Dean Ashton identifies lack of match-winners at Leeds

Add as preferred source on Google

Dean Ashton believes that Leeds United are just missing an elite centre-forward in their pursuit of Championship promotion.

After losing to Brentford at the weekend, the Whites need a major swing of results in their favour to see them secure automatic promotion.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are realistically facing the play-offs at the end of the season and they will need to somehow pick themselves up at Elland Road.

Ashton feels that the difference between Leeds and the current top two is in attack.

Leaders Norwich City have Teemu Pukki leading their line and he’s managed 28 goals across all competitions so far this campaign.

Meanwhile, second-placed Sheffield United have 23-goal Billy Sharp at striker and he’s played a major role in their promotion bid.

Kemar Roofe is the top scorer across all competitions for Leeds with 14 goals and there is a more even spread across the team.

“Kemar Roofe is a very good striker, but that’s the one thing they’ve struggled with,” Ashton told Football League World.

“They need that player who can put the ball in the back of the net regularly, all the teams at the top of the Championship have that player. Leeds just haven’t quite got that centre forward who can change a team.”

TBR’s View:

Leeds don’t have one of the top scorers in the Championship, which goes to show what an effort the whole team has put in to help them get in the position they are in.

The Yorkshire giants realistically need to win their two final games and have Sheffield United slip up to sneak into the top two, but the play-offs loom just around the corner.

Ultimately Leeds have created so many opportunities under Bielsa while playing some attractive football and at times have lacked a clinical touch.

Both Roofe and Patrick Bamford have had some excellent moments in a Leeds shirt, but had to deal with injury problems and inconsistent form.