possession into goals. Moreover, they have continued to concede sloppy goals through set pieces, and the opponents require just one or two attempts to register themselves on the scoresheet.
However, the major problem has been finding the back of the net regularly. Patrick Bamford has been the first choice striker so far, but he needs 4-5 clear chances to get on the scoresheet. Eddie Nketiah was signed on loan from Arsenal who has impressed in his little cameos.
McSheffrey on which player could have been a difference-maker for Leeds
Former Coventry City striker Gary McSheffrey who had a brief loan spell with Leeds United, believes that the Whites missed a trick by not signing a proven forward like Dwight Gayle this summer. Speaking on EFL on Quest Following, McSheffrey said, ”For me, [they need] a Dwight Gayle type of player. I think they missed that last season as well. That’s what didn’t get them over the line. And that’s going to be their Achilles heel again as well.”
The Newcastle United forward is currently down with an injury. He is unlikely to be the first choice forward at St. James’ Park when he recovers as Joelinton has looked decent so far. Gayle is a proven scorer at the Championship level as he fired 24 goals in all competitions last season when he was on loan at West Brom. In the past, Gayle had helped Newcastle United to the English top-flight with his impressive goal haul.
Is McSheffrey right with his assessment?
We believe that McSheffrey is spot on with his assessment that scoring goals have been the Achilles heel for the Whites. Even last season when Kemar Roofe was out with an injury, Leeds struggled to find the back of the net. That problem has persisted this season.
The West Yorkshire outfit went on to spend the big bucks on Helder Costa this season. Maybe they would have been off recruiting a proven and out and out scorer. Bamford has been misfiring for quite some time now, and most of the fans would prefer to see Nketiah lead the line.
Gayle could have been the real difference-maker as he makes impressive runs between the channels and is also a clinical finisher in front of the opposition goal. Moreover, he is known to put in a shift when he starts up front so he would have fitted into Bielsa’s plans well. Therefore the Whites certainly missed an opportunity by not going after him.
