[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds’ woes when it comes to creativity is clear to see.
This season, Jack Harrison has completed just one accurate cross out of 31 attempted in the Championship.
If you consider that statistic, is it really any surprise Leeds failed to win against Derby? Arguably not.
However, they should have been out of sight and Harrison’s form really shouldn’t have become such a talking point.
Patrick Bamford hit the post and Mateusz Klich saw his spot-kick go wide of the target but ultimately the Whites couldn’t do enough.
The solution to their problems could well involve Helder Costa.
On the chalkboard
Signed on loan from Wolves in the summer transfer window, Costa is yet to start in the Championship. It’s something that’s had Leeds supporters rather baffled as they call for him to be included.
It could be that he replaces Harrison in the side. For all of his hard work, his final ball is missing and his quality in the final third is too infrequent to have a say on proceedings.
Not since the opening weekend has the 22-year-old contributed to a goal and this will only continue to halter Leeds in their tracks.
If he does get dropped from the side then Jack Clarke should be eagerly waiting for his chance too. It seems like a last resort but the neglected teenager may have to be used sooner rather than later.
The 18-year-old has been restricted to just two appearances in the Carabao Cup, failing to earn a place in the squad because of a rule that restricts more than five loan players from appearing in a single matchday squad.
Something drastic would have to happen for Harrison to fall out of the squad entirely but unless his numbers improve and he starts impacting goals, he could be under threat.
Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
At the weekend, Leeds had a lack of genuine attacking options on the bench to change the game.
Instead, Bielsa had a goalkeeper, three defenders and Tyler Roberts, who is arguably not 100% match fit, on the bench with Eddie Nketiah and Costa.
Roberts wasn’t used and instead they went for Barry Douglas to replace Pablo Hernandez. This was strange but showed there is a lack of depth in forward areas. Perhaps they needed Clarke?
The only way the winger will get his chance is if one of their loan players drop out. The more realistic options, if things got worse, would be to lose Harrison or stopper Illan Meslier.
