Leeds are riding high and are currently enjoying a five-game winning streak after overcoming Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team finally unleashed their attacking strength as they strolled to four goals, but another clean sheet for Kiko Casilla always meant that it was likely the points would be theirs.
It was the Spaniard’s 11th of the season and the third in that run of five games, and as long as the Whites remain defensively sound, they have a great chance of finishing in the top two.
In fact, their record of ten goals conceded in 19 games means they are not only the best defensive team in the Championship but the whole of Europe’s top five leagues, averaging just 0.53 goals conceded per game.
No other team can compete with that return, which is a testament to a number of individuals and the improvements they have made.
As one fan picked up on, many of those goals have been from set-pieces, too, and if Bielsa can work out a way to limit the damage via those avenues, then Leeds could be impenetrable.
They have conceded an average of 0.26 goals from open play per game this term, or a goal every 342 minutes in other words, which shows how resolute the back four is, and that is a magnificent achievement when you consider Pontus Jansson was sold over the summer.
Selling Jansson due to a personality clash with Bielsa seemed like a bold call, particularly as the unknown Ben White was the only defender who arrived at that time.
Pinning promotion hopes on a young and unproven centre-back could have been disastrous, but his success demonstrates not only his own ability but the astute management of Bielsa to pick out a player and improve him – and one fan was very pleased with the outcome.
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